Article by Kurt Biesemans
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 (190€)
Introduction
Mizuno’s Wave Sky series has long held the crown as the brand’s most cushioned neutral daily trainer. Yet, in recent years, according to many reviewers, the line was starting to feel a little stagnant, with only minor tweaks between versions. Enter the Wave Sky 9—a bold reset that puts Mizuno firmly back in the max-cushion game.
This isn’t just a refresh; it’s a full rebuild from the ground up.
The all-new midsole platform delivers a true max-cushioned experience, with a plush, protective ride that still feels surprisingly smooth. A subtle rocker geometry helps guide the foot effortlessly through the gait cycle, while a wider midsole base adds noticeable stability—contributing to a ‘floating-like’ feel underfoot. Up top, the reengineered Smooth Stretch Woven upper offers a secure, breathable fit with premium step-in comfort.
With the Wave Sky 9, Mizuno reconnects with the core identity of the series while introducing modern updates that make it highly competitive in today’s crowded max-cushion market.
Let’s take a closer look.
Pros
Fun shoe to run in
Despite announced as ‘easy’ cruiser, it can handle a more up-tempo paces
Versatile shoe, ideally for beginners that look for a one-shoe-does-it-all
Supportive shoe
Acceptable weight for a max-cushioned shoe
No bulky look and feeling
Cons
Potentially the durability of the outsole which is of soft rubber
Stats
Approx. weight: men's EUR43 - 290g / women’s EUR39 - 241gr
Sample weight: men’s EUR44 - 307gr
Stack height: 44mm heel / 38mm forefoot, 6mm drop
Platform: Heel 100mm, Midfoot 95mm, forefoot 125mm
Most comparable shoes
Hoka Skyward X
New Balance 880 V15
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Right out of the box, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 impresses with its sleek, modern silhouette and refined materials. The premium look is matched by an equally premium feel once you slip it on. The step-in comfort is outstanding—soft, structured, and immediately plush without being sloppy
The redesigned single-layer, unlined engineered woven mesh upper, is thin with not much stretch. Nevertheless, it feels flexible and comfortable without dragging extra weight.
It adapts gently to the shape of the foot, offering a secure midfoot lockdown without pressure points. It provides good ventilation. The fit is true to size.
The toe bumper extends high enough to look robust while offering reliable protection.
The toe box is generously spacious, allowing natural toe splay and freedom of movement during longer runs.
Meanwhile, the gusseted tongue adds a plush, secure feel and plays a key role in delivering a confident midfoot lock-in.
The tongue is generously padded, offering a soft and comfortable feel, while effectively preventing any lace pressure on the top of the foot.
The heel rises high and is generously padded, creating a snug and comfortable fit. It feels firm and supportive, and the combination of the elevated heel construction, ample cushioning, and structural rigidity ensures an excellent heel lockdown.
Midsole and platform
Mizuno has taken a bold step forward with the Wave Sky 9’s midsole, making it a true departure from version 8. The stack height has been raised to 44mm in the heel and 38mm in the forefoot (8mm drop), giving it the unmistakable feel of a modern max-cushioned trainer. At its core is a dual-layer setup: Mizuno’s nitrogen-infused ENERZY nxt top layer provides plush softness and energetic rebound, while a firmer foam beneath adds structure and durability. The forefoot carries a touch of stiffness, which contributes to a more responsive toe-off.
Beyond materials, Mizuno also reshaped the midsole with a newly introduced rockered geometry. This design promotes a smoother heel-to-toe transition, helping you roll through your stride with less effort and more efficiency. The result is a ride that blends cushion, bounce, and forward momentum in a way previous versions couldn’t quite achieve.
The platform itself has also been widened — 100mm at the heel, 95mm at the midfoot, and 125mm at the forefoot — creating a stable base that inspires confidence without dulling the shoe’s fluid feel. While it’s primarily tuned for long, easy miles, the Wave Sky 9 has enough snap to handle moderate uptempo work, making it a surprisingly versatile option in the max-cushion category.
Outsole
The outsole is made from Mizuno’s X10 carbon rubber in a full-length layout. It’s designed with durability in mind, though I have some doubts about that given the rubber feels quite soft. Mizuno applied noticeably thicker rubber in high-impact areas and thinner sections — for example in the midfoot — likely to help reduce weight.
Flex grooves are strategically placed where more flexibility is needed, ensuring a smooth and natural roll-through.
The softer rubber on the Wave Sky 9’s outsole not only enhances grip but also inspires confidence on wet roads. Traction feels secure across different conditions, and the shoe even handles light gravel comfortably, adding a touch of versatility to its road-focused design.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
In my opinion Mizuno nailed it with the Wave Sky 9 in the max cushion category. A soft ride, a responsive and stable shoe that has a perfect and comfortable fit. Your ideal companion for long runs and even runs at a slightly faster paces.
