Our verdict
Most running shoes in the sustainable category have so far struggled to find a good balance between significant eco-friendliness and high performance—but the Mizuno Wave Neo Ultra isn’t like most shoes. Apart from being very sustainably built, this daily trainer also packs enough of a punch to give current max-cushioning kings a run for their money.
Pros
- Top-flight sustainability creds
- Highly cushioned
- Fun, bouncy ride
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- Comfortable upper
- Grippy and durable outsole
- Best for easy, consistent paces
Cons
- Squeaky midsole
- Priced like the Vaporfly Direct%
Who should buy the Mizuno Wave Neo Ultra
Mizuno piłkarskie Żółte:
- You're looking for a shoe that got top marks on sustainability.
- You are a bigger runner in need of a daily trainer with supreme cushioning.
- ª evolución de la Mizuno Wave Sayonara max-cushioned shoe that will accommodate your broad feet.
Who should not buy it
Mizuno Wave Voltage New Balance Fresh Foam More v4. If you're the type to get easily distracted from annoying sounds emanating from your shoes, try the similarly well-cushioned Saucony Endorphin Shift 3.
The Wave Neo Ultra is kind to the planet
As is often the case with planet-friendly trainers, you either get a top-drawer shoe with minimal sustainability standards, or a truly carbon-neutral runner that is barely runnable. The Wave Neo Ultra is neither. Experts have lauded it for having perhaps “the strongest sustainability component” that they’ve seen in a running shoe “that can also deliver on the performance front.”
Its sustainability accolades include:
- Having over 70% (by weight) of the shoe “being sourced from eco-friendly materials”
- Reducing the carbon footprint of its manufacturing by 13% (vs. conventional production)
- Significantly reducing water use by keeping the sockliner un-dyed.
A bundle of pure Enerzy
The Wave Ultra’s performance credentials begin with its Enerzy midsole trifecta. Its tall stack is composed of a bio-based Enerzy Lite foam, an algae-based Enerzy Bloom foam, and a rubber-based Enerzy Core sandwiched in the middle.
According to reviewers, the result is a “quite dense and stable midsole with much more life and fun than expected,” where the Core is “the secret sauce which gives the shoe a lively soft rebound.”
Comes with a unique sound
A few runners noticed an “awkward squeak” that the midsole makes on certain surfaces. And while the noise was quite annoying, they said that it was “not a deal breaker by any stretch.”
You come at the king, you best not miss
Some reviewers were quick to compare the Neo Ultra to a Cadillac SUV—“large and in charge, but smooth.” Despite its deep cushioning, they found that the shoe “runs lighter than it looks or weighs,” and has a bouncy, flowy feel. This is thanks to the combination of the layered foams, its 8-mm drop, and the fairly flexible forefoot with a significant rocker.
Running shoe experts even argued that the Neo Ultra has a livelier ride than current heavy hitters like the Mizuno Japanese Food Streets Pack Женская обувь Mizuno.
Scene-stealing upper
The Wave Neo Ultra features a one-piece knit upper with no heel collar or heel counter, giving it a high level of flexibility. The tradeoff, though, is that there isn’t a lot of structure to speak of other than what’s provided by the thin plastic paneling around the ankles.
While some testers thought that this lack of rigidity made the shoe “feel a little unstable,” a majority appreciated the secure fit and lockdown it was still able to provide.
Other users also praised the sock-like comfort and excellent breathability of the upper, with one saying that it was “by far the best stretch knit upper” he has ever tried.
Altra fit on a Mizuno?
Reviewers found the Ultra to be true-to-size, with a generous fit. The toe box is also reportedly quite spacious—“among the widest non-Altra/Topo toe boxes out there,” said one expert.
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Several runners claimed that the hundreds upon hundreds of miles they’ve run on their Neo Ultras have barely done a number on its outsole. They were also delighted at how well it performed on wet roads and rocky terrain, saying that it was “very stable and with zero slipping.”
Experts noted that the outsole’s wider platform—along with the foam compound and the shoe’s geometry—help give the shoe “some mild inherent guidance.”
Comfortable miles only
Experienced runners recommend using the Wave Neo Ultra for long runs, easy runs, recovery runs, and for days when it’s better to simply “enjoy a run rather than focus on speed.”
How bad do you want it?
As good as the Neo Ultra is, its price has been a tough pill to swallow even for Mizuno Wave fans.
There were some who said that they could justify shelling out the $250 “if it’ll last well over 600 miles,” but most reviewers agree that the price tag of a daily trainer—even one that delivers on the performance and sustainability side of things—should not come close to sniffing super-shoe levels.
- “The elephant in the room is the price”
- “Mizuno Morelia Neo III Pro AG Fussballschuhe”
- “Enough for even Elon Musk to question the merits of a futuristic daily trainer.”
Maybe one day, crafting sustainable shoes will be more commonplace and accessible, but until then—as one running expert said it's about how much you actually care about owning a more sustainably made shoe.
