834k3r Posted July 10 Report Share Posted July 10 Background: I have worn the 3n2 (hello, boat anchor), New Balance mid-cut (patent leather shiny!), and US Mizuno plate shoes before ordering the Japanese version. A week ago I bought off eBay from a Japan-based seller the Japanese version of the Mizuno 11GU2300. Yesterday I received them and here are my initial thoughts and some photos. Overall, the two versions are nearly identical, with only a couple of visual cues differentiating one from the other. The US version has the Mizuno "Runbird" logo in white on both sides of each shoe, with the Runbird on the outstep of each shoe having an embossed border. The Japanese version on the other hand has only the outstep logo with an embossed border (no white coloring); the instep logo of the shoe is absent completely. The two pictures below show the Japanese version on the left; US version on the right. The other small difference is the toe box and toe cap. One of the things I like about the US Mizuno plate shoes is how much more roomy they are compared to my NB plate shoes (I don't have a wider-than-average foot, so I obviously can't speak to that aspect). I put on the Japanese version of the plate shoes and the difference is immediately noticeable. I feel like I can move a couch in to the toe box of the Japanese shoes and still be comfortable. In the picture below, you'll see the toe cap is wider on the Japanese shoe (on the right); that difference looks slight but it is absolutely noticeable. Everything else I've checked--insoles, sole tread, sole design, laces--about the shoes is identical between the US and Japanese versions. The only thing I don't like about the shoes is the embossing on the metatarsal protector, and it's the same pattern on the US and Japanese versions. I've obviously not worn these for a game yet, but my initial assessment is I like them. I like the US version, but I expect to like the Japanese version even more. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FranklinT Posted July 11 Report Share Posted July 11 I have the US version (and love them compared to the New Balance) and have thought about getting the Japanese version..love the all black. Thanks for the post! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
834k3r Posted July 11 Author Report Share Posted July 11 11 hours ago, FranklinT said: I have the US version (and love them compared to the New Balance) and have thought about getting the Japanese version..love the all black. Thanks for the post! The sizing is identical; I wear a 29cm (US size 11) for both shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayhawk Posted July 11 Report Share Posted July 11 I love the Mizuno plate shoes, especially as compared to the NB. Much lighter and they fit my feet better. Also, the NB are essentially plastic, not even faux leather. I used Leather Luster on the NB and while they did shine up, you can tell the process of taking off the first couple of coats with steel wool doesn't really do much. I do like the idea of a slightly wider toe box as you discovered in the Japanese version. Not sure it's worth all of the trouble and expense of getting them from Japan, however. Thanks for the review! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
834k3r Posted July 11 Author Report Share Posted July 11 5 hours ago, grayhawk said: I love the Mizuno plate shoes, especially as compared to the NB. Much lighter and they fit my feet better. Also, the NB are essentially plastic, not even faux leather. I used Leather Luster on the NB and while they did shine up, you can tell the process of taking off the first couple of coats with steel wool doesn't really do much. I do like the idea of a slightly wider toe box as you discovered in the Japanese version. Not sure it's worth all of the trouble and expense of getting them from Japan, however. Thanks for the review! It wasn't really an issue at all. I can PM you the vendor I got them from, but all I did was find the size I wanted for a Buy It Now price, and a week (or so) later they were on my doorstep. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayhawk Posted July 12 Report Share Posted July 12 3 hours ago, 834k3r said: It wasn't really an issue at all. I can PM you the vendor I got them from, but all I did was find the size I wanted for a Buy It Now price, and a week (or so) later they were on my doorstep. That would be great. Next time I'm in the market, that vendor would be an option (though I do like the white logo over the all black). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velho Posted July 21 Report Share Posted July 21 I bought a Japanese pair off eBay. Was quick and easy (I'm keeping them so can't speak to returns customer service). First pair after only having New Balance before. No game until the fall but I like them after trying them on. My vendor was "mercamera" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.