Mizuno Neo Vista review

We've put the Neo Vista through rigorous tests in the lab to determine if it lives up to the hype. In our view, it's:

• Perfect for runners seeking a high-stack supertrainer that combines comfort and performance.
• Ideal for those seeking a speed trainer with a plush midsole, suitable for easy runs and fast-paced workouts alike.
• Recommended for fans of stretchy, sock-like knit uppers.

While a sock-like upper boasts many advantages, we must acknowledge its drawbacks, primarily the decreased breathability and less effective heel lockdown. If these are concerns for you, consider the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 or the New Balance SC Trainer v3, which significantly enhance these areas at a similar price point.

Additionally, the Neo Vista falls slightly short on energy return. While the ENERZY NXT foam performs admirably for being an EVA-based foam, it lags behind market leaders like FF Turbo+ or Lightstrike Pro. For those prioritizing top-tier energy return, we recommend the ASICS Superblast 2 or the Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung, if your budget allows.

We hinted at the stack height of the Neo Vista, but it wasn't until we used our calipers that we confirmed its exceptional measurement. After evaluating hundreds of shoes in the lab, this one stands out in the top 5% for heel stack height.

Runners seeking ample cushioning will find this model particularly appealing. Even those with heavier builds can enjoy the plush foam without the risk of bottoming out, guaranteed.

As you might expect, the forefoot is also exceptionally cushioned. Remarkably, at 35.3 mm, it matches what is typically seen in the heel of many running shoes!

This feature makes the shoe particularly appealing to forefoot and midfoot strikers who appreciate abundant foam underfoot or those seeking maximum leg protection for longer distances.

Mizuno advertises an 8-mm drop for this shoe, but our measurements showed a slight increase to 9.6 mm—a minor difference that’s typically unnoticeable. Additionally, it's worth noting that the softness of the ENERZY NXT foam means the perceived drop can vary significantly during a run, depending on your foot strike.

Mizuno has introduced a brand-new foam with this shoe, dubbed ENERZY NXT, which ranks among the top EVA-based foams currently available when it comes to energy return.

It offers a bouncy, elastic, and exceptionally plush ride (15.6 HA), a notable achievement especially considering our usual expectations of moderate-to-low energy return from EVA materials. That said, it's still clearly below the best-in-class PEBA foams.

How did our friends in Osaka manage this? We don't really know, as Mizuno keeps the specifics of their foam formulations under wraps. But our microscopic examination of ENERZY NXT revealed that this foam is not supercritical, which came as a surprise to us.

Unlike the uniform, bubble-like cells typical of nitrogen-infused supercritical foams, ENERZY NXT features an irregular, open-cell structure. And hey, if you want to delve deeper, we got you covered with our advanced guide about foams.

Mizuno's new formulation significantly enhances the classic EVA foam's performance in cold temperatures. After a 20-minute test in our freezer, the foam only became 12.6% firmer—a remarkable result.

The Neo Vista is packed with funny and weird features alike, yet the insole remains the most ordinary and unremarkable part of the entire shoe. At 4.8 mm and made from EVA, it's basically the same insole that we've found in countless other running shoes!

Our initial measurement in the toebox's widest part was 99.5 mm, suggesting ample space for most feet. This space often increases as the knit upper stretches after a few runs, making the fit even more accommodating than that of mesh uppers.

While the toebox's vertical volume can feel a bit snug for those with big feet, possibly causing pressure on the toes and instep. But again, the upper's flexibility and stretchiness compensate for this.

Our second measurement in the big toe area showed a generous 80.8 mm, offering more than average space here. Thanks to the stretchiness of the knit upper, those who splay their toes will find this sock-like design particularly comfortable.

However, we did note some minor rubbing against the Mizuno logo at the 5th toe when wearing thin socks. This issue typically resolves after the upper breaks in over two or three runs, or simply by opting for thicker socks.

The Neo Vista is a neutral running shoe that presents a paradox in stability. Initially, its soft foam feels really unstable when starting every run, yet Mizuno has integrated several design adjustments to enhance stability and it gets better the more you run with them. Let’s explore why.

The Neo Vista features a nylon plate sandwiched between two layers of foam purely for stability.

This design choice is essential, as the shoe's super-soft, over-40-mm midsole would lead to significant instability without it. The plate significantly enhances torsional rigidity, achieving a 4/5 on our scale.

The heel counter of the shoe, typical of sock-like uppers, flexes without resistance, scoring a low 1 out of 5 in our tests.

In our view, this area presents an opportunity for enhancement—heel strikers, particularly those with stability needs, would greatly benefit from a more supportive heel, especially considering the shoe's plush foam construction.

The improved stability we experienced in the Neo Vista is largely due to its midsole design.

Mizuno ingeniously crafted the midsole by hollowing out the bottom half and broadening the sides, thus expanding its width to a substantial 120.8 mm without adding weight. This clever design choice significantly enhances stability without the burden of extra mass.

The central void of the Neo Vista extends from the forefoot to the heel, increasing the heel width to 97.9 mm, comparable to stability shoes.

While this might make the Neo Vista feel overly large, it's mandatory. The incredibly soft foam requires a wider profile for effective stability.

Despite having over 40 mm of stack height and a plate, this shoe is surprisingly flexible, as confirmed by our flexibility test with a score of 24.9N.

This flexibility is due to the nylon plate, which, unlike stiffer materials like carbon fiber, adds a touch of pop without making the shoe too aggressive, as we've observed in other speed training shoes.

