I received the chance to try these shoes through my ambassadorship with Mizuno, but all opinions expressed are my own.
Check out my review below….
Then be sure to enter the amazing giveaway for a free pair of Mizuno Wave Riders.
I was very excited when I found out I would get the chance to try the new Mizuno Wave Rider 17. I currently rotate through three different styles of Mizunos and more pairs than I care to admit. I do my trail runs in the Ascend, my speed work in the Wave Sayonara, and all my other runs in the Wave Creation (which is my bread and butter running shoe). I was excited to see how the Wave Rider compares to the Wave Creation since I have lots of friends who marathon train in the Wave Rider and absolutely love them. 
The main difference I noticed when I slipped on the Wave Rider was that it is lighter than my usual Wave Creations (almost 2oz lighter), but it still had the same comfortable Mizuno fit I have grown to love. Just like the Wave Creation the Wave Rider is a neutral shoe that will work wonderfully for most runners. It has a good amount of support and cushioning so it will work not only for shorter runs, but also for longer distances.
I tried my Wave Riders out throughout the week last week. Okay, I had a bit of a strut as I walked around the gym in them. Hot new shoes make me feel awesome, I cannot help it. After some good treadmill workouts (which I am sure was the shoes and not me, I hate the treadmill) and a mid week run I decided these bad boys were ready to race. I laced my new Wave Rider 17 up and pushed myself to a brand new 5K PR at my local Reindeer Run. These babies may be my lucky shoes! Not only did they gave me a new PR, on top of that my feet still felt great post race. No pain, no blisters, all smiles – now that is a brilliant run.
I will definitely be working the Wave Rider 17 into my Mizuno running shoe rotation. I personally think I will stick to the Wave Creation for my longest runs as I am very injury prone, and while the Wave Creations are heavier they do provide a bit more protection. I will use the Wave Rider a ton on some of my shorter runs though, like the 7 miles I enjoyed tonight. I can also easily see how lots of people marathon train in the Wave Rider, if I wasn’t always so injured I would probably stick with the Wave Rider full time as it is an amazing shoe, a bit lighter, and about $35 less expensive than the Wave Creation which helps when you buy shoes as often as most runners do. This is an amazing shoe and one I would highly suggest you check out if you are looking for a neutral running shoe.
In the spirit of the holiday season Mizuno and I are giving away a brand new pair of Wave Rider 17s. Think of us as elves bearing running shoes.
However, this giveaway will be a little different than most – instead of keeping the shoes for yourself you will be entering to gift them to someone else.
For example if I was capable of entering my comment would be this:
I would gift the Wave Riders to Cecilia of MommiesRun because she trained so hard to prepare for her very first marathon last weekend only to have it cancelled because of weather. Instead of calling it quits she is right back on the wagon training for the full in NoLa. I bet some new Mizunos would be perfect for her.
If my comment was picked as the winner I would not be the one who got the shoes, they would be delivered to Cecilia as a Brilliant Run gift from me (and Mizuno) to her.
So, in the holiday spirit… time to gift some shoes! a Rafflecopter giveaway
One of my best friends is starting to get in to the longer distance aspect of running. I would love to gift her a great pair of shoes, like these, to show her how a great pair can really change your mindset!
It would be so hard to give them away, but because I love these shoes so much and have been training in them for years, I know they’d be great for my friend Christy. She’s tried some other neutral shoes, but as far as I know hasn’t made it to Mizuno yet. I know she’s missing out and since she’s just finished her first year of running, I want to give her a reason to keep running for years, just like I have with my Mizunos!
I would gift the Wave Rider to my biggest running inspiration Steff Rubel. She has more motivation and dedication than I can ever imagine having. She has ran several races throughout the past 2 years and is one of the most positive people I know! Not only is she dedicated to her own goals but she is always there to motivate others and gives encouraging words along the way! I don’t know that I ever would have taken another “long” run if she weren’t there to tell me that I could do it, even when I, myself, didn’t think that I could, she pushes me to my limits and deserves these shoes more than anyone I know!
I would gift this to my sister as she has started to diet and run in the last few months. She has talked about running a 5k someday, as i want to to… when i get the motivation. 🙂 I bet she would be SO EXCITED to get these!!!
I would give these to my sister. Her running shoes are currently SUPER old (2 years?) and as a college student she just doesn’t have the money with bills, groceries, and loans to get new ones. Running is definitely her therapy and I know she wants to train for another half this winter/spring. She’d just die for these!
I would give them to my sister who has always been active but only recently got into running. She completed her first half marathon this past fall. I love wave riders and she has been wearing them for several years as well. I can’t think of a better way to continue to encourage her to run through the winter.
If I won, I would gift these to my sister, who loves running and just joined a cross country team at her school. She has been a student forever, so doesn’t really have the money for nice shoes!!
I would elf them to my best friend Kelly Oster. She just completed her 2nd half marathon and I’ve been virtually coaching her the whole time. She has truly taken on running with a positive attitude and continues to work hard at it. She’s never tried Mizuno and I would love for her to try the brand I love dearly!
