Mizuno Wave Ascend 2 Running Shoe - Outdoor Gear Review

As Trail Running gains more popularity with the running population, manufacturers are investing more in this space, resulting in new and improved models for the trail enthusiasts. Mizuno, a smaller volume manufacturer than many, has a reputation for producing quality running products at competitive prices. And the Wave Ascend 2 has not disappointed.

On the shelf, the bright Yellow color of our test shoes took some getting used to. Once looking beyond that we learned that the shoes were lightweight, and very well constructed. This shoe features a protected toe to minimize wear and tear. The shoes sport Wet Traction™ Bi-Directional rubber soles for improved traction on and off the road. The toe and mid section uses an AIRmesh fabric that allows for good ventilation.

On the foot, the shoe fits true to length and width, and features a slight heel lift built into the shoe. The lift claims to help level things when running up hills. We’ll discuss that claim later.

On the trail, the shoe is best described as smooth. This shoe is best suited for mild to moderate pronators, and delivers well for those in that category. It’s cushioning is moderate on the trail, and provided just the right amount for my 180lb frame. And the heel lift worked quite nicely to level things out, putting less pressure on the heel. Overall comfort was very high in this shoe. Although the Ascend 2’s appeared to breath quite well, my feet did suffer from a rarely experienced odor issue that can only be attributed to the shoes. After more than 4 weeks of 3-4 weekly use, these have held up nicely and show little signs of wear. Even the shoe laces were thought out, with a hour-glass shape that gliding smoothly through the eyelets, yet rarely come untied. This shoe is highly recommended.