Mizuno Men’s Wave Inspire 18: mesh upper, rubber sole, ENERZY foam. USA/imported. Machine washable for peak performance.
Introduction
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 is the latest iteration of Mizuno’s popular Wave Inspire stability running shoe line. As a stability shoe catered towards runners who need moderate arch support, the Wave Inspire 18 offers an excellent balance of cushioning, support, and responsiveness.
This versatile daily trainer is ideal for a wide variety of runners – from new runners progressing towards higher mileage to experienced runners looking for a well-cushioned workhorse shoe. The Wave Inspire 18 continues the traditions of previous Inspire models while incorporating some updates to the upper, midsole, and outsole.
Some of the key features of the Wave Inspire 18 include Mizuno’s Enerzy foam in the midsole for increased cushioning and shock absorption, Dynotion Fit in the upper for adaptive support, and X10 carbon-infused rubber in high abrasion areas on the outsole for enhanced durability. This is a stability shoe designed to offer the right amount of corrective support while still providing flexibility for a smooth, natural ride.
Key Features of the Mizuno Wave Inspire 18
The Wave Inspire 18 comes loaded with the latest tech and innovations from Mizuno to provide a smooth, supportive ride.
- Mizuno Enerzy Foam – This lightweight and responsive foam is designed to offer versatility with its soft, yet resilient properties. The foam enhances cushioning and performance on every run.
- Smooth Ride – The Wave Inspire 18 utilizes modern technologies like SmoothRide Engineering in the midsole. This provides a smoother heel to toe transition, reducing stresses on the joints.
- Neutral Support – With an integrated U4icX strobel board and Parallel Wave plate, the shoe offers responsive cushioning and ideal support for neutral runners. The curved Parallel Wave plate also promotes smooth transitions.
Upper Design
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 features an engineered mesh upper that provides breathability and flexibility. The engineered mesh is designed to be lightweight and move naturally with your foot, providing a sock-like fit.
The upper also utilizes Mizuno’s Dynamotion Fit technology. This refers to strategically placed panels that stretch and contract with your foot as you run. The panels are placed in areas that need to expand and bend during the gait cycle, allowing your foot to move freely and naturally.
By combining engineered mesh with Dynamotion Fit panels, the Wave Inspire 18 upper aims to deliver a secure and adaptive fit that flexes with your foot strike. The goal is to reduce irritation and hot spots while maintaining ventilation on runs.
Midsole Technology
The midsole is where Mizuno has engineered the Wave Inspire 18 to really stand out from the competition. It utilizes several key technologies:
- Mizuno Enerzy Foam – This proprietary foam compound is soft and resilient yet responsive. It provides excellent shock absorption and energy return, which helps reduce fatigue during runs. The foam deforms upon impact then springs back efficiently to propel you through your stride.
- U4ic Midsole – This midsole material is lightweight and cushioned. It works together with the Enerzy foam to promote smooth transitions as you go from heel strike through toe-off. The U4ic midsole offers a balanced underfoot feel.
- SmoothRide Engineering – Mizuno strategically places SmoothRide technology throughout the length of the midsole. These sculpted areas promote a rocking-chair style motion to help guide your feet through an ideal gait cycle. The SmoothRide design helps you maintain momentum and transition smoothly during toe-off.
Together, these midsole technologies make the Wave Inspire 18 both soft and responsive. It cushions impact well and provides excellent energy return to keep your feet feeling fresh, even on longer runs. The Wave Inspire 18 midsole is engineered for versatility – it adapts to a wide range of paces and running styles.
Outsole
The outsole of the Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 features X10 durable carbon rubber in the heel and articulated wave plate in the forefoot. The strategic placement of these durable compounds ensures the outsole stands up to high mileage without excessive wear.
The X10 carbon rubber in the heel is one of the most durable rubbers used in running shoes, providing excellent abrasion resistance for heel strikers. Its carbon-infused formulation is optimized for traction and resilience even on rough surfaces. The wave plate extends from the midsole to the forefoot, giving this high-mileage trainer an enhanced flexible ride. The articulated grooves allow the wave plate to flex naturally with the foot through the entire gait cycle. Together, these outsole technologies deliver durable traction and a smooth transition from heel to toe.
Runners can feel confident racking up daily training miles knowing the Wave Inspire 18’s outsole is built to last. The combination of X10 rubber and articulated wave plate offers an ideal blend of protection, flexibility, and grip.
Weight and Fit
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 is a lightweight stability running shoe weighing around 11 oz for a men’s size 9 (based on runningwarehouse.com). This keeps it in the lightweight category for a stability shoe. However, those used to more minimal shoes may still find it on the heavier end.
