HOKA Skyward X 2 vs Mizuno Neo Vista 3

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

HOKA Skyward X 2
Mizuno Neo Vista 3

Tested using Methodology v0.13

Updated Jul 23, 2026 06:31 PM

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Hoka.com

Tested using Methodology v0.14

Updated Jul 21, 2026 08:24 PM

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Mizuno
HOKA Skyward X 2 Picture

Track

Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Picture

Track

  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. HOKA
  3. Cushioned

Our Verdict

HOKA Skyward X 2

Mizuno Neo Vista 3

The Mizuno Neo Vista 3 and HOKA Skyward X 2 are both ultra-high stack, plated max-cushioned shoes, but they serve slightly different needs. Go for the HOKA if your long runs regularly extend beyond 20 km and you want the most protection late in the run. Its carbon plate feels a bit more propulsive, and its cushioning holds up better as the miles pile up. Get the Neo Vista 3 if you want a lighter, more stable option for daily training and shorter long runs. Its less-rigid plastic plate gives the ride a more natural feel, while still providing plenty of protection for most everyday runs.

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Variants

  • Skyward X 2 (Grout/Cobalt - (Men - US 9))
  • Skyward X 2 (Lilac Cream/Tangerine Glow - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Vista 3 (Dark Slate/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Vista 3 (Flamingo Coral/White - (Women - US 7))
Read more

Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

7.4
7.1

Weight  

5.1
5.8

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

8.4
6.2

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

7.6
6.2

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

8.3
6.2

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.1
5.8

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

283.3 g (9.99 oz)
266.2 g (9.39 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

48.6 mm
48.7 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

41.9 mm
40.5 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.7 mm
8.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
HOKA Skyward X 2 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

79 mm (3.1")
87 mm (3.4")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

120 mm (4.7")
119 mm (4.7")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.93
1.95

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.86
2.94

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
HOKA Skyward X 2 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

276 mm (10.9")
279 mm (11.0")

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
68 mm (2.7")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
98 mm (3.9")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.4
9.6

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-1.2 mm (-0.048")
-0.1 mm (-0.004")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.7 mm (-0.065")
-2.3 mm (-0.091")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

9.4
7.4

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.2 mm (-0.046")
-3.1 mm (-0.120")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

6.6
9.9

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-5.1 mm (-0.201")
-0.5 mm (-0.019")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.9
8.9

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

24 mm (0.9")
25 mm (1.0")

Heel Apex Position 
 

20.7%
65.3%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

21.8°
27.0°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

7.7
7.4

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

54 mm (2.1")
51 mm (2.0")

Toe Apex Position 
 

62.1%
65.3%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

26.1°
27.0°

Foam 
 

Primary Foam Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Primary Foam Picture
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Secondary Foam Picture
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name 
 

N/A
Enerzy NXT

Primary Foam Type 
 

PEBA
TPU

Secondary Foam Name 
 

N/A
Enerzy NXT

Secondary Foam Type 
 

EVA
EVA

Laces 
 

Laces Picture  

Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Laces Picture

Lace Type 
 

Flat

Width 
 

6.0 mm (0.2")

Thickness 
 

1.6 mm (0.1")

Stretch 
 

13.8%

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Plastic
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

7.0
6.1

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

76.2%
73.7%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

7.6
6.2

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

78.8%
73.9%

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.8
8.9

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.54 J
4.48 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

11.44 J
10.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

21.20 J
17.74 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

9.4
8.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

6.10 J
5.45 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

11.08 J
9.29 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

17.07 J
13.34 J

Heel Firmness 
 

6.4
5.7

Heel Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Heel Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N 
 

42.7 N/mm
34.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

48.4 N/mm
45.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

64.4 N/mm
65.7 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

5.0
7.2

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Firmness Graph
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N 
 

47.2 N/mm
52.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

59.6 N/mm
68.7 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

80 N/mm
96 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.9
8.2

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

10.35 J
9.10 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

10.08 J
8.91 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

9.91 J
8.80 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

9.77 J
8.73 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

7.4
5.9

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

98 N
58 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

8.4
6.2

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Bending Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

75.2%
61.0%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

8.3
6.2

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X 2 Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

25.5 N/mm
9.7 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

297 N
231 N

HOKA Skyward X 2

Mizuno Neo Vista 3

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HOKA Skyward X 2 vs Mizuno Neo Vista 3: Main Discussion

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