The Basics
- Gender: Women’s | See Men’s
- Type: Road
- Manufacturer: Mizuno
- Price: 115.00
Runner’s World Review
It's rare that we see a sub-10-ounce shoe that offers lots of stability and cushioning yet has a flexible forefoot. It's a tough combination to execute. But Mizuno succeeded with this update to the Inspire. "It had plenty of stability and comfort on long runs without the extra weight," says Roseann Bills, from East Lansing, Mich., who previously tested the Asics GT-2000 2 and Saucony Guide 6. Much of the stability comes from a thin but rigid plastic Wave plate, which fans out into two layers under the inner edge of the heel.
BOTTOM LINE: Defies the old "stability equals heavy" thinking.
Runner’s World Wear Testers Say
“I haven’t had white shoes in a while due to the color scheme changes over the past few years. I like the white, but forgot how quickly they show dirt and wear.” —Donald Rochford, East Lansing, Michigan
“Snug, comfortable fit with fantastic flexibility. I really enjoyed the feel and flexibility of the mesh upper and the lacing system that hugged my foot.” —Devanie Maynard, New York City
“I loved the light weight of this shoe, and it provided the stability that I would’ve expected to find in a heavier shoe. I give it a thumbs up!” —Roseann Bills, East Lansing, Michigan
All the Stats You Need!
- Weight: Light | 7.4 oz
- Heel-To-Toe-Drop: Very High | 10.9 mm
- Heel Height: High | 31.9 mm
- Heel Cushioning: Moderate
- Forefoot Height: Low | 21.0 mm
- Forefoot Cushioning: Moderate
- Flexibility: Flexible
- Stability Features: More
- Energy Return: Least
We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective — and exclusive — data. In addition to a shoe's weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe.
