1Several reviewers characterize the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 as a dense, stable, not overly soft cushioned shoe, distinguishing it from softer max-stack competitors.
Buyers expecting a plush, sink-in ride like the New Balance More v6 should look elsewhere; the Wave Sky 9 offers a more balanced, traditional cushioned feel with density and stability.
3 creators6 opinions
Opinions (6)
kofuzi finds the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 to be a much more dense and stable offering compared to the Neo Vista 3.
Mizuno Neo Vista 310:24kofuzi states that the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is a more dense and stable experience overall.
Mizuno Neo Vista 310:24jogoncrago characterizes the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 as a big-stack, not-overly-soft, pretty stiff, smooth directed rocker shoe that competes in the same slot as the Xstep Light Boat Max.
Xtep Lightboat Max First Run Vlog: Max but not Super8:16The Run Testers finds the Wave Sky 9 is a fairly balanced shoe compared to some max-stack shoes; it does not feel massively soft on the feet.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days3:26The Run Testers compares the Wave Sky 9's midsole feel to the Saucony Triumph 23 and Brooks Glycerin — a more balanced midsole foam, not really soft like the New Balance More v6 or More v5.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days3:26The Run Testers finds the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is a nice stable shoe but does not feel massively soft; the lower midsole layer offsets much of the softness from the upper Energy Next foam, making it feel like a more traditional cushioned shoe with more density.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 First Run Review | A solid max-stack workhorse with plenty of comfortWatch source
2Multiple reviewers find the Wave Sky 9 well-suited for easy runs, recovery miles, and steady daily training, but not for picking up the pace or faster sessions.
The Wave Sky 9 is a dedicated easy-day and recovery workhorse; runners who want one shoe for both slow and fast efforts should consider more versatile alternatives.
2 creators9 opinions
Opinions (9)
kofuzi recommends the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 for buyers who think everything on the market is too squishy and who want a more predictable experience through their gait cycle.
Mizuno Neo Vista 310:24The Run Testers finds the Wave Sky 9 feels good for 10k, 5k, recovery runs, and easy runs.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days3:26The Run Testers finds the Wave Sky 9 is not versatile; picking up the pace is okay but he does not like running faster in it at around 4:30/km pace.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days3:26
3Reviewers note the Wave Sky 9's stability comes from a dual-foam midsole — softer Mizuno ENERZY NXT on top and a firmer EVA layer underneath — combined with a wide platform, rather than from traditional stability features.
The shoe provides inherent stability without posting or guide rails, making it accessible to neutral runners who want a planted feel and beginners seeking a stable platform.
1 creator6 opinions
Opinions (6)
The Run Testers notes Mizuno's foam wave design in the Wave Sky 9 for a bit of stability.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery daysWatch sourceThe Run Testers reports that the midsole cushioning of the Wave Sky 9 combines nitrogen-infused MIZUNO ENERZY NXT foam (softer, bouncier) with a firmer layer of ENERZY EVA underneath for support.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery daysWatch sourceThe Run Testers observes the softer MIZUNO ENERZY NXT foam on top and a firmer foam at the bottom for stability, resulting in a very comfortable shoe that lands nicely.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery daysWatch source
4One reviewer strongly praises the Wave Sky 9's foam ride, citing a special timing of rebound, gutsy forefoot feel, and smooth compression, and states he absolutely loves the shoe on performance grounds.
jogoncrago finds a distinctive, high-quality ride in the Wave Sky 9 that keeps him reaching for it over competitors, suggesting the foam tuning may resonate strongly with runners who share his preferences.
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Opinions (3)
jogoncrago finds that the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 'has something special about it in terms of the timing of the rebound, the gutsiness underneath the forefoot, the smooth compression from the Nitro EVA.'
Puma Magmax Nitro 2 Review: Fit Fixed with Some Weight Loss Bonuses8:17jogoncrago states that Mizuno 'just seem to be able to make magic with whatever foams they want to' and can get a good mix out of EVAs and standard PEBAs or TPE regardless of what other brands use.
