Mizuno Wave Sky 5 Shoe Review
November 11, 2021
A Cushy, Energetic Offering From Mizuno
The Wave Sky 5 offers a plush feel, snug fit, and boosted responsiveness
Likes
- Tight fit
- Soft cushioning
- Not noisy
Dislikes
- Lacking responsiveness
- A little heavy
- Not very breathable
What's New
The new Mizuno Wave Sky 5 is more responsive than ever with the addition of the new ENERZY CORE premium foam, which has been combined with the ENERZY foam from the previous version. The result is one of the company's softest and most responsive models to date. Mizuno has also updated the woven upper design, which is structured and snug, providing a locked-in feel that keeps runners confident out on the road. Finally, the Wave Sky 5 is now more durable thanks to the X10 carbon rubber outsole design.
The Bottom Line
The Mizuno Wave Sky 5 is probably not going to make it onto any "Running Shoes for Everybody" lists, but our narrow-footed friends will love the max-cushioned underfoot experience. Typical of a highly cushioned shoe, the Mizuno Wave Sky 5 is not the most responsive trainer and should not be used for your speedier efforts. That said, Mizuno has made strides with their newest update, and the Wave Sky 5 has a notably higher energy return thanks to the new ENERZY CORE foam in the midsole. This shoe also provides dependable protection from the impact of the roads and will handle whatever mileage runners can throw at it. Looking at the upper, the Wave Sky's woven design provides a snug and structured fit, which likely won't accommodate wider-footed runners. Also, the Wave Sky's $240 price point may be a bit lofty for some. Overall, the Wave Sky 5 is a solid daily trainer that will meet the needs of most runners, especially those with narrow feet.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 11.1 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.6 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 38 mm (Heel), 30 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Brycen: "This Wave Sky 5 is one of the softest shoes I have ever worn or run in. I was very satisfied with it for runs and casual wear."
Ride/Energy Returni
Brycen: "I did not feel much energy return when running. However, it was nice to have a soft platform."
Underfoot Protectioni
Brycen: "The Wave Sky 5 is a highly cushioned shoe that provides good underfoot protection."
Flexibilityi
Brycen: "This shoe has a little bend, but not much. It will work well on the road, which is what it's designed for."
Upper Supporti
Brycen: "I liked the way the upper wrapped around my foot. It provided a solid structure and hold."
Men's Mizuno Wave Sky Running Shoes
The Mizuno Wave Sky is a highly cushioned premium neutral running shoe best suited for daily training over any distance.
Women's Mizuno Wave Sky Running Shoes
The Mizuno Wave Sky is a highly cushioned premium neutral running shoe best suited for daily training over any distance.
Individual Thoughts
Brycen7.5/10
I enjoyed the comfort and fit of the Mizuno Wave Sky 5. I didn't even feel like I needed to tie the laces for my runs—that's how snug the shoe fit. I also liked that this shoe was not noisy like some of the others I have tested; there was no slapping or squeaking sound. I was impressed with the soft cushioning and underfoot protection and never felt beat up after my runs. In my opinion, the only negative aspects of the Wave Sky 5 were that it caused my feet to overheat, and it wasn't as responsive as I would have liked. All things said and done, I was satisfied with the performance of the Mizuno Wave Sky 5, and I would recommend it to runners looking for a super soft base.
