Mizuno Neo Zen vs Neo Vista 2

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Mizuno Neo Zen
Mizuno Neo Vista 2

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Nov 04, 2025 07:25 PM

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Mizuno

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 28, 2025 05:24 PM

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Mizuno
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. For Women
  4. For Men

Our Verdict

Mizuno Neo Zen

Mizuno Neo Vista 2

The Mizuno Neo Zen and Mizuno Neo Vista 2 are both high-stack daily trainers from the Osaka-based company, but are tailored to very different needs. The Neo Zen is lighter, simpler, and more playful—built around a single layer of foam with no plate, giving it a soft, bouncy ride that's ideal for everyday miles. The Neo Vista 2, on the other hand, is a much more protective and max-cushioned option. It has a much higher stack height and a plastic plate to stabilize the large midsole. The result is a more absorbing ride, especially during long runs and back-to-back mileage days, but it feels heavier and less energetic than the Neo Zen. However, the high-volume upper runs long and introduces lockdown issues that aren't present in the Zen.

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Variants

  • Neo Zen (Black/Raspberry - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Zen (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Zen (Hint Mint/India Ink - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Zen (Nimbus Cloud/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Zen (White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Zen (White/Frontier Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Vista 2 (Baritone Blue/Frozen Emerald - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Vista 2 (Baritone Blue/Striking Coral - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Vista 2 (White - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Vista 2 (White/Striking Coral - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

7.6
7.2

Plate 
 

None
Plastic

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.1
5.5

Weight  

7.3
5.9

Heel Energy Return 
 

7.3
6.0

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.3
5.9

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

226.3 g (7.98 oz)
263.4 g (9.29 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

41.1 mm
50.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

36.2 mm
40.3 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.9 mm
9.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
8.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
95 mm (3.8")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

79 mm (3.1")
88 mm (3.5")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

111 mm (4.4")
117 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.24
1.89

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.07
2.90
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

275 mm (10.8")
281 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

62 mm (2.4")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
Plastic
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

7.3
6.0

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

77.4%
73.4%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.1
5.5

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

76.5%
72.6%
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Heel Cushioning 
 

8.3
9.2

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

4.24 J
4.55 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.05 J
11.67 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

16.18 J
19.26 J
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Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.4
9.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.48 J
5.90 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

9.10 J
10.15 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.99 J
14.54 J
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Heel Firmness 
 

5.6
4.3

Heel Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

47.9 N/mm
39.7 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

117.4 N/mm
98.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

268.4 N/mm
220.9 N/mm
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Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.9
7.3

Forefoot Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

98.0 N/mm
80.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

206.9 N/mm
184.6 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

435.7 N/mm
386.2 N/mm
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Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.0
7.8

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.88 J
8.45 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.72 J
8.32 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.63 J
8.26 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.53 J
8.21 J

Mizuno Neo Zen

Mizuno Neo Vista 2

Comments

  1. Comparison

Mizuno Neo Zen vs Mizuno Neo Vista 2: Main Discussion

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