Mizuno Hyperwarp 96: a new supershoe weighing just 96 grams

96 grams on the scales, and a very clear message

Mizuno is preparing to make a serious mark in the carbon-plated racing shoe market. The Japanese brand is using its stand at the Berlin Marathon, which starts this Sunday, to unveil its latest technological gem to the public: the Hyperwarp 96. The timing is no accident. Brands have been locked in an intense battle to shave every possible gram from their racing models. With the Hyperwarp 96, Mizuno says it has created the lightest shoe in its history. At Marathons, we will go one step further: it is the lightest shoe on the entire market. At 96 grams, it steals the spotlight from the adidas Adios Pro Evo 3 and its 97 grams, the shoe worn by Sabastian Sawe during the first official sub-two-hour marathon, a 1:59:30 in London. Both weights are given by the brands for an equivalent size, 27 cm for Mizuno and UK 8.5 for adidas, equivalent to a US 9 in both cases. The comparison is fair, although Mizuno is cautious on this point and specifies that its figure is approximate.

© Mizuno

What is also striking for Mizuno is the huge leap forward compared with the rest of its carbon range. Earlier this year, Mizuno reshaped its entire racing lineup with the Hyperwarp range (Pure, Elite and Pro), which was very well received by runners. Until now, the Pure was the lightest of the three at 137 g. The Hyperwarp 96 cuts another 41 grams from that figure. The message is clear: the Japanese brand wants to play with the big guns, with a model that could revolutionize the category and chase the wildest records.

© Mizuno

© Mizuno

© Mizuno

© Mizuno

© Mizuno

Enerzy XP+: superfoam designed for this model alone

It all starts with the midsole. For the Hyperwarp 96, Mizuno developed an entirely new foam, Mizuno Enerzy XP+. Its precisely sculpted design, typical of the Japanese brand, seeks the right balance between low weight and energy return. The goal is efficient propulsion with every stride while keeping weight to a minimum.

This is where the spec sheet gets interesting. We are talking about a 96-gram shoe that still packs 39 mm of foam under the heel and 36 mm at the forefoot. More than the Pure, despite being 41 grams heavier. Not bad.

© Mizuno

Smooth Speed Plate: a stiff carbon plate, but not overly so

Underfoot, there is a full-length 3D carbon plate called the Smooth Speed Plate. Its job is to add stiffness and structure to the shoe. Mizuno describes its stiffness as “optimal”, designed to ensure a smooth transition from landing to toe-off.

That is perfectly in line with the brand’s Technical Simplicity philosophy and its Japanese engineering approach. With the Hyperwarp 96, Mizuno wants to offer a shoe that works with the foot’s natural movement rather than dictating the runner’s stride. With a very low 3 mm drop, the shoe’s geometry points in the same direction. On paper, it promises a more efficient and faster stride.

© Mizuno

Dual Skin: a second-skin upper with no laces

To get below 100 grams, the brand’s biggest innovations are found in the upper. Visually, Mizuno has never made anything quite like it. The Dual Skin upper uses a non-woven 3D fabric whose density varies around the foot. In short, the lower section combines two densities for support, while the top uses just one. And the laces? There simply aren’t any. The result is a close-fitting, sock-like upper designed to provide precise lockdown. It certainly will not be the most comfortable shoe on the market, but as you will have gathered, low weight and maximizing performance are the priorities here. Visually, it is highly innovative, although it is hard not to think of the On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 when looking at the shoe.

© Mizuno

696 pairs, €500, and not one more

Let’s talk price. The Hyperwarp 96 is expected to cost around €500. That is the same price as the Adios Pro Evo 3 and about €200 more than the Hyperwarp Pure. A quick calculation: you are paying nearly €5 for every gram saved. This is clearly outside the usual supershoe price range, which most often sits between €250 and €300. Some are already talking about a new category of shoes: Hypershoes. Either way, there are signs that brands will target this category more and more, with shoe optimization becoming a key factor in marathon performance.

You will also need to be quick when making your decision. Mizuno is producing just 696 pairs for the entire world, each with its own serial number and a special-edition box. The sale opens on December 4, exclusively through mizuno.com. So, is €500 for a pair you will reserve for just a handful of races worth it? For the vast majority of runners, probably not. But for runners chasing ultimate performance and shoe enthusiasts, the question may never arise...

© Mizuno

Who is the Hyperwarp 96 for?

• Runners chasing ultimate performance from 5K to marathon

• Runners who are fans of the Hyperwarp Pure or Hyperwarp Elite

• Runners who want an ultra-light supershoe with a natural ride

With the addition of the new Hyperwarp 96, Mizuno’s Racing range is more complete than ever. The Japanese brand is clearly positioning this model for the most demanding runners chasing their fastest possible time from 5K to marathon. Those who were already considering the Hyperwarp Pure or Hyperwarp Elite will be tempted to try it. Recreational runners who need a more stable shoe with a more conventional platform, however, will probably choose another model such as the Hyperwarp Pro.

A technology showcase above all

The Hyperwarp 96 is a bit like Mizuno’s Formula 1 car. Very few people will drive it, but everyone will benefit from what it helped develop. Its launch will also boost the brand’s image in the performance market. Mizuno will surely use feedback from the road to refine future Hyperwarp models, perhaps even bringing the Dual Skin upper to a more accessible model. There are still questions about durability and stability for recreational runners, especially late in a marathon when form starts to fall apart. For now, though, this is a powerful statement from the Japanese brand. Until now, the lightweight queens were the ASICS METASPEED RAY at 129 grams and, of course, the adidas Adios Pro Evo 3 at 97 grams. At 96 grams, Mizuno is no longer simply chasing adidas, Nike or ASICS. It is clearly setting its own standards in the supershoe market.

© Mizuno

This week has certainly delivered its share of new carbon-plated shoes. After the Nike Alphafly 4 and adidas Adios Pro 5, it is Mizuno’s turn to unveil its latest marathon weapon. The Hyperwarp 96 may have caught us slightly off guard. Yet it should generate plenty of attention when it launches. At just 96 grams, this radical shoe with its natural ride is aimed first and foremost at the most experienced runners. In any case, it puts Mizuno firmly in the spotlight. Now we just need to see it in action on the road. See you on December 4... if you have the budget.

Explore the full Mizuno Hyperwarp range at mizuno.com.