Strong Medicine Mom: Trying Out My New Kicks - Mizuno Wave Runner 18 Review

Disclaimer: This a sponsored post in conjunction with Fitfluential & Mizuno. I received these shoes to review and was compensated. All blog contents are my honest opinion and genuine experiences.

"Mama always said there's an awful lot you can tell about a person's shoes." --Forrest Gump.

I'll be honest, Forrest Gump is hands down one of my favorite movies to watch and consistently quote. In all seriousness though, it's so true!

When I first started running, the number one piece of advice I received was to invest in a GOOD pair of shoes - the second piece of advice was to get a supportive sports bra, in case you were wondering. So I went to a running store and did just that...

Not really...but I digress. By now I've gone through quite a few pairs of shoes. In order to prevent a flare up of my dreaded tendonitis, I have started a mildly strategic shoe rotation. Recently, I added another pair of AWESOME shoes to my rotation - the Mizuno Wave Rider 18.

These guys are a lot different than my typical running shoe by another brand I won't mention (but if you look at old posts you can figure it out, you smarties!). I was highly skeptical of trying out a new brand. Once I find something I like, I tend to stick with it. Like ice cream flavors or pizza toppings - you just don't wanna mess that stuff up!

Mizuno really surprised me. I mean, I know they are a well-regarded company in the running world but I'm pretty picky. I've come to really love how lightweight they are - plus they provide just the right amount of support! My other shoes are a lot heavier and cushier - these are definitely more solid with a harder "end feel" (oh boy...that's an osteopathic phrase). My flat feet feel supported but aren't being forced into an uncomfortable arch. Best of all, no shin splits, tendonitis, or leg/foot pain. Very comfy!

A little about the shoe specs. Mine are the White/ Dress Blue/ Vibrant Orange style. Since this is a men's shoe (I have large, flipper feet...), it's a little heavier than the women's model (9.2 oz versus 7.8 oz, respectively). Ramp is 12 mm for both. I went for a 10.5 in the men's shoe and found that it was a perfect fit! Thankfully my husband wears the same size so I had a pretty good idea what I would need! My feet are pretty long and narrow so I find the width to be just perfect with a good amount of room in the toe. I have lost a couple toenails thanks to slamming my toe into the top of a too big/small shoe for 13.1 miles. These, I believe, may be the best fit so far!

As far as surfaces go, I found these to be VERY comfortable on asphalt and concrete. I didn't get a chance to do any trail running at this point but I'm hoping to test them out this weekend along the canal. They also performed well on the treadmill, although I didn't feel the same "pep" in my step as I did on the road. Then again, I hate the dreadmill so I'm a little biased!

Pros:

This shoe is lightweight and constructed with high quality materials.
Great for neutral runners or people who do not need extreme support. They are perfect for a wide variety of runners, even us flat footed folks.
Lots of cool color options for both women and men.
May or may not be related but I've been running a little bit faster than usual - especially on the road. But can anyone explain why I run SLOWER on the dreadmill?

Cons:

Women's sizes only go up to 12's - I wear a 13 in running shoes so I opted for the men's sizes. They were still great, though.

I can't wait to take these babies out for a REAL test on Thanksgiving Day - my next scheduled 10k race! I know I'll definitely be lighter on my feet and ready to set a new PR.

Overall, I would highly recommend these shoes if you're looking for a solid neutral shoe. The Mizuno Wave Rider 18 retails for a very reasonable $119.99 for both men's and women's styles.

To learn more, check out Mizuno's website or follow #WaveRider18 on social media. While you're at it, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!