Brooks Ghost and Mizuno Wave Rider are both neutral running shoes. They will provide you with soft cushioning and a comfortable ride.
They are excellent with shock absorption and are very breathable…
Then what are the differences between these two shoes?
To find that out, we compared Brooks Ghost 14 and Mizuno Wave Rider 25 thoroughly in this post. At the time of writing this post, these two are the current versions of the shoes.
We have done a very detailed comparison of Brooks Ghost Vs Mizuno Wave Rider below. We are confident that you will be able to find all the information that you need from this comparison.
So, without further ado let’s proceed.
This is our winner
Last update on 2023-09-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Brooks Ghost 14
Why did we pick this one?
- Excellent cushioning.
- Soft underfoot feel.
- Same density DNA LOFT on medial and lateral sides.
- Elegant style.
- Right height for the cut near the ankle.
The main differences between Brooks Ghost Vs Mizuno Wave Rider
- Brooks Ghost is a bit heavier than Mizuno Wave Rider. For women, Brooks Ghost weighs around 9oz or 255.1g whereas Mizuno Wave Rider weighs around 8.3oz or 235g. For men, Brooks Ghost weighs around 9.9oz or 2880.6g whereas Mizuno Wave Rider weighs around 10.1oz or 286.3g.
- For the men’s version of the shoe, Mizuno Wave Rider has one more size available than Brooks Ghost. For the women’s version, however, Brooks Ghost has two more sizes available than Mizuno Wave Rider.
- Brooks Ghost has more toe-box widths available than Mizuno Wave Rider for both versions.
- The latest generation of Brooks Ghost is 14 whereas the current generation of Mizuno Wave Rider is 25.
Content
- ✅ Brooks Ghost Vs Mizuno Wave Rider
Mizuno Wave Rider Vs Brooks Ghost – An Overview
Brooks Ghost and Mizuno Wave Rider are neutral running shoes that will provide you with ample cushioning, a faster ride, and a responsive feel.
Both of them are high mileage running shoes and have been consistent performers throughout the years.
In the following sections, we have done an in-depth comparison of Brooks Ghost and Mizuno Wave Rider.
Let’s find you what we uncovered in this comparison…
Brooks Ghost 14 Vs Mizuno Wave Rider 25 – Features at a glance
Brooks Ghost 14 | Mizuno Wave Rider 25 | |
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Type | Neutral | Neutral |
Heel-to-toe Drop | 12mm |
12mm |
Weight |
9oz/255.1g (Women) 9.9oz/280.6g (Men) |
8.3oz/235.3g (Women) 10.1oz/286.33g (Men) |
Arch Support | Medium to High | Medium, High |
Midsole Type | DNA LOFT Cushion | U4ic Midsole |
Technology | DNA LOFT, Segmented Crash Pad, 3D Fit Print | Mizuno ENERZY, Mizuno WAVE, U4ic Midsole, X10 Outsole |
Sizes |
5.0 – 13.0 (Women) 7.0 – 15.0 (Men) |
6.0 – 12.0 (Women) 7.0 – 16.0 (Men) |
Width |
Medium (1B), Wide (1D), Narrow (2A) (Women) Narrow (1B), Medium (1D), Wide (2E), Extra Wide (4E) (Men) |
Standard, Wide (D) (Women) Standard, Wide (2E) (Men) |
Use | Long Distance, Treadmill, Road | Long Distance, Treadmill, Road |
Editor’s Rating | ![]() |
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FEATURES
TYPE: Neutral
HEEL-TO-TOE DROP: 12mm
WEIGHT: 9oz/255.1g (Women) / 9.9oz/280.6g (Men)
ARCH SUPPORT: Medium to High
MIDSOLE TYPE: DNA LOFT Cushion
TECHNOLOGY: DNA LOFT, Segmented Crash Pad, 3D Fit Print
SIZES: 5.0 – 13.0 (Women) / 7.0 – 15.0 (Men)
WIDTH: Medium (1B), Wide (1D), Narrow (2A) [Women] / Narrow (1B), Medium (1D), Wide (2E), Extra Wide (4E) [Men]
USE: Long Distance, Treadmill, Road
EDITOR’S RATING
FEATURES
TYPE: Neutral
HEEL-TO-TOE DROP: 12mm
WEIGHT: 8.3oz/235.3g (Women) / 10.1oz/286.33g (Men)
ARCH SUPPORT: Medium, High
MIDSOLE TYPE: U4ic Midsole
TECHNOLOGY: Mizuno ENERZY, Mizuno WAVE, U4ic Midsole, X10 Outsole
SIZES: 6.0 – 12.0 (Women) / 7.0 – 16.0 (Men)
WIDTH: Standard, Wide (D) (Women) / Standard, Wide (2E) (Men)
USE: Long Distance, Treadmill, Road
EDITOR’S RATING
Mizuno Wave Rider Vs. Brooks Ghost – A head to head comparison
In the above sections, we have covered a brief overview and some major differences between Brooks Ghost and Mizuno Wave Rider.
In the following sections, you will find a detailed comparison of all the important features of these shoes.
Outsole
The outsole of the Mizuno Wave Rider has a full-contact outsole made from blown rubber. This is durable rubber and provides you with excellent grip and stability.
In some of the color options, you have the outsole in a marble texture. As this is a full-ground contact shoe, it will provide the midsole with ample protection and will not let it fall apart early.
On the lateral side of the heel, there is a hard X10 carbon rubber. This enhances the durability of the shoe and will provide extra protection to the heel if you are a heel-striker.
