For those newer to running you may not remember when Mizuno was the go to shoe in the early 2000’s. They’re making a comeback with big changes to the lineup. Today we’re going to look at a big cushy option with the Mizuno Neo Zen Review.
As someone whose first running shoe was the Mizuno Wave Rider, I was stoked to try the brand’s all-new daily trainer, the Mizuno Neo Zen.
Taking the shoes out of the box, I loved the look of them with the muted seafoam green and purple colorway and knit upper. I was itching to go for a run! The black and white cow pattern was delivered appropriately to Coach Stacey who is obsessed with cows. We tried not to let that sway her opinion.
I had high hopes about this shoe, but did it deliver? Let’s dive in to find out.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the Mizuno Neo Zen a good fit for? Here’s our standard checklist to compare shoes:
- Wide Feet: May not be the best choice due to the sock-like fit making it difficult to slip on/off.
- Heavier Runners: The foam is a little too soft and may be more likely to breakdown quicker.
- Long Runs: Perfect for those mid distance long runs whether you’re the front, middle or back of the pack.
- Front of the Pack: Great as daily trainer, while it can slightly pick up the pace, I wouldn’t race in it as a faster marathoner.
This is great lightweight shoe that’s going to give you that desired cushion for easy and long runs.
Mizuno Neo Zen Review
As soon as I put the Mizuno Neo Zen on my feet I knew I’d like them. Cushioned without feeling mushy. I could feel how light and bouncy they were just walking around my house.
I laced up for a run and instantly fell into a good running rhythm. My first two runs in the shoes were 6 and 8 miles, respectively, so I don’t feel that there’s a need to “break in” this shoe.
User warning: do not leave the house without high-rise socks… your ankles will thank you!
The shoe’s theme is “The Art of Bounce,” which I would say is pretty accurate many miles later.
I was immediately impressed with how the ENERZY NXT midsole was so responsive with each stride. I didn’t sink into the shoe as I feel often happens in a lot of max cushion shoes.
I would classify this as an easy or long run trainer. It kinda falls in the middle, I didn’t get the same “pop” as with the Mizuno Rebellion Pro 3, but still more than most daily trainers like the Nike Pegasus.
The shoe is a true neutral shoe and each time I lace up I feel as though I can run for days.
So after all that build up, the Mizuno Neo Zen has indeed established itself in my easy run day shoe rotation.
Mizuno Neo Zen Specs
- Weight: 7.1 oz Women’s, 8.5 oz Men’s
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Stack Height: 40mm
- 3 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available at mizunousa.com for $150
Mizuno Neo Zen Feel
The Mizuno Neo Zen has a bouncy and lightweight feel to it. The ENERZY NXT midsole goes along the entire sole of the shoe, so no matter where your foot strikes you’re going to get a taste of that bouncy yet smooth ride underfoot.
The mesh upper is breathable and light, offering enough coverage for cold, winter runs. Although I would be cautious about taking these out on slippery, snowy sidewalks, while the outsole is super durable (I mean look how they aren’t even worn down that much!), you may still slip around a little bit.
The Mizuno Neo Zen brings a wider platform with a slight flare in both the heel and forefoot, though it’s far less aggressive than what you’ll find in some Mizuno models. That extra width, combined with a subtle cutout in the sole, adds a bit of stability to balance out the tall 40mm midsole.
However, if you’re looking for a shoe that pops with a little more stability, we’d recommend checking out the Saucony Tempus 2 .
Coach Stacey: The Neo Zen feels good underfoot, but it’s not a shoe that I am going to reach for first. I don’t hate it, but I’m not gushing over it either. The sock-like upper didn’t lock my foot in as well as I’d like, with a bit more movement than usual. Oh, and if you wear colored socks, there’s a good chance they’ll stain through the mesh.
Coach Amanda: I’d agree this was a really middle of the road cushioned trainer for me. And you know what, I’m not mad about that. A shoe that you kind of don’t think about is a winner. Except for the super high heel tab…yuck. Brands have to stop with that horrible feature for those of us who are too lazy to switch to the cool crew socks.
I will say that compared to other lightweight trainers like the NB Rebel V4 this has WAY more cushion, which is probably part of why it doesn’t feel quite as fast either.
Mizuno Neo Zen Fit
The Mizuno Neo Zen has a relatively standard fit not narrow, but not wide. There’s not a wide option, but as someone with a wider foot, I found this shoe to be quite comfortable. The knit upper would work well on most feet except for those truly needing a wide shoe.
Coach Stacey: For me, slipping into the Neo Zen wasn’t the easiest task. The sock-like upper mesh doesn’t have much stretch, making it a bit of a struggle to get my foot in smoothly. The heel tab does include a small hook to help, but if you have a wider foot, just getting these on might feel like a workout of its own!
Coach Amanda: After 7.5 miles I was having some issues with the left inside cutting my ankle. Not sure if I was pronating, but I didn’t notice much to any arch support and it’s a wider fit. A good toebox compared to a lot of shoes lately.
Mizuno, a brand that initially did well when it launched into the running space, has been a bit of a sleeper in recent years. That’s all changing and I believe Mizuno will be a top choice among runners in the near future.
This is just another one of those shoes where you have to try it on for yourself. It may feel great, it may be a hard pass but only you can make that decision.
Similar Shoes to the Mizuno Neo Zen
We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- Puma Mag Max – (max cushion with a little wider fit)
- Asics Nimbus 27 – (max cushion for those long easy runs, not as light)
- On Cloudsurfer Next – (will help to pick up the speed with cushion)
All right three testers for the Mizuno Neo Zen review, so what’s the final decision?
Two that say it’s easily a shoe they’d reach for on easy days and one that says this one probably won’t stay in the rotation. It likely comes down to if you love or hate the bootie fit.
Who Tried It?
Hi, I’m Kaitlyn Larson, one of the RTTF run coaches and lifelong runner. You’ll find me in the front of the middle of the pack, not the fastest runner, but I have qualified for and run Boston twice. I started my running journey in high school when I joined the Cross Country team and fell in love with the sport. I ran my first marathon at 19, and continue to chase new dreams and set new PRs. Now a UESCA certified run and ultra run coach and NASM CPT, I enjoy helping my clients chase their dreams and PRs, too.
Ready to run? Go check it out on mizunousa.com for $150
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