Mizuno Neo Vista 2 Multi Tester Review: 6 Comparisons

Article by Ryan Eiler and Sam Winebaum

Mizuno Neo Vista 2 ($200)

Introduction

Ryan: The Mizuno Neo Vista carved out a reasonably distinctive area for itself with its preliminary model. This wasn’t an entire shock, given Mizuno’s current penchant for exploring authentic and typically unconventional designs. I’d describe model one as an ultra-cushioned, tremendous gentle, maximally stacked coach, primarily constructed for devouring excessive mileage and pampering your legs on restoration runs. What really set it aside was its distinctive use of a completely knit higher, foregoing a standard tongue. Whereas these traits meant the shoe did not boast a ton of versatility, I did recognize its particular use case and gave Mizuno kudos for including such a novel device to its lineup.

Model two, the Neo Vista 2, continues this lineage, aiming to ship on the identical general traits however with some minor tweaks to the higher and midsole. Let’s examine how these refinements play out.

Professionals:

One of the enjoyable to run sneakers: bouncy gentle but propulsive and “secure sufficient”: Sam/ Ryan

Higher is now worthy of the “wild” journey Considerably improved maintain: non stretch knit, stabilizing panels: Sam

Commendably mild at  9.5 oz / 269g S9 for the 45/37 stack peak: Sam

Handles informal, excessive mileage runs comfortably; max affect safety: Ryan

Midsole dynamics are a pleasant mix of bounce & damping: RyanSustainability: 70% by weight recycled supplies.

Cons:

A bit too gentle? Want for a bit extra and faster response and fewer gentle bounce: Sam

Lack of versatility on account of low responsiveness: Ryan

Runs bigger than v1, making higher really feel too saggy: Ryan

Higher can scrunch alongside bridge on account of tongue-less design: Ryan

Most comparable sneakers (together with your title subsequent to every)

Hoka Skyward X (RTR Evaluation)

ASICS Magic Pace 4 (RTR Evaluation)

Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (RTR Video Evaluation)

Hoka Mach X 2 (RTR Evaluation)

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s  9.5 oz / 269g US9 

Pattern Weights: 

     males’s  9.24 oz / 262g US 8.5 (v1 8.96 oz / 255g US 8.5)

Stack Peak:  45 mm heel /  37 mm forefoot 

Platform Width:  

V2: 90mm heel /  85mm midfoot  / 115mm forefoot US8.5

V1: 90mm heel /  85mm midfoot  / 115mm forefoot US8.5

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Sam: The Neo Vista 1 was an excellent enjoyable shock from historically “conservative” Mizuno becoming a member of the but wilder Wave Revolt Professional and extra not too long ago Neo Zen . All are robust statements that Mizuno, whereas persevering with their in style stalwarts such because the Wave Rider, is boldly difficult with radical and enjoyable to run trainers and racers. 

The Neo Vista 1 (RTR Evaluation) was considered one of RTR favourite quick trainers of 2024. Most of us felt the stretch knit higher didn’t fairly sustain with the gentle and extremely energetic platform.

Downside principally solved for v2 as Mizuno whereas persevering with with a knit higher of just about equivalent design makes the knit very near non stretch, and so far as I can inform equivalent to the Neo Zen’s higher (RTR Evaluation), all of a chunk not notably gentle and sock like as the unique Vista’s wasl however now extra supportive entrance to again if not as foot conforming in match. 

Moreover, whereas the rear of the Neo Vista 1 was basically sock-like with solely a touch of a heel counter, we now have triangular rubbery panels (blue above) on each side of the ankle which give extra construction and help. 

It’s nonetheless a extra sock-like rear of the higher however general we’ve got extra help there than earlier than.

The match is true to measurement for my medium to slender ft however I want for a bit extra compression or foot wrapping match to the fairly stiff knit .

Ryan: Out of the field, the Neo Vista 2 maintains the plush and alluring really feel of its predecessor. Nevertheless, a couple of modifications to the higher are instantly noticeable. The higher materials itself has clearly gotten thicker this time round. As Sam mentions, the stretch issue of V1 is essentially gone.

