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Mizuno Neo Zen Womens Road Running Shoes
| Standard fit | Wide fit | Extra wide fit |
Following on from the success of the Neo Vista, Mizuno have brought us the Neo Zen.Sharing many qualities with the Vista, it comes with a nitrogen infused...
Road shoes
These shoes are best suited for running on roads and treadmills.
Drop
6mm
Weight
200gSharing many qualities with the Vista, it comes with a nitrogen infused Enerzy Nxt midsole for a light, soft, responsive feel and Smooth Speed Assist to aid ideal transitions from the start of your run to the finish.
An all-in-one knitted sock upper provides comfort and the ability to stretch in all directions while the newly added reinforced heel cap gives increased stability to the shoe.
The Neo Zen is built for versatility, from daily to long runs and everything in between. Heel to toe coverage of the outsole with X-10 Carbon Rubber provides durability, grip and support.
- Nitrogen infused Enerzy Nxt midsole
- Smooth Speed Assist
- Reinforced heel cap for stability
- X-10 Carbon Rubber Outsole
- Versatile Daily Trainer
This review is based on an experience with the Mizuno Neo Zen Mens Running Shoes
Mizuno are one of those brands that seem to have an old-fashioned, staid image but I’m sure that is going to change after trying the Neo Zen. Their recent new shoes like Neo Vista and Rebellion Pro 3 have started to skew this perception toward innovators in the competitive running shoe market and the Neo Zen only accentuates this.
I wore these first around work and later to walk the dog to ‘break’ them in. The first thing that is noticeable when put them on is the plush cushioning. They certainly have a ‘wow’ factor when you step into them, they are so comfy. After a few hours of walking wear, I was still very impressed by the comfort, cushioning and bounce they gave you. I did become slightly worried that the cushioning is so soft that there may be some structure & stability issues when running – were they too soft?
I needn’t have worried – my first 5 mile (8Km) interval run but a big smile on my face. The Neo Zen is just plain fun – the bounce was still evident on my warm up and the shoe just wanted to go faster. After 10 minutes, I found I had run approx. 60 seconds per mile (around 40 secs per km) faster than I intended even though I was consciously slowing down. They feel great at slower speeds and also when you pick the pace up. All the time, the super soft, comfy stack of nitrogen-infused cushioning is evident and enjoyable. You can feel the shoe pushing you forward onto your toes. I enjoyed them so much, that after my planned 5 mile interval run, I decided to stay out for another 5 miles at base/moderate-slow pace to enjoy the ‘Zen’ feeling.
At the slower pace, you can feel the cushioning at mid/heel more evidently. This is a great all-rounder and would be great for slower, base speeds (even walking I would suggest) and it can handle tempo and faster runs. If you’re a super-speedy runner, maybe a plated shoe might be a better option for prolonged runs to maximise your pace (Hyperion range from Brooks, Neo Vista or Rebellion Pro 3 from Mizuno or Saucony Endorphin Speed for example) but for everyone else this is a great shoe that can do-it-all. Due to the ‘booty’ sock like styling, I would advise a higher crew sock to stop any potential rubbing on the Achilles/ankle area (I didn’t experience any) and the upper seems very breathable and fits well. I’ll be reaching for these first amongst my shoe rotation and they are already a favourite and I can’t remember a shoe I have enjoyed more (or surprised me more on first try)!
- Chris