Mizuno Wave Crusader 8

An addition to the Wave line of the company is the Mizuno Wave Crusader 8. Much like its name, it has a very noble mission – that is to provide a good entry level shoe at a very entry level price. The Mizuno Wave Crusader 8 has everything an excellent basic shoe would have – comfort, breathability and durability. Mizuno definitely has the best intentions in mind when they came up with this pair and this has definitely given a lot of new runners a good start in the sport.

The Mizuno Wave Crusader 8 offers the VS1 Heel Cushioning, which absorbs shock and enhances cushioning properties, giving the runner a kind of a bouncing feeling during running. The Mizuno Wave Crusader 8 also has the X-10 outsole rubber which gives it the durability it has and provides a decent traction for the runner to avoid slipping.

Arch Support and Pronation Control

The Mizuno Wave Crusader is a neutral pair of shoes. This means that this is ideal for normal training, and usable by people who do not have over pronation. It offers enough support and motion control to enable you to run decently. Those who have overpronation might opt not to use this pair as it might just cause unnecessary discomfort to your feet and legs.

Terrain

Meant for normal training on road, gravel or track, the Mizuno Wave Crusader really lives up to its noble purpose of giving new runners a chance at the sport. It is definitely not advised to run on other terrains with this shoe as this pair isn’t built for those. You might just damage both the shoe and your feet and legs if you choose to wear this pair improperly.

Durability

Mizuno has been known for its durability over the years and yes, this pair does carry the same level of durability. However, that only applies to the Mizuno Wave Crusader’s outsole which is capable of facing the harshness of the road. However, its upper has some issues with durability. Some runners argue that it is because of the lack of layers of air mesh used in the pair.

Outer Sole

The Mizuno Wave Crusader has really good traction for an entry-level shoe. This is thanks to the x-10 technology and the carbon rubber used in its outsole. This also gives the pair good enough durability to face the daily ruggedness of the road, track, and gravel. The outsole of the Mizuno Wave Crusader allows for a relatively safe run, free from slipping and tripping. This makes the pair very ideal for those who are starting.

Midsole

The midsole of the Mizuno Wave Crusader isn’t really that special. It has a bit of cushioning, just enough to give an ample amount of comfort to your feet, but not enough that it could be boasted among everyone. There are no fancy technologies used in its midsole at all.

Upper

The Mizuno Wave Crusader aims to give enough breathability and ventilation to the runner, allowing for a comfortable and dry run. The Crusader uses an air mesh upper, just like most of the shoes, which would dry up really fast upon getting wet. This also gives the runner an overall better and more comfortable running experience. 

The Mizuno Wave Crusader is a good pair for those who plan on running on the road, gravel, or track, and is a very bad pair for those who plan on treading on trail, off-trail, or even the more harsh mountains. This pair is a normal training shoe, not meant for any other type of running.

The Mizuno Wave Crusader may not stay in your closet for too long because of its upper’s quality, it could be a good pair to start your career with, especially if you aren’t really sure yet if running is the sport for you.

Price Range

The Mizuno Wave Crusader retails at not more than $50. That’s a lot cheaper than most running shoes, and that’s probably this pair’s competitive advantage over all the others.