Wearing the right running shoes can be one of the biggest factors when it comes to having a good run vs. a bad run.
The shoe brand that is best for you is largely a personal matter. Aside from accounting for your stride, choosing the right shoe comes down to what you like. Snug vs. roomy, soft vs. firm, low drop vs. standard drop, lightweight vs. highly cushioned.
Today we’re looking at two popular Japanese running brands: Mizuno and ASICS. Mizuno was founded in Osaka in 1906, while ASICS traces its roots to Onitsuka Co., which was founded in Kobe in 1949.
Neither company began by focusing exclusively on running shoes. Mizuno originally sold baseball and other sporting equipment, while ASICS founder Kihachiro Onitsuka first produced basketball shoes before expanding into other athletic footwear.
Today, both companies make a wide variety of running shoes. Mizuno is best known for its Wave technology and smooth, structured ride. ASICS is known for cushioning technologies like PureGEL and FF BLAST, along with a large selection of neutral and stability shoes.
Let’s get into the differences between the two brands so you can decide which might be better for you.
Upper
Mizuno uses different upper materials depending on the shoe. Models like the Wave Rider 30 and Wave Inspire 22 use engineered mesh that’s designed to be breathable while still holding the foot securely.
The Wave Sky 9 uses Smooth Stretch Woven material. This fabric is designed to stretch where the foot needs it while limiting movement in other directions, helping to keep the foot comfortably positioned inside the shoe.
Many of Mizuno’s current running shoes also use a gusseted tongue, which helps prevent the tongue from sliding around and creates a more secure feel through the midfoot.
ASICS also varies its uppers by model. The GEL-NIMBUS 28 uses a soft engineered upper focused on comfort, the GEL-KAYANO 33 uses engineered mesh for support and breathability, and the NOVABLAST 6 uses a lightweight engineered woven material.
Both brands generally use padded tongues and heel collars in their everyday trainers, along with traditional lacing systems that let runners adjust the fit.
Midsole
Mizuno is most famous for its Wave technology. In shoes like the Wave Rider 30 and Wave Inspire 22, a Wave Plate sits within the midsole to help disperse impact forces and create a stable platform.
The newest Mizuno shoes pair that structure with MIZUNO ENERZY NXT cushioning. In the Wave Rider 30 and Wave Inspire 22, nitrogen-infused ENERZY NXT gives the shoes a softer and more responsive feel than older generations of Mizunos.
Not every Mizuno uses a traditional Wave Plate. The Wave Sky 9 uses Foam Wave construction, which creates the wave shape from layers of foam. This allows Mizuno to add stability while keeping the ride soft and highly cushioned.
ASICS uses a wider variety of midsole technologies. PureGEL appears in highly cushioned models like the GEL-NIMBUS 28 to soften impact, while the FF BLAST family of foams supplies most of the cushioning and energy return.
The GEL-KAYANO 33 combines FF BLAST PLUS and FF BLAST MAX with FLUIDSUPPORT technology for added stability. The NOVABLAST 6 takes a different approach, using FF BLAST MAX with an FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot pod to create a bouncier and more energetic ride.
Outsole
Mizuno uses X10 carbon rubber in high-wear areas of many of its running shoes. It’s a durable compound designed to extend outsole life while providing reliable traction on paved surfaces.
You’ll find X10 on models including the Wave Rider 30, Wave Inspire 22, and Wave Sky 9.
ASICS uses several different outsole compounds depending on the shoe. AHAR and AHARPLUS are abrasion-resistant rubber compounds designed for durability, while ASICSGRIP focuses more heavily on traction.
Some ASICS shoes combine these materials. The GEL-KAYANO 33 uses ASICSGRIP and AHARPLUS, while the NOVABLAST 6 places ASICSGRIP rubber in the forefoot for extra traction.
Both brands make durable road-running outsoles that should hold up well through everyday training.
Durability
Durability depends on the runner, mileage, running surface, and the specific shoe, but both Mizuno and ASICS have a strong reputation for making durable daily trainers.
For most traditional training shoes, roughly 300 to 500 miles is a reasonable expectation before cushioning or outsole wear begins to noticeably affect the ride. Some runners will get more mileage and others less.
Cushioning
Mizuno running shoes historically had a reputation for feeling firmer, in large part because of the Wave Plate. That’s less true with the brand’s newest shoes.
MIZUNO ENERZY NXT has made models like the Wave Rider 30 and Wave Inspire 22 softer and more responsive, while the Wave Sky 9 is specifically designed as a maximum-cushion shoe.
