Shoe Review: Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 6

Price: $135

Size Run: 7-12, 13 (men); 6-11 (women)

Weight: 11.6 oz. (men’s 9); 9.5 oz. (women’s 7.5)

Outsole Warranty: Six months

What’s New

For the latest installment of its lightweight speed shoe, Mizuno wanted to up the stability and comfort features without adding any mass. To do so, the mid-foot shank (D-Flex Groove) has been expanded for greater support during quick pivots while maintaining flexibility. The updated midsole cushioning (Mizuno Enerzy nxt) is plusher, lighter and more responsive. A new eyelet system (Dyna-Eyelet Wrap) and more padded tongue create a better fit as well as bolster comfort. And the outsole design has been altered slightly to combine two different patterns to better allow for hard court sliding without sacrificing grip or durability. All these innovations add just 0.1 ounces of weight, but have a major impact on the dependability and performance of the shoe.

What Works

The sixth installment of the Wave Exceed Tour marks the 10^th anniversary of the original model. While its features have evolved and advanced, at its core it remains a speed shoe. The type of model that may not actually make you any faster, but sure feels that way.

Compared to the outgoing model, Mizuno took some needed steps in bolstering this update. The Tour 5 was an exceedingly lightweight and comfortable shoe, but perhaps crossed over somewhat into the slipper category. The upper lacked structure and could buckle when slamming on the brakes before executing a hard cut. And the tongue was wafer thin and too short, resulting in noticeable lace pressure when tied tightly.

The Tour 6 behaves like a more substantial shoe. It feels and performs like the Tour 4, but maintains the lightweight responsiveness of its predecessor. The upper feels sturdier and the extension of the mid-foot shank gives the shoe greater support during lateral movement. You can zoom into and out of corners with confidence the shoe won’t crumble under the strain. The tongue has also been improved with more length, padding and a new forked designed that splays across the top of the foot. All the while, it remains remarkably svelte.

The cut of the Tour 6 is slightly on the narrow side. Along with the new eyelet system that covers more of the foot, the shoe offers a secure squeeze when the laces are cinched up. It feels highly responsive as there’s zero sag during movement.

Midsole cushioning is both comfortable and responsive. For a shoe this light, it does an admirable job of soaking up contact and propelling you into the next shot. Yet, the low-to-the-ground profile offers good court feel and responsiveness.

The outsole pattern has been altered with hard court sliding in mind. The thickness and direction of the channels are configured to offer the optimal combination of grip and give. I’m not a natural hard court slider—it generally only happens out of necessity—but had no complaints with the level of traction. Plus, having a six-month outsole warranty in a speed shoe is a rare and attractive asset.

What Needs Work

As stated earlier, the cut is a bit skinny, especially through the forefoot. The upper is pliable enough that there’s some give, but it still might be an issue for players with wider feet. Those players may find the brand’s Wave Enforce Tour to have a roomier, more forgiving profile.

The same goes for players requiring lots of cushioning. The amount of padding on the Tour 6 is respectable, but certainly not as robust as some. It is what you’d expect from a lightweight speed shoe; however, players who aren’t so light on their feet may not find sufficient protection.

Finally, it’s still unclear what Mizuno is trying to accomplish with the tongue of the shoe. It is indeed longer, slightly thicker and superior to the Tour 5’s version, but the forked design still leaves something to be desired. It’s possible it keeps the weight lower and sits flat on the top of the foot, but they might be overthinking it. Something a bit thicker with a classic design would do just fine.

Bottom Line

A bit heartier and more comfortable, the updates to the Wave Exceed Tour 6 make it a real contender in the lightweight speed shoe category.