Replacing Mizuno Wave Elixirs

[Jwolf]

My beloved shoes have been discontinued. I have one more unused pair plus two I'm rotating now so I'm good for a while, but I'm trying out other shoes in the meantime. I've tried the Wave Sayanora, their supposed replacement, and they seem to give my Achilles some grief. I also tried the new Wave Inspire but they are way too heavy and stiff for me now (I have used older versions before but got away from them). Now I feel sort of stuck! The Sayanoras are a lower profile shoe than the elixirs so I might get away with putting a different insert in them.

Otherwise I may have to start over with shoe searching. Any suggestions of something that's more similar to the elixirs?

[HCcD]

If you go border crossing... depending on your size... Holabird Sports still have quite a stock of them for $74.95 or so ...

Do you wear insoles ? The Mizuno Ride pretty well have the save profile as the Elixers, other than it is more of a cushioned/neutral shoe .. and, comes at about a 10-20% lower weight ... Had this discussion with one of my Shoe Peeps recently ..

The closest fit to Mizuno, may be the Asics DS Trainer, but comes at a premium price in the $189+ range ....

The Saucony Fastwitch (??) offers a cheaper alternative to the Elixer, but, tends to offer a bit of a narrow toe box ...

eta: Yes, I have been going back to my Elixers recently, as well, now that my Ronin have disappeared as well, last year .. but was able to stock up .. What size do you wear, as there is a limited supply of Elixers still remaining locally ...

[Jwolf]

I've looked everywhere online and no one had my size. I wear 11.

Thanks for the suggestions Andy. I can't do the narrow toe box but I will try the Riders and/or the Asics DS. I also need narrow width in the back- not sure if the Asics are good for that.

I will see what my shoe guys at Rackets and Runners say too.

I don't mine paying more if that's what it takes.

Oh- and I do use SuperFeet. And sometimes foam heel lifts which mash down but seem to keep my Achilles happy.

[jes]

I'm in the same boat Jen. And it sounds like we have very similar feet. I've tried the sayonaras and HATE them. Our rep said they might be doing some tweaking in the next run though (so this summer)

Andy has been helping me stockpile Elixirs for a few months now. I have 4 pairs left before I have to make a change. I'm going to start looking into it more over the summer and start working something new into the rotation.

I forget, do you have a TM? or access to one? Can you buy a few different things and try them out indoors after you see your shoe guy?

[HCcD]

Hmm .. next time I am at my local Bush, I will double check for you Jen, as I think the only size they had left in women's may be your size ???

eta: I have been currently running in both Elixers and DS Trainers, and find them a similar fit, and, actually, the toe box may even be more generous on the DS Trainer, if that is what you like ....

[Spirit Unleashed]

"Wave Sayonara" to your achilles?

[Jwolf]

I know- the name is really funny.

Jes- I can try things out on a treadmill- no problem. In fact my store doesn't even mind if I use them outside. The problem is they don't carry my size in many models so they have to order them in which generally takes about two weeks.

[orleansrunner1962]

I was also in the Elixir's, and have been able to use the Kinvara 4's for the same type of running -- I have also used the Ronin's (but the old ones that are unfortunately discontinued as well) -- still available on some websites. I used all of these interchangeably for ultra training (when on road) and for marathons!! Good luck!!!

[alexk]

Have you tried the NB 890s? They are also a lighter-weight neutral shoe (6.8 oz). I have used all 4 versions and like V3 the best. They come in different widths too. My feet are 9.5 AA.

I prefer them to the DS trainer (lighter and narrower) but can't offer a comparison w/ Mizuno (haven't used). I have friends who LOVE the DS trainer though - they just weren't a good fit, for me.

Good luck!

[Jwolf]

Have you tried the NB 890s? They are also a lighter-weight neutral shoe (6.8 oz). I have used all 4 versions and like V3 the best. They come in different widths too. My feet are 9.5 AA.!

I have used NB before and was happy to leave them behind at the time. I used the 6- and the 7- series and was always frustrated when they changed models-- they seemed to change them too much each year for me. Mizuno has always been more consistent -- they would change a bit but not hugely. Until they just discontinued the model!

[Robinandamelia]

Runnersworld has a feature that lets you enter what you are wearing now and then gives you a list of comparable shoes. Maybe you can enter them and see what comes up, go to the store and try some out? I think most stores will let you try them out (on Treadmill) and return if you don't like within certain time frame.

http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe-finder/shoes-like-mine

[Jwolf]

Thanks Robin- I'll check that out. I hadn't seen that tool before!

My store is really good about letting me try things, even on the road, so that's not an issue. The only problem is I'm often waiting for my size to come in.

Anyway I just returned the inspires. I think the Sayonoras will work for shorter and faster runs, so I'll hang on to those. They are super comfy. They ordered me in another pair of elixirs - assuming that the system isn't lying and there really is one pair left. This should hold me over till well after marathon recovery when I can try some others.

[HCcD]

The new Mizuno Hitogami is the replacement for the Musha and Ronin... a very, very light stabilty racing flat... if I recall, may be a closer fit to the Musha...

Holabird's currently have the older version of Mizuno Rider for $64.95 plus taxes, etc... Mizuno still allow cross boarder shipping, but at a cost of $10 per shoe...

[Stampie]

I just did a quick eBay search and found these two listings in your size.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/NIB-MIZUNO-Wave-Elixir-8-W-Womens-Running-Shoes-Blue-Atoll-Blazing-Orange-US-11-/271462783629?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item3f34715a8d#ht_1072wt_1105

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/MIZUNO-WAVE-ELIXIR-5-Women-Running-Size-11-US-New-/181269150549?pt=US_Women_s_Shoes&hash=item2a347bbb55#ht_737wt_1105

Shipping them to an address in the States is much cheaper. Not sure if your parents can bring them to you when they come to visit next. Otherwise, I could assist in facilitating the exchange as I have a colleague who has a PO Box in Blaine that could get them for me, as he crossed regularly.

[Jwolf]

Ok thanks!

[Robbie-T]

I like running in Elixirs too, I have found the Brooks Ghost pretty close.

[Jwolf]

Bryan-
Thanks for those links. I just got home and I decided to order two pairs! The first one is the shoes I am wearing now-- the Elixir 8s. There were two pairs available and I ordered both. The second one is Elixir 5s-- I have worn those before and they are ok, but I don't think I need yet another pair of shoes. When these come in I will have four new pairs which should last me a while. I wonder if I should store some in the freezer.

[Stampie]

Bryan-
Thanks for those links. I just got home and I decided to order two pairs! The first one is the shoes I am wearing now-- the Elixir 8s. There were two pairs available and I ordered both. The second one is Elixir 5s-- I have worn those before and they are ok, but I don't think I need yet another pair of shoes. When these come in I will have four new pairs which should last me a while. I wonder if I should store some in the freezer.

I'm happy to help out. I always like looking for good deals.

[Jwolf]

Runnersworld has a feature that lets you enter what you are wearing now and then gives you a list of comparable shoes. Maybe you can enter them and see what comes up, go to the store and try some out? I think most stores will let you try them out (on Treadmill) and return if you don't like within certain time frame.

http://www.runnersworld.com/shoe-finder/shoes-like-mine

This is a neat tool. Although one recommendation was the Elixir 7s. Well, yeah, I liked those too-- but its not that useful to recommend another discontinued shoe!

Interestingly, the Asics didn't come up at all. Brooks Ghost that Robbie-T recommended did, as did the Wave Sayonara. I may try the Ghosts as well as the Wave Riders later on.

Thanks again everyone.