Mizuno wave inspire 21

Learn more about the Mizuno wave inspire 21 male running shoes, including key features, performance, reviews, model updates, and more.

Mizuno wave inspire 21

Price

280

Rating

High

Popularity

Low

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 is a stability running shoe designed for moderate overpronators, sitting within Mizuno's lineup as a supportive option under the premium Wave Horizon and just above the more neutral Wave Rider model.

Mizuno
Mizuno wave inspire
4 colorways

Colorway: Tradewinds

Widths available: normal, wide

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Summary

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 is a stability running shoe designed to provide a harmonious blend of comfort and support for runners who overpronate. Positioned in Mizuno's lineup as an option for those seeking a mix of cushioning and stability, the Wave Inspire 21 delivers a balanced ride suitable for both daily training and longer runs. The shoe features Mizuno's signature Wave technology, which helps to disperse impact forces and maintain a smooth transition from heel to toe. Compared to other models in Mizuno's range, such as the neutral Wave Rider or the plush Wave Sky, the Wave Inspire 21 offers enhanced medial support to guide and correct the foot's motion, making it an ideal choice for runners needing a bit more control with each step.

Surface

road

Cushioning

MinLowMediumHighMax(31.5mm)

Category

ResponsiveBalancedComfort

Breathability

LowMediumHigh(Jacquard Air Mesh upper)

Weight

279g

Heel-to-Toe Drop

12mm0mm14mm

Support

NeutralLightHigh

Width options

normal, wide

Grip

LowMediumHighMax

Suitability

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Pros & Cons

AI-powered

Fittir conducts a detailed analysis of the Mizuno wave inspire 21 to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the shoes features, pros, and cons based on 9 wear-tester reviews.

Most Mentioned Pros

Most Mentioned Cons

midsole (2)
shock absorption (2)
cushioning (1)
plush (1)
softer (1)
comfort (1)
support (1)
midsole softness (1)
Pros
"The Mizuno Whale Rider 21 is praised for its excellent cushioning and lightness."
cushioning
lightweight
"The shoe is designed with a midsole cushioning that is described as medium-high, offering a balance between comfort and responsiveness during runs."
cushioning
responsiveness
"The updated midsole provides a softer and smoother ride, enhancing the overall experience of the shoe."
softness
energy return
comfort
"The Neo Zen offers a plush, cushioned feel that works well with the foot's natural movement."
cushion
comfort
plushness
"The new midsole foam offers improved cushioning and bounce."
foam
cushioning
bounce
"The shoe now features Enerzy NXT foam which enhances comfort and cushioning."
cushioning
Enerzy NXT foam
"The shoe's structure allows for effective shock absorption, making it suitable for heel strikers."
shock absorption
heel strikers
"The cushioning in the shoe feels great and offers solid energy return during runs."
cushioned
energy return
heel cushioning
Cons
"The shoe's cushioning is described as medium-high, which might not be sufficient for runners seeking plush comfort."
cushion
comfort
"The shoe may not provide enough cushioning for long runs."
cushioning
stability
long runs
"The midsole foam is on the firmer side, lacking plush softness for some runners."
firm
midsole
cushioning

breathability (1)
heel support (1)
transition (1)
upper (1)
cushioning (1)
ride quality (1)
flexibility (1)
work usage (1)
Pros
"The new upper design provides enhanced ventilation for breathability."
ventilation
comfort
"The updated design features multiple micro-perforations for additional airflow."
ventilation
flexibility
"The engineered mesh upper enhances breathability while providing good stability and security during runs."
mesh
breathability
stability
"The upper material has been treated for increased breathability."
breathable
upper material
comfort
"The Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 offers excellent breathability, making it suitable for warmer conditions."
breathable
mesh
warm weather
"The shoe features an elevated drop, which is beneficial for runners with Achilles tendon issues or beginners needing additional heel protection."
drop
comfort
heel support
"The Muno Inspire 21 has a smooth and pleasant transition during runs, making it enjoyable to wear."
smooth
transition
enjoyable
"The Neo Zen has a soft knit upper that provides breathability and comfort."
breathability
comfort
knit
"The Neo Zen is particularly recommended for heavier runners due to its cushioning."
heavier runners
cushion
long runs
"The shoe offers a smooth and cushioned ride, enhancing overall running comfort."
smooth
cushioned
comfortable ride
Cons
"The comfort level may not be sufficient for all users, especially over longer distances."
comfort
flexibility
"The Inspire may not be suitable for long hours of standing or non-running activities."
not for standing
limited usage
"The Neo Zen feels too soft and can be unsafe for some runners."
cushion
comfort
safety
"Some runners may experience discomfort due to the shoe's construction."
comfort
fit
tweaks
"The shoe offers subpar airflow, which can lead to discomfort in hot weather."
airflow
breathability
hot weather

outsole (2)
lightweight (1)
longevity (1)
material (1)
Pros
"The shoe's X10 outsole offers durability and is suitable for different terrains, making it versatile for various training conditions."
durability
versatility
"The outsole is durable, providing long-lasting use even with frequent wear."
durability
outsole
"The Inspire 21 has a lightweight design, particularly for the women's version, making it suitable for longer runs."
lightweight
long runs
comfort
"Muno is a brand known for its durability, ensuring long-lasting performance of the shoes."
durability
heritage
performance
"The shoe exhibits outstanding durability, showing minimal wear even after extensive testing."
durable
high mileage
resistant to wear
Cons
"There is little mention of durability concerns, indicating they might not last long-term under serious use."
cushion durability
wear and tear
"The materials may not offer adequate durability for frequent runners."
lightweight
breathable
durability