Curiously, the structural entrance overlays have been moved from the lateral aspect in model one to the medial aspect of the shoe on this iteration. I’m not solely certain of the reasoning behind this shift, as I really feel that they’re way more helpful laterally. 

I agree with Sam that the externals overlays on both aspect of the heel add a welcome quantity of construction that wasn’t out there on V1. Whereas there are some extra distinguished perforations for air flow on the lateral aspect of the shoe, which is a really welcome addition, breathability nonetheless isn’t as nice as you get from a typical mesh-type higher.

My largest hurdle with this model two, and this can be a vital one, relates to suit – particularly, it feels to me like model two matches noticeably bigger than the unique. I had some issues with an excessive amount of quantity within the entrance portion of the shoe, which I didn’t expertise in V1. Although this can be a shoe meant to be run at informal speeds, it nonetheless felt prefer it lacked some lockdown and consequently match too loosely for my liking. In the event you really feel the necessity to cinch down the laces in an try to attain a better diploma of lockdown, the portion of the fabric over the arch, the place a standard tongue would often be, begins to bunch up. Though this isn’t a catastrophic concern, as the fabric is gentle and the bunching isn’t aggressively noticeable, it’s nonetheless a suboptimal expertise.

That vital match concern apart, the knit higher remains to be extraordinarily comfy. If you may get the sizing proper, it’s robust sufficient to carry the foot in place for its supposed objective. The shoe slides on similar to a slipper and feels utterly seamless for so long as your legs will maintain. 

Breathability, as you may count on from a thicker knit, does endure a bit, however once more, this isn’t a shoe designed for high-output, sweaty efforts, so it’s probably a non-issue for many. I’ve heard rumors that the manufacturing pairs can be extra true to measurement than the testing pairs that had been despatched out, however I can’t definitively affirm this.

Whereas the shoe undoubtedly isn’t mild, I used to be nonetheless impressed that it is available in <10 oz, given the huge loaf of froth on foot. Sizing runs about ½ measurement giant, and is on the high-volume aspect of issues.

Midsole & Platform

 

Sam: The midsole is all about “power” and a enjoyable journey and its major foam parts, 2 kinds of Enerzy Foam are for certain aptly named as is the “Pace Easy Help” geometry. 

The fiberglass nylon snappy but versatile sufficient Mizuno Wave plate sandwiches the  2 kinds of foam offering each propulsion and a few stability to the gentle platform however on no account is the Neo Vista a stability or help sort shoe.

The three layer development (gentle supercritical foam underfoot which is deeper on the forefoot, plate, firmer stabilizing foam on the highway thicker on the heel) with a plate between is just like what we see in lots of 2025 tremendous trainers corresponding to the tremendous max stack peak of  45 mm heel /  37 mm forefoot right here.

Underfoot we now have a really gentle and reactively bouncy Enerzy NXT nitrogen supercritical TPU mix which for v2 is thicker within the stack than v1’s very gentle EVA mix foam  This can be the softest and  bounciest such foam of any 2025 shoe, besides Saucony’s Incrediun. It’s softer and extra reactive to urgent, and on the run than v1’s prime layer.   This prime layer is relatively deeper on the heel than many for instance the Hoka Mach X 2 and the ASICS Magic Pace 4 the place deeper decrease layers of stabilizing EVA are discovered.

The decrease EVA mix Enerzy Foam is now 5mm thinner on the forefoot. Together with the now thicker and softer prime foam, the forefoot is extra cushioned in really feel than earlier than. 

I feel the platform requires properly aligned type and a extra ahead strike sample. That mentioned the “Pace Smootjh Help” geometry doesn’t preclude slower paces because it initiates a pleasant transition off the heel at any tempo with no large bottoming out sensation regardless of the rear softness.

The fiberglass nylon Mizuno Wave plate could be very properly built-in. Some earlier Mizuno plates, such because the onein the Wave Revolt, had been very springy and prescriptive just about precluding any tempo apart from quick even when much less inflexible than most carbon plates.  Right here we’ve got a pleasant lengthy and extra mellow springy flex with the flex sample a bit of simpler, longer and fewer stiff than v1’s. 

