Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Review: Shooting for the Sky
Wave Sky 9: Quick Facts
Weight:
- M: 290g
- W: 230g
Best For:
- Daily training - easy and recovery runs.
- Runners that want a protective, stable long run shoe.
Price:
- $280 AUD
Stack Height & Drop:
- 44mm heel / 38mm forefoot
- 6mm drop
Favourite Features:
- The new midsole platform is a huge upgrade, it now feels like a true max cushion shoe.
Release Date:
- July 3rd, 2025
What’s the Wave Sky 9 all about?
The Wave Sky series has traditionally held the crown as Mizuno’s most cushioned neutral daily trainer, sitting above the ever popular Wave Rider in the brand’s lineup. But while the Sky series has always delivered reliable comfort and durability, the past few versions didn’t do much to move the needle. Subtle tweaks aside, the line had started to feel a little.. stale.
Enter the Wave Sky 9, this isn’t just a minor refresh, it’s a top-to-bottom overhaul that completely redefines what the Wave Sky stands for. In today’s highly competitive max-cushion category, Mizuno has delivered a genuine contender with this update. If you're a fan of plush daily trainers the Wave Sky 9 is worth a serious look.
There are three key updates in the Wave Sky 9
1) Midsole overhaul, now softer and more stable
The biggest and most noticeable change is in the midsole. Gone is the more traditional, segmented look of the Wave Sky 8. In its place is a higher-stack, smoother-profile platform that immediately feels more refined and more performance driven.
At the core of this new ride is MIZUNO ENERZY nxt, a nitrogen-infused top layer that adds a noticeable softness and lively bounce underfoot. It’s paired with a firmer foam underneath, striking a balance that’s become a winning combo in other standout shoes this year like the Nike Vomero 18 and ASICS Superblast 2.
This dual-layer setup gives the Wave Sky 9 an engaging, enjoyable ride, but with enough structure to keep things feeling secure. The broadened midsole platform adds to that confidence, it's wider than any previous version, providing added stability that doesn't get in the way of the smooth ride. For those who want a plush experience without feeling wobbly, this is a great balance.
2) Outsole & rocker geometry makes for a refined underfoot ride
It’s not just the foam that’s changed—the shape and structure of the midsole and outsole have been completely rethought, and it shows.
The Wave Sky 9 leans into a rockered geometry, helping roll you through your stride with less effort. There's also a noticeable stiffness through the forefoot, which gives it a snappier, more efficient toe-off, something previous Sky models didn’t really offer.
Helping that along is the redesigned outsole. The deep horizontal flex grooves from version 8 are gone, replaced with more full-length rubber and a simplified flex pattern. This contributes to the overall stiffer, more stable feel, and creates a forefoot that’s much more performance-minded. If you’re a runner who likes that added structure or stiffness under the toe, this is the first Wave Sky to really deliver that.
3) Secure adaptable upper, without the bulk
On top, the Wave Sky 9 is wrapped in a plush woven upper that’s both secure and flexible. It strikes a really nice balance: soft enough to feel premium and comfortable, but not overbuilt or heavy.
The fit feels locked in through the midfoot, while still allowing for natural movement thanks to the adaptive knit. Whether you're heading out for a short jog or settling into a long, slow run, the upper moves with your foot in a way that feels smooth and consistent.
Our first thoughts
Put simply, this is one of the best updates we’ve seen all year.
The Wave Sky 9 feels like Mizuno has hit the reset button in the best way possible. The ride is softer, more responsive, more stable and the shoe as a whole finally feels like a serious player in the max-cushion space. It’s modern, well-executed and a massive leap forward from its predecessors.
If you’ve worn previous versions of the Wave Sky, prepare for a very different experience, but in all the right ways. It’s more cushioned and more fun to run in. If you're shopping in the max cushion category, this is a shoe that can now go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Nimbus 27, Hoka Clifton 10 or New Balance 1080v14 without hesitation.
Mizuno didn’t just refresh the Wave Sky, they reimagined it and it has resulted in a standout update that’s absolutely worth a test run.
