Mizuno Neo Zen

When we talk about Mizuno, many of you think of the classic Wave plate or shoes with well marked geometries. But the Mizuno Neo Zen are a small revolution: they move away from the typical "waves" and bet on a midsole without carbon plate, betting all on Enerzy Nxt foam injected with nitrogen. The result is a smooth stride, with a firm feel at just the right point, and unexpected comfort. I confess that when I heard the name "Neo Zen" I thought it was pure Japanese marketing, but they surprised me for the better on daily runs.

Surprise when opening the box

As soon as I opened the box of the Mizuno Neo Zen, I felt a combination of surprise and curiosity. The first thing that attracted me was the spongy midsole, which announces comfort even before I put them on. It comes with a mesh upper with a bootie-like finish on the heel, something unconventional in Mizuno's classic designs. In hand, they are lighter than I expected, and the flexibility I noticed when bending them gave me the idea that they were not going to be a "stiff" shoe. Visually I liked the colorway, without being too strident.

When I put them on, the first sensation is of immediate comfort. That "bootie" style collar hugs my ankle and instep very softly, with no pressure points to bother me. So the experience of "putting them on" already won me over before I ran.

First kilometers: No plate? Well... no need

I go out for a run with the idea that, being Mizuno, I would have that somewhat stiff touch. Well, it doesn't. The Enerzy Nxt foam, with injected nitrogen, is what provides reactivity. Did I miss the plate? Not at all. In 5 to 10 km runs, at paces ranging from 4:30 to 5:30 min/km, the shoe feels "spongy" in the stride, but with a firm support that doesn't sink in. If you've tried other hyper-soft shoes, you'll notice that this Neo Zen is somewhere in the way: it's soft, but doesn't sink into your foot like a swamp.

By the way, the lightweight feel also caught my attention: according to my scale, it's around 270-280 grams (in my size), which, for a daily training shoe, is appreciated if you add 60 km per week.

How they perform on the run

I've racked up about 170 km in the Neo Zen, and tested various training scenarios:

Gentle running (above 5 min/km).

The shoe flows very well, and impacts feel attenuated. On 60 minute runs, comfort remains stable. The upper doesn't weigh you down, and your feet don't overheat.

The midsole is very homogeneous in each stride: you don't notice excessive collapse or "braking" on contact.

Running at medium pace (4:5:00 min/km)

This is where I enjoyed them the most: they have enough reactivity to not feel "squashed" and enough softness so that the joints don't suffer.

I was surprised that, even without carbon plate, they behave well in accelerations. With a couple of changes of pace to see their response, I did not missed an extra boost.
Series or sub 4:00 paces.

I've done intervals at 3:50 / 3:55. They're still decently responsive, although you can tell they're not pure fast running shoes. They don't feel clumsy, as sometimes happens with some overly cushioned shoes.

Be careful with wet ground: on wet asphalt days I felt a slightly less reliable grip. It's not serious, but it's a good idea to be careful on slippery crosswalks or sharp turns.

Comfort and fit: how about the knit upper?

I really liked the sock-like upper because, from the start, it fits comfortably and the foot feels snug. Even so, if you have a very narrow foot, you will notice that in sharp turns the ankle is a bit loose. It's not that it's unstable, but it does lack the extra reinforcement in the collar area that other more classic training shoes do include.

The knit is very breathable: I got my feet wet in a puddle and in 20 minutes I was almost dry. Perfect for those hot days or runs in humid environments.

What I liked the most

What I value most is the comfort: running for an hour straight, you notice that your feet stay relaxed, and I haven't experienced any rubbing or strains that bother me. Even without the Wave plate or a carbon plate, Mizuno has achieved a shoe with an interesting touch of reactivity. For my daily runs, it has become my ally when I want to feel light on asphalt. The breathable upper, which frees up the foot, is a plus.

Possible points for improvement

I noticed a little bit of "flanking" in the foot on the track or in sharp turns, mainly because the upper doesn't have big lateral reinforcements or a powerful heel counter. If you were a heavier built runner (+85 kg) or very aggressive in changes of direction, you might lack that extra control feeling. Personally, I would like to see the next version incorporate some more structure in the midfoot or ankle area.

Who do I think it is ideal for?

• Runners up to 85 kg: Above that weight, you might need something with more lateral support or less "movement" in the midsole area.
• Daily runs: For your 2 weekly outings of around 10-12 km, at easy or moderate paces, prioritizing comfort.
• Hybrid training: If you also use other shoes for fast series days, the Neo Zen can be your ally for recovery or medium-volume outings.

Conclusions after more than 170 km

The Mizuno Neo Zen have been a pleasant surprise in my rotation. I find them a breath of fresh air within the brand's cat: a simple, lightweight, fairly evenly cushioned and comfortable shoe for daily workouts. They are not the most stable on the market, nor are they intended to be the ultimate fast running shoe for aggressive paces, but if you want a shoe that will join you on quiet or medium-quality runs, this may be your option.

However, I would reinforce the ankle support to make them fully rounded. In short, I'll stick with their philosophy of emphasizing the lightness and pleasant feel of the midsole, without the need to resort to plates or gimmicks. A different bet from Mizuno, for runners who simply want to run comfortably on asphalt.