Ryan: As in model one, the Mizuno Wave plate, constructed from nylon/fiberglass, is tasked with stabilizing this huge stack of soppy foam, which is unchanged in peak from V1. Don’t come right here anticipating the explosive punch of one thing like Nike’s ZoomX. I don’t assume that was the design aim right here, however that’s not essentially a foul factor. 

The Neo Vista 2 nonetheless offers boatloads of pleasing bounce, but it surely does so in a barely extra muted and managed style. This midsole, greater than some other I’ve run in not too long ago, seems like you’ll be able to effectively knock down tremendous excessive mileage on asphalt all day lengthy with out being worn out by a hyperactive persona or, conversely, a very uninteresting and unresponsive journey.

The shoe’s medial geometry tends to be pretty rockered, which promotes the usage of a midfoot sort of strike; nevertheless, the midsole feels gentle and deep sufficient that I feel virtually any sort of footstrike can be dealt with properly by this one. 

Compression is extraordinarily easy, gentle, and deep. The transition from touchdown to toe-off is solely seamless, and the toe-off itself is equally mellow and informal. The interior plate, as I see it, serves to stabilize the appreciable quantity of soppy foam greater than it does to offer the form of explosive power return a carbon plate would intention for in a racing shoe.

And whereas the Neo Vista actually isn’t within the ‘stability’ class, it was surprisingly secure given the geometry. The midsole retains the huge channel working from heel to toe, exposing the plate, which undoubtedly contributes to the shoe’s general softness and sense of perimeter stability.

It can come as no shock that responsiveness is on the decrease finish of the spectrum right here, given the inherent softness of the midsole foam and the sheer depth of cushion. You actually can’t rush the transition on this one; trying to take action makes issues begin to really feel fairly sloppy and uncontrolled underfoot.

Lastly, Mizuno additionally deserves a little bit of reward for its continued dedication to sustainability, with the Neo Vista 2 being created from 70% by weight recycled supplies.

Outsole

Ryan: There aren’t any drastic modifications to the outsole of the Neo Vista 2, and it really works in a really related style to its predecessor. The minor variations I noticed embrace barely thicker and extra textured rubber, and maybe a contact extra floor space. Given these minimal modifications, I might count on put on to be about the identical as model one.

All through my testing, I didn’t have any points with grip, nor did I expertise any grinding or untimely put on, regardless of the shoe’s enormous stack peak. The perimeter of rubber underfoot isn’t too thick or overbearing sufficient to have an effect on the journey in any manner, particularly due to how the midsole dominates the journey. 

I really feel like this outsole is solely applicable for the shoe’s intentions of offering an excellent excessive mileage, comfy coach.

Sam: As Ryan has described, the outsole follows the identical common full perimeter protection with an enormous central cavity as v1. I do word two modifications as proven beneath.

As a substitute of longitudinal grooves the outsole now has a lugged profile which ought to enhance grip on moist surfaces. 

We now even have a “bar of froth connecting the 2 sides at midfoot which seems to assist with stability by maintaining the perimeters from splaying out as a lot at midfoot. 

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Ryan: The journey of the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 stays true to its core id: a supremely cushioned and cozy expertise designed for consuming up miles. The tweaks to the higher, notably its elevated thickness and the shift in overlay placement, are noticeable. The sizing of my check pair was probably the most vital issue, resulting in a looser match than ideally suited and a few bunching when attempting to attain higher lockdown. If the manufacturing sizing is certainly extra true-to-form, this might alleviate my major concern.

The midsole continues to be the star, providing a gentle, deep, and protecting journey that’s well-stabilized by the Wave plate and the extensive, centrally-channeled geometry. It’s not a shoe for quick days or exercises the place fast turnover and responsiveness are key; as an alternative, it excels at restoration paces and lengthy, slower efforts the place consolation and affect absorption are paramount. The rockered profile and seamless transition make for an easy-going expertise, mile after mile.

In the event you had been a fan of the unique Neo Vista and appreciated its distinctive, ultra-cushioned method for top mileage and restoration, model two provides extra of the identical with refined refinements. 

Nevertheless, potential patrons needs to be conscious of the sizing, and maybe attempt them on if potential,.

