A Mizuno Running Shoes Review

For the past five years, I’ve been a keen runner. The love affair began in 2009 when I decided on the spur of the moment to sign up for the 2010 London Marathon. There’s nothing like the prospect of running 42 km to motivate you to stick to a training plan.

Since then, I’ve run one more marathon – a grueling three laps of country roads and city streets in and around Luton – and a spattering of half marathons and 10Ks.

As a traveller, running is a fantastic sport to be into. It doesn’t require additional equipment, can be done just about anywhere and is a great way to cover a lot of ground in one day. I’ve jogged along the coastline of Fuerteventura, through the streets and parks of Madrid and up and down the potholed tracks that wind around the base of Kilimanjaro.

Running is also a great way to save money for travel. The two cities I’ve lived and worked in – London and Sydney – have notoriously expensive costs of living. Rather than spend a few hundred pounds a month on the tube, I used to weave through the crowds on London’s South Bank, taking in Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral on my commute to work. More recently, I raced the setting sun each evening on my way from St Leonards in Sydney to the beautiful Northern Beaches.

When you’re training in a variety of climates and travelling between many different locations, it’s important to find a running shoe that’s lightweight, comfortable and extremely durable. Enter the newest range of Mizuno running shoes – specifically, the Mizuno Wave Paradox.

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The Mizuno Wave Paradox

First impressions of this shoe are that it’s surprisingly lightweight, extremely comfortable and supportive in all the right places.

The name ‘Paradox’ refers to this shoe’s ability to provide structured support without compromising its lightweight frame.

Like around 60% of runners, I have a tendency to overpronate, which limits the model of shoe I’m able to select. The Mizuno Wave Paradox corrects for this with medial arch support and a gradient in rubber density in the sole.

Another advantage for the frequent traveller is that these shoes are multi-purpose running trainers. They’re perfect for road running, footpaths, treadmills and pretty much any surface you’re likely to encounter unless you stray into the wilderness.

With a shallow tread and durable sole, they’re manufactured for longevity.

All of this makes them the perfect choice for a traveller with overpronation who likes to continue running while overseas.

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Design

Aesthetically, the Mizuno Wave Paradox could be better. I personally find the pattern a bit too busy, and the lime green and princess pink have a distinct five-year-old girl’s birthday party feel. Having said that, once they’re on and you’re racing along the street, the overall look is quite smart. They also come in a variety of colour combinations, including a much less ‘girly’ light blue and orange, and my personal favourite – porcelain blue and red.

The outsole is constructed from carbon rubber to ensure good traction and resist wear. There’s also a full-length ventilation system in the sole that draws heat and humidity away from the foot, ensuring a cool, dry and comfortable ride.

The midsole has ‘Wave’ technology, which disperses the force of impact over a wider area and prevents compression, keeping your foot centred within the shoe throughout your stride.

The upper part is made from light and breathable synthetic materials that insulate and cushion your feet, but are also breathable and waterproof. The DynaMotion Fit system also allows this part of the shoe to interact with the movement of your foot throughout the gait cycle, relieving any stress on your foot and enabling the fit to be maintained as your foot changes position.

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Comfort

Thanks to its impact dispersion and flexible cushioning, this model is incredibly comfortable, providing the support overpronators require without compromising on weight. It’s very supportive around the midfoot – especially for someone with narrow feet like me, but it opens out around the toes, facilitating movement and preventing numbness and cramp.

While this model comes in both men’s and ladies’ varieties, the midsole and outsole have been engineered specifically for their respective gender to improve ride, comfort and performance.

If you’ve decided that these are the trainers for you, there are just a couple more points to bear in mind:

– To ensure a snug feel without cutting off the circulation, it’s generally a good idea to buy running shoes that are at least half a size larger than your usual shoe size. This is to account for the fact that your feet tend to swell slightly when you exercise and your body temperature increases.

– Since running shoes are made of synthetic materials, they should not require ‘wearing in’. If they’re not comfortable when you first try them on, they probably won’t ever be.

Are you a runner too? Do you have problems with overpronation? Comment below and let us know which brand of trainers you think are the best.

 

Disclaimer: These shoes were sent to me free of charge by Millets. This did not influence the outcome of the review: all opinions and images are my own.