I adore my wave rider 17!! and now i want to get some for my dad who is 67 and just signed up for his first half marathon! YES!!!! so excited to train with him.
I would gift the Wave Riders to Victoria of Scoot A Doot because she’s given me constant encouragement as I got started as a runner this year.
I would give them to my husband. He needs new running shoes because he is getting into 5Ks and his shoes are from the outlet stores! I keep telling him to get fitted for shoes!
I would give them to my husband. He needs new running shoes because he is getting into 5Ks and his shoes are from the outlet stores! I keep telling him to get fitted for shoes!
Amy Lauren
i would give them to my friend danielle who ran so many miles this fall and is always willing to help another runner meet their goal.
I would give them to my mom. We were at the store today and she pointed at her tennis shoes. They are like 2 years old and looking like all of the life is gone. Hopefully new shoes would inspire her to walk more.
I would give these to my sister, Holly. She is a fabulous runner and her birthday is this month. 🙂
If i win I would definitely give these shoes to my PT person/friend who has repeatly helped me stay healthy and treated me prior to all my races! He is truly an amazing guy and helped me when I had given up on my other PT. He looks at the whole picture and biomechanics not just the injury. Because of him I have been able to race 6 marathons and 2 half marathons this past year! Plus his shoes are being held together by glue!
It would be to my running partner in crime. We travel across the country running races together.
I don’t have anyone to actually give them to, but I wanted to comment to say what a cool idea I thought this was.
I would gift them to my mom, who I am trying to get into a healthier lifestyle. She is on disability, so can’t spend the money on new shoes 🙁
I would give this awesome Mizuno gift to our friend Tucker. SHe is your running partner and is an amazing person inside and out. She has been with you thru thick and thin. I think she deserves a new pair of fabulous shoes.
I’d gift them to Andrea from Once Upon a Run (http://onceuponarunfairytale.blogspot.com) because she’s having a hard time finding shoes that work for her and is in the middle of training for her first marathon — she needs good shoes!
I would gift these to my friend Aleshia. She is just starting out running and needs a good pair of shoes .
I would give the gift of Mizuno to my boyfriend. He has had some stride issues and is looking for a new shoe! I think it would get him reenergized to train.
I would love to give these shoes to my wonderful, supportive husband who always comes for a run with me when sometimes he would rather be doing something else! He really needs a new pair of running shoes and these lovely Mizunos are just a bit beyond my wallet at the moment! I know he would really appreciate them, too. Good luck to all… it’s a wonderful giveaway!
I would give it to my boyfriend, who is also a big Mizuno fan like me!!
I would give them to my running partner for the last 13 years for putting up with me on all those runs 🙂
Ugh you are seriously my favorite person I’ve never met. I love this idea! I would gift them to my running buddy Debi from girlsrunthe901.com. She is a nike wearer and I want her to experience the brilliant run of Mizuno! Plus when I told her we were going to meet you in NOLA her first reaction was : “so do I need to get some Mizunos?”
I would give these to my running buddy and sister who is currently training for her second marathon!
Congrats Val, just emailed you.
I would gift these to my sister-in-law, Stacy. She is training for her first marathon and I’m so proud that she has become such a great runner (I got her started!!).
I would gift the Wave Rider 17s to my stepdaughter. She ran 200 miles in 8 weeks over the summer and then continued training for her first half marathon. Needless to say, she has put some serious miles on her Wave Rider 16s and would look great in a new pair as she heads into training for her second half marathon that she will be running with me! 😉
I would give the gift of a brilliant run to my running/training buddy. She’s the one that gave me the push to take the leap into half-marathons. She’s such an inspiration to me.
I would give these to my friend Alysia. She is overcoming many obstacles and she deserves these to help her keep moving during the winter weather.
I would give them to my friend Aline who just started running to keep her motivated!
I would give them to my 53 year old mom. She is running her 4th half marathon in February, and continues to inspire me to reach my running goals. Plus, I have been an avid Mizuno fan for years and would love for her to be able to try them out.
My sister! She needs new shoes even more than I do!
I would gift the shoes to my husband, he is getting into going to the gym and I ham so hopeful that he woudl pick up running and be active with me! Great giveaway, I am a HUGE Wave Rider 17 fan!
I would give them to my sister who wants to do her first 5K this next year. It will give her something to train for and look forward to while her husband is deployed.
If I won these I’d give them to my sister. She used to be so amazingly fit but with life and some recent stomach issues isn’t her typical self. I’d give these to her to help motivate her to start running again…maybe with her big sister!
If I win I would gift the Wave Rider 17’s to my wife! She is pretty amazing and always goes above and beyond for everyone else. She is the best mother, wife and friend a man could have!!!
If I won I would give the shoes to my mother. She recently found out her cholesterol is pretty high and has started to exercise again. I think a new pair of running shoes would be the perfect gift to encourage her to get even healthier!
I would give it to my brother in law who is a single dad and Iraqi war vet.