For these searching for a luxurious, protecting, and distinctively totally different high-mileage coach, the Neo Vista 2 is actually value contemplating, offered the match works for you. It stays a specialised device, however one which does its job of offering a gentle and forgiving platform very properly.

Ryan’s Rating: 8.8/10 (Deductions for saggy match, restricted versatility from gentle, huge stack)Smiles Rating: 😊😊😊😊 1/2

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Sam: I agree with Ryan that the Neo Vista 2 is supremely cushioned and cozy. It’s tremendous enjoyable to run and but extra enjoyable than v1 as the brand new prime layer of supercritical foam is softer and extra energetic than the prior “particular” EVA, which was fairly darn good.

I seen extra forefoot cushion really feel in an A/B check with the two variations, considered one of every foot ,and a bit extra rebound off the heel as properly. The fiberglass/nylon plate performs extraordinarily properly with the two foams. It offers some propulsion and stabilizing what’s a really gentle prime layer of froth with the decrease firmer but nonetheless on the gentle aspect EVA not overwhelming the goodness above because it does for instance within the Endorphin Coach and Hoka Mach X 2 for me with their thicker firmer decrease layers.

The brand new higher is safer with the heel space higher stabilized by the extra substantial (and never notably breathable) non-stretch knit. However, given it’s non stretch, and as Ryan says abov,e the match might rely upon the quantity of your foot. This higher will favor larger quantity ft over decrease quantity ones notably in case you intend to “pace” in them. At my extra pedestrian paces than Ryan, I had no points with my medium to decrease quantity ft with a safer match than v1 if not as fairly a cushty one.

Ryan talks about excessive mileage and restoration runs because the candy spot for him. For me the best makes use of are totally different with the candy spot mid distance (5-7 miles)  and mid tempo ( 8:50- 9:25 min mile) every day miles. For slower tempo restoration runs, I discovered them a bit too gentle on the heel and for longer runs they don’t have fairly sufficient stability and higher help for me. It’s not an excellent coach I might suggest for individuals who want greater than a small quantity of pronation management. The upcoming Hyperion Max 3 or Skyward X are higher decisions for these wants.

Mizuno’s tremendous coach is a properly polished and distinctive possibility on this rising class. It’s quick, enjoyable and playful. Its weight is aggressive at about 9.5 oz / 269 g US 9 for its big 45/37 stack peak. Even at a stack peak the place rivals get ponderous and stiff with exaggerated rockers, it’s each considerably versatile and springy to go together with all its enjoyable bounce. At $200 it’s large smiles however a so so worth as its softness and enjoyable bounce limits its versatility considerably for me.

Sam’s Rating: 9.0 /10

Deductions for overly gentle and bouncy midsole that considerably limits its response pace, stability and thus versatility, and for wishing it had a non knit considerably extra foot conforming and fewer dense higher.

😊😊😊😊1/2

6 Comparisons

Mizuno Neo Vista 1  (RTR Evaluation)

Ryan: The most important change as in comparison with model 1 is the thicker, much less stretchy knit and the general burlier design of the higher. This materials is extra able to foot containment than that of its predecessor, nevertheless the sizing/quantity appears to have elevated, leading to some fit-related issues. 

The character of the midsole is simply as deep and rocker-like as V1, and it retains its capability to offer infinite miles of extremely protecting consolation. The midsole maintains its deep, lengthwise channel, enhancing stability across the shoe’s perimeter by directing forces outward.

The outsole of V2 is essentially unchanged, with the perimeter of rubber performing properly with out impeding the journey.

In the event you had been a fan of V1, that is extra of the identical informal, pleasant bounce and safety. Simply be sure to get the sizing proper, because the conduct of the higher has been altered by the thicker materials, and V2 appears to run lengthy.

Mizuno Neo Zen (RTR Evaluation)

Sam: Identical energetic Enerzy Nxt supercritical TP foam because the Vista on a decrease 39.5 mm heel /  33.5 mm forefoot stack peak, with no plate and no deep cavity. Extra  than 1 oz lighter at 8.1 oz / 230g US 8.5 and $50 cheaper, the Zen is equally as bouncy and enjoyable in a extra sensible bundle. They’ve related non stretch knit uppers with the Zen’s considerably extra ventilated and decrease quantity. For me each are “enjoyable” sneakers for average mileage and center of the vary paces with the Neo Zen a transparent choose for me for its weight and worth.

