When I first started running some years ago, the very first pair of shoes I bought was from Mizuno. So when I heard about the Wave Hitogami, I was quite eager to get my hands on them.

The Wave Hitogami is a neutral lightweight trainer. In the MIzuno line up, it is probably the second lightest shoe they have. The Wave Hitogami replaces the Wave Ronin (neutral) and Wave Musha (support). I know that doesn’t sound like a fair deal but hold your horses.

The Wave Hitogami is built on Mizuno’s new U4ic cushioning compound which is 30% lighter than the old stuff they used to use. The full ground contact outsole improves the stability of the Wave Hitogami. It isn’t going to offer as much stability as a true support shoe, but the Wave Hitogami definitely feels more stable than your regular neutral shoes.

Fit wise, the Wave Hitogami is true to size. The mesh upper is very breathable and the use of heat bonded overlays greatly improves the level of comfort. The overlays offer a secure lock down of the mid foot and the wide toe box will be a welcome feature not often found in lighter weight models. I found the heel cup of the Wave Hitogami a bit loose initially but once I laced them up, there was no noticeable slippage while running.

I enjoyed my first run in the Wave Hitogamis. They have a nice amount of cushioning for runners that are looking for a lightweight trainer for tempo runs and even longer runs. The Wave Hitogamis have a light, spritely feel to them and are a lot of fun to run in. They will be a good option as a longer distance racer or everyday lightweight trainer.