Mizuno - The Tale of a Long Running Brand

Founded in 1906. Mizuno has done its fair share within competitive sports. Throughout the brands history, they have been devoted to research and the goal to create high performance product. Over the last few years though we have seen the brand begin to make movements within lifestyle footwear and have been releasing some of the brands old archive styles like the Mizuno Wave Rider 1, 10 and Contender.

Mizuno was founded by Rihachi Mizuno. Mr. Mizuno unlike a lot of brands over the years wasn’t inspired by running or basketball, he actually fell in love with baseball after visiting the USA. From this Mizuno was born. Rihachi’s aim was to increase the interest and love for the American sport, selling predominantly baseball equipment. Of course since then they have grown and cover a huge variety of sports from the most popular (Football) all through the less popular sports (Handball).

With the growing interest in running during the 70s. The brand saw this as an opportunity to start growing. Investing in footwear research to develop and create top of range running products for the Japanese marketing.

1985 saw the introduction of Mizuno's Magical Cloth Midsole. This increased stability and helped against runners over pronating/supinating in their footwear thus improving technique. From this they developed Sorbothane. The purpose: To absorb as much shock from the heel when making contact to the ground to help prevent against energy loss and injury. 8 years on from creating the 'Magical Midsole'. Mizuno developed the Dynamic Foot Counter. – a single plate sole that covers the forefoot, midfoot, and heel. Whist covering the full foot it provided cushioning, stability and impact absorption.

All these technologies that they created changed the way product is designed today. But nothing compared to there most game changing technology yet. The one that is most commonly seen today, Mizuno's Wave technology. As Tuan Le, Lead Product Designer for the Original Wave Rider says in an interview with Highsnobiety ‘This Wave technology was the opposite of what Nike Air was. Nike Air was a big air bag that cushioned the impact of running. The Wave Plate stretches out upon impact and propels the runner forward as it returns to its regular waved shape.’

As mentioned Mizunos come back has not been going unnoticed. With the introduction of their SMU products dubbed 'Kazuko'. Within this range there is no doubts that the brand will continue to make there way further into the market and grow.