Mizuno Wave Creation 14

Mizuno Wave Creation 14 ($150)

Make no mistake: The Creation is one big shoe. The large plastic Wave plate in the heel softens the blow of heel-strikers and helps stabilize the foot. The trade-off, say our wear-testers, is that your foot sits high off the ground and the shoe tends to have a stiff ride. “They took a little time to break in, but after 20 miles felt good on my feet,” says Kim Hellwig, a 30-mile-per-week runner from Allentown, Pennsylvania.
BOTTOM LINE: Offers good stability and is capable of handling high mileage.

Weight: 12.4 oz (M); 9.6 oz (W)
Height: 35.7 mm (heel); 24.2 mm (forefoot)

“It’s A LOT of shoe. I really think that runners who want/need a heavy-duty trainer will enjoy the shoe. I am impressed with the sole; it will take some time for it to wear down.”—Dave Ackerman, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

“From heel cup to arch support to toe box width, my foot felt very ‘locked in place’—in a good way. I did have to pay extra attention in lacing the shoes though. I felt I needed to tie them tighter at the top than usual. It wasn’t a size issue, though.”—Frank Davis, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

“These shoes were lightweight but sturdy with the right amount of support.  They took little time to break in and, even after 20 miles, still felt good on my feet.  I am blister prone and these fit my feet so well I hardly got any blisters.”—Kim Hellwig, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

By Jeff Dengate, Martyn Shorten, Ph.D.. (www.runnersworld.com)

Where to Buy: AMAZON