The color scheme makes the shoe looks modern and despite the high stack it does not look bombastic and it definitely doesn’t feel like that.
With 307 gr in my size (EUR44 - US10) it is still with the acceptable range for a max cushion shoe.
To conclude, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is a great choice if you’re looking for an all-round daily trainer that offers plenty of cushioning, excels on long distances, and feels most at home at a moderate, steady pace.
Score: 9,18/10 😊😊😊😊
Ride: 9 (50%) Fit: 9,5 (30%) Value: 9 (15%) Style: 9,5 (5%)
2 Comparisons
Hoka Skyward X (RTR Review)
The Hoka Skyward X is a complex yet remarkably pleasant running shoe. It’s a training shoe equipped with a carbon plate, weighing in at 335 grams (size 44), which makes it relatively heavy. With a price tag of €225, it’s also on the expensive side. In my opinion, the Mizuno is the better option: suitable for both easy and slightly more up-tempo runs, around 30 grams lighter, €35 cheaper, and delivering a very similar enjoyable ride.
New Balance 880 V15 (RTR Review)
The New Balance 880v15 isn’t technically a max-cushioning shoe—that title in the NB lineup belongs more to the 1080—but I include it here because with its 40 mm heel stack, it still delivers a surprisingly cushioned ride that holds up well on longer runs. The shoe strikes a fine balance between comfort and responsiveness, while a gently integrated rocker geometry helps create smooth, effortless transitions. These characteristics are also present in the Mizuno Wave Sky 9, though in the Mizuno they feel a touch more pronounced.
All RTR reviews: HERE
Latest Reviews-chronological order HERE
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Tester Profile
Kurt has a background in long distance triathlon. In recent years his focus is back on running. He recently ran various city marathons like Valencia, Milan and Antwerp. Kurt is running on Belgian soils meaning mostly flat surfaces. He likes to hit the nearby trails which are mostly gravel and wooded surfaces. From autumn to spring his favorite trails are transformed into muddy terrain.
Kurt regularly joins a run or trail race to keep the engine going. But he also likes bigger challenges: he ran around Mont Blanc in 4.5 days in 2024, ran his first ultra trail (60K), hiked TMB in 9 days with his family and finished Tenerife Blue trail in 2025. He is 1m86cm and 77kg.
Article by Kurt Biesemans
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 (190€)
Introduction
Mizuno’s Wave Sky series has long held the crown as the brand’s most cushioned neutral daily trainer. Yet, in recent years, according to many reviewers, the line was starting to feel a little stagnant, with only minor tweaks between versions. Enter the Wave Sky 9—a bold reset that puts Mizuno firmly back in the max-cushion game.
This isn’t just a refresh; it’s a full rebuild from the ground up.
The all-new midsole platform delivers a true max-cushioned experience, with a plush, protective ride that still feels surprisingly smooth. A subtle rocker geometry helps guide the foot effortlessly through the gait cycle, while a wider midsole base adds noticeable stability—contributing to a ‘floating-like’ feel underfoot. Up top, the reengineered Smooth Stretch Woven upper offers a secure, breathable fit with premium step-in comfort.
With the Wave Sky 9, Mizuno reconnects with the core identity of the series while introducing modern updates that make it highly competitive in today’s crowded max-cushion market.
Let’s take a closer look.
Pros
Fun shoe to run in
Despite announced as ‘easy’ cruiser, it can also handle a more up-tempo paces
Versatile shoe, ideally for beginners that look for a one-shoe-does-it-all
Supportive shoe
Acceptable weight for a max-cushioned shoe
No bulky look and feeling
Cons
Potentially the durability of the outsole which is of soft rubber
Stats
Approx. weight: men's EUR43 - 290g / women’s EUR39 - 241gr
Sample weight: men’s EUR44 - 307gr
Stack height: 44mm heel / 38mm forefoot, 6mm drop
Platform: Heel 100mm, Midfoot 95mm, forefoot 125mm
Most comparable shoes
Hoka Skyward X, New Balance 880 V15
Also please check out the team's earlier Wave Sky 9 multi tester review here
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Right out of the box, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 impresses with its sleek, modern silhouette and refined materials. The premium look is matched by an equally premium feel once you slip it on. The step-in comfort is outstanding—soft, structured, and immediately plush without being sloppy
The redesigned single-layer, unlined engineered woven mesh upper, is thin with not much stretch. Nevertheless, it feels flexible and comfortable without dragging along extra weight.
It adapts gently to the shape of the foot, offering a secure midfoot lockdown without pressure points. It provides good ventilation. The fit is true to size.
The toe bumper extends high enough to look robust while offering reliable protection.
The toe box is generously spacious, allowing natural toe splay and freedom of movement during longer runs.
