Mizuno Neo Zen Running Shoes

hachecuadrado

Original Poster

Sep 20, 2026 3:28 AM

114 Comments

Joined Aug 2009

hachecuadrado

Original Poster

Sep 20, 2026 3:28 AM

114 Comments

There are also women's versions for $60

https://www.sierra.com/mizuno-neo...-prod17G2H

yayanaji

Sep 20, 2026 3:50 AM

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Joined Jan 2013

yayanajiSep 20, 2026 3:50 AM

1.8K Comments

This vs hoka vs Nike? Good brand?

brucknerfan

Sep 20, 2026 4:44 AM

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Joined Dec 2014

brucknerfanSep 20, 2026 4:44 AM

2.7K Comments

I have two pairs. The Zen is very squishy (soft). Too squishy in my opinion. The outsole tread pattern is a head scratcher. Traction is meh. The midsole has some bounce but it's too marshmallowy to return much energy. On long runs the midsole will begin to pack out and loose rebound. This compression set is largely temporary and the midsole recovers by the next run. So this shoe is basically good for easy slow runs.

hachecuadrado

Original Poster

Sep 20, 2026 6:40 PM

114 Comments

Joined Aug 2009

hachecuadrado

Original Poster

Sep 20, 2026 6:40 PM

114 Comments

Quote from brucknerfan

:

I have two pairs. The Zen is very squishy (soft). Too squishy in my opinion. The outsole tread pattern is a head scratcher. Traction is meh. The midsole has some bounce but it's too marshmallowy to return much energy. On long runs the midsole will begin to pack out and loose rebound. This compression set is largely temporary and the midsole recovers by the next run. So this shoe is basically good for easy slow runs.

Fwiw, it's got more energy return than Clifton 11 (see Runrepeat link below). But it's not plated and not a racer. But as a daily, I've loved it.

https://runrepeat.com/mizuno-neo-zen

brucknerfan

Sep 21, 2026 11:14 AM

2.7K Comments

Joined Dec 2014

brucknerfanSep 21, 2026 11:14 AM

2.7K Comments

Quote from hachecuadrado

:

Fwiw, it's got more energy return than Clifton 11 (see Runrepeat link below). But it's not plated and not a racer. But as a daily, I've loved it. https://runrepeat.com/mizuno-neo-zen

You should stock up. Mizuno ruined the Zen with version 2 by switching from TPU to EVA.

burntorangehorn

Sep 21, 2026 3:59 PM

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Joined Dec 2018

burntorangehornSep 21, 2026 3:59 PM

1.8K Comments

Quote from brucknerfan

:

You should stock up. Mizuno ruined the Zen with version 2 by switching from TPU to EVA.

If you find v1 too squishy, why wouldn't you prefer v2? It's more stable, firmer, and more responsive. Yes, it's EVA, but not all EVA is equal or obsolete.

sancheta

Sep 21, 2026 4:48 PM

112 Comments

Joined Sep 2013

sanchetaSep 21, 2026 4:48 PM

112 Comments

Very squishy and a bit unstable. Found the toe box tapered too much on the outside. Cannot run past 8 miles with these before I start feeling discomfort on my toes (the next day).

Great deal for a recovery shoe.

brucknerfan

Sep 21, 2026 11:10 PM

2.7K Comments

Joined Dec 2014

brucknerfanSep 21, 2026 11:10 PM

2.7K Comments

Quote from burntorangehorn

:

If you find v1 too squishy, why wouldn't you prefer v2? It's more stable, firmer, and more responsive. Yes, it's EVA, but not all EVA is equal or obsolete.

In terms of compression-set resistance, all EVA is equally vulnerable. Supercritical EVA improves rebound, not durability. I know this from experience and I cannot afford to waste thousands of dollars on anymore EVA midsoles that inevitably pack out prematurely.

burntorangehorn

Sep 22, 2026 11:51 AM

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Joined Dec 2018

burntorangehornSep 22, 2026 11:51 AM

1.8K Comments

Quote from brucknerfan

:

In terms of compression-set resistance, all EVA is equally vulnerable. Supercritical EVA improves rebound, not durability. I know this from experience and I cannot afford to waste thousands of dollars on anymore EVA midsoles that inevitably pack out prematurely.

Not sure where you got the idea that regular EVA is equally vulnerable to compression packing, but it isn't. Most supercritical EVAs are not as durable as most TPUs, but they're certainly more durable than traditional EVA. As for wasting thousands of dollars, it'd be hard to do that over the span of less than a decade.

Glee217

Sep 22, 2026 8:33 PM

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Joined Nov 2012

Glee217Sep 22, 2026 8:33 PM

6.8K Comments

RR says slightly large/long... I have the Neo vista 2 mens 8.5 but usual is mens 9, 26.3cm. Should I stay with 8.5 or play it safe 9. Equivalent womens is 10, 26.5cm.

brucknerfan

Sep 22, 2026 11:42 PM

2.7K Comments

Joined Dec 2014

brucknerfanSep 22, 2026 11:42 PM

2.7K Comments

Quote from burntorangehorn

:

Not sure where you got the idea that regular EVA is equally vulnerable to compression packing, but it isn't. Most supercritical EVAs are not as durable as most TPUs, but they're certainly more durable than traditional EVA. As for wasting thousands of dollars, it'd be hard to do that over the span of less than a decade.

You're mistaken. Adding a liquified gas prior to the foaming process simply creates microbubbles of trapped gas within the midsole. This does not negate the compression set properties of EVA, under load.

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Mizuno Neo Zen Running Shoes

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