We exposed the shoe to another round of cold-weather simulations by placing it in the freezer for 20 more minutes before performing the 90-degree bend test a second time. Here we found an uptick of 35%, which is similar to the average and consistent with EVA foam.

Mizuno has implemented a more subtle version of their Smooth Speed Assist technology in this shoe, similar to what we saw in the high-end Wave Rebellion Pro 2, but tailored for slower paces and training purposes.

The toe spring is gentle yet effective, offering a continuous, progressive curvature across the entire midsole. This early-rocker design greatly facilitates turnover, especially with the shoe's significant stack height.

Nestled between two layers of foam in this shoe is Mizuno's Wave Plate, a plant-based Rilsan plate primarily used for stabilization rather than adding stiffness, as confirmed by our 90-degree bending test.

While the shoe does include a plate, it feels significantly different from those with a carbon plate, offering minimal longitudinal stiffness. This flexibility makes the shoe well-suited for slower-paced running.

We discovered that the Neo Vista weighs an impressive 9.1 oz or 259g, which is outstanding for a shoe with over 40 mm stack height.

How did Mizuno achieve this? A combination of design strategies contributed, including the outsole cutout, the use of airy, super-light foam, and lightweight upper materials. And while this shoe is tailored for training rather than racing, its near-9-ounce weight is a welcome feature!

While knit uppers offer increased comfort and stretchiness, they often fall short in breathability compared to mesh uppers, as the knit yarns tend to be thicker. In our initial assessment of the Neo Vista, we found airflow somewhat limited, rating it a 3 out of 5 on our scale, which is below average for road running shoes.

The comparison against a GTX shoe makes it appear more breathable than it is.

It doesn't completely rule out the shoe for summer use, but runners training in extremely hot climates should consider this. However, in cooler seasons, it performs awesome, and it's great for winter.

Our light testing revealed some ventilation in the medial side and toebox, yet it wasn't enough to score higher. The ventilation holes in the medial part do offer some relief by helping to dissipate heat.

Using a microscope, we saw that the thick, snug knit upper restricts airflow significantly.

Unfortunately, we can't recommend wearing this shoe sockless because the rough stitching in the Achilles tendon area caused significant irritation to our feet. However, the rest of the upper is comfortable and performs well.

We think that for those who prioritize comfort over a cooler feel, the Neo Vista excels. It's cozy, stretchy, and provides solid lockdown, and we believe it will prove durable over time.

Another significant drawback of most knit uppers is their limited durability; however, the Neo Vista's material performed exceptionally well against our Dremel test, achieving an impressive 4/5 rating.

While the tool did cause some damage to the toebox, it didn't create a full hole—a rare feat for a knit upper. We believe this is a very positive result, indicating strong durability.

The entire upper of the Neo Vista is made from the same durable material, yet enhanced by a small reinforcement pad at the heel. This addition is key, as in our second Dremel test, this shoe scored another impressive 4 out of 5.

For those who often experience wear in the toebox and heel, the Neo Vista proves to be a reliable choice, delivering enhanced durability where it's needed most. However, as we mentioned earlier, the reinforcement Mizuno added in the heel can cause some irritation for those going sockless or even using invisible socks.

Encouraged by two successful initial tests, we focused next on the outsole of the shoe. We started by measuring its hardness, registering 69.3 HC on our durometer.

This lower hardness might suggest reduced durability, a point we will soon verify. For now, we can confirm the G3 Rubber provides excellent traction. It seems Mizuno opted for to ensure reliable grip, especially given the large midsole cutout that creates a significant hollow space.

To our surprise, the last of three Dremel tests we perform on every shoe resulted in only a 0.4-mm indentation—an excellent result!

For this reason, we highly endorse the Neo Vista as one of the most durable high-performance trainer available. It’s designed to resist wear not just on the upper but also on the outsole, which also benefits from full-length rubber coverage.

In their quest to reduce the weight of such a large shoe, Mizuno has slimmed down the usual thickness found in running shoes to just 2.1 mm. However, given the good abrasion resistance previously displayed, this seems like a wise choice to us.

The Neo Vista is priced higher than most running shoes, but when compared to other supertrainers, the price tag seems reasonable to us, even lower than some competitors.

And yes, we think it is a lot of money for a running shoe. However, it offers unmatched fun and cushioning, setting it apart in the market.

We always appreciate reflective elements in running shoes for the added safety and minimal weight impact. Mizuno has mastered this with the Neo Vista, enhancing visibility and boosting brand recognition through its standout reflectivity.

A common feature of sock-like uppers is their thin tongues, and the Neo Vista is no exception.

We measured just 1.9 mm of padding, but while the knit is plush and comfortable, it doesn’t compare to a 10-mm tongue. For this reason, be cautious when tightening the laces, especially since sock-like uppers often provide a snug fit right out of the box.

Fans of the Alphafly 3 will discover that the Neo Vista is the ideal training companion, not only for its thrilling ride but particularly for its sock-like, tongueless upper. This design snugly wraps the foot and ensures a secure lockdown. However, it may not suit those who prefer shoes with traditional tongues.

Mizuno has added a durable finger-loop heel tab to the shoe, which is incredibly sturdy and unlikely to break throughout the shoe's lifespan. And hey, you can't deny that the black colorway we purchased pairs excellently with the striking pink contrast from the tab!

In our lab, we easily removed the insole and swapped it with other options, allowing for additional space by using a thinner sockliner. Given the extensive cushioning of this shoe, you won't feel the change to a slender footbed, but you could appreciate the extra volume up front.