This version of Mizuno Wave Rider also has Flex Controllers placed in the high flex areas. This acts as a miniature wave plate and improves the flexibility of the shoe without increasing the weight,
The outsole of Brooks Ghost is also a full-length outsole made from blown rubber. There is a more durable piece of rubber placed on the lateral side of the heel to make the heel more resilient to wear and tear.
The outsole thickness of this version of Brooks Ghost is a bit less than the previous version. Combining it with the softer DNA LOFT cushioning, will provide you with improved flexibility.
However, this may not be very comfortable for underpronators. So, as a middle ground, Brooks has fused the second flex groove rubber and now the forefeet have two and a half grooves. This adds a bit of support under the first metatarsal and just what any underpronating runner needs.
Midsole
The midsole of the Mizuno Wave Rider is made from U4ic material. It is a soft midsole material that will provide you with excellent cushioning and a premium underfoot feel.
Also, it has Mizuno ENERZY which is a more responsive version of U4ic. It delivers a soft and pillowy cushioning underfoot.
It presents a top and bottom layer of Mizuno Wave and provides excellent cushioning on impact.
Wave Rider also has the Mizuno Wave and is redesigned to provide you a more elastic and springy running experience.
The midsole of Brooks Ghost is made from DNA LOFT which will provide you with a soft and luxurious ride.
This version of Brooks Ghost has the same density foam on the lateral and medial sides and will provide you with a smooth heel-to-toe transition.
Also, it has the Omega Flex grooves that provides you with optimal forefoot flexibility without compromising the cushioning.
Upper
The upper of Mizuno Wave Rider has eco-friendly engineered mesh. It is lightweight and breathable and will provide you with a nonrestrictive fit.
Also, it has an internal heel counter which is a plastic structure and locks your heels in place. The collar area is well cushioned and is a bit lighter. It has a gusseted tongue that provided you with better structural integrity.
The engineered mesh is soft to touch and will provide you with a comfortable running experience.
The upper of Brooks Ghost is made from 3D Fit Print mesh. This is lightweight and breathable. It will provide you with a customized fit and is soft.
It stretches with your feet and provides you with a non-restrictive fit. The heel counter of Brooks Ghost is improved in this 14th version and the collar provides you with excellent comfort.
The tongue is well padded and will provide you with excellent ankle stability.
Also, the new flat laces will keep you mid-foot secured and will provide you with a comfortable running experience.
Weight
In terms of weight, Brooks Ghost is heavier than Mizuno Wave Rider for the women’s version whereas for the men’s version Mizuno Wave Rider is heavier than Brooks Ghost.
Brooks Ghost weighs around 9oz /255.1g for women and 9.9oz/280g for men.
Mizuno Wave Rider weighs around 8.3oz/235.3g for women and 10.1oz/286.33g for men.
Price
Mizuno Wave Rider is priced a couple of bucks more than Brooks Ghost. When we checked the last time during research for this article, the current versions of these two running shoes, the price difference was around $5.
This is not a huge deal and now you have the flexibility to pick the one which you like the most. In the previous posts where we compared Brooks Ghost with others, some have a price difference of as high as $30.
This becomes really restrictive if you want to stick to your budget. However, with Brooks Ghost and Mizuno Wave Rider, you have two great running shoes with almost the same price.
In the above sections, we have provided you with almost all the similarities and differences between Brooks Ghost and Mizuno Wave Rider.
However, there are few alternatives that can provide you with a similar level of experience.
We have mentioned a couple of them below for you to consider.
Similar Shoes
Running Shoes Similar To Brooks Ghost 14
Brooks Ghost 14 is a well-cushioned neutral running shoe. It will provide you with an excellent in-shoe and running experience. It looks stylish and will make you stand out from the crowd.
New Balance 1080 will be able to match this experience with its FreshFoam cushioning and premium in-shoe experience. This is why this can be the perfect running shoe alternative to Brooks Ghost.
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Bootie upper construction hugs your foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Synthetic/mesh upper
Last update on 2023-08-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Running Shoes Similar To Mizuno Wave Rider 25
Mizuno Wave Rider is a neutral running shoe with soft yet responsive cushioning. Also, its in-shoe experience feels premium. It has good breathability and will provide you with great ride quality.
A running shoe that may be able to provide you with a similar level of running experience is Saucony Endorphin Shift. It has excellent cushioning and will provide you with a premium ride.
- More PWRRUN cushioning underfoot provides just-right softness that’s feels forgiving without feeling squishy
- The SPEEDROLL an always-forward geometry, creates a lively rolling feel underfoot; it’s a brand-new, practically effortless ride quality that feels as if the shoe is doing the work for you
- FORMFIT surrounds feet with a made-for-me feel that gently guides feet as you ease on down the road in light weight comfort
Last update on 2023-08-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
In the above sections, we have provided a lot of similarities and differences between Brooks Ghost Vs Mizuno Wave Rider. However, while doing so, one of them turned out to be a bit more promising than the other.
Brooks Ghost 14 has an overall softer cushioning and multiple toe-box widths. The number of toe-box widths available is more than Mizuno Wave Rider. Also, they are a tad bit cheaper than Mizuno Wave Rider although providing almost a similar performance.
These are the reasons that we chose Brooks Ghost over Mizuno Wave Rider.
However, runners generally gravitate towards one model or the other based on which they feel most natural in. If you like Mizuno Waver Rider more, then let us know in the comments section below. Otherwise, also, we will love to hear back from you…


Madhusree Basu
Author, Admin
Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.