Mizuno Neo Zen running shoes

The Mizuno Neo Zen running shoe will be one of the biggest hits of 2025, not only for the Mizuno brand, but for the entire running shoe market. The Neo Zen, a very versatile running shoe with a lightweight, soft but dynamic midsole that’s also very cheap, will be able to compete with competitors like the Asics Novablast 5, the Adidas Adizero EVO SL, the Hoka Mach 6 or the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4.
To keep it simple, the Mizuno Neo Zen is the plate-less version of the highly successful Mizuno Neo Vista. The Mizuno Neo Vista was the best shoe of 2024 for me and many other running shoe testers, so I was really looking forward to the Neo Zen. The Mizuno Neo Zen will also be lighter and cheaper than the Neo Vista, so more runners will be able to experience the feel and knowledge that the Neo Vista can provide.

Mizuno Neo Zen upper

The upper of the Mizuno Neo Zen running shoe breaks with tradition and is made of seamless knit fabric. There is no tongue in the traditional sense as the upper is made from a single continuous piece of material. At the top of the tongue there is a small rubber cushion where the laces are tied, this small cushion protects the laces from being pinched. The heel collar is minimally stiff and has no padding, but since the knit of the upper is soft and comfortable, this is not a problem in terms of comfort. The upper knit is woven with different densities to provide a better and more secure hold on the foot, but it still allows the foot to move more in the upper, which can be a bit distracting on fast runs. The upper fits true to size, but since it’s made of a stretchy, flexible material, if you’re going to use the Mizuno Neo Zen running shoe for faster runs, you might want to buy it 1, 0.5 sizes smaller. It’s also worth paying attention to Mizuno’s numbering anyway, as a slightly longer sole length, measured in centimeters, is associated with a standard size.

Mizuno Neo Zen midsole

The Mizuno Neo Zen running shoe midsole is made of a nitrogen-injected supercritical foam called Mizuno Enerzy NXT. There is also another version of this foam that is not supercritical, but a nitrogen-injected EVA foam, which is worth noting because the two foams behave slightly differently. There are very few foams that work as well as Enerzy NXT. This foam is very light (the shoe weighs only 235 grams), very soft, but it rebounds very quickly, it returns to its original shape and is therefore very dynamic, with good energy return. The midsole is high, 39.5mm at the heel and 33.5mm at the forefoot with a 6mm drop, so it is lower than the Mizuno Neo Vista, but because it has no plate it is more flexible and lighter. The midsole of the Neo Zen does not have the same longitudinal cut as the Neo Vista, which is necessary to improve stability and have enough volume for good dynamics. The midsole geometry of the Neo Zen also uses the Smooth Speed Assist design, which in simple terms means it better relieves the muscles around the ankle and shin, allowing you to exert more force and run more efficiently. The midfoot is very versatile, its softness supports low-intensity, easy running, but its good energy return also supports sustained fast running. The stability of soft and high midsoles is usually not outstanding, and the Neo Zen does not excel in this area, but considering the height and softness of the midsole, its stability is not bad.

Mizuno Neo Zen outsole

The Mizuno Neo Zen Running Shoe Outsole is the same design and material as the Neo Vista. The outsole is made of a rubber compound called X10, which has good grip and abrasion resistance. The outsole is actually two longitudinal strips of rubber. The design helps improve stability, and the central cutout allows for less torsional rigidity in the shoe. The outsole provides good grip even on wet surfaces and has good abrasion resistance.

Who are the Mizuno Neo Zen running shoes for and what kind of running? Summary

The Mizuno Neo Zen Running Shoe is a lightweight, comfortable and versatile running shoe with an excellent price/performance ratio. It has a unique and comfortable upper, a soft, comfortable, flexible but dynamic midsole, good traction and a durable outsole. It can also be a great first running shoe, I recommend it for beginners, but experienced runners will also love it for their everyday runs, whether it’s an easy run or a variable intensity or even faster workout.