Mizuno2026 Review
Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo
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Buy at Handball-Store · €140.00 (opens in a new tab)Compare 2 shops · Prices updated on 6 November
Mizuno's lightest. For wings who need extreme speed.
Fit
Who is it for?
- Player weight
- < 75 kg
- Level
- Intermediate, Advanced, Professional
We recommend it if…
- Advanced-professional wings who prioritise maximum speed
- Backs with narrow feet whose main quality is explosiveness
- Players in the Bundesliga, EHF or División de Honor
- Those who already know and value Mizuno's Wave technology
Pick another if…
- Players with wide feet (very narrow fit)
- Contact positions (pivots, defensive centre backs)
- Beginner-intermediate level (price not justified)
- Those who need high, long-lasting cushioning
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- The lightest in the Mizuno catalogue
- Precise GUM7 grip for parquet courts
- Very breathable for long matches
- Ideal for high-level wings
Cons
- Narrow fit: not suitable for wide feet
- Less cushioning than the Neo 2
- Less stable for contact positions
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Narrow
- Weight
- 255 g
- Drop
- 10 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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Handball-Store
Lowest with price
Amazon.es
Basket-Center
Out of stock
€136.66
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Buy at Handball-Store · €140.00 (opens in a new tab)How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 9.0
- Cushioning
- 8.5
- Stability
- 8.2
- Durability
- 8.7
- Value for money
- 8.8
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo is the Mizuno volleyball model that transfers best to handball, and with good reason: 255 grams with a GUM7 outsole and a Wave plate is a proposition very few native handball models can match in terms of lightness combined with quality cushioning.
As a footwear expert, what convinces me about the Lightning Neo is the honesty of GUM7: it's a high-grip compound but not as aggressive as GUM8, which means the outsole wears more evenly. For players who use their shoes for the whole season without replacing them halfway through, GUM7 gives more consistent durability than GUM8, albeit with slightly lower initial grip. It's a reasonable trade-off for many players.
The limitation is stability: at 255 grams and with such a light profile, this shoe doesn't have the lateral reinforcements of a pivot model. For pure wings who live off their speed, it's perfect. For centre backs or players who mix speed with occasional physical contact, I'd recommend something with more lateral support. My advice: for advanced wings who want the most agile product in the Mizuno catalogue, this is the one.
Published on 20 January 2026 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The GUM7 indoor precision outsole on the Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo is a high-traction compound formulated specifically for parquet courts. With 9.0 for grip, GUM7 offers first-class traction for wings: the tread pattern favours explosive starts from the wing position and braking after a sprint, two actions repeated dozens of times per match. Compared with the GUM8+ on the Wave Stealth Neo 2 (9.4 for grip), GUM7 is slightly less aggressive but is still one of the best compounds on the market. On well-maintained courts, the difference is minimal in normal playing conditions. GUM7 is more geared to high-speed movements than to the static, wide-based stances typical of contact positions.
Cushioning and energy return
Mizuno's Wave platform combined with AP+ foam in the Wave Lightning Neo has a lighter, more responsive character than the setup on the Wave Mirage 5 or the Wave Momentum. With 8.5 for cushioning, it's a decent score for a shoe that weighs just 255 grams, the lowest weight in Mizuno's handball catalogue. The Wave plate spreads impacts efficiently without adding the soft, enveloping cushioning of foams like BOOST: the feel is firmer and more connected to the floor. For wings who prioritise feeling the court underfoot and pushing off it, this firm character is exactly what they're after. The 10 mm drop is standard and suits most foot types.
Stability and support
With 8.2 for stability, the Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo is clearly less supportive than the Wave Mirage 5 (8.7) or the Wave Momentum (9.0). The model's narrow fit (its biggest limitation for the Spanish market) gives a very precise fit for narrow feet but can create lateral pressure on wide feet. The ultra-light engineered mesh upper is the thinnest in the Mizuno catalogue, which maximises breathability but reduces structural support somewhat. For wings with narrow feet who prioritise lightness and speed, the Wave Lightning Neo offers exactly what they need. For positions with more contact or for wider feet, the Wave Stealth Neo 2 is a more balanced option.
Who this shoe is for
The Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo is the lightest shoe in Mizuno's handball range and the definitive choice for wings who make speed their main weapon. At 255 grams, it's practically identical in weight to the Asics Blade FF 2 (255 g) and the Salming Viper SL (265 g), its direct rivals in the ultra-lightweight segment. Against the Blade FF 2 it ties on grip (9.0 each), but its GUM7 outsole lasts longer (8.7 vs 8.2) and the reputation of the Wave line. It has a high-end price, which makes it only recommendable for advanced-professional players who can make the most of all its features.
Liftados verdict · 8.8/10
The Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo is the definitive option for the wing who won't tolerate extra weight. At 255 grams, with a GUM7 outsole scoring 9.0 for grip and responsive Wave, it's the purest expression of Mizuno's philosophy for pure speed. The narrow fit and high price are the only barriers to a technically flawless shoe for its target position.
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Comparisons
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What you ask us about the Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo
What position is the Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo for?
How much does the Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo weigh and what cushioning does it have?
Mizuno Wave Lightning Neo vs Wave Stealth Neo 2: which should a wing choose?
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