By: The Mizuno Shoe Guy
The beauty of the Wave Inspire has always been its lightweight support. Unlike many of the heavier shoes in the support category, the Wave Inspire is a fast, smooth-riding shoe which provides the type of running experience Mizuno is renowned for.
Because of the success of the Wave Inspire 11, our design team’s challenge was to continue that great heritage and yet still enhance its underfoot feel and ride.
Mission accomplished.
The primary enhancement of the Wave Inspire 12 is a softer midsole feel. The midsole certainly isn’t pillowy soft, but an added wedge of U4ic (Mizuno’s midsole material) has been placed in the rearfoot which you will notice immediately at heel strike with a softer landing. The cushier heel also contributes to centering the heel better for a bit more support.
In the key area of the forefoot, the cushioning and support have also been upgraded. Just like the heel, the forefoot is also cushier with a thicker outsole which distributes pressure better. Plus, the forefoot has a new forefoot flex pattern. Working in concert together, the lateral side of the forefoot (the outside part) offers better support at the all-important toe-off stage.
Equally noticeable are new stretch laces. The laces are longer and allow for better customization of the fit, particular for runners with wider feet.
While all the technical improvements are significant, it does add up to a slightly heavier package than the Inspire 11. But the advancements in cushioning more than makes up for the increased weight.
Even the upper look of the venerable Inspire has been upgraded to a much more visually appealing profile with four colors for men and women. (The fourth color won’t be available until early February.)
Is the new Wave Inspire 12 noticeably different than its predecessor? Yes, definitely. Longtime Inspire wearers will notice the underfoot improvements the first time they try on the Wave Inspire 12.