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Wave Inspire 22
Today's tracked prices
- 01Mizuno - CSS checker7d ago£112.00£140.00−20%
- 02The Jog Shop7d ago£125.00£140.00−11%
- 03GreavesLIVE£140.00
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Price history
Our verdict
The Wave Inspire 22 is Mizuno's dependable stability trainer, a road running shoe built to keep you upright and comfortable over the miles rather than to chase a fast time. It sits in the moderate support camp: enough guidance to steady a mild overpronator, but calm enough that neutral runners who like a planted, structured ride can wear it happily. At 280g with a 7.6mm drop and 36.6mm of heel stack, it is a proper everyday workhorse, not a plated speed shoe. The Mizuno Wave guidance under the arch gives it that signature stable-but-not-clinical feel the line is known for. We rate it as one of the more honest daily stability shoes on the market: no gimmicks, no wall of hype, just a shoe that turns up for easy runs, steady miles and long training days. If you want a supportive daily trainer you can trust for a marathon build, it belongs on your shortlist. Compare it against the Wave Inspire 21 if you can still find last year's model on offer.
Key features
- Mizuno Wave guidanceSpreads the support evenly under your arch to steady a mild overpronator without the harsh feel of a traditional medial post
- Firm, stable midsoleKeeps you planted and controlled over long miles so your form holds up when you start to tire
- Structured midfoot lockdownWraps your foot securely so nothing shifts over the guidance, even on longer efforts
- Wide, grounded baseGives you a reassuringly solid platform to land on, which builds confidence at easy and steady paces
- Durable daily-trainer buildHolds its ride and shape as the miles add up, so it lasts through a full marathon block
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Mild to moderate overpronators who want steady, unobtrusive support for daily miles
- Runners building for a half or full marathon who need one dependable everyday trainer
- Runners who prefer a firm, planted ride over a soft and bouncy one
- Anyone who wants durable support that holds up across a long training block
Who should not buy it
- You want a lively, energetic ride with real pop at pace
- You are a neutral runner who does not need any stability guidance
- You have wide feet and dislike a snug forefoot
- You want a lightweight shoe for tempo runs and racing
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Wave Inspire 22 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual UK size and you should be set. The midfoot lockdown is one of its strengths: a secure, structured wrap that holds your foot over the guidance without pinching. The heel is well held with a firm counter, so you get very little slippage even on longer efforts. The toe box is a touch on the snug-to-medium side rather than roomy, which suits runners who want a locked-in, race-day sort of hold, but wide-footed runners may find it a little close across the forefoot. If you are between sizes or have a broader foot, going up a half size is the safer call, and it is worth checking whether Mizuno offer a wide fitting in your region. For narrow and standard feet, the standard width is spot on and needs no adjustment.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The ride is firm, planted and controlled rather than soft and bouncy. This is a shoe that rewards a steady, honest effort: point it at easy runs and long steady miles and it just keeps rolling. The 7.6mm drop and moderate stack give you a smooth, guided transition from heel to toe, with the Mizuno Wave doing the quiet work of keeping everything tracking straight. Do not expect a springy, energetic pop when you push the pace. It firms up and feels a little flat if you ask it to run tempo. That is the trade-off with this kind of stable daily trainer. Kept in its lane, at conversational and steady paces, it feels reassuringly solid mile after mile, and your legs stay fresh over distance.
Cushioning
Cushioning is on the firmer end of the daily-trainer scale. There is plenty of foam underfoot with the 36.6mm heel stack, but it is tuned for support and durability rather than plush softness, so it protects your legs without feeling mushy or unstable. Heel strikers get a solid, controlled landing, and the ride stays consistent as the miles add up rather than packing out early. If you prefer a soft, sink-in feel underfoot you will find this shoe firm by comparison. But for runners who dislike squishy, wobbly midsoles, that firmness is exactly the appeal: enough protection for long runs, with a grounded connection to the road that many stability fans prefer.
Stability
Stability is the whole point of the Wave Inspire 22, and it delivers moderate, unobtrusive support. Rather than a hard medial post jammed under the arch, the Mizuno Wave guidance spreads the correction more evenly, so it steadies a mild-to-moderate overpronator without feeling like it is fighting your gait. The wide, planted base and firm heel add to the sense of control, particularly when you are tired late in a long run and your form starts to drift. Severe overpronators may want something with more aggressive correction, and neutral runners chasing a lively ride will find it more shoe than they need. But for the mild-support runner, the balance here is judged well.
Upper & comfort
The upper is comfortable and no-nonsense, built to hold your foot securely over the guidance without hotspots. Breathability is reasonable for a structured daily trainer, so it stays comfortable on warmer runs without feeling flimsy. The tongue and collar have enough padding to be plush around the ankle while keeping the heel locked down, and there is no notable break-in period: it feels settled from the first run. It is a practical, durable upper rather than a featherweight racing knit, which fits the shoe's job as a long-haul training partner you can rely on week after week.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Stability |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 7.6mm |
| Heel Stack | 36.6mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 29mm |
| Weight | 280g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | Yes |