{"id":14739,"date":"2015-09-05T14:00:59","date_gmt":"2015-09-05T14:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/?p=14739"},"modified":"2015-09-16T08:54:33","modified_gmt":"2015-09-16T08:54:33","slug":"mizuno-wave-paradox-2-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/2015\/09\/mizuno-wave-paradox-2-review\/","title":"Mizuno Wave Paradox 2 Review","content":{"rendered":"

A couple of years ago, Mizuno <\/a>made the decision to pare down their line of running shoes. As a result, several shoes were streamlined into one new offering.<\/p>\n

For example, the Precision<\/a> (performance neutral) and Elixir <\/a>(performance stability) melded into the Sayonara<\/a> and the Nirvana <\/a>(premium stability) and Alchemy <\/a>(motion control) became the Paradox<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The idea was to combine two similar shoes into one platform, save some money, shake up the line and make Mizuno fans happy. Did this work? Let\u2019s see!<\/p>\n

Mizuno Wave Paradox 2 Shoe General Info<\/h2>\n

Right out of the box, it is immediately clear that Mizuno set out to completely overhaul the upper of the Wave Paradox 2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s shoe had a very stiff, plastic upper that did not resonate very well with many runners. The upper found here is a return to more traditional construction utilizing standard overlays and fabrics.<\/p>\n

The fit is improved as well. The first generation Paradox felt boxy and unforgiving due to the aforementioned experimental upper but the Paradox 2 is immediately comfortable.<\/p>\n

Coming as no surprise, the Wave Paradox 2 has a narrow heel and mid foot while opening a touch at the toe box. My test pair arrived in an attractive electric blue and lime green color scheme.<\/p>\n

Mizuno Wave Paradox 2 Sole Info<\/h2>\n

In terms of construction, the midsole of the Wave Paradox 2 is a carryover from the first edition<\/a>. The shoe still features a full length wave plate that runs nearly the entire length of the shoe.<\/p>\n

\"Mizuno

On the medial side we have a \u201cthree up, three down\u201d wave configuration. This serves to shore up the medial aspect of the shoe to slow down the inward roll of an over-pronating foot strike.<\/p>\n

Laterally speaking, the wave plate has several open ports to allow for extra compression which will further slow down over-pronation.<\/p>\n

The idea is that if you can get the foot to remain more \u201clateral\u201d during foot strike then it\u2019s less likely to end up dumping in too far medially<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The balance of the midsole is formed from Mizuno\u2019s U4ic midsole foam which is an updated version of Mizuno\u2019s previous AP+ foam.<\/p>\n

In the heel we have a wedge of Mizuno SR Touch foam to help disperse shock. Underfoot, the Wave Paradox sports the traditional \u201chorseshoe\u201d heel design that helps center the heel in the shoe.<\/p>\n

Surrounding this is Mizuno\u2019s X10 carbon rubber which provides extra durability. The forefoot uses a blown rubber compound to add cushioning.<\/p>\n

Mizuno Wave Paradox 2 Upper Info<\/h2>\n

Last year Mizuno got pretty experimental with the upper of the Wave Paradox. This year is a return to traditional fabrics and overlays.<\/p>\n

The new upper has a toe box free of overlays save for the toe cap.<\/strong> A sewn eyelet row connects to the Runbird logo both medially and laterally.<\/p>\n

However, this being a stability shoe, Mizuno has added and extra mid foot overlay on the medial side to help support the foot.<\/p>\n

\"Mizuno