Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 Reviewed

The new Wave Sayonara 3 utilizes Mizuno’s X10 technology in its outsole. This highly durable rubber material is placed in the area where most of the abrasion from use happens, which is the heel-to-midfoot area. Besides being long lasting, the X10 carbon rubber outsole also provides excellent traction and is great for those who heel strike.

The forefoot uses a soft blown rubber material for enhanced grip and flexibility, which is great for the toe-offs and provides a good level of responsiveness while maintaining the soft cushioning.

Another trademark element present in the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 is Mizuno’s U4ic technology in the midsole. This type of foam is very lightweight but still provides excellent response and a decent amount of cushioning for the runner. The forefoot area includes Flex Grooves, which enhance the flexibility of the midsole, and combined with their Smooth Ride technology provides a smooth heel to toe transition.

Mizuno really upped their game with the new Wave Sayonara 3’s upper construction to make it, even more, breathable and lightweight. The new upper uses the Airmesh technology in combination with their Dynamotion Fit technology, a stretchy mesh material that conforms to the shape of your feet and provides free circulation of air inside the shoe and helps with temperature regulation for a comfortable and dry ride.

In addition, Mizuno included their OrthoLite sockliner, which has anti-microbial properties and helps absorb any excess moisture, while adding to the overall cushioning effect of the shoe. Many runners praised the new Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 for holding up extremely well under high temperatures, saying their feet were dry and well-ventilated throughout the entire run.

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 weighs 8.4 ounces for a men’s size 9, while the women’s size 8 comes in at 7.0 ounces. This is all due to the lightweight materials used in the production of this running shoe, to reduce the weight for a better running experience that will not leave your feet tired.

There is nothing worse than running in sweat-soaked shoes and getting that squishy feeling each time you land. It can ruin your whole running experience, not to mention the health problems it can cause. Luckily, the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 has you covered. With the new upper design that features the Airmesh technology, the new iteration of the Wave Sayonara series is highly breathable and super lightweight, so it will not weigh you down during running. Coupled with the Dynamotion Fit technology, this running shoe will “mold” to your feet and create a sock-like fit, allowing the shoes to move with the natural movements of your feet for an effortless ride.

While Mizuno keeps it lightweight with the materials used in the Wave Sayonara 3, that does not mean that it lacks comfort. Starting from the outsole, which features a soft blown rubber forefoot, it combines grip with soft cushioning, especially great for those who are forefoot strikers. The midfoot also boasts some nice responsive cushioning with its U4ic midsole foam. The Dynamotion Fit technology used in the upper wraps around the foot much like a sock, that creates a comfortable and natural fit.

The addition, the OrthoLite sockliner further enhances the comfort level of this running shoe by providing additional cushioning and absorbing moisture, and the Flex Grooves found in the forefoot area of the midsole help the shoe move with your feet for a natural stride.

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 is primarily meant for competitive running and is the equivalent of a racing car with its vibrant color schemes and design. The color options for the men’s version are black/atomic blue, silver/ bright orange, and black/lime, while the women’s version comes in only two color combinations, namely, pink/malibu blue and pink/white. There are horizontal lines stretching along the sides of the upper featuring some of these vibrant colors, that act as a fashion detail and give structure to the upper as well.

The new Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 is highly durable, thanks to the X10 carbon rubber used for the outsole. Focusing on the heel to midfoot area, the X10 carbon rubber provides superb traction and ensures minimal abrasions for a long lasting running shoe. The U4ic midsole foam also adds durability to the shoe and the upper’s synthetic overlays help protect the upper’s mesh against wear and tear.

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3’s protection is multifold. The X10 carbon rubber is not only durable but, thanks to its excellent traction, it also prevents injuries caused by slipping. The U4ic foam midsole provides a responsive cushioning and together with the Flex Grooves, promotes the natural movement of the feet, thus not tiring out the runner mid-run. The upper’s Dynamotion Fit technology helps in providing the feet with a snug fit and locking them in place to reduce side to side moving during running, which can cause injuries.

