Wave Rider 30

Reviewers mostly describe it as smooth. You land softly, the plate stops the foam from collapsing, and a mild rocker rolls you through to toe-off. One tester noticed a slight slapping feel as the foot comes through the midfoot. The ride is steady rather than lively, and that's the main complaint. Lab testing measured energy return well below average, and several reviewers found it happier at easy and steady paces than in faster sessions. If you want a daily trainer with more pop, the Novablast 6 is the bouncier pick.

This is the big change. On paper the Rider 30 has 42.8mm under the heel against 37.5mm on the 29, and the foam is noticeably softer, so it feels closer to a max-cushion shoe than any Rider before it. Reviewers found the heel especially well protected, and the cushioning held up deep into long runs. Lab testing did see the forefoot compress a fair bit under hard loading, so it's softest where you land and less generous at push-off. If you want even more, Mizuno's Wave Sky 9 goes further.

It's a neutral shoe, but reviewers were surprised how stable it is for something this soft. The wide base, gentle sidewall flare and plate all help, and lab testing rated it strongly here. If you overpronate and need correction, look at a proper stability shoe. For a neutral runner who gets sloppy late in a long run, it stays planted.

Reviewers liked the upper. It's soft, well padded at the heel and collar, and the gusseted tongue stops the laces biting. Breathability divides opinion: most found it fine, but one review found it struggled in hot, humid weather. A small gripe that came up more than once is that the laces are far too long.