The Mizuno Wave Kazan 2 updates the most versatile trail running shoe from the japanese brand. The so called "door to trail" segment is becoming more and more popular and Mizuno wants to gain some users there.
As well as in its siblings Wave Mujin 2 and Wave Hayate 2, the midsole replaces the underperforming on uneven terrains U4iC foam with tested and durable AP+. The other major change from its predecessor the Wave Kazan is the new open mesh in the front side for enhanced breathability. Additional stitched strips feature improved fit to keep foot secure under all situations.
The Wave Kazan 2 misses the typical rock plate in the forefoot to protect against sharp elements and also better tongue fastening to prevent unexpected movements and small elements from jumping inside the shoe. Besides the AP+ foam in the midsole mentioned above, cushioning relies on the well known concave Wave for smooth ride and it features good flexibility with Midfoot's X groove for better uneven ground adaptation. Outsole design and materials didn't change at all with bidirectional rubber for great grip on wet surfaces and durable X-10 carbon rubber on most exposed wear areas for heel strikers.
