Mizuno Neo Zen Review

Upper

Jonathan: "The upper material feels and looks premium. There is no tongue. Instead, the upper is like a bootie. The shoe was very easy to slip on, which is not common with bootie-like shoes. However, I found it difficult to get a secure fit through the arch. Tightening the laces increased pressure on the top of my feet without securing the midfoot. I had no issues with slippage or foot movement. However, I did not feel secure going around corners at faster paces. It's comfortable and breathable but lacks the ability for a snug fit."

Becky: "This shoe pulls on easily like a sock. The design is breathable with lots of perforations for airflow, and the fabric is comfortable. The midfoot volume is lower than I like, which would make me hesitant to take them on runs longer than 60 to 90 minutes due to feeling snug."

Midsole

Jonathan: "The Neo Zen feels great underfoot. There is a lot of cushioning. It's soft but also bouncy. This is definitely a fun shoe to run in. At slower paces, the foam feels plush and energetic. It made running feel fun and easy. At faster paces, the bounce back felt delayed—so much so that it wasn't a good fast-run experience."

Becky: "The midsole is super soft and bouncy, two qualities I really enjoy for easy running. These shoes may work for tempo runs for some people, but they're best for me for easy-paced miles and recovery runs."

Outsole

Jonathan: "I had no issues with traction. The outsole also showed minimal signs of wear. Note: it was dry during all of my runs."

Becky: "The outsole has worked fine on dry roads but is not something I'd feel confident using for rainy conditions or trails with any technicality. I have had no notable wear on the outsoles after several runs."

Comparable Models

Mizuno Neo Vista vs. Mizuno Neo Zen

Jonathan: "The Neo Zen has a similar feel to the Neo Vista. Both shoes provide an energetic, fun feel. The Neo Vista doesn't lag at speed, making it the more versatile option. However, if fast runs aren't your main objective, the Neo Zen provides an excellent experience for $60 less."

Puma MagMax and HOKA Skyward X vs. Mizuno Neo Zen

Becky: "I have been wearing the Neo Zen for daily training and weekday easy runs that are around an hour or less. Other shoes I enjoy in this category with maximal cushioning are the Puma MagMax and HOKA Skyward X. The Neo Zen feels lighter and softer than the other two models but a little less stable. The foam in the Neo Zen is the most fun and bouncy to run in, but I prefer the uppers of the other two."

HOKA Clifton 9 and ASICS Novablast 5 vs. Mizuno Neo Zen

Jonathan: "As a highly cushioned shoe, the Neo Zen matches up well against the HOKA Clifton and ASICS Novablast. Compared to the Clifton 9, the Neo Zen feels lighter and livelier. The Novablast 5 also has a lively feel. Both shoes feel light. The Novablast 5 fits my foot better; thus, it's my first choice. However, if you have a fuller volume foot, the choice will probably be a tough one."