Mizuno Neo Zen 2 Less Bounce, More Stability | Is the Trade-Off Worth It?

Mizuno’s Neo Zen 2 is the second gen of the Neo Zen family. I’m always excited to try out a new bouncy daily trainer that is intentionally designed and engineered, so this shoe is right up my testing alley.

With the Neo Zen 2 Mizuno made some substantive changes to the first generation Neo Zen trainer, so if you’ve run in and loved the first version you may have some strong thoughts about this second generation.

Is it better than the first version? We think so.

Mizuno is making some big changes to their line up this year and this felt like a great start.

How does it compare to other similarly positioned daily trainers on the market? With its added stability, a complete change in the type of midsole foam, the mesh/knit upper material and design that Mizuno calls “Bootie Knit Fusion”, the Neo Zen 2 is a great choice for a stable yet bouncy daily trainer.

This shoe is great for a runner looking for a lightweight stable bounce for easy runs that can pick up the pace to handle some moderate tempo work to take you through marathon training.

Mizuno Neo Zen 2 Overview

The shoe felt extremely light on the foot! When my box came in the mail I had to shake it to confirm there was something inside because it was such a light package.

I let out an intrigued “oooooo” upon opening the box on the Mizuno Neo Zen 2. In my first glance evaluation I saw everything I look for when choosing a daily trainer.

I liked the amount of stack height as it looked promisingly bouncy, and was quite intrigued by the implementation of the sock-like upper Mizuno utilized in this shoe which we’ve seen pop up in the industry in different ways recently.

I took the Neo Zen 2 for 30-40 minute easy day runs both on a treadmill and outside in the Minnesota winter.

My first run felt great in the shoe and I didn’t notice anything in particular at all, which for me is a good sign. I like a shoe that I can lace up and forget it exists.

On subsequent runs I began to notice the Bootie Knit Fusion upper (think tight fitted sock) that Mizuno used in this version, and it became impossible for me to ignore. More on that when I talk about the feel of the shoe.

This is a second generation shoe for Mizuno and I unfortunately have not had the opportunity to run in the first generation as a different member of RTTF reviewed that shoe.

The first version was quite bouncy and exuberant and this generation has changed a bit to reign in the bounce to make it more stable.

I found the ENERZY NXT midsole foam to be comfortable and provide a good return off the ground. This is a nitrogen infused EVA, which should lend itself to being durable and is why we get that nice little bounce. It’s not going to give you that same spring as something like the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 which has a plate, but the trade off to give the shoe more stability feels right to us.

I’m a fan of the variety of colorways that Mizuno is offering in the NeoZen, I think there’s something for everyone. I ran in the white-dazzling blue and thought it looked quite fresh and fun.

I can see myself wearing it on an easy run followed by errands or brunch and not feel like I was stuck in a platform running shoe. I like the look of the foam as well as the look of the bootie upper.

Mizuno added a silicone tag to the tongue design and I was quite indifferent about this addition. I didn’t think that it was notable to contribute to the style and I didn’t find a functional use.

Mizuno Neo Zen 2 Fit

I wore my normal size in the NeoZen2 and it fit how I expected. The toebox felt just right to me, I didn’t have extra material folding over when I pushed off the ground.

Similarly with the arch, heel, and midfoot, it hugged my foot feeling appropriately secure in each zone of my foot The shoe felt quite stable yet with exciting bounce, almost like a good mattress. You don’t want to feel yourself moving around a bunch but you also want some help getting up. 

I tied my laces as I normally do at first and then when I experienced the tightness in the upper I re-laced them and nothing changed.

For me, the very top of the upper design fits much too tight. I have a fairly slim foot/ankle so this issue took me by  surprise. The fit became uncomfortable after about a mile and in the future would keep me from using the shoe on a long run. Not likely a shoe to work for those with wider feet or a higher arch.

The tongue is all one piece, part of the BootieKnit upper technology so it won’t slide around on the foot. I did have to tug it up once I slid my foot in, just so everything was put in the right place.

The new extended heel design that pulls away from the upper heel almost like a pedal made it easy for me to slip the shoe on, and I found that it held my foot nicely.

Mizuno Neo Zen 2 Feel

As I mentioned above this shoe both fit great for me and didn’t suit the upper of my foot. This dichotomy continued on the run.

I quite enjoyed the sensation of running in the Neo Zen 2 but how my foot fit at the top of the upper was so distracting it altered my stride. For me the tight upper restricts my ankle mobility and was even slightly painful.

If you like a snug fit through the upper of a shoe, I can see the Neo Zen 2 being very appealing and it could work great for you.

I had no issues with the change in foam and materials used to make the shoe from what I know was in the first version. 

I would liken the general feel on the run to the Adidas Aidizero EVO SL, which I absolutely adore. The Mizuno Neo Zen was a bit more stable and reined-in than the Adidas, but felt quite similar on the run.

Similar Shoes to the Mizuno Neo Zen 2

We’ve tested a few lightweight daily trainers that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit. 

If you’re someone who really likes a stable shoe but also wants a taste of bounce the Mizuno Neo Zen 2 is a great shoe to add into your daily trainer rotation. It won’t give you everything you might want in a workout, however it does have a valuable place on the shelf as a fun, lace it and forget it daily trainer. I’d suggest trying it on because of the snug fit I experienced with the upper.

I will continue to reach for the Neo Zen 2 for recovery runs in hopes that my foot can break in the upper a bit more since I did really enjoy the feeling of running in the shoe.

Who Tried It?

I’m a freelance photographer based in the Twin Cities. I started running during the pandemic when the gyms closed and to try to keep up with my agility dog. I now use running to help my body stay fluid to function in daily life. As a person with fibromyalgia staying in motion is essential for my health, rather than a choice. In addition to running I enjoy lifting, spin classes and yin yoga. Find me on Instagram @katrinagaisford

What to Read Next?

• Best Lightweight Running Shoes – when you want to pick up the pace without a plate
• Checkout all of our cushioned running shoe reviews
• Hanson Marathon Method Reviewed

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