Step 02 — The lineup
6 shoes scored across eleven metrics · Any purpose
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Mizuno Wave Horizon 7 — Mizuno Wave Horizon 7: 41 mm heel stack, 8 mm drop, 329 g — specs from independent lab testing.
Sizing note
Everything here fits true to size. Leave a thumbnail of space at the toe.
Durability
Expect roughly 433 miles before the midsole flattens out.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | Asics Gel-Pursue 8 | Asics Gel-Cumulus 27(2025) | Nike Journey Run | Nike Run Defy | Asics Gel-Contend 9 | Saucony Cohesion 18 | Nike Quest 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 295 g / 10.4 oz | 264 g / 9.3 oz | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 295 g / 10.4 oz | 295 g / 10.4 oz | 290 g / 10.2 oz | 280 g / 9.9 oz |
| Drop | 10 mm | 8 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm | 10 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 30 mm | 39 mm | 35 mm | 33 mm | 29 mm | 30 mm | 32 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Plate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Intended pace | 8:00–11:00 /mi | 8:00–11:00 /mi | 9:00–12:00 /mi | 9:00–12:00 /mi | 8:30–11:30 /mi | 9:30–12:30 /mi | 8:30–11:30 /mi |
| Purpose | Daily | Daily, Long run, Recovery | Daily, Recovery | Daily | Daily | Daily | Daily |
| Sizing | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size |
| Durability | ~400 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~400 mi | ~400 mi | ~450 mi |
| Price | $120 | $140 | $90 | $80 | $75 | $70 | $85 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5.