Last, but not least, the heel features a Parallel Wave construction. This padding supports the underfoot by absorbing the impact of each footfall and distributing it throughout the shoe, helping maintain the natural movement of the feet.

Thanks to the U4ic foam midsole, the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 offers a good amount of responsive cushioning to the runner. Coupled with the Flex Grooves on the side of the midsole and the soft blown rubber forefoot on the outsole, the new Wave Sayonara 3 has a good grip on the ground and promotes the natural movement of the feet. Although, if you want to achieve maximum responsiveness, you might want to stick to flat surfaces, such as roads, tracks or treadmills.

While the X10 carbon rubber outsole and U4ic foam midsole with the Parallel Wave technology help support the underfoot, the Dynamotion Fit upper keeps the top area of the feet nice and secure during use. This running shoe is best suited for the neutral runner, however it can accommodate runners with higher arches as well. However, under and overpronators will not benefit from the new Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3, as it does not feature additional support to help combat those specific issues.

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 is classified as a neutral road running shoe, meant for competitive running. As such, it is best suited for flat surfaces, like roads, tracks or treadmills, and it is advisable to avoid trails. However, since it has excellent traction and breathability, it will serve you well under many weather conditions and it does not matter if the ground is dry or wet either.

Despite all the amazing features the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 has to offer, the price tag might be the best. It competes with the best running shoes in this category, yet costs a fraction of the price of some of them, while not cutting back on quality or performance.

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 has excellent traction, due to its X10 carbon rubber infused outsole. Namely, the X10 carbon rubber is a highly durable and grippy material and it stretches from the heel to the midfoot area of the outsole. The best traction payoff can be achieved on flat surfaces, such as roads, pavement or tracks.

In terms of flexibility, the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 offers less of it than its predecessor. It still provides enough flexibility in terms of its sole unit and Dynamotion Fit upper. However, in this version of the Wave Sayonara series, Mizuno focused more on the protective features of the shoe, namely the sole unit, which features additional cushioning in the midsole for enhanced padding for the underfoot.

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 provides good stability for the runner. The sole unit has excellent traction and grip which will keep your feet stable on the ground, while the U4ic cushioning supports the underfoot. The upper’s Dynamotion Fit technology wraps the feet and provides a sock-like fit for maximum stability for the top areas of your feet without blisters or irritation.

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 features a standard 10 mm drop, which is what most neutral road running shoes have. The Sayonara 3 is excellent for competitive running since it provides the runner with speed and control.

Airmesh technology lends a lightweight and breathable ride

Mizuno’s Dynamotion Fit technology provides a sock-like fit

U4ic midsole foam for a responsive cushioning

X10 carbon rubber outsole for excellent traction and longevity

Flex Grooves for enhanced flexibility

Parallel Wave heel construction for natural movement

Standard lacing system

The Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 falls in the category of neutral running shoes and is generally used for competitive running because it is fast. However, it performs well on longer runs and daily runs as well, thanks to its design.

The X10 carbon rubber that can be found stretching along the heel-to-midfoot area of the outsole, is a highly durable rubber material that will protect from abrasions and ensure that you will enjoy this pair of running shoes for a long time. It also has excellent traction, which will keep your feet firm on the ground, whether dry or wet. The midsole uses Mizuno’s famous U4ic midsole foam, which provides the runner with a responsive cushioning and the Parallel Wave heel construction allows the feet to move naturally. The midsole is also excellent in absorbing and distributing the shock of impact, providing a springy ride for the runner.

Moving up, the upper utilizes the Airmesh technology for maximum breathability and the Dynamotion Fit technology that helps this running shoe conform to your feet for a snug, sock-like fit that feels natural and lightweight, yet supportive enough for those longer runs. The addition of the OrthoLite sockliner was highly appreciated by customers, as it kept their feet nicely cushioned and dry throughout the run. This running shoe is an excellent choice for those with normal to high arches, but over and underpronators might need something a bit more supportive in the arch area.

To conclude, the Mizuno Wave Sayonara 3 is a great running shoe that can compete with some of the best running shoes in the market with its quality and performance, and for a fraction of the price.