Mizuno Wave Rider 21 Men Running Shoes, 7 UK, Blue

Highlights: Design And Materials: The Rider 21's upper design is very close to the 20. So much so, that if you made both in the exact colour combination, it'll be hard to tell them apart. The Gore-Tex version of the Wave Rider 21 has a bootie construction along with 'winterized' materials, just in case the engineered mesh version is too breezy for you. Durability Assessment: If it were a matter of just the upper and the outsole, the Wave Rider is extremely durable. The outsole has a generous application of rubber, and the upper is multi-layered. The only durability concern is the Rider 21's midsole foam. It tends to pack after a couple of hundred miles, making the ride firmer. Or as Mizuno loyalists like to call it, the 'breaking-in' of the sole. Upper Fit And Feel: Except for some lighter models (Sayonara et al), Mizuno prefers using a stitched toe-cap; this results in ample vertical space inside toe-box. Combining the high toe-box with a spacious forefoot creates splay room for the toes. The Rider 21's toe-bumper is shorter on the sides than the 20, keeping a larger mesh area free of overlays. This leads to a marginal increase in forefoot room over the 20. Ride Quality And Behaviour: The midsole has all the ingredients which give the Rider 21 its distinctive ride flavour. The embedded Wave plate adds firmness to the cushioning quality, and this also makes the Rider 21 supportive. The Wave prevents the excessive compression of the foam and results in a balanced ride character.