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Mizuno Wave Daichi 8

In production · trail · Trail / Daily · $145

Michelin-outsoled trail trainer built for grip and wet-rock security.

Built for trail, daily, at a target pace of 9:00–12:30 /mi on trail.

The spec sheet

Weight
300 g / 10.6 oz
Heel stack
33 mm
Drop
10 mm
Plate
Rock
Cushioning
3 / 5
Energy return
3 / 5
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Rocker
2 / 5
Flexibility
3 / 5
Stability
3 / 5 (5 = most guidance)
Toe-box
Standard
Sizing
True to size
Durability
~450 mi
Price
$145

How it rides

The foam

Mizuno tuned this midsole balanced (3/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is moderate — comfortable and predictable rather than bouncy. 33 mm of heel stack is the modern daily-trainer sweet spot — enough foam for long miles without losing contact with the road. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 responsiveness.

The plate

A rock plate sits between the foam and the outsole to spread the load of sharp stones and roots. It is protection, not propulsion — it does not add pop, but it keeps the underfoot bruising out of long days on technical ground.

The geometry

A tall 10 mm drop tips weight forward off the heel, which usually suits heel strikers and calves that dislike low-drop shoes. The geometry is fairly traditional and flat, so the shoe follows your foot rather than steering it. Forefoot flex is middle of the road. Support is light — neutral, with a mildly steady platform.

Fit, sizing & life

The toe-box is standard width — comfortable for most feet without swimming. It fits true to size. Expect roughly 450 miles from the outsole, about $0.32 per mile at $145.

For the foams and plates Mizuno uses across its line, read the Mizuno brand guide.

How it compares

Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.

Weight

300 g / 10.6 oz

25 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g

Heel stack

33 mm

3 mm lower than the catalog median of 36 mm

Drop

10 mm

4 mm higher than the catalog median of 6 mm

Price

$145

15 cheaper than the catalog median of 160

Responsiveness

3 / 5

Catalog median 3 / 5

Cushioning

3 / 5

Catalog median 4 / 5

Energy return

3 / 5

Catalog median 3 / 5

Durability

~450 mi

Catalog median ~400 mi

Within the Mizuno line it is heavier than the brand's median (266 g / 9.4 oz) and sits lower than its median stack (40 mm).

Closest alternatives

Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.

Mizuno Wave Daichi 9

290 g / 10.2 oz · 34 mm · 10 mm drop · Rock · $140

Michelin-outsoled trail trainer for wet, technical ground.

Salomon Speedcross 6(2022)

298 g / 10.5 oz · 32 mm · 10 mm drop · Rock · $145

Deep, aggressive lugs for mud and soft ground. Snug, locked-down fit.

Asics Gel Venture 11

320 g / 11.3 oz · 36 mm · 10 mm drop · Rock · $80

Asics Gel Venture 11: 36 mm heel stack, 10 mm drop, 320 g — specs from independent lab testing.

Nike Juniper Trail 2 GTX

323 g / 11.4 oz · 35 mm · 9 mm drop · Rock · $115

Nike Juniper Trail 2 GTX: 35 mm heel stack, 9 mm drop, 293 g — specs from independent lab testing.

Asics Gel-Trabuco 13

283 g / 10.0 oz · 34 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $140

Do-it-all trail trainer with a rock plate and grippy Asicsgrip outsole.

Lineage & siblings