Mizuno Neo Zen Review

I recently spent some time testing the Mizuno Neo Zen, and overall, it’s become one of my favorite go-to daily trainers. Quite frankly, this is one of the best versatile running shoes you can buy for $150 right now, and by the end of this review you’ll know exactly why I’m saying that.

It blends the soft, responsive feel of the MIZUNO ENERZY NXT midsole with a spacious knit upper that adapts to your feet really well. The Neo Zen is geared toward runners who value comfort AND speed, for longer runs – I feel like I could just run all day in them.

Keep reading to learn more about these awesome daily trainer – speed trainer crossover running shoes.

Key Specifications

• Price: $150 at roadrunnersports.com / $150 at zappos.com
• Weight: 8.3oz (235g) in a US men’s size 9
• Drop: 6mm (stack height: 40mm at the hee, 34 mm at the forefoot)
• Upper: One-piece, stretchable knit upper with a seamless integrated tongue
• Midsole: Full-length MIZUNO ENERZY NXT midsole (supercritical TPU foam)
• Additional Tech: Smooth Speed Assist for midfoot comfort; eco-friendly recycled materials

How They Fit and Feel

The Neo Zen really feels like a second skin thanks to the one-piece upper design, and you don’t even need to break them in – should have been a rapper…

I went with my usual sizing and although they still feel great, upon reflection going down a half size would have gotten me a more secure, locked-in feel, especially with the knit upper molding around the foot.

Overall the fit will be snug when you go with the correct sizing, and have laced up securely.

What’s Good

There are a few great features on the Zeo Zen but my favorite is the midsole. The full-length ENERZY NXT foam delivers a soft, bouncy ride that absorbs impact well during long, easy runs but also provides excellent energy return which translates well into forward propulsion.

The foam compresses really nicely so the shoe feels lower and more connected to the ground, with surprisingly good stability, than you might expect from a high stack height like this.

The Mizuno Neo Zen is definitely a neutral running shoe, however, so if you have pronation issues, you may find that a fast stability daily trainer like the Saucony Tempus 2 or Hurricane 24 may suite you better. More stability running shoe top picks can be found in my best stability running shoes roundup.

This setup enhances comfort on longer runs but also gives a sense of stability that’s reassuring when picking up the pace or dipping and diving in and out of pedestrian traffic.

I haven’t felt such a great ride in a daily trainer/speed training shoe in a long time – the balance in cushioning and responsiveness is spot on!

The shoe’s lightweight design of 8.3oz for a US men’s 9, adds to its nimbleness, making it easier to manage despite the generous cushioning.

I also appreciate the near full-coverage rubber outsole that provides solid traction across a variety of surfaces – so many shoe brands are not doing this nowadays for their daily trainers, and that makes me a sad panda because durability always suffers as a consequence.

This combination of a wide, stable base and a well-dampened midsole contributes to a smooth, predictable ride, which is exactly what you want in a daily trainer.

I have actually found it tricky to classify the Neo Zen because it’s as equally at home as a daily trainer as it is a speed training shoe – so I’m tagging it under both categories.

Another positive is the attractive price point of $150, which is super reasonable for a versatile running shoe that offers a great blend of cushioning, performance, durability, and comfort.

All this is very hard to find at this price, especially when compared to other options that might offer a similar feel but at a higher cost. The Mizuno Zen, definitely feels like it should be priced a lot higher, for what you’re getting – I’m not complaining, though!

The Bad

While the cushioning is a major asset for long runs and also a bouncy responsive ride, it can have its downsides, especially if you have major overpronation issues but for neutral gait runners or if you have very mild pronation, I don’t think this will be an issue for you.

The fit of the upper isn’t perfect either. While it adapts well overall, if can ruffle up a bit under the lacing if you have narrow feet or don’t ge the proper sizing (go half a size down), and there’s a touch more lateral space than I’d like, which might allow some unwanted movement.

Additionally, the heel area can feel rough, especially if you’re not wearing a higher sock or crew sock, which could be a minor annoyance on longer runs – so, get out your crew running socks for these ones, which by the way is in fashion right now anyway.

My Verdict

The Mizuno Neo Zen is a reliable, comfortable daily trainer that holds its own as a speed training shoe, with a focus on cushioning, comfort, and BOUNCE.

The ENERZY NXT midsole is excellent for logging easy, long miles and has a soft, bouncy ride that feels surprisingly connected despite the high stack height.

For runners who value comfort, durability, and a relatively stable platform for everyday runs, recovery runs, speed training, and tempo runs, the Neo Zen is a fantastic choice, especially at its $150 price point. I’m going to be using these a lot more to rack up base mileage as we head into the 2025 season of running.

It’s clear that Mizuno has put thought into balancing cushioning with a responsive feel, and I congratulate them on producing this winner of a running shoe.

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👋🏼 Looking for your next pair of running shoes? Head over to my Best Daily Trainers and Best Speed Trainers roundups to find the perfect match. See you on the next review! -Alastair

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