ASICS offers an even wider range of cushioning. The GEL-NIMBUS 28 is soft and plush, the GEL-KAYANO 33 combines cushioning with stability, and the NOVABLAST 6 has a springier, more energetic feel.
If you like cushioning with a little more structure beneath your foot, Mizuno is a good place to start. If you want the widest choice between plush, supportive, and bouncy cushioning, ASICS has more variety.
Overall fit and comfort
Mizuno shoes tend to have a secure performance-oriented fit, although the exact shape varies by model. Newer Mizunos are generally more accommodating than some older generations, and several popular models are available in wide sizes.
ASICS also offers a range of fits, but one of its biggest advantages is the number of width choices available in many models. Popular ASICS trainers are often sold in narrow, standard, wide, and sometimes extra-wide versions.
Both brands use well-padded uppers in their everyday trainers. Runners with hard-to-fit feet may find ASICS easier to shop because of the broader selection of widths, while runners who like a secure fit may prefer Mizuno.
Pricing
Mizuno and ASICS are very similar in price.
Current Mizuno daily trainers like the Wave Rider 30 and Wave Inspire 22 are priced around $150, while the highly cushioned Wave Sky 9 is around $180.
Comparable ASICS shoes fall into the same range. The NOVABLAST 6 is around $155, while the GEL-NIMBUS 28 and GEL-KAYANO 33 are around $170.
Both companies also sell less expensive entry-level shoes and more expensive racing shoes, so price probably shouldn’t be the deciding factor between the two brands.
Summary
In the Mizuno vs. ASICS debate, it’s difficult to choose a clear winner. Both are established running brands with excellent neutral, stability, and highly cushioned shoes.
Mizuno is a particularly good choice for runners who like a smooth, controlled ride with some structure underfoot. Its Wave technology gives many models a distinctive feel, while newer ENERZY NXT cushioning makes current Mizunos noticeably softer than older versions.
ASICS offers more variety. You can find plush maximum-cushion shoes, supportive stability models, traditional daily trainers, and bouncy performance-oriented shoes throughout its lineup.
If you want cushioning but still like a stable, structured feel, Mizuno may suit you better. If you prefer softer cushioning, need more width options, or want more variation from one model to another, ASICS may be the better place to start.
Ultimately, fit should make the final decision. If possible, try comparable shoes from both brands before choosing.
Best Selling Running Shoes
ASICS
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 28
The GEL-NIMBUS 28 is a neutral maximum-cushion trainer designed for comfortable daily miles, recovery runs, and long runs. It combines FF BLAST PLUS cushioning with PureGEL technology for soft landings and a smooth ride.
It has an 8mm heel-to-toe drop and is lighter than the previous version, making it a good option for runners who want plenty of cushioning without an overly heavy feel.
ASICS GEL-KAYANO 33
Runners who need extra stability should consider the GEL-KAYANO 33. It uses FLUIDSUPPORT technology to provide guidance through the gait cycle while still allowing the foot to move naturally.
The midsole combines FF BLAST PLUS and FF BLAST MAX cushioning for a soft, supportive ride. It has an 8mm drop and is offered in multiple widths.
ASICS NOVABLAST 6
The NOVABLAST 6 is a neutral daily trainer for runners who want a more energetic ride. It uses FF BLAST MAX cushioning along with an FF TURBO SQUARED forefoot pod to increase bounce at toe-off.
ASICSGRIP rubber in the forefoot improves traction, while the lightweight upper helps keep the shoe versatile enough for daily runs, uptempo efforts, and longer training days.
Mizuno
Mizuno Wave Rider 30
The Wave Rider 30 is Mizuno’s classic neutral daily trainer. The latest version combines nitrogen-infused MIZUNO ENERZY NXT cushioning with a full-length Wave Plate for a smooth, stable transition from heel to toe.
It also features a breathable engineered mesh upper, a gusseted tongue, and durable X10 carbon rubber on the outsole.
Mizuno Wave Inspire 22
The Wave Inspire 22 is Mizuno’s stability counterpart to the Wave Rider. It’s designed for runners who overpronate and uses an updated supportive Wave Plate to help control excess inward movement.
Nitrogen-infused MIZUNO ENERZY NXT provides softer cushioning and stronger energy return than older Inspire models, while X10 carbon rubber improves outsole durability.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9
The Wave Sky 9 is Mizuno’s maximum-cushion option. Instead of a traditional Wave Plate, it uses Foam Wave construction to combine a soft ride with extra inherent stability.
Nitrogen-infused MIZUNO ENERZY NXT provides plush cushioning and energy return, while the Smooth Stretch Woven upper wraps securely around the foot. X10 carbon rubber adds durability for high-mileage training.
