The Mizuno Wave Shadow 2 are road shoes that we used off road too; for experienced runners.
These are noticeably light giving the version 2 an almost aerial stride, 100% performance. You start dreaming about having a good combination between lightness and cushioning… if the Wave Shadow 2, with its 265g (size 42.5) is a real joy, its cushioning is sorely missing. Designed to run forefoot or midfoot.
Three distinct zones are noticeable, the very snug fit from the instep upwards, foothold is accented. The other noticeable area is at the heel where foam padding is very thick: slipper-like. These do have a tendency to absorb plenty of water if you go through puddles. The height of the upper, the soft material and shape do not create any hot spots, but you do lose lateral precision. For once we used the last eyelet to lace up the shoe and hold the heel more tightly. Lastly the forefoot mesh is very stretchy and gives plenty of space in the toe box even if the shoe looks narrow, this was very comfortable, very breathable, just lacking a little precision.
The flat lacing was appreciated by all the testers, wide but not thick, and it spreads the pressure evenly across the foot.
These laces also slide easily and you can adjust them right to your toes. The tongue remains in place and contributes to the soft comfort of the shoe.
The grip is sufficient for track and road running and wet sections. Foot strike is good, conforms to a shoe that has an 8mm drop.
On stony paths you don’t really feel the stones under foot, but the lack of cushioning becomes tiring. So in this instance you need to limit the distance off-road. These are really more designed for short, fast distances, or interval training.
These Mizuno Wave Shadow 2 cultivate the art of speed and comfort. A great shoe for competitors looking for shoes without pressure points. Lightweight, not much cushioning, dedicated to short distances or interval training.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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