Mizuno sure is trying to make some noise in the running community lately, and you don’t even have to put a pair on to see why. Just take one look at the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 and I can guarantee your first thought will be, “uh what are those?”
The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is clocking in with one of the tallest stack heights on the market, which may have caused even a little hesitation before taking it out for a run.
As always, we’re here to give you the real scoop. If a shoe is amazing, we’ll tell you. If it’s a miss, you’ll hear that too. But most importantly, we’ll break down the details to help you figure out if it’s the right fit for your training and goals.
If you’re in the market for a carbon plated shoe and don’t mind the higher stack height, the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 will provide a smooth ride, especially during a road race.
Let’s dive more into what makes this a fast and flashy shoe.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide Feet: The sizing runs small and it’s a little narrow so probably not the best choice.
- Heavier Runners: We would suggest looking at alternatives that provide more stability.
- Long Runs: For most runners, we’d say 5K, maybe the half marathon if used to the shoe.
- Front of the Pack: Definitely designed for the fastest among us.
OK, the $250 price tag might seem a lot, but it’s in line with other racing shoes on the market. The design is questionable, but it holds its own and does justify the investment, especially if you’re a runner looking to enhance performance.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Overview
The first step in these shoes feels… weird? super bouncy? fun?
Imagine walking or standing around in a pair of high heels but instead, it’s a pair of running shoes. It’s clear that they’re not going to be a daily trainer.
The more I think about the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3, I’d say it’s a love-hate relationship. I didn’t mind how the shoe felt during my run, especially faster intervals. It was the before and after that I had issues.
If you’re a heel striker, you’re going to struggle here. It’s almost impossible to land on your heel without falling over and the shoe is forcing you to run up onto your toes.
Now I do tend to run more on my toes with my history as a dancer, but this is extreme and even I felt uncomfortable.
The day after my first run in the Wave Rebellion Pro 3, I was sore in my hamstrings, calves, and even a little in my plantar fascia. I would encourage a little bit of a longer warm-up before jumping into these.
The Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is built for speed and speed only. Lace up, run fast, and take them off. You’re not going to want to walk around in these longer than you have to.
Coach Amanda: I am in fact a heel striker. Yes, I land under my body. No it’s not a bad thing. And this was not the shoe for me. Within one run I was having some unpleasant pain in my Achilles where I’ve never had issues and honestly wasn’t willing to risk it to continue testing. Sorry gain!
Calling this aggressive geometry doesn’t even feel like it does it justice. It’s missing a heel, now that feels more accurate.
That being said, some runners in that 3 hour marathon range are LOVING them. They like the immediate forward roll, the bounce, the lightness and overall design.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Specs
Let’s look at some of the details:
- Weight: 7.9 oz Unisex sizing
- Heel Drop: 4 mm
- Stack Height: 40 mm
- Usage: Speed workouts, race day
- Available in 1 color
- Not available in wide
- Available on runningwarehouse.com for $250
Officially, the stack height comes in at 40mm, but if you’ve seen other reviews listing it a little higher, there’s a reason for that. The heel doesn’t fully extend out, so depending on where you measure it from, that stack height may differ just a tad.
I was a little nervous to take these out on the wet pavement and track, but the G3 outsole came through with some surprisingly good grip. That extra traction definitely helps add some confidence if you decide to use these on a rainy race day. I am not too sure how long the little grips will last, I guess we will have to wait and see.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Feel
I think the best way to describe how the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 feels is like jumping on a trampoline.
Right out of the box, you can tell that these are going to have a unique ride. Mizuno’s signature geometry, the Smooth Speed Assist, was built for performance.
While the heel bevel just looks like a funky design choice, it actually is there to encourage a midfoot landing and push you forward with every step. Pair that with the Mizuno Enerzy foam and things start to get bouncy.
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room, the towering stack height. As we mentioned earlier, this stack height is currently the tallest in the market and you’re gonna feel it right away.
I mean just throw on one of the shoes and you will see how much extra height it gives you. I’m already tall, so I do not need to feel even taller from a shoe.
