Mizuno made a splash in tennis last year when they released their Wave Exceed Tour 3 into the US marketplace. While it was certainly a good performance tennis shoe, it flew relatively under the radar. Many of us know Mizuno from running, volleyball, baseball, and a few other sports, but not really tennis. As a result, many consumers didn’t know what to expect. It was a shoe that, more or less, lacked a true identity. It also didn’t help that the shoe ran a bit narrow in a marketplace dominated by more forgiving widths. This all changes with the Wave Exceed Tour 4.
Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 4 Tennis Shoes
With this update, it’s important to note off the bat that Mizuno constructed the shoe with a new last. They adjusted the length and widened the width to make it more appealing to US consumers. I had an opportunity to try out the Wave Exceed Tour 4, and can verify that the fit in terms of length and width feels spot on. It also embodies a sort of running shoe quality that’s unique among all of the tennis shoes I’ve tested so far for the 2020 season. If the 3 didn’t have a true identity, the 4 knocks it out of the park. Overall, this model is designed to be lighter, faster, and more stable than other performance tennis shoes on the market. It’s also backed by a 6-month warranty. There’s a lot to like with this shoe, but how is it all possible?
Best-In-Class Midsole
The big thing to remember with Mizuno tennis shoes is energy dispersion as opposed to shock absorption. Through technologies such as Wave, PoWnCe, D-Flex Groove, and SR Touch, even the most aggressive players can expect a comfortable, responsive underfoot sensation that efficiently transfers energy during explosive movements. To top it off, this effective midsole offers excellent support, and is surprisingly lightweight. We also see Mizuno’s U4icX, which is a lightweight insole board that delivers a more comfortable, cushioned ride with higher rebound. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more advanced midsole in tennis.
Running Shoe Qualities
The first thing I noticed when lacing up the shoe was how much it felt like a running shoe. There was something about the way the upper shaped to my foot when tying the laces that reminded me of my cross country days (long, long ago). This feeling held true even when stepping on the court with how soft the inner lining was, and how dynamic the midsole was. That said, it still provided all of the stability and support I needed when moving laterally. It’s a unique experience to say the least.
Durable, but Flexible Upper
Textile, synthetic leather, and TPU combine to create a breathable, supportive, and durable upper. 3D-Solid technology over the forefoot plays a big part in the enhanced support and durability, yet remains surprisingly flexible and adaptive.
Torsional Control and Overall Support
The Wave Exceed Tour 4 is relatively light, but offers strong levels of lateral stability, torsional control, and overall support. Much of this can be attributed to the advanced midsole and related components underneath the arch. While some lightweight tennis shoes can bang up your joints, and leave you feeling sore the following morning, I can happily report that I’ve had zero issues with this shoe.
Durable Outsole
As mentioned above, Mizuno’s Wave Exceed Tour 4 is backed by a 6-month outsole warranty. The outsole consists of DuRubber that allows for longer wear in high-impact areas. It’s arranged in a pattern ideal for performance on multiple court surfaces. On hard courts, I found it a bit easier to slide in this shoe than with some of the other 2020 shoes I’ve tested.
Fit and Sizing
The Wave Exceed Tour 4 runs true to size with an average width thanks to the updated last it’s constructed with. You can also expect a pretty medium arch height. One criticism I had came with the laces: If you use the additional eyelet to better lock down your heel, the laces will be a little short.
Watch
To check out all of the colorways for this high-performance tennis shoe, visit TennisExpress.com. Be sure to keep an eye out for our full review on this shoe in the coming weeks!
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