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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Weight
    2. Stack Heights
    3. External Shape
    4. Internal Shape
    5. Other Features
  5. Performance
    1. Heel Energy Return
    2. Forefoot Energy Return
    3. Heel Cushioning
    4. Forefoot Cushioning
    5. Heel Firmness
    6. Forefoot Firmness
  6. Comments

Mizuno Neo Vista vs Mizuno Neo Zen

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Mizuno Neo Vista
Mizuno Neo Zen

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 25, 2025 06:53 PM

Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 25, 2025 03:35 PM

Unavailable
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Mizuno Neo Vista Picture
Mizuno Neo Zen Picture
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. For Men

Variants

  • Neo Vista (Estate Blue/River Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Vista (Nimbus Cloud/Vintage Indigo - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Vista (Plein Air/River Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • 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))

Our Verdict

Mizuno Neo Vista

Mizuno Neo Zen

The Mizuno Neo Vista and the Mizuno Neo Zen may look similar at first glance, but they deliver very different experiences underfoot. The Neo Vista includes Mizuno's signature Wave Plate, which adds some structure but ultimately makes the ride feel sluggish and out of place for a shoe trying to act like a super trainer. Its large midsole cutout also gives it a somewhat suction cup-like feel. In contrast, the Neo Zen removes the plate entirely, allowing the soft foam to move more freely and deliver a significantly more cushioned and natural ride. It's also notably lighter, which helps it feel more nimble and efficient on foot. While both are well-suited for easy or recovery runs, the Neo Zen improves on nearly every aspect, making it a smoother and more refined option for daily mileage.

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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

6.4
6.8

Plate 
 

Plastic
None

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

4.5
6.9

Weight  

5.9
7.3

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.0
7.4

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.9
7.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Mizuno Neo Vista Right Shoe Weight Photo
Mizuno Neo Zen Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Mizuno Neo Vista Left Shoe Weight Photo
Mizuno Neo Zen Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

260.8 g (9.20 oz)
226.3 g (7.98 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Mizuno Neo Vista Stack Height Photo
Mizuno Neo Zen Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

42.7 mm
41.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.8 mm
36.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.9 mm
4.9 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Mizuno Neo Vista 3D Model Full Shoe
Mizuno Neo Zen 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
92 mm (3.6")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

83 mm (3.3")
79 mm (3.1")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
111 mm (4.4")

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Mizuno Neo Vista 3D Model Internal
Mizuno Neo Zen 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

275 mm (10.8")
275 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

67 mm (2.6")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

98 mm (3.9")
93 mm (3.7")

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Mizuno Neo Vista Other Features Photo
Mizuno Neo Zen Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Plastic
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.0
7.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

76.5%
82.4%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

4.5
6.9

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

76.0%
80.5%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.9
9.0

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Mizuno Neo Vista Heel Cushioning Picture
Mizuno Neo Zen Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

1.52 J
1.58 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

4.52 J
4.61 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

7.86 J
7.57 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.5
8.7

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Mizuno Neo Vista Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

1.17 J
1.39 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

3.46 J
3.67 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

6.08 J
5.94 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

4.2
4.4

Heel Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

27.9 N/mm
26.9 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

44.7 N/mm
44.6 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

67.7 N/mm
75.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

6.8
6.7

Forefoot Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

36.5 N/mm
30.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

58.4 N/mm
59.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

86.3 N/mm
98.9 N/mm
Show Text 

Mizuno Neo Vista

Mizuno Neo Zen

Comments

  1. Comparison

Mizuno Neo Vista vs Mizuno Neo Zen: Main Discussion

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