Founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1906, Mizuno's past in footwear was rooted in performance for various sports, starting with baseball shoes in 1910. The brand established its R&D laboratory in 1938, creati...ng a legacy of technical innovation. This culminated in the 1990s with the invention of its most iconic technology, the Mizuno Wave plate. First released in the Wave Rider in 1998, this component provided both cushioning and stability, defining the brand's running identity.
In the present, Mizuno maintains a dual focus. It is a respected name in performance running, continuously iterating its Wave technology and developing new foams like Enerzy. Key models include the Wave Rider, Wave Sky, and Wave Rebellion. Simultaneously, the brand leverages its archives for its "Sportstyle" lifestyle category, reissuing classic silhouettes like the Sky Medal and Contender, often in high-profile collaborations.
Mizuno's future appears focused on sustainable innovation and advanced performance. The company is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, partly by using bio-based materials like its Pebax Rnew Wave plate. It continues to release highly specialized running shoes (like the Neo Zen and Neo Vista) while also developing footwear aimed at solving specific health issues, such as knee support.