Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Overview & First Run Review
The Mizuno Wave Rider 30 is a significant change and upgrade to the previous Wave Rider models. It’s built to be more cushioned with a higher stack of foam, a more exciting and responsive top layer of supercritical Enerzy NXT and a full-length Wave Plate. Below we will compare it to Mizuno’s Neo Zen 2 elevated daily trainer and their Neo Vista 3 super trainer and let you know if you should add it to your rotation.
Mizuno completely reinvented the Wave Rider with version 30. The shoe now features a dual-foam setup with a supercritical Enerzy NXT top layer, EVA bottom layer, and a full-length Wave Plate, bringing 42.5mm of stack and a much more modern ride to the franchise. At $150 and 266g, it is positioned as a stable, highly cushioned daily trainer that sits between the Neo Zen 2 and Neo Vista 3 in the Mizuno lineup.
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Specs
Stack Height/Drop: 42.5mm in the heel, 10mm drop
Weight: 266 grams (Men's US Size 9)
Midsole: Dual foam—supercritical Enerzy NXT on top and stabilizing EVA on the bottom—with a full-length Wave Plate
Price: $150
Mizuno Wave Rider 30
Mizuno Wave Rider 30 Compared to the Neo Zen 2 and Neo Vista 3
Positioning in the Market
The Wave Rider 30 is a reliable, higher drop plastic-plated daily trainer oriented toward comfort and stability. Although the Neo Zen 2 is also positioned as a daily trainer, it features a lower drop feel and in this iteration, it feels like a no-nonsense, workmanlike cushioned, plated-less daily trainer for stacking mileage. The Neo Vista 3 is a max stack, dual foam super trainer designed for high mileage training. It features a protective, comfort-oriented midsole optimized for long runs.
Stack Height & Drop
The Neo Vista 3 has the highest stack of foam, coming in at 44.5mm in the heel with an 8mm drop. The Neo Zen 2 has the lowest stack height with 40mm of foam in the heel and a more moderate 6mm drop. The Wave Rider 30 comes in right in the middle with 42.5mm of foam, but with a higher 10mm drop.
Midsole Foam
The Wave Rider 30 features a supercritical top layer of foam, a full-length plastic plate, and an EVA bottom layer. The Neo Zen 2 is more simple with a non-plated EVA blend single layer of foam. Much like the Wave Rider 30, the Neo Vista 3 also features a supercritical top layer of foam, a plastic plate, and a bottom layer of EVA.
Weight
Both the Wave Rider 30 and the Neo Vista 3 come in at 266 grams in a Men's US Size 9 while the Neo Zen 2 comes in lighter at 240 grams.
Price
At $150, the Wave Rider 30 is the least expensive of these three shoes. The Neo Zen 2 is just $10 more at $160, while the Neo Vista 3 is $200.
For Yowana's full first run review video, check out the Supwell YouTube channel here:
Summary
The Wave Rider 30 is the newest addition to one of the longest-standing shoe lines in the game. This update sees the introduction of a full length plastic Wave Plate and a dual foam platform featuring a top layer of bouncy Enerzy NXT. Engineered with stability, reliability, and comfort in mind, this shoe seeks to modernize the Wave Rider without alienating longtime fans of the nameplate. We were pleasantly surprised by the ride, finding it smooth and protective. It will be a great addition for anyone looking for a do-it-all running shoe for errands, walking the dog, or running. It could also be a great option for someone who has enjoyed running daily miles in standard daily trainers like the Hoka Bondi 9, Brooks Ghost 17, or the Nike Vomero 18.
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