Mizuno is taking lightweight racing shoes to another level with the launch of the Hyperwarp 96, a new carbon plated racer weighing just 96g. Unveiled ahead of the Berlin Marathon, the shoe is designed to deliver the combination of low weight, energy return and stability that has become the focus of the latest generation of marathon super shoes.
The name gives away the headline specification. At approximately 96g per shoe in a UK equivalent size, the Hyperwarp 96 is the lightest shoe in Mizuno’s racing range and sits right at the cutting edge of the current push towards sub-100g marathon racers. It even edges beneath adidas’ Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, which is listed at around 97g in a comparable size.
A 96g Racing Shoe
Mizuno has approached the problem from almost every angle.
At the heart of the Hyperwarp 96 is a brand-new Mizuno Enerzy XP+ Limited Edition foam, developed specifically for the shoe. Rather than simply making the midsole thinner, Mizuno has carefully removed material from areas that it says are not required during the foot strike, shaving away unnecessary weight while retaining a substantial 36mm forefoot and 39mm heel stack.
That gives the shoe a 3mm drop, while still leaving enough midsole beneath the foot to provide the cushioning expected from a modern marathon racer. Mizuno says the new foam has been developed to balance lightweight construction with cushioning and high rebound.
The other major component is the full-length 3D Smooth Speed Plate. Made from carbon fibre, the plate is designed to provide both energy return and stability while helping propel the runner through toe-off. The technology comes from Mizuno’s wider work developing 3D-shaped carbon plates, with the company highlighting the difficulty of producing the complex shape while keeping the plate both light and rigid.
Where Are The Laces?
The Hyperwarp 96’s upper might be the most eye-catching part of the shoe. Mizuno has developed what it calls the Dual Skin Upper, a 3D-engineered structure made using TPU fibres. Rather than relying on a traditional mesh upper and laces, the fibres are controlled by density and direction to create different levels of structure around the foot.
The lower section uses a dual-density construction for support and fit, while the upper section uses a single density. There are no conventional laces or internal straps, creating a remarkably stripped-back design intended to make the shoe feel almost like an extension of the foot. It is an approach that reflects where elite racing footwear is heading: remove anything that does not contribute directly to speed.
Built For The Fastest Days
The Hyperwarp 96 is not designed as an everyday trainer. This is a shoe built specifically for racing, with Mizuno positioning it at the top of its Hyperwarp collection for runners looking to maximise lightweight performance.
That makes the shoe particularly interesting for marathon racing, where every gram matters over 26.2 miles. The challenge is that reducing weight can traditionally mean compromising cushioning, durability or stability. Mizuno’s approach with the Hyperwarp 96 is to try to maintain all three while aggressively cutting weight.
And this is not happening in isolation. The Hyperwarp 96 arrives during an increasingly competitive race to create lighter and faster marathon shoes. Adidas has already pushed below 100g with the Adios Pro Evo 3, while other brands are experimenting with new foams, carbon structures and increasingly minimal uppers.
Mizuno’s answer is arguably one of the most extreme yet.
The Hyperwarp 96 is more than another carbon-plated racer. It is Mizuno’s attempt to answer one of the biggest questions currently facing performance running: how light can a fully cushioned, carbon-plated marathon shoe actually become?
At 96g, it is certainly getting close to the limit.
If youre looking for speed The Hyperarp will be available to buy from 4th December. If you need a racing shoe now check out the rest of the Mizuno range here.
For more running recommendations, visit TONE Magazine LDN
