5 Shoes Similar to Mizuno Wave Rider

The Mizuno Wave Rider is one of the more popular neutral road running shoe models on the market for those who want a daily trainer that can check all of the boxes throughout your week.

However, you might like to try something else with a similar flavor, let’s take a look at the top-rated running shoes similar to Mizuno Wave Rider!

5 Running Shoes Similar To Mizuno Wave Rider:

1. Saucony Ride 13
2. Hoka One One Rincon 3 
3. New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3
4. Brooks Launch 8 GTS
5. Asics Gel-Cumulus

Our Top Choice: Saucony Ride 13

• Great Cushioning 
• Superb Fit & Lockdown
• Great Value

5 Wave Rider Alternatives with A Short Review on Each:

1. Saucony Ride 13

The Saucony Ride 13 is a reliable daily trainer. It is not special or premium, but it gets the job done well. You get plenty of versatility to work through a range of paces, and also serve as a good “do-it-all” shoe. 

The Saucony Ride 13 delivers a sensational lockdown with the frictionless upper material called FORMFIT, which provides a breathable mesh upper with 3D printed overlays for a fit that accommodates a wide range of foot shapes. 

From the initial step-in to the feeling after 150 miles on it, the comfort and fit are consistent through it all. Furthermore, the lockdown is very kind and secure over the midfoot. 

 The PWRRUN midsole provides a good enough mix of cushioning with some energy return to get the job done on your training runs. 

 Be aware that it’s not a “snappy” toe-off with this shoe, as it starts feeling kind of flat after working down past your marathon pace. You can still get the job done with it though, as it does not really get in your way of moving fast either.

The outsole is a blown rubber that covers pretty much the entire bottom of the shoe. It aids in durability and traction, but it’s pretty standard.

 Saucony integrates extra flexibility with the Tri-Flex design, which is a bunch of different small grooves within the outsole that let your foot flex naturally from heel-to-toe off.

Overall, it’s a great option for anyone looking for good value in their daily trainer and is comparable to Mizuno Wave Rider. The fit is true to size and it is definitely going to feel like a “getter’ done” type of trainer!

2. Hoka One One Rincon 3

Lightweight, fun, and fresh, the Hoka Rincon 3 is a great option to consider as a lightweight daily trainer.

The upper is a great update when compared to its predecessor, as it has a better lockdown and feels more comfortable in the toe box. This is because the Engineered Sandwich Mesh and Slim Tongue work together to hold your foot well without becoming tight or heavy.

No longer will it feel narrow, as the upper mesh and last of the shoe has become more accommodating to a wider feel.

Hoka does a great job with the Compression EVA midsole foam, as it provides what feels like a masterful combination of cushion and snaps back into your stride. 

I have really enjoyed the propulsion from the Revised Early Stage Meta-Rocker Geometry that rolls your forward into each toe-off. It is not aggressive, but it just nudges you forward with each step.

That being said, this may not feel too great to wear in super long runs or true recovery runs. You’re going to probably like it for standard daily training and some up-tempo workouts. 

There is some Hi-Abrasion Lightweight Rubber that is strategically placed for increased traction and durability.

Mostly placed in the “high wear” areas like the heel and medial toe areas. I don’t think this was built to last forever, but you’ll enjoy the runs that you can get from it.

The fit is true to size and will most likely get you where you need to go on your training runs and steady tempos! The Hoka ONE ONE is a little more premium of a shoe compared to the Mizuno Wave Rider in price. 

3. New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3

A lightweight option you can take a look at will be the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3. It is a super lengthy name so we will call it the Beacon v3 for the rest of the time.

-View my full New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3 review

Although it has a longer name, it’s actually pretty simple.

The upper is your standard Engineered mesh, which is comfortable and breathable. It does offer a wider toe box for those who need extra space as well. 

It wraps well over the top of your foot, but there has been some sliding in the ankle area. Thankfully the Ultra Heel lip eliminates any achilles irritation and rubbing that would result from that lockdown error.

