Mizuno Shoe Guide

"After more than 40 hours of testing, I am thrilled to report that my pair of Wave Exceed Tour 7s have yet to show any major decline in stability or support."

-Mark, TW Playtester

"These Wave Exceed Tour 7s were extremely light, and they transitioned well from heel to toe."

-Brittany, TW Playtester

The Wave Exceed series from Mizuno has been a longtime favorite for those who like a low-to-the-ground, speed-oriented experience. These shoes feature a lightweight nature, but make no mistake, are still plenty stable when moving at high speeds. The profile of the Wave Exceed Tour 7 is slightly narrower, so wider foot types beware. The primary trait of these shoes is their extremely fast nature, with the rest of the shoes' construction filling in the other areas of performance. Comfort proved better-than-average, as did the stability during more intense movement. Additionally, one of our biggest gripes on the previous generation (a tongue that was too thinly padded) has been fixed for the seventh version, and is now much more comfortable across the top of the foot. Overall, for fans of speed that doesn't compromise elsewhere on a shoe, the Wave Exceed Tour 7 is among the cream of the crop.

"The comfort and fit of these Mizuno Neo Ace shoes are top tier. I have found the comfort to be good with both the Mizuno Exceed Tours and Enforce Tours over the years, so I was glad to find these shoes to follow suit."

-Troy, TW Playtester

"I found the comfort to simply be practical, letting me push into the plush material and out of it with ease, which isn't always the case for me with more flexible foam."

-Oak, TW Playtester

Mizuno has had two excellent flagship options for quite some time now. One being a more speedy, lightweight option designed to be lower to the ground and quicker around the court, and the other as a beefier, more durable, comfort-oriented option. The all-new Neo Ace splits the difference, offering top-shelf speed with impressive levels of stability to boot, making this one of the most well-rounded offerings to hit the market in a long time. This Neo Ace is on our short list for shoe of the year so far, earning top marks for its combination of feel and performance.

"Like I have come to expect with all the Mizuno court shoes I have tested in the past few years, comfort is two thumbs up."

-Troy, TW Playtester

"Durability was hands down a standout feature. We tested these Wave Enforce Tour 2s for close to a month, and I am not seeing much wear at all on the outsoles."

-Michelle, TW Playtester

The Wave Enforce Tour 2 is Mizuno's premium durability and comfort offering. This beefier shoe has a thorough construction that emphasizes a stable nature from heel-to-toe, letting wearers comfortably plant into and out of aggressive movements. Durability was impressive, and if users could manage to wear through the outsole in less than six months, these shoes come backed by an outsole guarantee. Based on player feedback from the first generation, Mizuno implemented a Dyna-Heel Lock Lite to improve the support around the ankles, with plush padding that delivers a more secure fit to keep you locked down and ready to turn and burn.

The Wave Enforce Court 2 is a slightly less intense version of the Wave Enforce Tour, and the Enforce Court offers that same plush, heel-to-toe sensation, but at a more affordable price. While these shoes aren't as stable as some top-shelf options, our team was surprised and impressed at how viable they ended up being for use on court. Fans of a lighter weight, plush pair of shoes should consider these all-court beasts.

The Wave Exceed Court is a slightly less intense version of the Wave Exceed Tour 7. This more minimal approach still features excellent speed and maneuverability around the court, but without all the bells and whistles of the premium version. For beginners, intermediates, and value hunters though, this lightweight, speedy shoe still has plenty to offer in the way of performance on court.