Wave Inspire 22 vs Guide 18

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.

The Saucony Guide 18 is a supportive daily training shoe for runners who want a little guidance underfoot without the heavy, corrective feel of old-school stability shoes. This is the everyday workhorse in Saucony's line: a road running shoe built for easy miles, steady runs and marathon training blocks rather than race day. At a 6mm drop and around 269g it sits in the modern mould of gentle, non-intrusive support, so mild overpronators and neutral runners who just like a planted, secure ride will both get on with it. You will not feel a hard medial post shoving your foot around. Instead the Guide 18 keeps you centred and stable through the gait cycle while staying soft enough for long, slow days. If you want a dependable stability shoe that can absorb high weekly mileage, it is an easy one to live with. Runners chasing pace or pop should look elsewhere. The Saucony Ride 18 is the neutral sibling if you do not need the support.