Out of the blue, a test pair of the latest Mizuno Musha 3 race shoes arrived with my name on the box. I am elated to have this opportunity to review and trial them. My thanks to Arnold from Mizuno, title sponsor of the Chilly Half. Sorry Arnold, you are not getting these ones back!
http://www.mizunocda.com/running/products/mizuno-wave-musha-3-racing-shoes
Last season, I ran almost every race I entered (everything 21k or less) in Mizuno’s Musha 2 race shoes. That was a total of 22 races plus weekly track sessions in one pair of race day shoes. Those results included top male Road Warrior, top age winner Subaru Running Series, and 13 PB’s. I love these electric blue shoes, and after the tremendous season I had racing in them, why wouldn’t I? Not many race day shoes (or the runner piloting them) can take that kind of beating. Almost 400 race pace kms on them, and they are still not finished.
Like it has happened so many times before, a shoe company updates their shoe and the product goes from being superlative to unusable, depending on the runner. Love affairs with our shoes can end quickly. So I was worried when I received the update. Would my own love affair end?
The Musha 3 is moulded from the same last as the Musha 2. The Musha 3 weighs in at 7.8 oz, same as last year. The sole is unchanged except for colour. The upper has also seen a colour change, and the vinyl streamers have been adjusted slightly, but nothing that creates funky bumps or pressure points. The Musha 3, except for colour, remains the same shoe as the Musha 2, with the same slipper like comfort. The love affair continues, this time in Chinese Red!
One of the differences between the Musha and other race day shoes such as the Mizuno Ronin, is that there is less undercut under the arch section: the sole runs flat between toe to heel. This provides increased support for mild pronators. I find this support compliments my orthotics without resulting in over-correction. The wave plate technology ensures reliable and stable foot motion. You need not possess a Kenyan-esque stride to pilot these shoes. I have my own biomechanical issues, and the Musha has never let me down.
I would recommend the Musha 3 for intermediate runners and better, so long as you don’t require full motion control. They perform well at races from 5k to 21k. For distances over 21k (30k and 42k) I would recommend the Mizuno Wave 13 (or Mizuno Wave 14 due out soon). Put both of these models in your running bag and you will have an unstoppable combination.
Also, I hear race walkers are poorly served by the shoe industry. As commented in my previous article, the Mushas may be an excellent choice for their needs.
In some sports, image can mean a lot. Top athletes and wannabes like myself want to be noticed. Last year Fred Karanja also raced in the Musha – that means one less excuse for me not to be just as fast. These shoes say you are quick and no one will question your presence standing on the start line beside the other elites. If you believe you are fast, then you will be. Believing is achieving. Slip some Musha’s on your feet, and you’ll understand.
If you are thinking about race day shoes, put the Musha 3 on your short list. The Musha is not as common as some other models. But who wants to follow the herd, anyway? We are here to lead it! Ask your local Running Free to bring in a pair in your size. You won’t regret it.
Read my previous review: Musha 2
What about the heal cap? Is it made from plastic? Is it too hard, ie blisters, achilles pain?
Yes, there is some plastic reinforcement in the heel, no different than the Waverider 13s. I have never had a problem with heel blisters, but I am not a heel striker. Also lace them up pretty snug, so my foot does not shift around too much. I do get some mild achilles pain, but that is attributed to very tight calfs which I work on all the time. Hope that helps.
Every now and then you have to risk trying a new product. If you have to ditch it, hopefully you have some friends your size. Everyone I heard from who has tried the Mushas, has loved them.
Agree, agree & agree. A very happy Musha 2 wearer and have recently moved onto the Chines Red model and I love my Rider 13s and I am looking forward to the 14s…
I was using the Mizuno Wave Ronin 2 as a trainer this indoor track season and I was wondering if this Musha could also be used as a short-term trainer (250 miles ish). If not, is there another shoe that would be similar to the ronin 2? I didnt like the feel of the ronin 3, i dont know if they changed anything.