ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 vs. Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 review
ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 is a maximum support running shoe for overpronators who not only require a secure fit, but also enough cushioning and support during those long runs. Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 combines the perfect blend of motion control and cushioning while keeping weight to a minimum, and is specifically designed to provide runners with a smooth ride, flexibility, and durability. Learn how these two running shoes differ and where they are similar.
In two previous articles I wrote about the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 and the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 motion control running shoes for women.
The ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 (the newest model of which is the ASICS GEL-Foundation 10) is said to be comparable to the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10, so they should stack up well against each other. Let's compare these two motion control running shoes and take a look at where they are similar and how they are different.
Looking at the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 and the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 side-by-side gives a good comparison of the two motion control running shoes.
Both the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 and the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 look strikingly similar in their uppers from their mesh down to the placement of their synthetic overlays. The only difference between the uppers might be that the collar on the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 sits a bit higher on the Achilles than that on the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10.
Both the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 and the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 have a device in the midsole to control pronation, which is why they are called motion control running shoes. However, the technology used is very different between the two running shoes.
The device that controls pronation is unique to Mizuno running shoes and called a Wave plate in the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10, but just like in the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9, it runs from the heel to just past the midfoot, so the control in both running shoes should feel similar, unlike on the Mizuno Wave Renegade 4 where the plate runs along the entire midsole. And another thing to note is that the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 has a cooling system that runs along the entire midsole; something which is absent in the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9.
The outsole might be the place where these two motion control running shoes differ the most. Looking first at the forefoot, we can see that the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 has more flex grooves than the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 meaning that it should provide you with slightly more flexibility in that area.
Secondly, the structure of the heel is very different on both running shoes. On the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9, the heel has one large crash pad at the back, meaning that it is a good running shoe for people who land on the backs of their heels.
The Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 on the other hand, has a very segmented heel with several lugs on the outside of the heel. This means that the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 would serve you well if you tend to land with the outsides of your heels. In addition, the large segmentation will help isolate impact and absorb shock in that area.
Durable rubber is located in the high wear areas, such as the heels, on both running shoes, but is more evenly distributed on the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9. The Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 is unlikely to last long if you are a runner who tends to use a lot of the outsides of your forefeet during transition from heel to toe. But with the structure of the outsole, the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 is expected to give you a smoother ride, so it will be a matter of weighing durability against a smooth ride with these two running shoes.
The Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 weighs approximately 9.7 oz (275 grams), while the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 weighs approximately 10.7 oz (303 grams), so is 1 oz (28grams) heavier than the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 when you compare motion control running shoes by weight.
If you're looking for a durable motion control running shoe that provides you with shock absorption at the back of your heel, and good support and cushioning at a reasonable price, then the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 might be worth considering.
If you are looking for a lightweight motion control running shoe that is breathable in its uppers and its midsole, provides you with good shock absorption and isolation in the outer heel area in addition to a smooth ride, then the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10 might be a running shoe to look further into.
The suggested retail motion control running shoe price of the ASICS GEL-Foundation 9 is US $100, which is almost US $10 cheaper than the Mizuno Wave Alchemy 10, which costs around US $110.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the following motioncontrolrunningshoes.org articles:
Disclaimer: This running shoe review on www.motioncontrolrunningshoe.org is based on personal research and analysis, and is not claimed to be accurate and/or complete. While the information presented in this review is intended to help you better understand the differences between running shoes, we shall not be held liable for any purchasing decisions you make based on this information. Please use your own good judgment before making a purchase. The owner of this website receives a small compensation whenever you buy a product after clicking a product link on this website; that's how we keep this site online. Read our full disclaimer.