Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro Beta Introduction:
On the damp, grey streets of Amsterdam, Mizuno launched the Wave Rebellion Pro Beta. The zebra striped racing machine continues Mizuno’s quest towards outlandish geometry while keeping within the World Athletics ruleset.
Over the past couple of years, the Wave Rebellion Pro 1 and 2 caused many a ripple with their unique design and shape. Now, the Wave Rebellion Pro Beta pushes it further. The super sharp cut-away at the heel. Then the huge bulge behind the midfoot and the super vivid upper make for a shoe which stands out of the crowd. However, looks can be deceiving.
Have the Osaka company created a must-have or are we blinded by the dazzle camouflage?
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro Beta Upper: Zebra Striped Delight
Andy: My feet do not seem designed for Mizuno’s racing shoe uppers. In the Wave Rebellion Pro, I found the rear of the heel cup dug into my achilles and caused me discomfort and some torn skin. This, understandably, gave me some trepidation in my testing of the Wave Rebellion Pro Beta.
Sadly, during my initial run in them, I found, yet again, that the angle of my foot through my gait cycle caused the shoes to dig in and break skin. However, with some work on softening them, I managed to remove the problem in the achilles. When I put them on foot, I found that the initial step in comfort was good and lockdown was easy to achieve with the laces. The lacing system is traditional, unlike the rest of the shoe, and the laces are a good length for either a simple knot or a runner’s loop.
During my experience in the Amsterdam marathon in the shoes, I did have an unfortunate incident with my left foot. I am not sure what was the cause, a rough edge on the bottom of the lace chain or an unfortunate fold in the upper. But, the upshot was a large blister on the top of my big toe which was quite uncomfortable.
Breathability wise, there is no problem at all with the zebra striped upper. It is quick drying when wet and at no stage during any run did my feet feel overly warm. Overall, if you have the right shaped feet and gait cycle, the upper is a good (and very good looking) effort. Unfortunately, my feet, or at least my left foot, are not shaped for Mizuno’s race shoes.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro Beta Midsole: Built For the Fastest
Andy: The Wave Rebellion Pro Beta is a shoe for those who want to go fast. Sub 2:30 fast. As my result from Amsterdam shows, I am not sub-2:30 fast. That said, Mizuno has packed a lot of technology into their midsole to push every runner towards their best. As a predominantly forefoot striker, Mizuno’s F.O.R.M. analysis had the Wave Rebellion Pro Beta down as my ideal shoe.
When I was fresh and up on my toes, the combination of Enerzy Foam XP, Wave Plate and Smooth Speed Assist Technology made running easy. The foam itself is very soft, walking in the shoe is a wild ride. When running, it works in combination with the other elements to push you forwards and it feels a lot more directed. Even with the extra direction, it is not a shoe for those who need stability. Turning sharp corners is a precarious business and uneven ground can make for an ankle worrying feel.
Later in the marathon, when the legs were tired and my form had begun to break down, the initial push of the shoe became more of a battle. This is a demanding shoe for someone who is not an elite runner. The midfoot bulge became a hill to climb rather than a springboard to push off. My calves very much felt the brunt of the effort.
All that said, post marathon, as I sit and write this review, I can say that the foam works very well for protecting the legs. Big toe aside, my legs feel surprisingly fresh the day afterwards despite a tough effort in the Dutch wind. If I can sort out my upper issues, I would very much like to try the Wave Rebellion Pro Beta over a shorter distance. I think this is where I will be able to take more advantage of the speeds offered by the aggression of the midsole geometry.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro Beta Outsole:
Andy: The G3 rubber on the outsole of the Wave Rebellion Pro Beta is the least wild part of the shoe. Frankly, this is a good thing. Every run I have had in the shoe has been during less than ideal weather. The sessions in Folkestone have been during rainy days on slick concrete. Then, the marathon in Amsterdam was on puddle strewn streets with exposed metal tramlines.
Despite all of this, the Wave Rebellion Pro held firm. Through the puddles along the Amstel to the tramlines in the centre, at no stage did I fear slipping. When I wanted to accelerate, the G3 outsole bit into the concrete. Overall, it helped turn power into speed. Also, as would be expected, there is no real visible wear after about 60 km in the shoe.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro Beta Conclusion: Great for the Right Runner
Andy: For the right person. Someone who is a strong, forefoot runner. A person who can maintain their form throughout the race, the Wave Rebellion Pro Beta could definitely be a viable option for the marathon distance. The foam protects the legs. Moreover, the geometry offers a real push and it is a fast shoe. However, it is a shoe which is demanding. When the form breaks down. If the corners are sharp or over pronation is an issue for you, this is going to be a challenging shoe.
There is a lot to like in the package. The protective foam, the aggressive toe off and the outsole are real highlights. The price is competitive and the durability will probably be high. Not for beginners, for sure. That said, it is worth a look for a more advanced runner who can take advantage of everything it offers.