Mercedes Marathon Expo Preview, Installment Numero Dos!

The next brand I want to write about, gracing us with their presence at the Mercedes Marathon Expo is Mizuno USA!! This brand is going through some pretty major and exciting changes for 2014! It all started back in July with the release of the eagerly anticipated, and shoe I ran in this morning, Wave Sayonara! The name is a reference to a discontinued and popular shoe the Wave Good-Bye and it features not only Mizuno's new midsole technology, U4ic, but also a seamless upper design that has created a new look for the entire 2014 line! I currently have 180 miles on a pair. They are lightweight, responsive as hell and surprisingly well cushioned for what seems like a thin midsole.

Mizuno Wave Sayonara

One word to describe Mizuno's 2014 line, FEATHERWEIGHT (see how I did that there with two words making one ;))! They have made it a goal to be the lightest brand across the board, so whatever shoe you see as a particular style's competitor, Mizuno's version will probably be lighter, AND while they're cutting weight on their shoes, they also trimmed some fat in the line, losing four styles (Alchemy, Elixir, Nirvana, Precision) we carried and replacing them with only two new models (Sayonara and Paradox).

 Two shoes drive Mizuno's running footwear line, the Waver Rider and Wave Inspire, both of which are brand new for 2014. By losing some stitching and overlays on the upper, sculpting the lateral side of the forefoot for a smooth touchdown, and upgrading the midsole material to the new U4ic foam, both the Inspire 10 and Rider 17 lost about an ounce, improved on heel to toe transition and became more responsive than previous models. While both styles are considered high mileage, everyday training shoes, they are also a great option for the weekend warrior not quite ready to pull the trigger on a racing flat! 

Women's Wave Inspire 10

Another update not to be ignored came in November with the latest Wave Creation 15! The Trak Shak hasn't necessarily been a fan of this shoe in the past. It's predecessors were a little heavy and kind of stiff. NOT ANYMORE! The Infinity Wave plate is more flexible and the new U4ic midsole material helps the Creation drop some L-B's! Add in a redesigned Dynamotion Fit upper and you got yourself a $160 shoe that might feel just as good at 400 miles as it did at 10! 

Wave Creation 15

OK, flat feet! Listen up! As I mentioned earlier, Mizuno discontinued four models we carried, one of which was the Wave Alchemy, a very popular, lightweight, control shoe. I'm not trying to get anybody's feathers ruffled here, cuz we ALL know how runners are when a brand drops a shoe they loved, but this one, I'm OK with. The Wave Paradox is labeled a support shoe from Mizuno, but with a straighter last and full length Wave plate adding to it's stability, the Paradox will work for many who need a maximum amount of control. Oh, it comes in at under 11 oz. for the fellas and under 9 oz. for the ladies! 

Women's Wave Paradox

So, be sure to stop by and say hey to Meghan and Matt from Mizuno and check out the 2014 line! Who knows, maybe they'll give you one of these frosty pint glasses out of which you can "hydrate"!