When buying new sports shoes, there’s a good chance someone will recommend Mizuno.
Mizuno is a Japanese sportswear brand with a strong presence in its home country and popularity across Asia. It’s a pretty big brand, although it isn’t as internationally renowned as some bigger names like Nike and Adidas.
Despite their lower international profile, Mizuno shoes are priced similarly to those of other widely recognized brands. On average, their shoes cost between $140 and $250.
So, let’s discuss why Mizuno shoes cost so much.
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Details on Why Mizuno Shoes Are So Expensive?
Brands do not simply raise their average prices at random; there are always a number of factors at play that have an impact on their decisions.
Here are a few for Mizuno shoes.
Quality Products
The first and foremost reason for their high price is the superior quality of the products.
Since the brand’s inception, the founder and his team have always focused on providing top-quality products and services that customers can use safely and confidently.
They were so dedicated that they created the Mizuno Quality Education Outline to uphold the spirit of their founder, Rihachi Mizuno, who said, “Create the best products for customers.”
And because of that, Mizuno has consistently worked for the best of their customers. They provide customers with clear information to help them make informed decisions. Plus, they also respond to their feedback and use their insights to continually improve what they make.
What I say is that such quality work is hard to find these days. So, if you want shoes from a brand dedicated to providing real value to their customers, you might need to pay a bit more for that quality.
Related Article: Why are New Balance Shoes So Expensive?
Rich History
Mizuno isn’t a new brand. It’s approximately 120 years old for now. And throughout their history, they have gone through a lot and have shown dedication and quality work toward their customers.
Back in their start, they used to make baseball shoes, but after their popularity grew, the brand initiated making shoes for other sports as well, like golf, tennis, football, and marathons.
And in each of these sports category, they reached new heights. They introduced new innovations and raised awareness about health-conscious materials and footwear technologies. This helped the brand gain more reputation among the people.
Furthermore, Mizuno is a century-old brand; if their footwear production or quality had been poor, they would have perished by this point.
So, because of its good reputation and public trust, the brand honors itself by raising its average prices in order to remain competitive with newer, less reputable brands.
Work On Innovation
For over 100 years, Mizuno has always focused on improving the connection between users and their footwear.
And to perform this task better, Mizuno established “The Select Scientific Laboratory” in 1938. This lab constantly develops new technologies and products. Their goal is to provide customers with the best possible footwear experience.
In November 2022, Mizuno launched MIZUNO ENGINE, an innovation center aimed at strengthening research and development. This center also accelerates the creation of social innovation through sports.
MIZUNO ENGINE speeds up the processes of “MEASURE,” “PROTOTYPE,” and “TRY,” which are the starting points of development. This centre serves as a hub for research and development, the foundation of R&D. With that, it also functions as an open office where all employees can combine their knowledge to generate innovation.
Some important inventions include Mizuno Enerzy, Dynamotion Fit, Wave Technology, AIRmesh, Mizuno Intercool, Smoothride, X10 technology, and many more.
So, in recognition of such outstanding innovation, the brand raises its prices slightly more than other average brands.
Must Read: Why are Adidas Shoes So Expensive?
Focus On Sustainability
Mizuno is devoted to their customers, and they have always shown care for the environment.
They are dedicated to global environmental conservation. They make products and services that represent sport’s diverse values. Besides, they also work to maintain a healthy environment in sports as well.
Their dedication to promoting mental and physical health through sports enhances well-being, fosters cross-border and intergenerational communication, and unlocks potential in individuals and communities. Simply put, they think outside the box.
They also strive for a future where everyone lives equally on a safe, healthy planet, respecting diversity and providing top-quality sporting equipment and opportunities for all.
These commitments to quality, sustainability, and equality also somewhat play a role in the high cost of Mizuno products.
Sponsorships and Collabrations
In order to increase hype and promote products better, Mizuno continually collaborates with and sponsors different sports teams and athletes. Their numerous collaborations and sponsorships also somehow contribute to their premium pricing.
Speaking of their sponsorships, they sponsor top athletes in sports like track and field, baseball, and golf, including legends like Ichiro Suzuki and golfers like Nick Faldo and Luke Donald. Mizuno also supports the rugby and volleyball teams and sponsors major marathons and golf tournaments worldwide.
Along with that, their collaborations with fashion and lifestyle brands like Beams, Hajime Sorayama, Kazoku, Lamborghini, and Highsnobiety create limited-edition products that combine athletic performance with modern design.
Final Thought: Are Mizuno Shoes Worth It?
Yes, Mizuno shoes are worth it, and the reason they’re worthwhile is that they’re not new; they’ve been in operation for a century now, so it’s highly unlikely that you won’t appreciate their quality.
Furthermore, their innovation and research in development are outstanding. They are always looking for better, more sustainable, and health-conscious approaches to manufacturing shoes.
So, due to all of this rich heritage, innovation, quality, and strong focus on sustainability, their prices might be slightly higher. But, investing in Mizuno shoes is never going to disappoint you.
FAQ
Is Mizuno a Good Brand?
Yes! As far as customer reviews go, they usually highlight 5 star ratings with remarks concerning good comfort, fit, and overall performance of Mizuno products.
They are a bit less famous, so you’re not generally going to hear people mentioning this brand. However, Mizuno has built a solid reputation for quality and reliability within its country and among its loyal fan base. Their dedication to excellence is evident in their meticulous attention to detail and the durability of their products.
So, yes! Mizuno is a decent brand.
What Is Mizuno Most Known For?
Mizuno is best known for its quality sportswear. Mizuno isn’t just about shoes—they’ve got the whole sports variety covered.
Whether you’re smashing a shuttlecock in badminton, sinking putts in golf, or grappling in judo, Mizuno’s got your back. From the soccer pitch to the gridiron, the dojo to the swimming pool, and even the slopes and courts of skiing and tennis, they’ve got the gear to keep you at the top of your game.