Stephen's Mizuno Neo Zen 2 Initial Review: Notable Improvements or Overcorrections? 4 Comparisons

Mizuno Neo Zen 2 ($160)

Introduction

Stephen: I put 75 miles on the Mizuno Neo Zen 1 (RTR Assessment), tremendously having fun with its very springy trip and comparatively gentle weight for its huge stack. It offered me with two drawbacks, nevertheless: the looseness of the higher, even once I’d sized down, contributed to substantial instability, and the softness of the froth led to some plantar fascia ache, because the shoe’s efficient drop feels nearer to 2mm (the listed drop was 6mm). These downsides led me to desert the shoe fairly early in its life. 

Once I heard the NZ2 would function modifications in precisely these areas, I bought excited. Has the shoe improved? Positively. Will everybody be completely satisfied now? Nicely…

Execs:

Rather more secure from prime to backside –StephenHigher holds the complete foot correctly and fairly snugly now –StephenNew midsole retains a number of the springiness of the unique –StephenWider number of use circumstances –Stephen

Cons:

Weight acquire (extra half an oz. in bigger sizes) –StephenNot as “wild and woolly” as the unique –Stephen

Stats

Approx.Weight: males’s 8.5oz US9

Pattern Weights: males’s 10.0 oz / 283g US 12

Stack Top:  48mm heel /  42mm forefoot, 6mm drop 

Platform Width: 

v2 100 mm heel /  90 mm midfoot  / 120 mm forefoot  US M12

v1 Platform Width: 90 mm heel / 80 mm midfoot / 110 mm forefoot US M8.5

Most comparable footwear

adidas adizero SL2 –Stephen

ASICS Novablast 4 –Stephen

Saucony Azura –Stephen

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Stephen: I needed to measurement right down to 11.5 within the NZ1, and even then the higher didn’t conform to my slightly common ft very effectively; I usually perceived some sloppiness (or possibly some spatial sloshiness) whereas operating in them. 

Excellent news: the NZ2 in my regular US males’s 12 suits completely when it comes to each size and width. I usually fill a “D” width shoe, and with thicker socks, the NZ2 conforms like a racing match, because of the sock-style higher. 

The match and lockdown really feel exponentially safer than the NZ1, maybe because of the extra padding across the heel collar. The partially asymmetrical lacing construction additionally helps present a really safe match.

Midsole & Platform

Stephen: The NZ1 featured supercritical TPU in its midsole, the components of which has been modified within the NZ2 to a supercritical EVA (although Mizuno manufacturers each as “Enerzy NXT”). 

One perceives the change upon step-in as a firmer although nonetheless springy step and thru the miles as a much less bouncy however extra secure and supportive foam from again to entrance. One’s heels do sink beneath the midsole line a couple of millimeters, which helps in cradling the again of the foot.

Underfoot, this model of Enerzy NXT jogs my memory of the nitrogen-infused bounciness I tremendously loved within the Skechers Razor line circa 2019 (simply much more of it right here) in addition to some more moderen Brooks choices just like the Hyperion 2. Mizuno, nevertheless, has discovered a method to supply the resilience of these foams with a tad extra flexibility, and with added springiness.

The soundness of the heel within the NZ2–laterally, sure, however specifically vertically–retains the listed drop of 6mm feeling as such or shut thereto. To wit, I skilled no achilles or plantar fascia ache operating within the NZ2 as I did within the NZ1 (won’t be a problem when you frequently run in decrease drop footwear).

Outsole

Stephen: Mizuno has barely separated a number of the outsole protection for the NZ2 whereas nonetheless offering satisfactory traction for every day mileage. The middle cut-out from the NZ1 has principally been crammed in for stability. Mizuno’s X10 rubber performs very effectively on pavement, asphalt, and the treadmill, although I’ve but to strive it in moist circumstances.

