Last week I talked about the quality and golf shoe offerings from Tourstage here in Japan and how they are ready to take on Asics and their new Gelace Top shoe. Today I’m going to take a look at the other big gun shoe maker in Japan, Mizuno which has long gone back and forth with Tourstage as the best Japanese mainsteam golf shoe.
Mizuno is probably one of the most well known if not the most well known sports brand in Japan. Mizuno golf clubs are known worldwide for their performance and quality. When it comes to Mizuno wear and shoes, we can expect no difference. It comes as no surprise that Mizuno is always a sales leader in Japan for shoes and wear.
As was with the Tourstage post, this is not a review on a specific Mizuno shoe but a look in general at the brand and product offering with a focus on design, quality and fit. For reference I am using myMizuno 2009 Light Style Shoe 016.
Product Offering: Mizuno offers all ranges of shoes from more low end entry level shoes, to a mid range level shoe above $100.00 and then a couple of High end Performance models that are Tour worthy and in the $200.00 plus range. Most consumers focus on the mid to high level product offerings as this is were Mizuno really excels. The Light Style model I have falls in the mid level range and is 25cm EEE shoe in Mizuno Navy Blue. This is the exact same size and width as the Tourstage so it will be a good comparison for fit.
Designs: Mizuno shoes are very high tech looking and stylish. The higher end models probably look more cutting edge and pure business like while the mid range Mizuno’s focus more on style and fashion. The Light Style shoes from both this year and last year could pass for a very fashionable sneaker!
Features: The high end R performance models are feature packed with the best Mizuno has to offer. From their own proprietary IG2 Impact Grip spikes to the unique Infinity Wafer Sole (which is also on the Light Style shoe as you see in the 2nd pic on the right), Mizuno shoes have features that not only look good but work. The top of the line R shoe features a weather proof yet breathable BioLock shell that moulds and locks to the shape of your foot.
Even the mid range Light Style has something unique with a little tab attached to the tongue of the shoe for pulling up the tongue and tightening the laces at the same time (see first picture on right). The mid range Light Style is also offered with a lower price because it goes with a thread sole instead of the IG Spike. This means you can wear them around even on concrete without fear of wearing down the spikes but still have the grip you desire on the course with the angled tread for traction. Mizuno has no shortage of features as the list goes on and on.
Build quality, sizing and comfort: The exterior stitching of the shoe is very high quality. The joints where the sole meats the shoe upper ar very clean and could pass for one piece. The wafer sole is very cool looking and very firmly built. Though the Light Style is artificial leather it could pass for real leather as it looks that good. The insole is a bit on the plain side as its a no frill insole that does not quite match up to the Turbo Rubber insole of the my Tourstage. Nevertheless it is firm and supportive. Removing the insole, you cannot see the inner stiching on the Mizuno as you could on the Tourstage SHV800 as they are hidden under what appears to be a secondary insole.
Being EEE wide, the shoe is ultra roomy. All those who say Japanese sizes are small do not know what they are talking about, as most people need to go down a size or half because of the width of Japanese brands and this includes both Tourstage and Mizuno. I had Nike and Adidas shoes back in Canada and both were standard D width, I had to wear a 26cm or Size 8 US for the right fit. Getting Tourstage and Mizuno shoes I went down a full size to 25cm or a Size 7 US and they fit perfectly.
Comfort wise they are very very good. They wear like a comfy pair of New Balance walking shoes but are in fact golf shoes. The extra room really helps those who have wider feet or are flat footed. With standard D width shoes many people move up a size just to get the extra width but then the shoes are sometimes too long. While both the Mizuno and Tourstage I currently have are EEE width. I would say that the Mizuno is true EEE but perhaps a touch LESS wide than the Tourstage. We have yet to hear whether or not the Asics will be 2E or 3E which may affect sizing choice.
Conclusion: Mizuno golf shoes look good, fit comfy and perform on the course. Many customers have bought Mizuno shoes from TSG and it probably is the most popular shoe brand we offer. As an owner of both shoes I would have to say one can’t go wrong with either and it may come down to personal preference when it comes to style. With the two pairs I currently own, the Tourstage is a touch softer and wider, the Mizuno more firm. The Mizuno has the edge on looks and quality wise they are both very cloes to equal. If Asics can make a shoe as good as either when it comes to features, quaility, fit and performance, they will have a winner. Though it already seems based on hype alone that they may put some heavy damages in the sales of Mizuno and Tourstage.
Comparing Mizuno to Adidas, I’ll never buy another pair of adidas.
Comparing everything you compare in a golf shoe the Mizuno’s are BY FAR the better shoe, at any price.
If only Mizuno would cater to Left Handed golfers :(
Love the golf shoes… but how do you replace the spikes??
Tario, Do they make any of them to feet an 11.5″ shoe size? I can see them being wide enough, but what about the length?