The new top shoe from Mizuno has been tested by Mike in recent weeks. The Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 3 CC combines fine comfort with speed and durability!
Mizuno is making great strides in tennis (shoe) country. For example, it was the most worn shoe brand during the Australian Open 2018. The Japanese brand works with 2 silos. This Exceed Tour series stands for lightweight comfort and speed. The Intense Tour for stability and durability. The Intense Tour is in line with the Adidas Barricade and Nike Zoom Cage and ASICS Gel Resolution. This Exceed Tour 3 CC has to compete with the Adidas Adizero Ubersonic, the Nike Zoom Vapor and the ASICS Gel Solution Speed. In practice, the shoe appears to be somewhere between an ASICS Resolution and Solution Speed.
Tester:
Name: Mike Playing strength: 4/4 Type of player: baseliner, counterpuncher, makes a lot of meters where the shoes have to endure a lot. Firm ground: gravel Recent shoe history: ASICS Gel Resolution 5, Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 1 CC, Adidas Adizero Ubersonic 2 and ASICS Gel Solution Speed 3 Clay
Judgement:
Fit: 8
Stability: 8
Damping: 9
Grip: 9
Durability: 8
Agility and speed: 8.5
Review
Previously I was allowed to try the
Wave Exceed Tour version 1. Last year
Stephan tested version 2. What is noticeable is that the shoe in terms of fit is more like the first version. The Exceed Tour 2 CC was slightly wider. For me this old fit works very well. This 'snug' fit suits my narrow foot a little better. Furthermore, the shoe is quite large. With this model I have size 42.5, where I normally wear size 43 with Mizuno and size 43.5 with ASICS tennis shoes.
What immediately stands out is that the Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 3 CC is slightly higher than my ASICS Solution Speed. The thicker midsole also offers clearly more comfort and cushioning, where the Solution Speed feels more direct. In terms of comfort, the shoe goes more towards the Gel Resolution or Nike Zoom Vapor than the Solution Speed.
The deep herringbone profile offers quite a lot of grip, even more grip than the ASICS Solution Speed 3. I had to get used to the sliding during the first sessions on gravel. However, once the somewhat rougher top layer is gone, this plays wonderfully.
Comfort
The cushioning of the shoe is wonderful! I notice a big difference with my Solution Speed, especially in the heel area. This one is harder and more direct in that respect and sometimes gave me a sensitive heel after many hours of play. That is not the case with this Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 3 CC. In terms of comfort, this shoe actually feels more like a Gel Resolution, but then just a little faster. In that respect, the Exceed Tour 3 CC is in my opinion somewhere between a Gel Resolution and a Solution Speed. Also in terms of stability, by the way. The renewed upper nicely wraps the (fore)foot by means of the PU lines. These provide good foot-foot support, but also shape retention of the shoe. Between the PU strips, the upper is still somewhat open for ventilation. The upper is strong enough for a lot of sliding and dragging. After 6 hours of play, the upper has been tested thoroughly, but is barely damaged.
In my opinion, this Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 3 CC is absolutely one of the best tennis shoes currently on the market. The mix of speed, comfort, stability and durability is not found in many other brands/models. Absolute recommendation!
