Mizuno vs Brooks : The In-Depth Comparison

Neutral Running Shoes

Neutral running shoes are top of the line and high mileage, meaning they last up to 300 to 500 miles. This figure varies from runner to runner based on factors such as type of foot, shape of the runner, running surface and strike zones.

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The Mizuno Wave Sky and Asics Gel Nimbus have 10mm heel to toe drop, meaning 21mm/31mm forefoot he to toe drop or gradient. The Mizuno Wave Sky has a full length cushioning system to support long-distance runs. 

Whether you’re a midfoot striker, a heel striker or just want a pair of running shoes with proper cushioning for support of toe-off transitions, you won’t be disappointed with either the Mizuno or Asics. Both shoes are high-end and range in price from $150 to $200.

The Mizuno Wave Sky and Asics Gel Nimbus support neutral running for athletes with low foot arches. This means they don’t need much support at the arch. The entire foot comes down with every heel strike, sitting on the shoes’ lateral side.

Therefore, more pressure is exerted on the lateral side of the shoes. And, that’s just where support is needed in the shoes. Neutral foot is supinated. Read on to find out which of the two running shoes for neutral runners is better for your specific running needs.

They meet the needs of different players and sports at varying levels. The sports brand is passionate about sports and thus designs ergonomic, innovative, durable, and highly functional items to inspire sportsmen out there.

With over a century experience in the sports gear manufacturing industry, the company is here to stay, pushing sportsmen and women towards their goals.

The Mizuno Wave Sky has a 10mm gradient drop from the heel to toe area. Traditionally, the brand used a soft foam, which is featured on this shoe as a green foam layer. It’s the U4icX absorbent cushioning system. 

The soft foam is integrated into the running shoes to give you plush rides beneath your foot whenever you make heel strikes, midstances and toe offs, across the entire shoe.

With the Wave Plate, the company has differentiated its neutral running shoes from those of its competitors on the market. This makes for a unique selling point. The Wave Plate technology has been in use for many decades.

Sitting on the medial side, the Wave Plate resembles a small blue line lying between the white foam and the green foam. Its integration on the shoes’ lateral side puts it on the heel strike zone to provide support.

Unlike in previous Mizuno Wave running shoe models such as the Wave Enigma, the plate doesn’t go past the forefoot area. The change was made to this running shoe to render it more flexible for smooth toe-offs.

In previous models that featured the Wave Plate on the lateral and medial sides, the running shoes were more stable. They offered better support for many runners who needed arch support in stability shoes.

However, the few runners who preferred softer or well-cushioned running shoes didn’t like the shoe’s stiffness that came in the name of better stability.

The company focused on designing a shoe with enough underfoot support right beneath the metatarsal joint for faster and smoother toe-offs. 

This explains why the Wave Plate has been retained on the medial side of the running shoes to support your toe-off transitions. 

The Mizuno Wave Sky is popular for its great structure, U4icX cushioning system, the Wave Plate, a deep heel counter, and stability in the running shoes. 

The running shoe is available in two widths, a D and 2E for the men’s shoe version. On the other hand, the women’s version has a B and D width versions.

You may be interested in: 5 Similar Shoes to Mizuno Wave Rider

ASICS uses intelligent technology to contribute to people’s unique values, cultures, more satisfying lifestyles and how they enjoy sports. As a result, it fosters the creation of an environment where sports is seen as a natural part of life for healthy living.
 

It’s also a great way for the company to bring people from different cultures and geographies worldwide together in a global village through quality sports.

The company manufactures various sports gear, equipment, shoes and apparel to help realize its mission of making sports fun. With the right shoes, sportswear and equipment, you can enjoy your favorite sport without feeling uncomfortable.

The Asics Gel Nimbus is an upgrade of the Nimbus 21 running shoes. Many features have been retained from the Nimbus 21 model.

For instance, a FlyteFoam midsole encapsulates the Gel pod integrated into the heel and the forefoot.

The upper has been slightly changed to feature an improved structure and better medial side integrity. The woven mesh running across the forefoot is tougher and stronger, making it difficult to wear tiny holes in the running shoes.

However, this is something you can’t see with your naked eyes. The shoes get added reinforcements through the outer heel counter. The padded liner and extra foam inside the collar gives a snug fit at the back of your heel and the Achilles.

Just like the Mizuno Wave Sky running shoes, the Asics Gel Nimbus has a 10mm heel to toe drop gradient. This translates to 31mm drop in the heel area, and 21mm in the forefoot section. 

The heel to toe transition removes stress off your calf and lower Achilles due to less pressure exertion. The Asics Gel Nimbus  version for men comes in three widths to choose from, namely a D, 2E, and a 4E. The different widths are available in varied colors. 

You’ll notice that running shoes brands tend to use certain specific colors for branding reasons.

The most notable distinction between the Mizuno and Asics is the difference in cushioning and sole.

Asics has FlyteFoam cushioning, which places an emphasis on supporting the heel and the forefoot, making it more stable for runners who need arch support. Mizuno uses soft foam cushioning called U4icX that supports the whole foot.

Whichever shoe you opt for, you’re bound to enjoy your runs to the end without experiencing discomfort.