After owning the boots for a while, I can finally give a good review for the Wave Cup. I have worn Adidas and Nike boots like many as they were the most easily available, but I eventually got sick of having the same boots as everyone else. So I tried my first pair of Mizunos: Wave Iginitus 1 and I immediately fell in love. Since Mizuno are a Japanese brand, they know how to make these boots fit wider feet, so I was very happy that the shoes fit me so well. When you hold these boots in your hands, you will immediately feel how the Japanese made Mizunos were much better quality and these will not be the last made in Japan Mizuno boots I will own. These boots are re-released again due to high demand for it and Mizuno still manage to modernize a classic by updating the colourways. Besides Rivaldo wearing these boots back in the 2002 World Cup, Shinji Okazaki is a current player that uses these boots.
Comfort/Fit
The Mizuno Wave Cup is made from extremely soft and comfortable kangaroo leather and is produced by Mizuno to the same specification and using the same processes as football boots supplied to their professional athletes. This boot is limited edition and is handcrafted in Japan. Scotchgarded during the tanning process for increased durability, the premium grade leather normally used exclusively for Mizuno endorsed players is waterproof and stain resistant. Lasted for 24 hours rather than the standard 20 minutes, the upper of the Wave Cup Japan edition has an improved ergonomic form for an even better fit. There is of course the use of Wave technology in the heel enhancing cushioning to maintain comfort and reduce the risk of shock related injuries throughout the season complaint is that these only have a K-leather forefoot and the older versions of the Wave Cups were either K-leather all the way to the heel or at least till the midfoot. The suede heel liner is very soft and very comfortable and you can definitely wear these boots straight out of the box without the worry of blisters. The removable insole is lined with a unique material, it’s somewhat abrasive and will hold onto your foot if you are not using Trusox. Being Asian, I have the stereotypical wide Asian feet and these boots fit me perfectly, some of you could even go half a size down to get a really close glove like fit.
Traction
The stud pattern for these boots are quite unique and boast being one of the first incarnations of the now famous Mizuno Wave outsole, and paved the way for future sole-plates and stud configurations. The firm ground outsole of the Mizuno Wave Cup boots featured Rivaldo’s signature stud configuration. To create the unique sole-plates, Rivaldo worked alongside bio-mechanical and movement analysts to deliver a one piece soleplate that offered optimum traction, agility and freedom of foot movement. Although the stud pattern does pretty well in dry, shorter cut grass; I did lose some traction in longer cut grass and I found the studs at the heel to be a bit short. As many modern boots have slightly longer studs at the back. Though the professionals probably don’t have much of this issue since they have great pitches to play on. Although I have not tested these on turf, there probably won’t be any problems using them on turf.
Touch
The boot, developed in conjunction with Rivaldo, also benefits from the use of a glove like waterproof Kangaroo leather for incredible feel, comfort and fit. These boots are very soft and offer great touch on the ball. Juggling and dribbling in these boots feel great.
Shooting
Shooting in these boots are straight forward. No striking elements or gimmicks, just you and the boot. Lacing is in the center of the boot and runs fairly deep down the boot, allowing you to adjust the tightness very effectively. If you like a clean striking surface with a slightly cushioned feel then these are the boots for you. The soleplate is nice a rigid so there will be a very good solid feel when shooting.
Protection
These shoes will protect you to a certain extent, as they are leather and certainly not as thin as an Adizero or Nike Mercurial Vapor. There is also an internal plastic heel counter will provide protection from kicks to the heel and the Wave heel cushioning system plays its part in injury prevention, taking some of the blow from the hard impacts when running.
Durability
Like all the other Mizuno boots, you will not have to worry much about the durability of the boots. You will have to take care of the kangaroo leather forefoot though to ensure top performance of the boot. Although they are made for firm ground surfaces these boots will hold up fairly well on artificial grass surfaces.
