Wave Sky 9

Yes, for most runners the Wave Sky 9 fits true to size, so order your usual UK running shoe size. The toe box is rounded and medium-volume with room for your toes to splay, and the forefoot suits average and slightly wider feet. Lockdown is secure once the laces are snug. If you are between sizes or want extra toe room for long runs, take the half size up, otherwise stick with your normal size.

It is a strong choice for the easy and long-run miles of a marathon build. The deep 44.3mm of cushioning protects your legs across high weekly mileage and keeps recovery runs comfortable, which is exactly where a plush daily trainer earns its keep. It is not a race-day shoe though. At 295g it is too heavy and soft for fast marathon pace, so most runners pair it with a lighter shoe for tempo sessions and the race itself.

Yes, it suits beginners well. The soft, forgiving cushioning is kind to joints that are not yet used to running, the fit is comfortable and accommodating, and the moderate drop makes for an easy, natural ride. The main caveats are the price and the weight, since it is a premium shoe and heavier than most, and it offers no stability support. If you overpronate or need a firmer platform, look elsewhere, but for a neutral beginner after comfort it is a friendly, protective option.

Both sit in Mizuno's max-cushion neutral line and share the same comfort-first character, so if you liked the Wave Sky 8 the 9 will feel familiar. The 9 is a plush, protective daily trainer built for easy miles and long runs, not for speed. If your current pair is worn out, the 9 is the natural replacement. If you are on the fence, it can be worth checking prices on both, since the outgoing model often drops in cost while stock lasts.

Durability looks solid for a daily trainer in this class. The generous stack of foam and a covered outsole are built to absorb the repeated pounding of high-mileage training, and shoes in this cushioned category typically return 500 to 800 kilometres of comfortable running before the midsole packs out. Rotating it with a second pair and keeping it to road use will stretch its life further. As with any plush trainer, the soft foam will gradually firm up over time, which is the usual sign it is nearing the end.

It is not built for speed. At 295g with soft, deep foam and no plate, the Wave Sky 9 lacks the snap and light turnover you want for tempo runs or racing, and quicker efforts feel like hard work. Its job is comfort and protection on easy and long runs, and it does that well. For faster sessions or race day, pair it with a lighter, more responsive shoe and keep the Wave Sky 9 for the miles where cushioning matters most.