weight (3)
flexibility (1)
modernity (1)
design (1)
pace (1)
intensity (1)
distance (1)
bulk (1)
Pros
"Overall, the shoe is described as very flexible, promoting a natural running motion."
flexibility
performance
"The Wave Inspire 21 is lightweight, enhancing speed during runs."
lightweight
speed
performance
Cons
"Some users might find the weight of the shoes excessive for their preferences."
weight
performance
"The shoe's weight may be considered heavy for performance-oriented runners."
weight
performance
"The shoe is on the heavier side compared to some competitors, which might not appeal to speed-focused runners."
heavy
speed
"The shoe may lack appeal for those preferring ultra-modern features."
traditional
old school
inferior technology
"The design does not drastically change, which might not resonate with all users looking for innovation."
lack of innovation
stagnation
"The Wave Inspire 21 may be more suited for faster workouts rather than daily training."
speed
training type
"The performance might decrease during high-intensity activities."
performance
lightweight
"The shoe is recommended only for mid-distance runs, lacking suitability for longer distances."
mid-distance
long-distance
"The shoe’s bulkiness may be a disadvantage for tempo runs or races."
bulk
tempo training

drop (2)
width (2)
security (1)
familiarity (1)
versatility (1)
lockdown (1)
specificity (1)
drop height (1)
Pros
"The improved fit keeps the foot secure during runs, enhancing overall stability."
fit
stability
"The shoe retains its familiar design, allowing returning customers to feel at home while also incorporating improvements."
design
returning customers
improvements
"The Inspire 21 fits well for various foot shapes, accommodating both narrow and wider feet."
accommodation
fit
comfort
"The fit is enhanced with a gusseted tongue for better lockdown."
gusseted tongue
fit
lockdown
Cons
"The fit may not be ideal for runners with very specific foot shapes due to the design choices."
fit
protection
"Despite being designed for beginners, the shoe's high drop might feel awkward for newer runners."
drop
beginner
"The shoe's high drop is not suitable for midfoot or forefoot strikers."
high drop
midfoot strike
forefoot strike
"Despite improvements, the Inspire still has a high drop which may not be preferred by all runners."
high drop
not suitable for all
"Some users may find the shoe too narrow if they have wider feet despite the new considerations."
narrow cut
not suitable for wide feet
"The shoe runs slightly narrow which may affect comfort for some runners."
narrow
fit issue
"The fit of the shoes may not accommodate all foot types."
custom fit
anatomy
"The shoe's fit might not be ideal for everyone."
fit
versatility
breathability

support (2)
wave plate (2)
protection (1)
injury support (1)
medial (1)
heel striking (1)
platform (1)
heel construction (1)
Pros
"The heel area has been modified to offer better protection."
heel protection
stability
"The Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 offers excellent stability for runners, making it an ideal choice for those seeking extra support during training."
stability
support
"The shoe maintains its stability while enhancing cushioning."
stability
supportive
medial
"It provides reliable stability, which is especially beneficial for overpronators."
stable
overpronation support
not stiff
"The Mizuno Wave Plate provides unique asymmetrical support that enhances stability, especially for overpronators."
wave plate
asymmetrical support
"The wave plate design continues to provide stability and support."
wave plate
pronounced
stability
"This shoe offers good stability for runners, especially for those with form deficiencies or injuries."
stability
form support
injury prevention
"The Wave Inspire 21 provides excellent stability for overpronators thanks to its updated wave plate design."
stability
overpronation
wave plate
"The Wave Inspire 21 is a great choice for heel strikers due to its stability and flexibility."
heel strikers
flexibility
stability
"The wide platform provides secure landings for runners."
wide platform
secure landings
"The shoe has a well-constructed heel counter that provides both support and stability."
heel support
stability
firm
Cons
"The shoe's support feature is barely noticeable, which may not satisfy some runners looking for significant stability."
stability
support
"There may be stability issues for overpronators with the Neo Zen."
overpronation
heavier runners
"The shoe's design lacks aggressive rockers or heel bevels, which might not suit all runners."
rocker
forefoot
heel design

traction (1)
Pros
Cons
"The shoe may lack certain advanced grip features that some runners desire."
grip
traction

safety (1)
multi-use (1)
weight (1)
value (1)
lightness (1)
traction (1)
visibility (1)
updates (1)
Pros
"Reflective materials are incorporated for safety during low-light running conditions."
reflective
safety
"Both shoes are versatile and suitable for various types of runs, from tempo intervals to long runs."
versatile
tempo runs
long runs
"The Inspire 21 is lighter in weight compared to its predecessor."
lightweight
reduce weight
"The price point is reasonable and fairly positioned in the market."
price
value
"The shoe weighs less than its predecessor, making it a bit lighter despite its bulk."
weight
lightweight
"The flex grooves in the outsole aid in flexibility during runs."
flexibility
traction
"Reflective elements on the upper enhance visibility during runs."
reflective elements
visibility
Cons
"The shoe may not suit those seeking significant updates or changes in technology."
esthetics
technology
"The design changes in the shoe may not cater to all runners' preferences and expectations."
design
update
"The shoe feels heavy, which may be off-putting for some runners."
heavy
weight
bulk
"The shoe lacks ventilation, which could make it less comfortable for long runs in warm weather."
ventilation
breathability
comfort
"The color options are unappealing and may not satisfy those looking for aesthetic appeal."
color
aesthetics

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Model Updates

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 features an updated Enerzy foam in the midsole, which enhances cushioning and energy return compared to its predecessor. Additionally, this model introduces a more breathable upper design, improving comfort and fit for longer runs.

Older Models

Newer Models

Reviews

Read reviews about the Mizuno wave inspire 21 from across the internet, including reviews from other runners on Fittir, wear testers from google & youtube, and more.

Reviews on Fittir (-)

...

Wear-tester reviews (9)

4.0/5

Prices

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