Meanwhile, the gusseted tongue adds a plush, secure feel and plays a key role in delivering a confident midfoot lock-in.
The tongue is generously padded, offering a soft and comfortable feel, while effectively preventing any lace pressure on the top of the foot.
The heel rises high and is generously padded, creating a snug and comfortable fit. It feels firm and supportive, and the combination of the elevated heel construction, ample cushioning, and structural rigidity ensures an excellent heel lockdown.
Midsole and platform
Mizuno has taken a bold step forward with the Wave Sky 9’s midsole, making it a true departure from version 8. The stack height has been raised to 44mm in the heel and 38mm in the forefoot (8mm drop), giving it the unmistakable feel of a modern max-cushioned trainer.
At its core is a dual-layer setup: Mizuno’s nitrogen-infused ENERZY nxt top layer provides plush softness and energetic rebound, while a firmer foam beneath adds structure and durability. The forefoot has a touch of stiffness, which contributes to a more responsive toe-off.
Beyond materials, Mizuno also reshaped the midsole with a newly introduced rockered Wave geometry. This design promotes a smoother heel-to-toe transition, helping you roll through your stride with less effort and more efficiency. The result is a ride that blends cushion, bounce, and forward momentum in a way previous versions couldn’t quite achieve.
The platform itself has also been widened — 100mm at the heel, 95mm at the midfoot, and 125mm at the forefoot — creating a stable base that inspires confidence without dulling the shoe’s fluid feel. While it’s primarily tuned for long, easy miles, the Wave Sky 9 has enough snap to handle moderate uptempo work, making it a surprisingly versatile option in the max-cushion category.
Outsole
The outsole is made from Mizuno’s X10 carbon rubber in a full-length layout. It’s designed with durability in mind, though I have some doubts about that given the rubber feels quite soft. Mizuno applied noticeably thicker rubber in high-impact areas and thinner sections — for example in the midfoot — likely to help reduce weight.
Flex grooves are strategically placed where more flexibility is needed, ensuring a smooth and natural roll-through.
The softer rubber on the Wave Sky 9’s outsole not only enhances grip but also inspires confidence on wet roads. Traction feels secure across different conditions, and the shoe even handles light gravel comfortably, adding a touch of versatility to its road-focused design.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
To my opinion Muzuno nailed it with the Wave Sky 9 in the max cushion category. A soft ride, a responsive and stable shoe that has a perfect and comfortable fit. Your ideal companion for long runs and even run at a slitly higher pace.
The color scheme make the shoe looks modern and despite the high stack it does not look overly huge and it definitely doesn’t feel that way on the run.
At 307 gr in my size (EUR44 - US10) it is still with the acceptable range for a max cushion shoe.
To conclude, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is a great choice if you’re looking for an all-round daily trainer that offers plenty of cushioning, excels at long distances, and feels most at home at a moderate, steady pace.
Score: 9,18/10 😊😊😊😊
Ride: 9 (50%) Fit: 9,5 (30%) Value: 9 (15%) Style: 9,5 (5%)
2 Comparisons
Hoka Skyward X (RTR Review)
The Hoka Skyward X is a complex yet remarkably pleasant running shoe. It’s a training shoe equipped with a carbon plate, weighing in at 335 grams (size 44), which makes it relatively heavy. With a price tag of €225, it’s also on the expensive side. In my opinion, the Mizuno is the better option: suitable for both easy and slightly more up-tempo runs, around 30 grams lighter, €35 cheaper, and delivering a very similar enjoyable ride.
New Balance 880 V15 (RTR Review)
The New Balance 880v15 isn’t technically a max-cushioning shoe—that title in the NB lineup belongs more to the 1080—but I include it here because with its 40 mm heel stack, it still delivers a surprisingly cushioned ride that holds up well on longer runs. The shoe strikes a fine balance between comfort and responsiveness, while a gently integrated rocker geometry helps create smooth, effortless transitions. These characteristics are also present in the Mizuno Wave Sky 9, though in the Mizuno they feel a touch more pronounced.
Also please check out the team's earlier Wave Sky 9 multi tester review here
All RTR reviews: HERE
Latest Reviews-chronological order HERE
Kurt has a background in long distance triathlon. In recent years his focus is back on running. He recently ran various city marathons like Valencia, Milan and Antwerp. Kurt Is running on Belgian soils meaning mostly flat surfaces. He likes to hit the nearby trails which are mostly gravel and wooded surfaces. From autumn to spring his favorite trails are transformed into muddy terrain.
Kurt regularly joins a run or trail race to keep the engine going. But he also likes ‘bigger challenges: he ran Tour du Mont Blanc in days in 2024, ran his first ultra trail (60K), hiked TMB in 9 days with his family and finished Tenerife Blue trail in 2025. He is 1m86cm and 77kg.
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