Puma Magmax Nitro 2 Review: Fit Fixed with Some Weight Loss Bonuses8:17jogoncrago states that looking purely at performance, they are still leaning toward the Mizuno Wave Sky 9, which they 'absolutely love' and have had a lot of success with personally.
Nike Vomero Plus Review: The Benchmark Max Cushion Cruiser
5Reviewers express concerns about the Wave Sky 9's value at its retail price, with some noting cheaper alternatives that perform similarly and one reviewer suggesting it only becomes good value at a discounted older-model price.
At £165 / $180 / $290 AUD, several reviewers feel the Wave Sky 9 is overpriced relative to alternatives like the Saucony Ride 18, Puma Deviate Nitro 4, or Nike Vomero Plus; buyers may want to wait for discounts.
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Opinions (5)
The Run Testers finds the Wave Sky 9 pricey at £165 and thinks there are many options that do the job as well or better.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days6:23The Run Testers finds the Wave Sky 9 slightly overpriced at £165 in the UK.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days6:23The Run Testers states that if the Wave Sky 9 became an older version available for £100–£110, it would be good value.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days9:21
6Reviewers note the Wave Sky 9 is relatively heavy, with measured weights around 292 g (UK 8) and ~320 g (US 10.5), and one reviewer cites the weight as a reason he would pick a lighter competitor.
The Wave Sky 9 is on the heavier side for a daily trainer; weight-conscious runners may prefer lighter alternatives in the same max-cushion category.
2 creators4 opinions
Opinions (4)
jogoncrago compares the Puma MagMax Nitro 2 to the Mizuno Wave Sky 9, noting that the Wave Sky 9 is heavier, coming in at around 320 g for his men's size 10.5 compared to ~290 g for the MagMax 2.
Puma Magmax Nitro 2 Review: Fit Fixed with Some Weight Loss Bonuses8:17jogoncrago notes that the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is heavier than the MagMax 2, at around 320 g for his men's size 10.5, and says he would 'probably be expecting to pick the MagMax 2' for that reason.
Puma Magmax Nitro 2 Review: Fit Fixed with Some Weight Loss Bonuses11:07The Run Testers reports that the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 weighs 292 g or 10.3 oz for men in a size 8.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery daysWatch source
7One reviewer finds the Wave Sky 9 enjoyable only for the first few kilometers of warming up, after which he wishes he could switch to another shoe once he feels fresh.
jogoncrago's experience suggests the shoe may feel limiting for runners who want to transition from easy warm-up miles into faster or more engaging running as a session progresses.
1 creator1 opinion
Opinions (1)
8One reviewer recommends the Wave Sky 9 specifically for buyers who find everything on the market too squishy and want a more predictable, stable experience through their gait cycle.
kofuzi positions the Wave Sky 9 as a remedy for runners fatigued by ultra-soft superfoam trends, offering a denser, more grounded alternative.
1 creator2 opinions
Opinions (2)
kofuzi recommends the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 for buyers who think everything on the market is too squishy and who want a more predictable experience through their gait cycle.
Mizuno Neo Vista 310:24kofuzi states that the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is a more dense and stable experience overall.
Mizuno Neo Vista 310:24
9One reviewer compares the Wave Sky 9 favorably to the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27, finding a similar ride and stability but preferring the Mizuno's nicer transition, while also comparing it to older Hoka Bondi versions as sturdier and blockier but more comfortable.
The Run Testers see the Wave Sky 9 as a credible alternative to established max-cushion names like the Nimbus and Bondi, with a transition feel that may appeal to runners who find those competitors too clunky.
1 creator2 opinions
Opinions (2)
The Run Testers compares the Wave Sky 9 to the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27, saying they offer the same ride and stability, but he prefers the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 because it has a nicer transition.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days6:23The Run Testers says the Wave Sky 9 reminds him of the Hoka Bondi (previous versions) — sturdier and blockier — but finds the Wave Sky 9 more comfortable and softer in the midsole than the earlier Bondi he tested.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Full Review | Comfort and stability for easy runs and recovery days6:23
