Runner\'s World USA - 09.2019 - 10.2019

MIZUNO WAVE SK Y

WAVEKNIT 3

PRICE: $160 | TYPE: Road

WEIGHT: 10.9 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W)

DROP: 10 mm

Mizuno rolled out a tsunami

of new tech in this, the

newest model in its Wave

series. The Sky 3 gets the

brand’s redesigned midsole,

which swaps out Mizuno’s

classic Pebax plate for two

layers of foam joined in the

shape of a wave. The shoe

also debuts a never-before-

seen foam from Mizuno

called XPOP, which reminds

us of bouncy, soft midsoles

like Adidas’s Boost. These

updates make the Sky 3 feel

quite different from its pre-

decessor—we found it to be

smoother and feel softer on

foot. “I was comfortable on

my longer runs and excited

that I didn’t have the heel or

arch pain I sometimes expe-

rience,” one long-time tester

said. “The extra cushioning

did not weigh the shoe down

or hinder any of my runs.”

The Sky 3 is also one of the

first pairs from Mizuno to

get the brand’s soft, f lexi-

ble Waveknit upper, which

stretches better in the toebox

than the 2’s air mesh, while

retaining a snug fit through

the midfoot. Combined with

a new sockliner with less

bulky heel cushioning, this

latest model is more stream-

lined for a plush ride.—M.P.

Mizuno’s softest

shoes no longer have

the signature Wave

plate—a rigid plastic

layer that transferred

energy forward. It’s

been replaced by

these layers of foam.

XPOP

A drop-in

PU-and-TPU

compound

layer that’s

especially

bouncy.

U4IC

A firmer layer

of foam on

the bottom

delivers a

responsive ride.

U4ICX
The black
layer of foam
helps con-
trol XPOP’s
movement
and feels
plush.

THE

CUT-

UP

THE BLOWN-RUBBER

OUTSOLE IS SOFT, GRIPPY,

AND DURABLE.

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