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Stephen: If the NZ1 functioned greatest as a light-weight, uptempo coach with the soul of a bronco simply ready to throw you off, the NZ2 has change into a enjoyable but dependable every day coach with the bonafides of a thoroughbred that typically behaves based on its established lineage. Supercritical EVA might not shine as brightly as A-TPU, however Mizuno’s model gives extra springiness than most; certainly, I would name the NZ2 the Mach 6 I hoped for previous 100 miles however by no means bought.

My solely advice takes the type of a want, or maybe a dream: would possibly Mizuno discover a method to take the heightened enjoyable issue of the lighter authentic and marry it to the extra secure reliability of v2, with out the value level of a Hyperwarp mannequin?

Stephen’s rating: 9.2 / 10  

(a dependable every day coach with some springiness, however a bit heavy in my measurement and never fairly as enjoyable as the unique)

Smile rating: 😊😊😊😊 (4 out of 5)

4 Comparisons

Neo Zen 1 (RTR Assessment)

In contrast all through

adidas adizero SL2 (RTR Assessment)

Stephen: I put on US 12 in each. The SL2 continues to be among the best values in trainers, with its bouncy midsole, terrific value level (particularly on sale), and incredible longevity (I’ve put 457 miles on two pairs, one in all which continues to be going). With the SL2 weighing about the identical in my measurement because the NZ2, I get pleasure from each footwear for restoration and every day runs. The massive distinction is the drop: the SL2 sports activities a 10mm drop (vs 6mm for the Zen) and feels prefer it because of the stiffer heel; the NZ2 goes right down to 6mm and will really feel barely decrease due to the upper compression of its foam.

adidas adizero EVO SL (RTR Assessment)

Stephen: I put on US 12 in each. Each time I end a run within the EVO SL (the unique, not one of many many subsequent variants), I’m smiling: the shoe jogs my memory of every part I loved within the Adios Professional 2 and Adios Professional 3, simply tuned for on a regular basis use (and naturally sans rods). With the EVO SL, I expertise the bounciness by way of the complete midsole; I hardly ever overlook there’s a thick slab of energetic Lightstrike Professional beneath me. With the NZ2, I sense the sides of the shoe first–nearly like guiderails–and the remainder of the midsole fills in easily as obligatory. These two very completely different sensations lead me to decide on the EVO SL as a light-weight, uptempo coach, and the NZ2 as an easygoing every day or restoration shoe.

ASICS Novablast 4 (RTR Assessment)

Stephen: I put on US 12 in each. I put 98 miles on the Novablast 4, which weigh half an oz. extra in my measurement than the NZ2, and stopped there as a result of, having skipped the Novablast 3, I discovered the fourth model fairly muted, stiff, and boring in comparison with the Novablast 2 (on which I put 266 miles). Nonetheless, the Novablast 4 will be had at half-price as of late, however for my cash the NZ2 gives extra springiness and a greater becoming higher.

Hoka Mach 6 (RTR Assessment)

Stephen: I put on US 12 in each. I put 165 miles on a pair of Mach 6 solely as a result of I stored hoping the midsoles would resuscitate after their stunning deflation across the 100-mile mark. These first hundred miles made for partaking every day runs, particularly for the reason that Mach 6 is sort of an oz. lighter than the NZ2 in my measurement, and far decrease to the bottom. The NZ2’s higher doesn’t scrunch the forefoot, nevertheless, because the Mach 6 does for a lot of (who discover the higher slender), and the depth of cushion within the NZ2 makes it extra helpful for restoration. If the NZ2’s midsole continues to ship the products previous 100 miles, I might select it even over an on-sale Mach 6.

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE

Tester Profile

Stephen Mirarchi holds a Ph.D. in English and American Literature from Brandeis College and at present teaches within the graduate program of Classical Training at Benedictine School in Atchison, Kansas. He has revealed many scholarly articles and 6 crucial version books, together with the annotated Mr. Blue by Myles Connolly. Virtually all of his operating PRs have been set after turning 50, together with a 2:54 marathon at Des Moines in 2024.

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