Shoe Review – Mizuno Wave Rider 17
Some love affairs are all-consuming passion fests, which
leave you panting and wanting more. The previous Wave Rider 16, was thus. I was
in raptures on every run. The feel was great, the shoe was light and the colour
schemes bold and funky (please can we have another yellow Mizuno).
With news that the 17 was going to be even lighter, and with
more of a ‘racing’ profile, I was salivating at the thought, and couldn’t wait
for the release date to come round. Soon after Xmas 13, I got my order in and
duly received my 17s in all their pure white glory.
There was only one small problem, I found I wasn't really
liking them.
When I took them out for a run, they felt clunky and inflexible.
The toebox seemed to have acres of spare room. I was expecting a close-fitting racing machine
and got a comfy sofa. But having shelled out nearly £100 for trainers, I wasn’t
going to bin them after 20 or so miles, so I persevered.
Ever so subtly, my feeling about the shoe began to change.
The cushioning on long runs was welcome and I felt supported in grinding out the
miles. 50-60 mile weeks weren’t a problem and there was little obvious wear on
the shoes. Speed work ticked along at impressive paces. Instead of feeling like
blocks of iron on my feet, I noticed I began to have a spring in my step.
Whatever I was throwing at the Wave Rider 17, they were
coping admirably. I ran the Northern 12-Stage Relays in them and was on 5K PB
pace. I got a 10K PB in them and a longed-for Sub 40. Over the course of time I
realised, I absolutely love this shoe, it’s a proper all-rounder.
In the midst of my initial grump with the WR17, I purchased
some Adidas Boston 4 and Adizero Boosts. They were both great shoes, feeling
fast out of the box, but in the grand scheme of things they didn’t give me
anything that I wasn’t getting from the WR17. Also, being a bit of the small
side I decided to sell them on.
After 500 miles, Mizuno have done me proud. Whilst I’m still
a believer that it’s not shoes that make you fast, Training makes you fast. But
to have a pair of shoes that you have faith in can go a long way to helping you
achieve your PBs.
It takes a little while to grow into the Wave Rider 17, but
once you do, you’ll be smitten.
