Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 7 Review: Speed Refined

The Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 7 is out. Let’s check out what’s new, and I’ll tell you first-hand what I thought about wearing these shoes on court.

As a tennis coach, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve shouted “Footwork!” at my often less-than-energized students. Footwork, put simply, is the foundation of a solid tennis game. Being fast and having quick reaction time are not just good qualities for a tennis player, it’s quite literally the most imperative aspect of one’s on-court performance. Poor footwork results in poor shot selection, bad execution, and overcompensation in one’s form.

Having good footwork requires practice, endurance, and persistence – all of which take time to acquire. That said, there is a way to boost your speed instantly: Wearing speed-focused tennis shoes.

A speed-oriented pair of tennis shoes will improve your sprint speed, reaction time, and even your endurance. Tennis shoes built for speed are lighter, dynamic in shape, and designed to provide more grip on the court, allowing players to burst into every return. This, however, comes at a cost for the one who wears this type of tennis shoe. Speed-focused tennis shoes are rarely made to keep your feet comfortable. They often lack cushion, which means your feet and soles can take a beating throughout the course of a long practice session or match.

I’m a player who wears comfortable tennis shoes. My competing days are in the past. I do a lot of standing and drilling on the court for hours on end, and I prefer to wear shoes that feel good on my feet. That said, if I were competing, this is precisely the shoe that I would wear. I hope I’m not stepping on any toes by saying this – here goes: The Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 7 might be the fastest tennis shoes available right now. Before I get into my personal thoughts on these shoes, let’s break them down.

Wave Exceed Tour 7 Tech Breakdown

Mizuno has kept much of the beneficial tech from the previous model, the Wave Exceed Tour 6; that being said, they have introduced even more tech to make the shoe fast and more comfortable. Here’s what Mizuno says:

DESIGNED FOR ALL-COURT PLAYERS

Lightweight and Fast with Elevated Stability
Extremely Comfortable
Outsole Warranty [AC Outsole ONLY]

NEW MIZUNO ENERZY NXT AND ENERZY XP

Enerzy NXT concentrated at ball of the foot AND AT THE HEEL (NEW)
Enerzy XP sockliner (NEW)

NEW OUTSOLE MATERIAL

DX RUBBER – 50% more durable than DuRubber; still offering 6-Month Outsole Warranty
No color limitations

NEW CASTING PU UPPER WITH MUCH IMPROVED TONGUE

Honeycomb upper pattern replaced with 360-degree/truss structure for improved stability and durability
New eyelet construction with a longer and highly cushioned tongue

How Does the Wave Exceed Tour 7s Feel?

After playing tennis in these shoes for a couple of weeks, going on runs, working out, and jumping rope in them, I’ve concluded that I’m a big fan of these. They definitely have a break-in period, so don’t base your opinion of these shoes on your first time wearing them. They took a few hitting sessions to loosen up and fit my feet in a comfortable way.

Mizuno claims these shoes are “extremely” comfortable. I was skeptical at first, but (after some usage) they truly feel comfortable playing and even exercising in them. That said, I wouldn’t say these shoes have lots of cushion. Their low profile is great for quick bursts and precision footwork, but you’ll definitely feel the court beneath you. On the plus side, these shoes are incredibly stable. For a fairly narrow shoe, they provide ample stability, especially in the midfoot. Its TPU shank is responsible for this shoe’s reliable stability. I felt great when accelerating as well as making abrupt stops when needed.

The Wave Exceed Tour 7 is an incredibly lightweight shoe. This alone boosts speed and recovery. The shoe’s Pownce midsole, a soft, lightweight material, improves comfort, while the Enerzy foam in the midsole enhances rebound from shot to shot. I don’t say this about every shoe I test and review, but this particular shoe is a pro-level choice sure to enhance the speed and agility of any player.

Is $149.95 worth it?

The Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 7s have a base price of $150. With premium tennis shoes pushing $200, this is an agreeable price for the average tennis consumer. That said, for $150, you're getting one of the best tennis shoes on the market right now. Plus, this shoe comes with a 6-month durability guarantee – so, in theory, you could get two pairs of these amazing tennis shoes for just the price of one! The choice is yours.

SHOE	Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 7
Upper	Lightweight honeycomb 3D-Solid upper with a foot-wrapping eyelet system for flexible, stable lockdown.
Midsole	Energetic, lightweight cushioning with a stabilizing Wave plate and midfoot groove for fast directional changes.
Outsole	Highly durable DXRubber outsole designed to outlast the previous generation.
Weight	12.7 oz (men’s size 10.5)
Fit	Normal / Slim
Length	True to size
Durability Guarantee	Yes

Who is this Tennis Shoe Good For?

If you are looking for speed, then your search is over. These shoes are undeniably one of the best shoes for enhancing one's speed. They offer a performance-focused experience while maintaining impressive durability, making these shoes a top option for dedicated players who need a reliable practice and match shoe. If you're looking for comfort, then I'd point you in the direction of Mizuno's Wave Enforce Tour series, a more cushioned shoe. The Wave Exceed Tour 7s, although Mizuno says they are comfortable, are designed more for speed and durability than they are for comfort.

Performance + Durability

My favorite thing about these shoes is that they are durable. It’s rare to find shoes that are this impressive and also provide durability. Backed by a 6-month durability guarantee, the Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 7 tennis shoes are easily one of the best shoes Tennis Express offers right now.