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Mizuno Precision 9 Review

Mizuno’s Marketing Officer, Miss Jai Cortes, offered me to review their Precision 9 model. Having used the older Precision 6 model before, I knew this was a great performance training shoe–something that’s going to help me train faster and even use for racing faster marathons.

First Impressions
The Precision9 shoe looked similar to the older precision models, but the quality of material used looks even better, so now it looks flashier than ever. The fabric is breathably very thin, and has a reptilian look. Good for racing runners who are “maangas” or intimidating. It looks and feels lighter than most Mizuno Running Shoe models, but its sole has more cushioning and support than their racing flats. And the smell–mmmmm! I don’t know what it is, but Mizuno Stores and Running shoes have this distinct nice smell in them that makes me want to buy their shoes.

The WAVE
What I like about Mizuno Running Shoes is their “wave” technology. It absorbs the vertical shock of the foot by dissipating it sideways, and the absorption transition is very smooth from heel to forefoot. However when I tried the new P9, I immediately felt an improved support. When I examined the “Wave”, it looks like they used 2 different materials–the medial(inner) has a wave stiffer material than the lateral(outer) wave. This should help control pronation for most runners.

Test Run
I was able to run 4miles(6kms) yesterday and 6miles(9Kms) this morning at faster paces than usual, without any issue. The shoes were really light and so responsive on the road that it’s really a runner’s running shoe. The wave gave a smooth controlled pronation from heel to toe. It’s great for heel and midfoot strikers. The forefoot is also flexible enough to do some forefoot running as well. The only problem I saw was when I temporarily ran on a wet side of road, it felt a little slippery. The wet traction is mediocre–I believe the Mizuno Elixir would perform better than this with its unique pimpled treads.
Running 9.63Kms @ 5:16/km pace

The Older Precision Models
Precision 6
I used to have the Mizuno Wave Rider 7 when I was heavier, but after losing 35pounds (due to running and healthy diet), the lighter Precision6 model helped me to run faster.

Precision 8
Jay Nacino aka Prometheus Cometh was able to run a fast 3:37 marathon with the older Precision 8 model.

Conclusion
The Mizuno Wave Precision 9 is a great lightweight performance training shoe recommended for lightweight runners who want to train and race faster. It has enough durability and support to run a full Marathon. Mild over-pronators could benefit from the newly improved medial support.

About Mizuno
Being a fan of Mizuno, I’ve interviewed Miss Jai about Mizuno Running Philippines via email:
1. What is your job in Mizuno?
Marketing Officer for Running

2. How long have you been working in Mizuno?
Just a little bit over a month but I’ve been using Mizuno for my other sports even before

3. What is Mizuno-Philippines’ Mission and Vision for Running, if any?
I don’t think we have, but our goal is to make runners understand their needs when it comes to their running shoes and apparels. We don’t want to push our products just for the sake of pushing it, seriously. We don’t like to compete head on with the marketing strategy of other brands, because people who go there, I’m not stereotyping, but most of them are after the looks. So it’s like if you want a running shoe, go for other “good looking” brands, but if you need a running shoe, go for Mizuno.

4. Mizuno has been winning a lot of the coveted Runnersworld Magazine’s “Editor’s Award” a lot over the years. What does Mizuno Running Shoes have that other brands don’t have?
Some shoes would offer stability, some would offer cushioning, but our award winning shoes, they offer both. We take into consideration almost every inch of detail when it comes to the needs of the runners and then we incorporate it in redesigning our technologies. We have shoes with sole that still grips well even if the surface is wet, then one of our new technology makes sure that the shoes doesn’t open while you run. We have those technologies for those little details that you really don’t take into consideration as a runner, but once you realize it, yeah nga you need it. Check out our website www.mizuno.ph or check www.mizuno.eu for more info on all the technologies in our shoes.

5. I noticed a distinct chemical smell/scent every time I go to any Mizuno store. Other running stores don’t have it. Do you know what it is?
Air freshener I guess we like to standardize things so what we do in our main office, we have to do for all stores, so that our own stores won’t be competing with each other. Its hard kasi to whenever a customer comes to one of our stores and say “bat sa megamall ganito, bat sa trinoma iba” it backfires eh. So as much as we can we want to standardize things para, whenever you enter a Mizuno store, you know right away that you’ve just entered a Mizuno store.

6. What is Mizuno’s best selling running shoe model?
Last year it was our Wave Rider, but now all our neutrals really sell, like Creation, Precision, and Rider. But now our racing flats are also in demand, so it’s hard to tell which is the best selling running shoe model maybe by end of the year I can give you which was the best