I've been dying to try Mizuno shoes since they came out with the Mezamashii project. I was stuck in the same old brands and the same support and the same cushioning for years. I stuck with what worked for me but I still wanted to explore all the new technology and innovation. So when Mizuno offered to let me try out the new Wave Sayonara I jumped at the chance (pretty much literally!).
The Sayonara will replace the Wave Precision and Wave Elixir. It is supposed to be a hybrid between the two, between cushioning and lightweight speed. The perfect blend I suppose for runners like me who like to run long but also race often.
The technology is based on waveforms and force dispersion (ever thrown a rock into a pond and watched the ripples spread?). The name of it is U4ic. This new midsole foam reduces weight without giving up the cushioning and impact reduction. The toe box is also wider (thankfully for me!) and the upper (the mesh part over your toes and forefoot) has almost no stitching to prevent blisters and chafing plus make the shoe more flexible. The insole was also upgraded for comfort. The women's shoe weighs in at a mere 7.1 ounces. For the men, you'll be carrying 8.1 ounces.
Coolest tread pattern ever!
Enough technical talk. What everyone really cares about is how do they feel? The truth is....
They feel like marshmallows or maybe clouds. I've been running in minimalist shoes since last year and the feeling of 10mm of cushion under my heel threw me for a loop at first. The 10mm drop on this shoe is slightly more than I would desire but it's extremely low for a Mizuno (most are 12+mm).
Once I got over the initial feelings of falling forward I began to feel... springy. I really don't know how else to describe it. It was like I was being propelled forward and had more bounce in my step. It's definitely not an unpleasant feeling. I think these shoes will be a permanent addition to my rotation after Burning River. It's a little too close for me to do more than short runs in these right now but I'm dying to test them against a half marathon later this summer!
The Sayonara will hit the markets early in July 2013 and will retail for $119.99. I'd say they are definitely worth a shot if you are a neutral runner. They are also advertised for slight pronation and supination. So if you're old trainers are feeling a little flat be on the lookout for the launch of these puppies soon!
Even toddlers know comfort (if not left and right)
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