Mizuno2026 Review
Mizuno Wave Mirage 5
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Buy at Handball-Store · €139.00 (opens in a new tab)Compare 2 shops · Prices updated on 7 November
Mizuno's all-rounder. Full-foot Wave for contact positions.
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- PivotCentre backGoalkeeper
- Player weight
- 75 – 90 kg · 90 – 110 kg · > 110 kg
- Level
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
We recommend it if…
- Intermediate-advanced pivots, centre backs and goalkeepers
- Players who want maximum Wave cushioning without going high-end
- Normal-width feet looking for positional versatility
- Those who prioritise joint protection over responsiveness
Pick another if…
- Wings who prioritise lightness (heavier than the Lightning Neo)
- Beginner level (price not justified)
- Players who prefer direct court feel and minimal cushioning
- Very wide or very narrow feet (normal fit)
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- Full-length Wave: the best cushioning in the range
- Balanced for multiple positions
- Very durable
- Good value for money
Cons
- Somewhat heavier than the Lightning Neo
- Less specific for pure wings
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Weight
- 300 g
- Drop
- 11 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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Handball-Store
Lowest with price
Amazon.es
Atmosfera Sport
Out of stock
€74.99Basket-Center
Out of stock
€104.00Forum Sport
Out of stock
€159.99
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Buy at Handball-Store · €139.00 (opens in a new tab)How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 8.8
- Cushioning
- 9.0
- Stability
- 8.7
- Durability
- 8.9
- Value for money
- 9.1
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Mizuno Wave Mirage 5 is one of those products I call "indoor court shoes for inside players": designed with the area in mind, made for those who make more turns than sprints. The Full-length Wave (a plate along the entire length of the sole) is the key technical differentiator: it protects the heel and the forefoot with the same consistency, which is especially valuable for goalkeepers who work just as hard on both parts of the foot.
The GUM7 multidirectional indoor outsole has a good level of traction for the positions it's aimed at: pivots and goalkeepers don't need the GUM8 that wings demand, and GUM7 offers greater durability with enough grip for movements in the area and in goal. 300 grams is acceptable for positions where protection matters relatively more than lightness.
The main argument against it is the price: at this price, the competition from Asics and Adidas for positions around the area is very strong. You have to specifically want the Wave Mirage 5 for its technology or out of loyalty to Mizuno to choose it over the Gel-Netburner Ballistic FF 4 or the MetaRise 2. For those who already know and trust the Wave feel, it's a sensible purchase. For those new to Mizuno, I'd say try the Wave Stealth V first to get to know the technology in an entry-level shoe.
Published on 12 October 2025 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The GUM7 multidirectional indoor outsole on the Mizuno Wave Mirage 5 scores 8.8 for grip, placing it above the catalogue average and delivering very solid performance for the positions it's aimed at. GUM7 is Mizuno's standard high-traction compound for its mid-to-high range, with a balance between aggressive grip and durability that makes it ideal for pivots and centre backs who need traction on wide-based stances and turns. The outsole's multidirectional pattern is optimised for the rotational and contact movements typical of these positions, with dust-clearing channels that maintain grip on courts with built-up resin.
Cushioning and energy return
The Full-length Mizuno Wave platform on the Wave Mirage 5 is its main technical argument for pivots and goalkeepers. The full-length Wave plate, which runs from heel to forefoot, spreads impact forces over a larger surface, offering better joint protection than models with a partial Wave. With 9.0 for cushioning, it matches the Wave Momentum on this parameter and clearly outperforms the Wave Lightning Neo (8.5) and the Wave Stealth Neo 2 (9.0). For a pivot or goalkeeper who takes many impacts per session, the full Wave makes a noticeable difference to joint fatigue. The 11 mm drop is the highest in Mizuno's handball range after the Wave Momentum (12 mm).
Stability and support
With 8.7 for stability, the Mizuno Wave Mirage 5 is the second most stable shoe in Mizuno's handball catalogue, behind the Wave Momentum (9.0). The Dynamotion Fit synthetic mesh upper incorporates reinforcements in the lateral areas that provide adequate containment for pivot and goalkeeper movements. The normal fit is roomy enough for different foot types, which sets it apart from narrow-fitting Mizuno models and makes it easier to get used to. For centre backs and goalkeepers with normal-width feet, it's the most versatile option in the Mizuno catalogue: it offers more stability than the Wave Stealth Neo (8.7) with greater versatility across positions.
Who this shoe is for
The Mizuno Wave Mirage 5 fills a very specific space in the catalogue: it's the Mizuno shoe for pivots and goalkeepers who need the full Wave and the superior stability of the mid-to-high range without going up to the weight of the Wave Momentum. With a mid-to-high-end price, it offers comparable cushioning and stability. Compared with the Adidas Stabil 16, the benchmark for pivots, the Wave Mirage 5 offers better perceived cushioning but less specific grip. For centre backs looking for positional versatility and intermediate-advanced goalkeepers, it's one of the best options on the market.
Liftados verdict · 8.5/10
The Mizuno Wave Mirage 5 is the most versatile shoe in Mizuno's high-end handball range. With a full Wave for maximum cushioning, GUM7 scoring 8.8 for grip and 8.7 for stability, it perfectly covers the pivot, centre back and goalkeeper positions at a mid-to-high-end price. For players who want Wave at its fullest for positions around the area without paying a high-end price, it's the right choice.
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Comparisons
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What you ask us about the Mizuno Wave Mirage 5
What position is the Mizuno Wave Mirage 5 for?
How much does the Mizuno Wave Mirage 5 weigh and what cushioning does it have?
Mizuno Wave Mirage 5 vs Wave Momentum: which is better for a goalkeeper?
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