Young player going through her first seasons, leisure player who wants comfort from the very first session: the Mizuno Thunder Blade shoes are aimed at those looking for a light and easy-to-wear indoor shoe.
Light and stable at the front foot, it comes in low-top or mid-top versions, in women's sizes and children's sizes: perfect for equipping a young handball player or a leisure player.
Mizuno has revamped the Thunder Blade Z from top to bottom, with one goal: the best balance of comfort and lightness. The upper is designed to avoid pressure points, the injected EVA midsole remains soft, and the outsole has been sculpted to reduce weight. An indoor shoe made to be enjoyable right from the first sessions.
Light doesn’t mean unstable. The Thunder Blade Z relies on a wide stabiliser at the front of the foot, which broadens the base during push-off, and on a TPU stabiliser in the midfoot, which limits twisting. Two key areas in handball, where you push hard to start or jump and where you quickly shuffle in defence.
Underfoot, Mizuno includes a five-millimetre removable insole and a mounting board made of U4icX, a lightweight foam, to soften the initial steps. The outsole is made of non-marking rubber, the kind you expect on a gym floor.
The range comes in two heights. The low version keeps the ankle free, while the Thunder Blade Z Mid extends the upper around the ankle for those who like a more secure fit. Women’s versions and kids’ sizes, in both low and Mid, complete the line: perfect for outfitting a youth team in the same model.
Originally designed for volleyball, the Thunder Blade includes pairs suitable for handball. For casual handball or for a young player, it does the job due to its lightness and stability in the forefoot. For repeated impacts and harsh stops, a shoe designed for handball like the Wave Stealth or the Wave Mirage would be more suitable.
The Cyclone Speed, which Mizuno markets for beginners, is the option for a very first club. To move up a range, the Wave Lightning focuses on lightness and the Wave Momentum on cushioning. The whole brand can be found on the Mizuno shoes page, and discounted pairs on the special offers shoes.
Yes, its comfort and lightness are great for the first seasons. Mizuno also offers the Cyclone Speed, designed specifically for beginners, with a very flexible flat sole. Compare the two based on the shape of your foot.
The low version is lighter and easier to put on. The Mid reassures children who like to feel their ankles supported, without replacing an ankle brace if a health professional has prescribed one.
Yes, the insole of the Thunder Blade Z is removable. You can replace it with an orthotic insole made by your podiatrist, as long as there’s enough volume left to avoid compressing the top of the foot.
Try the shoe at the end of the day, with the sports socks you wear indoors. There should be about the thickness of a thumb in front of the toes, and the heel shouldn’t lift when you walk.
The Thunder Blade focuses on comfort and simplicity, for casual use and young players. The Wave Lightning adds an extended Wave plate and more dynamic foams, for a player who jumps and accelerates a lot in competitions.