Unboxing the Wave Sky 9, it was clear straight away—this shoe has had a complete makeover. The aesthetics are striking, with a midsole design that looks completely redesigned from what we've seen in past versions. And I have to say, I loved the colourway on this pair—the splash of pink and purple really adds a vibrant, energetic touch without going over the top. The overall visual upgrade complements the shoe's functional improvements, giving it a fresh identity that feels both modern and performance-driven.

This isn’t your typical incremental update—it’s a complete reinvention. The Wave Sky 9 feels like an entirely new shoe from the ground up. In the crowded world of max-cushion daily trainers, Mizuno hasn’t just caught up—they’ve thrown their hat firmly into the ring. If you're chasing a plush, protective ride that still feels purposeful underfoot, the Wave Sky 9 deserves a spot on your radar.

The midsole update is the real standout here. Mizuno’s new nitrogen-infused Enerzy NXT foam in the top layer brings a much softer, more energetic feel underfoot compared to the Wave Sky 8. It feels like a true max-cushion trainer—protective and forgiving, without feeling sluggish or unstable. The dual-layer foam setup, with a softer top layer and firmer base, paired with the reworked Wave geometry, creates a ride that feels smooth and balanced. The broader platform underfoot provides a stable and balanced base, giving you the confidence to relax into your stride and simply enjoy those easy kilometres.

The upper is made from a flexible woven material that adapts nicely to natural foot movement, providing a snug, secure hold without being restrictive. There’s a softness to the upper that makes the shoe easy to wear straight out of the box, but it still offers enough structure to hold your foot in place.

The outsole has been simplified but improved, with a rockered geometry that helps create a smoother transition through each stride. Gone are the deeper flex grooves of the previous model, replaced by full-length rubber coverage and a stiffer feel underfoot, helping create a snappier toe-off.

After logging around 60 kilometres in the Wave Sky 9, I’ve really been enjoying what Mizuno has created with this update. It’s a noticeable upgrade that shines on those slower days where your legs are feeling the load from harder sessions. I love how cushioned and protective it feels underfoot, but without being overly soft or unstable. The midsole strikes a great balance—soft enough to take the edge off impact, but still structured enough to feel reliable when you’re tired. It’s become one of those shoes where your legs genuinely thank you for putting them on, especially during recovery runs, warm-ups before sessions, and longer slow efforts where comfort is the priority.

From a podiatry perspective, this is a shoe I’m really excited to start recommending in the clinic. In runners rehabbing tendon injuries, the goal is often to reduce load and intensity—not necessarily stop running altogether. A shoe like the Wave Sky 9 gives them an option to keep moving, but with a softer, more shock-absorbing ride that still feels stable enough to support the injured structure. The stack height is in a sweet spot: not too low that it overloads the ankle and achilles, and not excessively high where it would increase demand at the knee and hip, especially in runners who aren’t accustomed to minimalist or maximalist shoes.

The shoe has ample depth to accommodate an orthotic or heel lift if required in the early phase of injury rehab. The upper has enough give thanks to the woven material, which means it can accommodate bony prominences without creating uncomfortable pressure points. The lacing system allows for a lace-lock technique for runners needing extra rear and midfoot security.

This isn’t just a running shoe—it’s comfortable and supportive enough for walking, standing, or staying active throughout the day. It's stable platform helps maintain foot and lower limb support when fatigue sets in, making it a versatile option in any runner's rotation.

Overall, the Wave Sky 9 is a big step forward for Mizuno in the neutral max-cushion category. It’s protective, balanced, and genuinely fun to run in—whether you’re coming back from injury or just wanting something that feels great underfoot when the legs are feeling a little beat up. I’m excited to keep logging kilometres in it—and even more excited to start recommending it to the runners I work with in the clinic.

 

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