Hoka Skyward X (RTR Evaluation)

Ryan: The Mizuno is certainly the extra comfy, informal of those two, though they each appear to intention on the identical aim — of offering most affect safety for very excessive mileage, with out a lot regard for weight. The Skyward X is a way more strong, severe coach than the Mizuno. It isn’t as gentle and playful, its plate is extra inflexible, its higher offers stronger lockdown, and its journey is extra responsive. Due to the extra informal construct of the Mizuno, particularly its higher, it feels lighter and extra nice on foot.

Select the Mizuno if you would like probably the most informal, comfy, bouncy expertise potential in your restoration runs. Select the Hoka for extra stability, and a extra propulsive, severe really feel. Neither of those sneakers excel at turnover as they’re on the heavy finish of the spectrum, however they each ship tons of affect safety and sturdiness.

The Mizuno runs about ½ measurement longer.

Sam: Agreeing 100% with Ryan that the Hoka is extra severe, extra secure, extra sensible (any tempo from restoration to lengthy quicker tempos)  and virtually as a lot enjoyable with its weight of about1.2 oz extra and felt in evaluating the 2 and a destructive. 

Hyperion Max 3 (RTR Video Evaluation)

Sam: Brooks upcoming Max 3 is 0.7 oz heavier and sits on a but larger 46/40 stack peak. If the Skyward X is extra severe than the Mizuno, the Max 3 is actual severe. Its twin supercritical foams midsole with plastic plate is firmer and extra responsive with much less bounce however deeply cushioned and but extra so than the Vista, it has a inflexible rocker profile and a really safe true to measurement higher with a really strong heel counter (in contrast to the Vista) probably contributing to its larger weight. 

Not likely a enjoyable and bouncy tremendous coach because the Vista is, the Max is tremendous secure, very protectively cushioned and a better option for lengthy arduous tempos. 

ASICS Magic Pace 4 (RTR Evaluation)

Sam: My 2024 shoe of the yr, the Magic is sort of 2 oz  lighter is my US8.5 at 8.1 oz /230g on any solely barely decrease 45/37 stack peak. It has a carbon (vs plastic) plate and an analogous mixture of higher supercritical FF Turbo foam and decrease EVA mix with each foams firmer, extra responsive and fewer bouncy enjoyable than the Vista’s arrange. It shares a central cavity with the Vista. Sitting on a narrower platform permits the burden discount with its firmer foam extra secure and its higher safer and smoother becoming and more true to measurement for my slender to medium foot.

As with a number of within the comparisons, it’s for certain not as a lot enjoyable because the Vista however is a extra versatile shoe with a wider vary of paces, together with racing, potential. At $170 it’s a higher worth as an throughout tremendous coach than the Vista or some other right here. 

Hoka Mach X 2 (RTR Evaluation)

Sam: Sitting at about the identical heel however with a decrease 5mm drop to the Mizuno’s 8mm, the Mach is significantly lighter at 8.24 oz / 234g. It has a inflexible plastic plate and an analogous twin foam midsole (PEBA prime layer, EVA beneath. It has a better proportion of agency EVA and general is stiffer, firmer and extra responsive. Not that a lot “enjoyable” in comparison with the Mizuno however dependable and priced equally at $190. 

Comes all the way down to what you might be on the lookout for with within the “severe” tremendous coach class. I choose the Skyward X, Hyperion Max 3 and particularly Magic Pace 4 earlier than the Mach X.

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Tester Profiles

Ryan Eller A hopeless soccer profession led Ryan to take up working, and after taking a decade-long break from competing, he’s again racking up mileage each time he can.  He calls the 2018 Boston Marathon the toughest race of his life, the place he completed in 2:40, barely remembering his title on the end line.  Ryan extra not too long ago has a PR of two:13:36 on the 2024 NYC Marathon and ran 2:14:23 on the 2024 Boston Marathon, ending 3d American and fifteenth general.