Mizuno Wave Rider 30 vs Asics Gel-Cumulus 28
Two shoes people weigh up against each other constantly. Here is what actually separates them, taken from the same database that drives the Shoe Finder quiz, with nothing added by hand. The short version: they are closely matched on paper, so fit and feel will decide it.
Side by side
| Mizuno Wave Rider 30 | Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £140 RRP | £139.99 RRP |
| Type | Everyday trainer | Everyday trainer |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Weight | 265g | 252g |
| Heel drop | 8mm | 8mm |
| Heel stack | 42mm | 41mm |
| Widths | Standard and wide | Standard, wide and 4E |
| Plate | None | None |
What the differences mean
Weight
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 is 13g lighter, at 252g against 265g. As a rough guide every 100g costs about one percent in running economy, so 13g is worth a fraction of a percent. You will feel it more than it costs you, and it counts for more on a fast 5k than on a slow long run.
Heel drop
Both sit at around 8mm, so neither will feel unfamiliar if you are coming from the other. Nothing to choose here.
Width fittings
Both come in a wide fitting, but only the Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 goes as far as 4E. That matters if wide is not quite wide enough for you, which is more common than the number of shoes offering it suggests.
Feel underfoot
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 28 is the softer ride. The other sits in the middle. Preference rather than performance.
How long they last
The Mizuno Wave Rider 30 is built to take more mileage. If one pair is doing all your running, that is worth more than it sounds, because cost per mile matters more than the price on the box.
Price
Effectively the same price at full price, so this is not the thing to decide on. Whichever happens to be discounted on the day is the better buy.
Which should you buy?
Neither, until you have tried both on. Fit decides more than any specification on this page, and the two shoes above are close enough that a foot shape will separate them faster than a spreadsheet will.
Mizuno Wave Rider 30
Dependable everyday trainer that lasts well and rarely gives anyone trouble.
Asics Gel-Cumulus 28
Softer and cheaper than the Nimbus. A sensible first proper running shoe.
Or let the quiz decide
This page compares two shoes. The shoe finder compares all 104 of them against your width, your weight, where you run, your budget and any recurring niggles, then gives you three and tells you why each one made it. It takes about a minute.