Mizuno - Neo Zen

Despite all of the various sites like Rtings and RunRepeat seemingly measuring every metric and millimetre on every running shoe on sale, they’re absolutely worthless if you have a higher than usual instep as nobody seems to be able to measure it. It’s basically just pure luck what shoes fit in that case. Shoes that by the measurements should be perfect for wide footers like Adidas Supernova Rises and Mizuno Neo Zens wrap the dorsum so tight that they’re unwearable. “Narrower” shoes like Evo SLs and Puma Voyage Nitro 4s fit like a dream as they actually have enough upper space. Basically if you have a higher than instep, be prepared for a lot of trial and error, and a lot of orders and returns the same day.

Neo vista is definitely amazing. It’s soft but not really bouncy, and not nearly as unstable as a lot of people claim. The Neo zen is amazing and bouncy (my favorite shoe if I need to go hangout a run that isn’t going to have me on my feet for long enough to overly compress the foam) but the vista is a shoe that makes me not really think about what I have on my feet, which I really enjoy.

Definitely sounds like a good candidate for the Novablast. the new balance SC trainer v3 is currently on sale in that price range, as well as Mizuno Neo vista. If light weight and plushness is your main concern in that price range I would definitely say the Neo Zen could be a winner for you it’s currently my go to shoe.

The foam in my mostly 2 shoe rotation (Neo Zen, EVO SL) refuses to die so they've carried me through the year. I bought the Megablast on my birthday because I had an Asics 25% off coupon & was depressed, lol. But I don't really like them. Don't make impulse buys. I'd rank them 1) Zen 2) Adios Pro 3 (carried over from last year as my race shoe) 3) EVO 4)Megablast

Just hit 495 miles in my Mizuno Neo Zens. Honestly never had a shoe feel this good at this mileage. Foam in most shoes start to feel a little flatter to me beginning around 400 miles. These don't even feel like they have 100 miles on them. Resilient supercritical TPU foam in them is like devil magic. Edit: they're also very comfortable. I love the upper.

Neo Zen. Max stack, but light weight & with a buttery smooth geometry. It's the perfect long run shoe.

I haven't had any issues with stability. I've taken it on some rough horse trails without issue.

Novablast 5 & Neo Zen. I like flexible & soft shoes for long runs. Been using Megablast lately, but the stiffness makes my legs have to work harder in them. Also my glute hurts in them towards the end. Just bought Altra Flow 2 & wore them for 1 run, but will likely use them to replace Megablast. They feel fantastic.

Neo Zen. I have over 600 miles in mine & still use them for long runs. They're like a softer & much more comfortable & smoother Megablast. They are quite soft though. Also, only 234 g.

Recovery: Glycerin Max 2 Daily: Altra Experience Flow 2 Long Run: Neo Zen 2 or Neo Vista 2 Speed Training: Mizuno Hyperwarp Pro Race: Hyperwarp Elite Trail: I'll just use my daily trainer

I have 870 km on mine & they're still going strong. At 725 km I started researching for my shoe to replace it expecting the Zen foam to die at 800 km but it hasn't died down at all, so no need to replace it. Still gets me through long runs just fine.

Agreed. Neo Zen are such a good shoe. Very versatile I'm finding out. I used to think they were just soft & bouncy long & easy run shoes, but started to use them for some threshold workouts at 6:15 mile pace to replace my EVO SL. Zen are surprisingly responsive when you pick up the pace. They're a lot lighter than Superblast 2 too & per Rtings have better heel energy return & are better at energy absorption. Such an underrated shoe. https://www.rtings.com/running-shoes/tools/table/163923

Neo Zen have an accommodating toe box & large volume upper. They're very light for the amount of cushioning you get. They're 6 mm drop. They're very soft & bouncy though so if you don't like soft shoes may want to look at something else. New Balance 880 v15, & 1080 v14 are 6 mm, but runrepeat measured them at 4 mm. New Balance shoes usually have good toebox room. Glycerin max are 6 mm drop & I've read feel less than that, but are 305 g so might be too heavy for you since you mentioned lightweight.

I would say either the Asics Superblast 2 or the Mizuno Neo Zen. The SB are just really stable and if I'm having any lower leg issues, they usually go away with a few days in the Superblasts, as opposed to either softer shoes or more aggressive ones. I also recently got the Neo Zen and it's fun and bouncy and feels like it really protects my legs. It's not too mushy either. I went true to size in both the Superblast and the Neo Zen.

Mizuno Neo vista and zen both luxury feel to me

And if the pro is too much for you (it is for me), the Neo Zen 2 is a more daily version of the same massive foam stack 

Mizuno Neo Zen for the slow long run and Endorphin Speed 5s for the marathon pace long run.

Neo Zen is bouncy AF. Skyward X is also bouncy and makes you 3 inches taller.

Can confirm the bootie is the worst part of the Mizuno Neos. Mid sole is fun though.

Been running with Mizuno - Neo Zen lately. Pretty cheap shoes like a 120 on Amazon for version 1. But one of my favorite daily shoes. It absorbs so much impact, your joints and feet are going to thank you. It also has good energy return to propel you forward. I've put about 40 miles on them and thinking about buying another pair. I bought the superblast 3s and couldn't go very far, they were killing my legs and feet. Ran later at night with the mizunos, hands down the most comfortable run.

I’ve ran in the following “daily” trainers. Adizero SL2, NB 1080v14, Adizero Evo SL, Asics SB2, Adizero B12, Nike Vomero Plus and the Mizuno Neo Zen. Out of those, I’d highly recommend the SB2, Evo SL, Neo Zen and the Vomero Plus. I don’t think you could go wrong with any of those shoes. The Evo SL is probably the most versatile shoe out of them all in my opinion.

I’ve had the SL2 and 1080v14 as my daily trainers. Absolutely love the 1080. Didn’t love how the SL2 fit my mid foot and decided to sell them. I have the Evo SL and as stated above, they seem like a do it all shoe. I’m currently only using it for faster runs though. I’ve tried the Mizuno Neo Zen at my local shoe store and really liked how the upper fit and how plush the mid sole felt. I would definitely consider this for a future daily trainer.