If this feels too unstable, the Nike Alphafly 3 offers a similar high performance ride but with a slightly lower heel bevel for a touch more stability when walking or standing around.
If you’re here to chase a PR in distances like the 5k, 10k, or half marathon, the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is going to be a great option.
The carbon fiber infused nylon Mizuno Wave plate, say that ten times fast, adds a nice layer of stability to the midsole, keeping things balanced even with all that base…. er, bounce.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Fit
Sizing is tricky with this one. Many runners have reported needing to go up half a size, so if you’re between sizes, don’t even question it and size up. I didn’t have any issues with my typical size 11 but Coach Kaitlyn couldn’t even put the shoe on as it was a size too small for her and Coach Amanda ran in to similar issues.
Out of the box, I thought that the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 fit super comfortably. But as I began to end my run and slow down my pace, the comfort started to fade. And if you’re still holding on to team low-rise socks like me, you’re going to pay for it.
The reinforced heel tab started to dig in and cause irritation that lingered for a few days. So if you’re going to give these a go, high socks are a must.
The upper was super lightweight and breathable thanks to its engineered mesh. You’ll also see that there’s an internal support strap at the midfoot to help keep your foot in place and maybe not wobble as much from the higher stack height.
Another thing that I appreciate about the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is the Triple Shoelace Loop. I’ve tried a few pairs of carbon plate shoes and often the tongue has moved around but this one stayed put. No one wants to deal with a shoe malfunction while chasing after a PR so I give this one a double thumbs up.
Similar Shoes to the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3
We’ve tested a few shoes that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
-
- On Cloudboom Strike– (better option for longer distances like the marathon)
- Nike Alphafly V3– (more of a sock-like fit and less heel bevel)
- Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3– (base of the shoe is going to help provide a more stable ride)
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 vs. Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2
My husband always gives me weird looks when I am bopping around the house in two different shoes but how else am I supposed to tell how different they feel?
Even before you put on the shoes, the differences between the Pro 3 and Pro 2 are easy to spot.
One of the most noticeable changes is the heel bevel. Sure, they both have a bold design, but the Pro 3 stops the heel at the rear foot. While the Pro 2 extends it all the way into the midfoot.
I still felt a little wobbly walking and standing around in both but the Pro 3 had a slightly more balanced feel.
Mizuno also widened the midfoot platform of the Pro 3 to add more stability, but let’s be honest here, a shoe with a 40mm stack height is never going to feel super stable, especially if you’re not used to that much cushion underfoot.
The foam had a minor upgrade too. The Enerzy Lite+ was swapped out for the Enerzy XP, promising a softer, more responsive feel. This change adds some extra bounce when hitting those faster paces during a workout or race.
I have to say that the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 while taller, just felt better with the cushioning. The Pro 2 gives that firmer feel and almost like I’m using more of my forefoot than I need to.
Here are some of the key differences:
- Pro 3 is a 40mm stack, Pro 2 is 38mm
- Pro 3 is a 4mm heel drop, Pro 2 is 2mm heel drop
- Pro 3 is unisex sizing, Pro 2 has sizes in men’s and women’s
- Both shoes run small and should size up
- Pro 3 heel bevel only extends to the rearfoot
- Pro 3 has an internal support strap in the midfoot
- Pro 3 upper mesh is softer and more form fitting like a sock
- Grab tall socks when wearing both so that the higher heel doesn’t dig
Mizuno changed the cutout design of the Pro 3 to give the midsole a more structured feel. The goal here was to provide a ride that feels more stable and responsive underfoot. I honestly couldn’t feel the difference here but maybe you will.
At the end of the day, this is one of those shoes you really have to try on for yourself. But hopefully, this breakdown gave you a better idea of what to expect from this ultra-high-stacked racer.
Ready to run? Go check it out on runningwarehouse.com for $250
Looking for more training tips and reviews?
- Understanding Running Shoe Foams
- 9 Best Carbon Plate Running Shoes
- 7 Tips for How to Run Faster and Longer
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