The Mizuno Neo Zen is one of the most fun running shoes we've ever tested. It has a soft and bouncy ride while remaining cushioned and protective. It's at home for everyday miles, capable of picking up the pace and also has the requisite comfort for recovery efforts. Versatile and fun, it's hard to believe Mizuno priced this at $150—compare that to shoes with a similar purpose like the $200 New Balance Balos, Asics Superblast 2 and Brooks Glycerin Max. We'd take this over those three any day of the week. For runners who don't like a soft feel, we recommend the Novablast 5 for fun everday miles and the Puma MagMax for cushioned bounce.
Category
Daily trainer
Release Date
January 2025
Plated?
No
Type of Plate
None
Foam
Enerzy NXT
Foam Compound
Supercritical TPU
Ride
Soft, Bouncy, Cushioned
Heel Stack (mm)
46.0
Forefoot Stack (mm)
40.0
Drop (mm)
6
Weight (mens size 9)
8.3
Support
Neutral
Fit
Roomy
Alternatives
Here are some other options to consider. To find the best shoe for you, take the quiz linked below for personalized matches
Daily trainer
Asics Novablast 5
Everyday running shoe designed for comfort and fun. Best daily trainer of 2025
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