GOOD SHOES. REAL LIFE. An independent guide for men 35+ Research in progress
Gentle Sneaker
THE EVERYDAY SHOE EDIT
Our approach ↗

Mizuno Wave Rider 29

For men 35+: fit, comfort, weather and wear.

MizunoTrainer shape

Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Reviews

15 of 19 reviews recommend it.

2 have reservations; 2 do not recommend it.

Overall review score7.4/1016 authors

Will it fit your foot?

  • Length: True to size or large
  • Width: Wide
  • Toes: Roomy
  • Instep: Mixed fit reports

Where can you wear it?

  • Warm days: reports differ
  • Wet ground: grip holds
  • Weight: reports differ
  • Worn for running, walking

$150Mid-rangeregular price at the maker's store

Find on Google
  • SoleChunky-looking
  • Coloursblue, navy, red

On our lists: Everyday sneakers owners actually wear · Sneakers that grip wet pavement · Sneakers with a roomy toe box · Sneakers that wear wide · Sneakers that hold up with wear · Chunky sneakers

Do Mizuno Wave Rider 29 run big?

Length

  • Runs large.

Wave Rider 29

  • True to size.
321

Reported sensations

  1. Over the instep

    Wave Rider 29

    • Some reports disagree: roomy.

  2. Width

    • Wide fit.

    Wave Rider 29

    • Wide fit.

  3. Around the toes

    Wave Rider 29

    • Roomy.

How heavy do they feel?

Weight on foot

Wave Rider 29

  • Opinions differ on whether it feels light.

Weather, water & grip

In warm weather

Wave Rider 29

  • Some reports disagree: cool, hot.

Grip underfoot

Wave Rider 29

  • Holds on wet ground.

How do they hold up over time?

What wears or breaks?

1
Reported locations, not a failure rate.

1Outsole

Wave Rider 29

  • Abrasion.

Will they keep their looks?

Wave Rider 29

  • Holds up with wear.

How long have people worn them?

Wave Rider 29

  • Owners describe 3–12 months or under 3 months of wear.
  • Some pairs are still in use.

These are times already worn, not estimates of how long a new pair will last.

Materials & everyday details

Sole shape

Chunky-looking

Materials & details
Colour contrast
Sole stands out from the upper
Sole colours
blue / red / white
Upper colours
blue / navy / red

From maker pages; visual descriptions are our reading of their images. Details can vary across versions.

See them on video

YouTube ↗

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review: Softer, More Responsive Foam Means More Fun on the Road

YouTube ↗

MIZUNO WAVE RIDER 29: All NXT, all the time!

YouTube ↗

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review: Safe and Simple

YouTube ↗

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review | Versatility and comfort with a new softer midsole

More videos
YouTube ↗

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review: Not your Average Rider

YouTube ↗

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review - What’s New & Should You Buy It?

YouTube ↗

Initial Impressions: Mizuno Wave Rider 29 I SneakerFactoryRun Reviews

Estimate your cost per wear
Your scenario

What would each wear cost you?

Enter your price, frequency and expected years.Your assumptions · not the model’s measured lifespan
How this is calculated

Price ÷ (days per week × 52 × years), with one wear per day, rounded up to the next cent. Price and lifespan here are your scenario, not observations from other owners.

About our research

Based on 22 reviews and other sources.

We compare owner feedback and reviews for fit, comfort and wear. Model details come from maker and retail information.

How we put the guide together →

Compare with similar pairs

Similar uses, different fits and trade-offs. These are reports about each model, not a head-to-head test.

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 vs Brooks Ghost 16

Also used for running. Compare length.
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Brooks Ghost 16
Brooks Ghost 16See this model
What mattersMizuno Wave Rider 29Brooks Ghost 16
Length
  • Runs large.

Wave Rider 29

  • True to size.
  • True to size.
Width
  • Wide fit.

Wave Rider 29

  • Wide fit.
  • Narrow fit.
  • Reports differ: narrow, regular or wide.
Toe box
  • Roomy.
  • Roomy.
Weight on the foot
  • Opinions differ on whether it feels light.
  • Opinions differ on whether it feels light.
Sole shapeChunky-lookingRegular profile
Maker price$150 (regular price at the maker's store)$109.95 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-25 / 2026-09-26.

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 vs Brooks Ghost 17

Also used for running. Compare width.
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Brooks Ghost 17
Brooks Ghost 17See this model
What mattersMizuno Wave Rider 29Brooks Ghost 17
Length
  • Runs large.

Wave Rider 29

  • True to size.
  • Reports differ: true to size or large.
Width
  • Wide fit.

