Mizuno Wave Rider 28 for women: review, price and fit

The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 for women is a neutral road training shoe with relatively firm-feeling cushioning and a stated 12 mm drop. Its main update over the previous version is Enerzy NXT foam beneath the heel, while the Wave plate retains the structured design associated with the range.

It is particularly suited to regular runs and longer outings, although it can also handle changes of pace. Its launch price was €160, and the women’s reference weight is around 240 grams. It is not the most obvious choice for someone seeking an exceptionally soft shoe or one built specifically for fast racing.

A structured feel for daily training

The Rider 28 belongs to the daily training category: it is designed for building mileage, combining cushioning with a noticeable platform underfoot. It can work for a new runner as well as an experienced athlete looking for a shoe for easier sessions.

Its character is easier to understand alongside a very soft daily trainer. Here, the midsole offers more noticeable resistance to compression, particularly under the forefoot. Choosing between those sensations does not in itself determine which shoe offers more protection: fit, comfort and intended use matter too.

In published laboratory tests, midsole hardness measured 44.3 AC against an average of 35.4 AC across the shoes tested. That puts the Rider on the firmer side of this comparison, although a single figure cannot describe the whole running experience.

Midsole: what Enerzy NXT and the Wave plate do

Mizuno Enerzy foam makes up much of the midsole and is combined with Enerzy NXT in the heel wedge. Its location matters: a runner who lands on the rear of the shoe is more likely to notice its contribution than someone whose initial contact is mainly at the midfoot or forefoot.

Between the materials sits the wavy plastic Wave plate, which adds structure to the midsole and helps guide the transition through the stride. It is not a carbon racing plate and does not turn the shoe into a model designed specifically for maximum speed.

Forefoot energy return measured 51.7%, compared with a 61.5% average in the published laboratory tests. The figure helps place its response in that comparison: runners who prefer a very pronounced bounce may find other constructions better suited to their tastes.

What a 12 mm drop means

Drop is the difference in height between the heel and forefoot. The stated 12 mm represents a high-drop geometry, but it does not by itself indicate how much cushioning the shoe offers or force a runner to land on the heel.

Laboratory measurements recorded 39.3 mm at the heel and 24.6 mm at the forefoot, a difference of 14.7 mm. This does not match the stated figure and reflects the result obtained from the tested sample. The heel measurement was also above the 35.6 mm average across the shoes measured.

For someone moving from footwear with a much smaller height difference, alternating the two pairs during the adjustment can help them notice how their body responds. A particular drop does not treat an injury: persistent foot or Achilles tendon pain should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Who it suits and when to consider another shoe

The Rider 28 is a neutral shoe with a structure that can feel stable, but it has no dedicated pronation-control system. Pronation is a normal movement of the foot and is not enough on its own to determine what footwear a runner needs.

For someone who usually wears a shoe with dedicated support, the Rider’s general stability should not be assumed to be equivalent. Fit and individual needs should guide the choice, especially if the previous footwear was recommended for a specific problem.

There is no universal body-weight threshold that determines whether the shoe will work either. A lighter runner may prefer a more flexible foam, while a heavier runner may be comfortable with its firmness. The decision is better grounded in how stable and comfortable it feels for the intended use than in a fixed weight range.

The measured forefoot midsole width was 119.5 mm, compared with a 115.1 mm average. That describes the outer platform, not the room available to the toes: a wide base alone does not guarantee that the shoe will fit every foot well.

Paces, distances and terrain

Its most natural uses are easy runs, medium-length outings and long runs. It can form part of training for a 10K, half marathon or marathon, and can also be worn on race day by someone who prefers a familiar training shoe.

As a guide, paces of around 4:40 to 5:30 per kilometre fall within the shoe’s described use, but they are not a limit. A beginner running more slowly can wear it; a faster runner can also use it for recovery days.

For short intervals or races where lower weight and a more aggressive response are the priority, a specialised shoe may be more appropriate. The Wave plate and foam allow changes of pace, but the Rider’s construction is geared more towards consistent training than outright speed.

Roads are its main surface. It can also handle firm dirt paths and parks, although it is no substitute for a trail shoe where mud, loose stones or slopes demand additional grip and protection.

Fit, sizing and weight differences

The upper uses a technical jacquard mesh, a padded collar and conventional laces. The design aims to hold the midfoot without excessively restricting the front, although the actual fit varies with foot shape. Ventilation may feel less adequate on very hot days, such as during a Valencia summer.

In laboratory tests, measured internal width was 96.7 mm against a 95.2 mm average, and forefoot width reached 77.2 mm against 73.2 mm. These figures help place the sample’s dimensions in context; they do not guarantee that every size will feel wide.

To choose a size, measure the foot from heel to longest toe and compare that length with Mizuno’s official women’s size chart. When trying the pair on with running socks, the toes should be able to move without hitting the front, while the heel should feel secure without uncomfortable pressure.

The insole is removable. For runners using custom insoles, it is important to check the remaining room over the instep and around the toes with them in place, as well as the hold at the heel. The laces can be long once adjusted, so their ends should be secured.

An approximate weight of 240 grams per shoe is published for the women’s version, while the laboratory sample weighed 276 grams. These are different reference figures: weight changes with size and version, and the laboratory measurement should not be treated as a confirmed value for every women’s size.

Outsole and lifespan: look beyond the tread

The outsole uses X10 rubber across a broad area, suited to the wear of road training. In the laboratory, outsole thickness measured 4.3 mm against an average of 3.1 mm. The amount of rubber provides context about the construction, but cannot by itself establish how many kilometres a pair will last.

On gravel, small stones can become lodged in the grooves at the rear. Grip also changes with the surface: smooth paving, road markings and wet cycle lanes call for more attention than dry asphalt, particularly when turning or braking.

Visible outsole tread does not prove that the midsole has retained all its properties. Deformation, uneven wear or a clear loss of comfort are reasons to check the shoe’s condition. There is no exact mileage at which every pair stops providing cushioning.

What changed from the Rider 27

The most readily identifiable technical change from the Mizuno Wave Rider 27 is the addition of Enerzy NXT at the heel. The 28 also revises the upper and collar design, but retains the high drop and the neutral daily-training approach of the range.

For a runner happy with the previous generation, the update is an evolution rather than a move into a different category. If both models are still available in the right size, the price difference and individual fit may matter more than expecting a complete transformation underfoot.

Price and the terms that change the value of a deal

The launch price was €160. As the model was introduced in 2024, its selling price can vary by retailer, colour and available sizes; the original figure is a reference, not a guaranteed current price.

A discount should be judged against the final cost, including delivery and exchange terms. If the size has not been tried before, the returns policy can matter as much as the reduction, especially when returning or exchanging the pair involves an additional charge.

A daily trainer alongside a faster second pair

The choice also depends on the shoes already at home. A runner who owns a lightweight model for intervals can keep the Rider for building mileage at comfortable paces, without asking one pair to fulfil every role.

If it will be the only running shoe, the trade-off is different: it offers room for easy runs and occasional accelerations, but its firm feel and structured construction are not intended to imitate a lightweight racing shoe. That distinction matters more than the category name when training includes very different kinds of session.

How we put this review together: we have not tested these shoes. We wrote it by reading published lab tests, brand information and runners’ opinions.

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