Mizuno Shoe Guy Answers Your Footwear Questions—February 2012

by Bob "Wish" Wischnia on February 3, 2012

Do you have a shoe-related question? Or a running shoe question, specific to Mizuno for the Mizuno Shoe Guy? If you have a question you’d like him to answer, send it to Shoeguy@Mizunousa.com. He'll pick five questions a month to answer and if he picks your question, we'll send you a beautiful Mizuno tech T-shirt.

Q: I’m a woman marathoner from Australia who wears orthotics due to moderate overpronation. I generally stick to Mizuno (Wave Riders), but want a little more support. Do you have any suggestions for such a shoe that would also work well with my orthotics? Britta Dixon, Geelong, Australia

A: G’day Down Under. We do have the perfect shoe for you: The Mizuno Wave Inspire 8. It weighs just a bit more than the Wave Rider, but is more supportive without being rigid. It’s well-cushioned like the Wave Rider and offers very similar flexibility. As for orthotics, the Wave Inspire will handle inserts just fine. Simply remove the insole before replacing with your own orthotics. And if you decide you want to run your marathons in training shoes, the Inspire will work just fine.

Q: I have worn Mizunos for years and have always liked the ride and fit. But I want to switch to a more “barefoot” shoe and quite frankly, I’m surprised Mizuno doesn’t have a minimalist shoe. Why not? Steve Rossi, San Carlos, California

A: Thanks for the question Steve. The reality is Mizuno has had great minimalist shoes in the line for several years. We might not call out racing shoes—the Wave Musha, Wave Ronin and Wave Universe—minimalist shoes, but they absolutely are. All three have lowered heel-to-toe ramps, are very light and flexible and have a snug, slipper-like fit. The Universe is—by far—the lightest of the three, weighing in at an incredible 3.8 ounces. That’s not a lot of shoe, but the Universe has been steadily gaining popularity with runners who don’t quite want to go barefoot but still want as little shoe as possible. The Ronin (7 ounces for men; 6 for women) and the Musha (7.8 ounces for men and 6.8 for women) are more conventional high-performance racing shoes that are also popular with minimalist fans who want traditional cushioning in a lightweight shoe. If you’re a Mizuno runner, I suggest you check out Mizuno’s racing shoes for your training and racing needs.

Q: As a big guy who weighs over 230 pounds, running stores tend to stick me in heavy motion control shoes. But I don’t overpronate and I find these shoes bulky and uncomfortable and they slow me down. Really, all I want is a well-cushioned, durable shoe that doesn’t weigh a ton. Which Mizuno do you suggest for me?Michael Nixon, Fort Collins, Colorado

A: Michael, we have two exceptional maximum cushioned, neutral shoes—the Wave Creation and the Wave Enigma—that are ideal for big runners. The Creation 13 has been one of the most popular shoes in the Mizuno lineup for years and for all the right reasons. It has great midsole cushioning (particularly in the heel where it’s softer than prior models), terrific arch support and it’s flexible and very durable. The Creation 13 is also a bit lighter than earlier versions of the shoe. The Enigma is an entirely different ride and feel than the Creation. Introduced last May, the Enigma has quickly developed a following with runners who like plenty of cushioning, a smooth ride and a shoe that will last for hundreds of miles. Even though neither shoe is just for big runners, both have enough cushioning and durability for even a big man like you. I suggest you go to your LRS and try them both on and go with the shoe which fits and feels the best.

Q: My first quality shoe was the Mizuno Wave Rider 14. I loved them, but the Riders were eventually stolen while I was in the gym. I ended up buying the Wave Enigma and ran my first marathon in them. Amazing shoes. But now I’m wondering if there is a similar, but lighter shoe than the Enigma that I can wear for my next marathon? Luka Trbojevic, Belgrade, Serbia

A: Sounds like you live in a rough neighborhood. Anyway, the Mizuno Wave Precision 12 might be just the lightweight, performance neutral shoe you’re looking for. At 9.6 ounces, the Precision is substantially lighter than the Enigma, but still has plenty of cushioning and a smooth, flexible ride. The Precision is an ideal marathon shoe for recreational racers who want lighter, quicker shoe than their normal trainers.

Q: I am a major Mizuno fan who has been wearing the Wave Inspire for several years. I always order two pairs and alternate them every other day. Usually, I get about 400 miles on each pair and they have served me well. To be honest, I did not like the Wave Inspire 7 and had a wicked pain on the top of my foot, right where I tie the laces. I don’t want to give up on my Wave Inspires, but don’t know what to do. Any advice? Nina Franklin, Des Moines, Iowa

A: Don’t despair. The current version of the Inspire—the Wave Inspire 8—underwent a major fit adjustment so that the shoe fits very similar to the Inspire 6, rather than the 7. So I would strongly suggest you try on the Inspire 8 to see if it fits you better than the 7 did. The pain you describe on top of your foot where you tie the laces is quite common. The problem is many of us tend to crank the laces down too tightly to get a snug fit. But you can get a secure fit without tying the laces too tightly. Tightening them too much can cause soreness and pain on top of the foot. The solution is simple: Rest for a few days and when you start running again, make a conscious effort not to tie the laces too tightly. If you are using the top eyelet, you may not need to use it which also may alleviate some pressure on top of your foot.