Wave Rider 29

  • Wide fit.
  • Wide fit.
  • Reports differ: narrow, regular or wide.
Toe box
  • Roomy.
  • Reports differ: roomy or snug.
Weight on the foot
  • Opinions differ on whether it feels light.
  • Feels light to some wearers, heavy to others.
Sole shapeChunky-lookingChunky-looking
Maker price$150 (regular price at the maker's store)$119.95 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-25.

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 vs Mizuno Wave Sky 9

Also used for running. Compare length.
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Mizuno Wave Sky 9
Mizuno Wave Sky 9See this model
What mattersMizuno Wave Rider 29Mizuno Wave Sky 9
Length
  • Runs large.

Wave Rider 29

  • True to size.
  • True to size.
Width
  • Wide fit.

Wave Rider 29

  • Wide fit.
  • Reports differ: narrow, regular or wide.
Toe box
  • Roomy.
  • Roomy.
Weight on the foot
  • Opinions differ on whether it feels light.

Running

  • Some reports disagree: light.

Wave Sky 9

  • Feels light to some wearers, heavy to others.
Sole shapeChunky-lookingChunky-looking
Maker price$150 (regular price at the maker's store)$180 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-25.

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 vs Nike Vomero 18

Also used for running. Compare length.
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Nike Vomero 18
Nike Vomero 18See this model
What mattersMizuno Wave Rider 29Nike Vomero 18
Length
  • Runs large.

Wave Rider 29

  • True to size.
  • Reports differ: small or true to size.
Width
  • Wide fit.

Wave Rider 29

  • Wide fit.
  • narrow feetSnug across the foot.
  • wide feetRoomy across the foot.
  • Reports differ: narrow, regular or wide.
Toe box
  • Roomy.
  • wide feetSnug.
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.
Weight on the foot
  • Opinions differ on whether it feels light.
  • Feels light to some wearers, heavy to others.
Sole shapeChunky-lookingChunky-looking
Maker price$150 (regular price at the maker's store)$165 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-25 / 2026-09-26.

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 vs Saucony Ride 19

Also used for running. Compare length.
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Saucony Ride 19
Saucony Ride 19See this model
What mattersMizuno Wave Rider 29Saucony Ride 19
Length
  • Runs large.

Wave Rider 29

  • True to size.
  • True to size.
Width
  • Wide fit.

Wave Rider 29

  • Wide fit.

Wide

  • Wide fit.

Ride 19

  • Reports differ: regular or wide.
Toe box
  • Roomy.
  • thick socksSnug.
  • Roomy.
Weight on the foot
  • Opinions differ on whether it feels light.

Wide

  • Feels light.

Ride 19

  • Feels light to some wearers, heavy to others.
Sole shapeChunky-lookingChunky-looking
Maker price$150 (regular price at the maker's store)$145 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-25 / 2026-10-01.

Mizuno Wave Rider 29 vs Asics Gel-Nimbus

Also used for running. Compare length.
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Asics Gel-Nimbus
Asics Gel-NimbusSee this model
What mattersMizuno Wave Rider 29Asics Gel-Nimbus
Length
  • Runs large.

Wave Rider 29

  • True to size.
  • Reports differ: small or true to size.

27

  • wide feetTrue to size.
  • Reports differ: small, true to size or large.
Width
  • Wide fit.

Wave Rider 29

  • Wide fit.
  • Narrow fit.

27

  • Reports differ: narrow, regular or wide.
Toe box
  • Roomy.
  • Reports differ: roomy, snug or tight.

27

  • Reports differ: roomy or snug.
Weight on the foot
  • Opinions differ on whether it feels light.
  • Feels light to some wearers, heavy to others.

26

  • Feels light to some wearers, heavy to others.

27

  • Reports differ: light or heavy.

Gel-Nimbus

  • Feels light.
Maker price$150 (regular price at the maker's store)$170–$185 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-25 / 2026-09-28.

Mizuno

More about Mizuno

Mizuno in our guide: chunky, runner, terrace and trainer shapes. Explore the range and compare individual pairs.

Explore Mizuno

You might also like

More trainer shapes to explore. Open a pair for its fit and wear details.

Saucony Ride 19

Saucony Ride 19

Nike Vomero 18

Nike Vomero 18

Brooks Ghost 17Image: Foot Locker

Brooks Ghost 17

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

Mizuno Wave Sky 9

Mizuno Wave Sky 9

Mizuno Wave Inspire 22

Mizuno Wave Inspire 22

More brands to explore

Other makers with trainer shapes in our catalogue.

Updated Sep 2026 · How we research