The Wave Inspire 18 runs true to size for most foot shapes. It has a medium width in the toes and midfoot that opens up a bit in the forefoot. This provides a secure midfoot hold with a little extra room to allow toes to splay.
The upper uses a soft engineered mesh that adapts well to different foot volumes. The integrated tongue helps enhance the fit. There are strategically placed overlays that offer structure while allowing flexibility.
The Wave Inspire 18 should fit best for neutral runners who need some light stability as well as mild to moderate overpronators. The secure heel counter and Wave plate offer just enough stability for managing overpronation without being overly restrictive.
Ride Quality
The Wave Inspire 18 offers a smooth, well-cushioned ride that transitions nicely from heel to toe. The midsole uses Mizuno Enerzy foam which provides soft cushioning and resilience, allowing the shoe to absorb impact while also returning energy for a responsive feel. The wave plate in the midsole adds to the smoothness of the transition, guiding the foot through the gait cycle.
Compared to the previous Wave Inspire 17, testers found the 18 to have a softer underfoot feel while still maintaining responsiveness. The Enerzy foam contributes to the plush cushioning while the U4icX heel wedge adds some springiness to the ride. The shoe offers enough cushioning to protect on longer runs but doesn’t feel overly soft or mushy.
The shoe provides a good balance of cushioning and support. Most testers found the transition from heel strike to toe-off felt smooth and effortless in the Wave Inspire 18. The rockered profile helps guide the foot forward as it goes through the roll of the stride. The result is a very natural feeling run with no harshness or clunkiness in the transition.
Durability
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 is built to last mile after mile. The key factors contributing to its durability are the materials used in the outsole and upper.
The high-abrasion rubber in the outsole provides excellent traction and is resistant to wear. Even after many miles of use, the outsole rubber will hold up to abrasive road surfaces, preventing excessive midsole compression and maintaining cushioning.
The engineered mesh upper uses tightly woven synthetic overlays in high-wear areas for structure and support. This helps prevent the mesh from breaking down prematurely. The welded synthetic leather in the midfoot is also durable and resistant to tearing.
Overall, runners can expect the Wave Inspire 18 to hold up well over time and retain its functional performance for many miles. The combination of durability focused technologies in the outsole and upper allow this shoe to withstand repeated road running without rapid midsole breakdown or upper degradation.
Use Cases
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 is a versatile shoe that can handle a variety of runs and workouts. Here are some of the key use cases:
Long Runs
With its supportive Wave plate and responsive Enerzy foam, the Wave Inspire 18 is an excellent option for long training runs. The Enerzy foam provides continuous cushioning mile after mile without packing down or feeling flat. The SmoothRide engineering helps make transitions smooth to reduce fatigue over long distances. Runners have reported the Wave Inspire 18 feeling springy and responsive even into double digit mileage.
Daily Training
In addition to long runs, the Wave Inspire 18 works great as an everyday trainer. The supportive midsole and moderate stack height give just the right amount of cushioning for shorter runs. The engineered mesh upper provides a comfortable fit that adapts as your feet swell and stretch during a run. The X10 outsole carbon rubber offers durability for daily mileage on roads. Overall, the Wave Inspire 18 makes a versatile training partner day in and day out.
Race Day
While not the lightest racing flat, the Wave Inspire 18 has the pep and responsiveness to pick up the pace on race day. The snug upper holds the foot securely even at faster paces. The smooth transitions of the Wave plate and new Enerzy foam means you can turn up your cadence without the shoe bogging down. The grippy outsole also inspires confidence for maintaining pace right to the finish line. For mid-distance to marathon races, the Wave Inspire 18 offers the cushioning and support needed to help achieve new PRs.
Conclusion
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 is an excellent stability running shoe ideal for overpronators or runners who need arch support. It offers a secure fit and smooth, cushioned ride.
With Mizuno’s signature Wave plate technology, Enerzy foam, and SmoothRide Engineering, the Inspire 18 provides responsive shock absorption and a stable platform for running. The breathable mesh upper wraps the foot securely while allowing ventilation.
Runners struggling with overpronation or who want good arch support will appreciate the supportiveness of this shoe. The Inspire 18 is versatile for daily training runs, long distances, and tempo workouts.
The Inspire 18 continues the legacy of Mizuno’s Wave Inspire franchise as a high-quality stability shoe. For neutral runners, it may feel overly posted. But for overpronators, it’s one of the best stability running shoes available today.