Hey Run Maker crew,

I'm stoked to share my new favourite daily running shoe: the Mizuno Wave Rider 30. After putting the Neo Cosmo through its paces on Perth's coastal paths, I've now moved on to the Wave Rider 30 and honestly, this might be the best daily trainer Mizuno has ever made.

The Wave Rider is turning 30 this year, and rather than play it safe, Mizuno rebuilt it from the ground up. New midsole, new upper, and a full-length Wave Plate for the first time in the line's history. It's the biggest redesign in the Wave Rider line's 30-year history, and it shows.

Here's what you need to know.

Softer and bouncier than anything Mizuno has made at this price point

The headline upgrade is the midsole. The updated Enerzy NXT nitrogen-infused foam sits above the wave plate, delivering a softer, more responsive ride than previous versions, while a firmer EVA foam sits beneath it to provide durability and structure. It feels plush without being mushy. My legs feel fresh after easy runs on the Rockingham coastal paths in a way they didn't with older Wave Rider models.

The full-length Wave Plate changes everything

Every Wave Rider has had some version of the Wave Plate, but the Wave Rider 30 now features a full-length Wave Plate that makes the ride feel more cohesive from heel to toe than any previous version. It's not a carbon plate, don't expect the snappy pop of a race shoe. What you get instead is neutral stability that works quietly underneath you, stride after stride, without any rigidity.

The drop change is a genuine improvement

The drop has come down from 10mm to 8mm, and the shoe feels more balanced and natural underfoot than any previous version. For Perth runners who do a mix of road, path and parkrun, the lower drop makes the shoe feel more versatile across different surfaces and paces. Midfoot strikers will particularly notice the difference.

Lightweight enough to pick up the pace

At 265g, the Wave Rider 30 also offers some upside for tempo paces. I've been using these for my easy 40–50km weeks but also comfortably picking up the pace for parkrun efforts, the shoe handles both without complaint.

The upper is the best Rider upper yet

The Jacquard mesh upper is soft on the foot and very comfortable, it strikes a nice balance of being plush, but also breathable and lightweight. Running in Perth summer heat, breathability matters. This upper delivers.

The price is almost embarrassingly good

All these upgrades and the price point stayed around $150–200AUD. That's unheard of right now when costs are going up across the board for every brand. At roughly $200–260AUD depending on your retailer, you're getting a shoe that competes with models costing $50–80 more.

I've been running these on Rockingham's foreshore paths, parkrun at Long Point, and some road work around the coastal strip south of Perth. Here's the honest breakdown:

• Easy runs & recovery: Outstanding. The dual-layer foam is protective and comfortable for an hour on your feet without a second thought.

• Tempo efforts & parkrun: Surprisingly capable. The full-length plate gives just enough structure to hold your foot at faster paces without feeling like you're fighting the shoe.

• Perth summer/winter transition: The Jacquard mesh keeps things breathable in residual heat and the heel counter keeps things locked in on cooler, windier mornings at the coast.

• Grip on paths: The X10 rubber outsole performs well on sealed paths and roads, exactly the surfaces most Perth runners spend their time on.

My take: If you're running 30–60km per week on Perth roads and paths and want one shoe that handles everything, the Wave Rider 30 is it. The Neo Cosmo is still brilliant value for beginners or those after something lighter for easy paces, but the Wave Rider 30 is the more complete shoe for anyone doing a mix of easy, tempo and long runs.

The Wave Rider 30 still feels like a Wave Rider, but now it feels like one designed in 2026 instead of 2018.

If you've ever run in a Wave Rider and liked the character, the dependability, the smooth transitions, the no-drama daily mile, the 30 keeps all of that and fixes every criticism the line has had for years. Softer foam, lower drop, better upper, full-length plate.

For Perth runners doing the bulk of their training on coastal paths, foreshore roads and parkrun courses, this is as close to a perfect daily trainer as Mizuno has made.

Rating: 9/10

Head to SBR Collective in Rockingham for top service and a treadmill test before you commit. Tell Chris and Jess that The Run Maker sent you.

You can also find the Wave Rider 30 at:

• Running Warehouse AU — running-warehouse.com.au

• Mizuno AU — mizuno.com/en-au

• The Athletes Foot locations across Perth

Keep running,  Alistair Chegwidden  |  @therunmaker_  |  therunmaker.com  |  #TheRunMaker