The midsole definitely has some “snap”, but the cushioning leaves something to be desired. It is the Fresh Foam X (shoe companies really like their “X” foams these days) midsole, which is responsive over anything else. 

The outsole is stripped back and won’t be incredibly durable, but there is some Ground Contact Fresh Foam, which is exposed to decrease the overall weight of the shoe.

Given what they are trying to do with a lightweight and snappy trainer, I think it all works. 

There are some Rubber Pods placed on the medial forefoot and lateral heel to provide durability in higher wear and tear areas.

This should increase the lifespan of the shoe a little, but don’t expect to get crazy miles out of this shoe, it is performance-oriented over durability.

The fit is true to size and you should expect a break-in period of 15-20 miles before it really starts feeling good. The Mizuno Wave Rider is a shoe known for true to size and comfort so you won't go wrong with the Fresh Foam. 

4. Brooks Launch GTS 8

A simple and affordable daily trainer, the Brooks Launch GTS 8 is a good option for those looking for the reliability of a standard running shoe while on a budget.

The Launch 8 GTS punches far above its weight class (and price class) in pretty much all categories.

The Air Mesh upper is simple and snug over the top of your foot and ankle. It is just breathable enough, but your toes won’t start freezing if you are running in the cold. 

Something I particularly enjoyed was that the shoe laces up easily and then just gets out of your way so you can focus on your run and not how your shoe feels.

The BioMoGo DNA midsole foam feels like a solid blend of performance and some cushion. 

You won’t feel any real “bounce” to this shoe, but it is stripped back enough to the point where most people could wear it for tempo runs, hill repeats, and even track workouts. Think of it as a beefy racing flat that can also serve as a daily trainer.

-View my comparison of the Launch vs the very popular Brooks Ghost.

There is also mild stability from the medial and lateral guide rails. It won’t get in the way of a neutral runner, but it will add a little extra stability for those with mild overpronation.

The Blown Rubber covers the entire bottom of the shoe and has plenty of grooves for added flexibility in your stride. Similar to the Brooks Ghost, the Launch is great trainer and provides the stability that runners need. 

This is the kind of shoe that runners wore for workouts before the onset of the “super-shoes”. It is stripped back, light, and ready to just kind of take on whatever you want to throw its way. 

The fit is true to size and the price is amazing at $100 (or cheaper) in most places! Mizuno Wave Riders price point is around $100 depending on the version so value wise these are comparable shoes. 

5. Asics Gel-Cumulus 22

The tried and true nature of the Asics Gel-Cumulus cannot be ignored as one of the most solid standard daily trainers on the market. 

Although not known as a brand making lightweight daily trainers, the Flytefoam definitely feels lighter and snappier than most of Asics’ lightweight foam attempts from the past.

Not to worry though, because the Gel-Unit in the heel provides plenty of impact absorption. It is not light or plush, but it absolutely absorbs impact well. 

The engineered upper mesh is a sensible and standard take that gets the job done without anything extra.

It is a likable upper because it is inoffensive and gets out of the way quite easily, but it’s not anything special. Honestly though, who gets a daily trainer to be “special” anyway?

Asics does integrate a 3D print for the sockliner to keep friction to a minimum and lower the chances of any sort of blister. Quite honestly you could wear these sockless, not that we would recommend that.

For traction and durability, Asics is placing its High-Abrasion rubber outsole made from carbon rubber. It is actually quite lightweight but provides some great traction, and this shoe will definitely go the distance for you. 

The lacing system is easy, the lockdown is nice, and the fit is true to size.

Conclusion

There you go! Those are 5 shoes that are similar to Mizuno Wave Rider. 

To summarize, if you want a lightweight trainer then the Launch GTS 8, Beacon v3, Rincon 3 are good choices. 

If you want a sturdy trainer then the Ride 13 and Asics Gel-Cumulus 22 are the ones you should opt for. If you would rather go with a Nike try the Nike Pegasus. You can read more about them here. 

Even with all these other options some of you may still prefer the Wave Rider, and that’s totally ok! Every runner is different and deserves a chance to run in a pair of shoes that works for them.