I've only had these shoes for two days and whilst they are roomy up front (especially for my wide foot), I can confirm shoeguide's comments on the ride being 'firm.' My first run wearing the shoes was an unofficial road running half marathon. Probably not the ideal first test as my feet weren't used to them and now I have some painful stiffness in the outer length of my soles. However, I now plan to learn from that mistake and 'run' them in slowly, doing walking and shorter runs. Besides that gripe, the fit is snug, the shoes are breathable and they win over Asics, Adidas, Reebok and Saucony for the forefoot width! I'll return to these pages in due course to leave a more informed opinion and score.

Hi, this is an update to my last review posted on the Mizuno Wave Creation 9 page. After the pain in my soles disapated (two days later) I was left with another pain in my left foot round about the fifth metatarsal (outer foot bone). I listened to the advice of everyone about the injury, "it's the peronial ligament!", "it's a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal!" Funnily enough none of the advice cheered me up, especially nine weeks from my first marathon!
So, where does the shoes come in? I contemplated the decision to run a half marathon in them first time on, I thought about the fact that I had run a half marathon the week before, and whether that had contributed to the injury. I could see there were many more factors to consider regarding the injury, one of them being that my foot maybe had to much room to move in the shoe. What I thought was a plus point for the shoe was now eating away at me as a potential negative. So too was the "infinity wave" sole. It's true that the ride is firm but my weight coupled with that fact was also a potential negative. Maybe there was too much shock going through my feet and legs?
With this on my mind constantly, and knowing the running shop would take back the shoes within thirty days for an exchange, I chose to follow the advice of one of my colleagues and return the Mizunos for a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8 shoes.
I'm sure the Mizunos are a good shoe, there is ample comfort but to my novice mind the rear of the shoe wants to be a cushion trainer where the front wants to be a speed/racing shoe. Another niggle is that the tongue is secured within with elastic which when worn, pulls the tongue to the outside edge of the shoe.
I've ran in the better cushioned, more supportive Brooks a few times now and when the results of my x-ray comes through confirming there is no stress fractures in my left foot, I'm sure I will confidently say that I won't look back. Try Brooks, in the words of my colleague "They are under-rated but over-sold" and he's an in-training Ultra-marathoner!!!!!