Mizuno Wave Rebellion Review
Mizuno Takes A Huge Step in the Right Direction
Likes
- Responsive foam
- Efficient design
- Innovative step forward for the brand
Dislikes
- Tongue runs long
What's New
The new Mizuno Wave Rebellion is a big step in the right direction and will help to launch Mizuno into the future of running shoes. Designed with Mizuno's fastest and most responsive foam to date, ENERZY LITE, and a glass-fiber Wave Plate for added rigidity and pop, the new Rebellion is designed to break into the market of marathon super shoes. This shoe features a unique outsole design that minimizes weight while providing amazing grip even at fastest paces, and the responsive Pebax foam produces a fast and efficient running experience. Finished off with a woven mesh upper, the Wave Rebellion offers a secure hold of the foot with an accomodating fit that delivers the comfort needed for long-distance training.
The Bottom Line
The new Wave Rebellion is the top of innovation from Mizuno, but it's not as lightweight or aggressive as some of the most elite marathon racing shoes of current day. We found that it ended up sitting somewhere between a racer and a performance trainer. While it is a solid option from the brand that could be picked up for both uptempo training and race day, the Wave Rebellion doesn't have the same race-focused design of shoes like the Nike Vaporfly or Adios Pro 2. Instead, it sits in line with performance trainers like the Saucony Endorphin Speed due to it's slightly heavier weight, comfort-inspired upper, lack of a carbon-fiber plate. That said, this shoe still delivers a fast and efficient ride that will perform on race day, and the more comfort-focused upper and durable outsole design gives it the versatility to work as an uptempo running shoe and a racing shoe for those who are looking for one option to cover both. Overall, the Wave Rebellion is a wonderful step in the right direction for Mizuno, and we look forward to seeing how its innovation inspires future models.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to Low |
| Heel Width | Medium to Narrow |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.6 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.0 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 38mm (Heel), 30mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Connor: "The new Enerzy Lite compound definitely has a new feel to it that is unlike any other Mizuno compound. The foam still leans slightly on the firmer side when compared to some of the Pebax-based super foams from other brands, but I did feel it was a little softer than some of the other Mizuno offerings."
Ride/Energy Returni
Connor: "The foam in the Rebellion is pretty responsive, far more responsive than other Mizuno compounds, and it’s exciting to see the innovation coming from Mizuno given their fairly lackluster line the past few years. With that being said, there are a lot of really good super foams out right now, so while this compound is probably not #1 in terms of responsiveness, it's a huge upgrade for Mizuno, and it shows they still have the potential over the next few years to bring some cool, high-end performance products that serious runners will enjoy."
Underfoot Protectioni
Connor: "This shoe has decent underfoot protection and a stack height that can easily go longer distances. I wouldn’t quite call it maxed out in terms of cushioning and find it would be beneficial to see a few more millimeters of foam to excel well in the marathon. I’d also be curious on the other end of the spectrum to see what this shoe and foam would feel like with a much lower stack similar to what previous Mizuno racing footwear is known for. In my opinion, it feels this shoe is in a middle ground that takes a slightly safer approach. While I think it’s a solid execution, there is much more potential from Mizuno to take a bold stance and make some really innovative race products that they were known for years ago."
Flexibilityi
Connor: "While this shoe doesn’t feature an extremely rigid carbon fiber plate and instead opts for a more adaptable glass-fiber wave plate, runners will still feel the shoe runs on the stiffer side and will get the efficiency benefits expected from a plated performance shoe. You definitely feel a plate in the shoe but it's just not quite as aggressive as some of the other plated shoes we’ve tested."
Upper Supporti
Connor: "The upper support on this shoe is decent when compared to other plated shoes. Instead of going for a true racer upper, Mizuno features a little bit more built-up design. The added support does make the shoe a viable option for long-distance training and some people may even find it suitable for daily training. The heel collar provides plenty of support for pretty much any run but comes at the cost of added weight."
Men's Mizuno Wave Rebellion Running Shoes
Women's Mizuno Wave Rebellion Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Mizuno Wave Rebellion delivers a responsive performance offering with a more modern responsive midsole compound. In general, this shoe offers a nice pop and will be a great option for uptempo training or faster daily miles. I don’t feel like it's quite fast enough for my own needs for marathon racing, but it offers plenty of cushioning and upper support for longer distances. Some people who prefer a slightly firmer super foam and don’t necessarily mind the extra weight may end up bringing it out on race day. The fit is somewhat snug but still had room in the toe box and the upper is a little more built up which gives it a performance trainer vibe. Overall, I was pleased with the Rebellion, and it was the first Mizuno shoe I’ve been excited about in a while. While this shoe is not perfect and we’d love to see it continue to push to be even more race-focused, the Rebellion shows Mizuno is taking a step in the right direction. Not too long ago, Mizuno was a leader in the race/performance space and was known for pretty unique offerings like the Universe and the Precision, but more recently, options have been somewhat limited. The addition of the Rebellion and the new Pebax-based ENERZY LITE is a big improvement and it gives me hope that we will see this tech trickle into other high-performance options in the future.