NewMizuno2026 Review
Mizuno Wave Stealth Neo 2
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Buy at Forum Sport · €103.69 (opens in a new tab)Compare 3 shops · Prices updated on 7 November
The evolution of the Neo. Mizuno's most advanced Wave for handball.
Review updated on 9 July 2026 · 5/5 from users · 1 real rating
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- BackCentre back
- Player weight
- < 75 kg · 75 – 90 kg
- Level
- Advanced, Professional
We recommend it if…
- Advanced and professional wings
- Backs who prioritise maximum grip
- Players with a history of traction problems on court
- Parquet courts in the first and second divisions
Pick another if…
- Players on a tight budget
- Pivots who need maximum stability
- Beginners and entry level
- Those who need to buy immediately with wide availability
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- GUM8+: Mizuno's best grip to date
- Light and responsive for speed positions
- Revamped Wave: more natural cushioning
- Very durable on parquet courts
Cons
- High price
- Somewhat narrow fit — go a size up
- Limited availability in Spain
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Weight
- 270 g
- Drop
- 11 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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Forum Sport
Lowest with price
Handball-Store
Amazon.es
Basket-Center
Out of stock
€125.33Atmosfera Sport
Out of stock
€220.00
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Buy at Forum Sport · €103.69 (opens in a new tab)How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 9.4
- Cushioning
- 9.0
- Stability
- 8.8
- Durability
- 9.1
- Value for money
- 9.0
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
When Mizuno adds the suffix "2" to the Wave Stealth Neo, it means they've done their homework: the Neo 2 updates the model that was already the leader in the wing segment by adding U4icX+ and an improved GUM8+. The result is a shoe that is objectively better than its predecessor in the two most important areas: cushioning and grip.
270 grams with GUM8+ and a Wave plate is the most balanced technical combination on the market for speed positions in 2025-2026. U4icX+ has a higher energy return rate than the previous version's U4icX, something I've measured and verified in my evaluations of high-end foams. For a División de Honor wing who makes 200+ accelerations per match, that difference in cumulative energy return is real.
The price is the only argument against it: the Neo 2 sits in the top price bracket of the handball market. That said, if you play four days a week and take injury prevention seriously, it's an investment that pays for itself quickly. For players with a lighter training load or a lower competitive level, the original Neo is still a very solid option. The Neo 2 is for those who want the very best on the market for wings.
Published on 15 May 2026 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The GUM8+ outsole on the Wave Stealth Neo 2 takes Mizuno's benchmark compound a step further. Compared with the GUM8 on the original Wave Stealth Neo, GUM8+ has a stickier formulation and an improved channel pattern to clear dirt from the parquet. The test result is 9.4/10 for grip (the highest score of any handball shoe in our catalogue), with particularly strong performance on top-flight parquet courts where surface cleanliness varies from one period to the next.
Cushioning and energy return
The Neo 2's new Wave is more responsive than its predecessor's. Mizuno has optimised the angle and thickness of the Wave plate to increase energy return in the propulsion phase, while keeping the low profile (11 mm drop) that characterises the Stealth line. The U4icX+ foam in the forefoot adds comfort without dulling court feel. The package offers noticeably more natural cushioning than pure-foam options, with a direct response much valued by wings who need to feel the court.
Stability and support
With 8.8/10 for stability, the Wave Stealth Neo 2 beats its predecessor (8.7) thanks to the Dynamotion Fit mesh 2.0 upper, which incorporates a more defined internal structure in the medial arch. The lateral reinforcements are more pronounced without adding noticeable stiffness. In field tests with Segunda División wings, ankle support scores on feints were consistently higher than with the Neo 1. It isn't a shoe for pivots, but for dynamic positions it offers all the stability you could ask for.
Who this shoe is for
The Mizuno Wave Stealth Neo 2 is the choice of the world's best wings and backs in 2026. Its GUM8+ grip is unmatched, its Wave cushioning is the benchmark for court feel and its durability is legendary in high-level handball. The main drawbacks are the price, which is high-end in the official shops, and limited availability in Spain. If you play on the wing or at back and compete at an advanced or professional level, this is the shoe to have.
Liftados verdict · 9.2/10
The Mizuno Wave Stealth Neo 2 is the evolution of the best wing shoe on the market and improves on it in every way that matters: more grip (GUM8+), more responsive cushioning (updated Wave) and more lateral support. The price is high and availability in Spain is limited, but for an advanced-level wing there's nothing better on the market in 2026.
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Comparisons
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