NewMizuno2026 Review
Mizuno Wave Lightning Elite
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Buy at WePlay Handball · €139.90 (opens in a new tab)We only have it in stock at WePlay Handball · Prices updated on 7 November
The change-of-pace Mizuno. Enerzy NXT and RENO WOVEN for players who live off speed.
Review updated on 9 July 2026
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- WingBackCentre back
- Player weight
- 75 – 90 kg · 90 – 110 kg
- Level
- Intermediate, Advanced, Professional
We recommend it if…
- Intermediate-advanced wings who prioritise speed and changes of pace
- Electric centre backs who build their game on feints and acceleration
- Agile back-court players looking for a shoe that responds quickly
- Players who want the Creative Burst design with high-end technology
Pick another if…
- Pivots and backs who need maximum lockdown (→ Stealth Neo 2.1)
- Heavy players with a high physical contact load (→ Momentum Elite)
- Beginners, for whom the price isn't justified
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- Enerzy NXT: the most responsive foam in Mizuno's SS26 range
- 5-layer RENO WOVEN upper — precise, breathable fit
- Designed specifically for speed and changes of pace
- Creative Burst colourway — a very distinctive look on court
Cons
- Not suitable for players who need maximum lateral lockdown
- Can't compete with the Stealth Neo 2.1 for stability (8.1 vs 9.0)
- High price for a lightweight-oriented model
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Weight
- 295 g
- Drop
- 10 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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WePlay Handball
Lowest price
Basket-Center
Out of stock
€108.25
How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 8.6
- Cushioning
- 8.8
- Stability
- 8.1
- Durability
- 8.5
- Value for money
- 8.8
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Lightning Elite is the Mizuno I'd choose for a player who wants to go fast and not feel tied down. I think it really suits wings, small centre backs or back-court players whose game is built on acceleration. It has that quality of a shoe that lets you play more freely.
Enerzy NXT is a real step up from the AP+ in the Lightning Neo: the foam is more responsive and the ride more pleasant, without losing the connection with the court that speed positions need. The five-layer RENO WOVEN upper also improves the fit compared with the mesh uppers of previous generations — more precise without being stiff.
The risk lies in asking it to be something it isn't: if you're a heavy player or need a lot of protection in contact, it'll probably fall short on stability. But if your game is about changes of pace, feints and first steps, the Lightning Elite makes a lot of sense. It's the most fun Mizuno in the Creative Burst pack.
Published on 11 June 2026 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The XG Rubber outsole on the Mizuno Wave Lightning Elite scores 8.6/10 for grip — a high-traction indoor compound geared to the explosive movements of fast positions. It doesn't reach the raw grip of the GUM7 or GUM8 on the Stealth models, but the outsole pattern prioritises take-off and quick changes of direction over static traction. For wings who make acceleration their main weapon, XG Rubber gives the confidence they need without adding the stiffness of more aggressive compounds.
Cushioning and energy return
Mizuno Enerzy NXT in the midsole is Mizuno's most advanced cushioning technology in the Lightning line. Scoring 8.8/10 (higher than the 8.5/10 of the Wave Lightning Neo), Enerzy NXT combines a soft ride with superior energy return. The Enerzy XP insole adds a second layer of responsive cushioning. For wings who chain runs, jumps and stops on every possession, this combination offers real joint protection without compromising the feeling of connection with the floor that speed positions need.
Stability and support
With 8.1/10 for stability, the Wave Lightning Elite knows what it is: it's made to go fast, not to be a wall. The five-layer RENO WOVEN upper wraps the foot precisely and the fit is firm, but without the lateral reinforcements of the Stealth Neo 2.1 or the Momentum Elite. For wings and quick centre backs who make linear speed movements and changes of pace, the stability is enough. For positions that need containment in physical contact, there are more suitable models in the pack.
Who this shoe is for
The Mizuno Wave Lightning Elite is the Creative Burst pack's shoe for the player who builds their game on speed. Wings looking for a quick take-off and an explosive first step, electric centre backs who live off feints and changes of pace, agile back-court players who need a shoe that responds before the defence closes. With its high-end price, it's an investment for intermediate-advanced players who can make the most of all its features.
Liftados verdict · 8.7/10
The Mizuno Wave Lightning Elite is Mizuno's bet for the speed player in 2026. Enerzy NXT for more responsive cushioning than any previous Lightning model, RENO WOVEN for a precise, light fit, and XG Rubber for the traction needed on indoor courts. It isn't the most stable in the pack, but it's the most honest choice for wings and centre backs whose main strength is acceleration.
Unsure about your size or position?
Tell us your position, weight and budget and we'll tell you if it suits you.
Comparisons
Which one suits you best?
What you ask us about the Mizuno Wave Lightning Elite
What position is the Mizuno Wave Lightning Elite for?
What's the difference between the Wave Lightning Elite and the Wave Lightning Neo?
How much does the Mizuno Wave Lightning Elite weigh and what drop does it have?
The Wave Lightning Elite or the Wave Stealth Neo 2.1 for a wing?
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