Mizuno Neo Vista Review

The first thing people notice with the Neo Vista is the upper. How can you not? The upper on the Neo Vista is designed to give you a snug, sock-like fit. Honestly, shoes with this kind of upper have never been my favorite—they tend to feel too tight or just not that comfortable, especially since my feet are on the wider side. 

The stretchy material does a great job of hugging your foot, offering solid lockdown, but it’s not very breathable. Running in the summer heat of the Mojave Desert, my feet did get warm during longer runs. Not so much that I wouldn’t wear the shoe, but it’s something to keep in mind.

The lacing system is a bit unique—it runs inside the shoe between the first and second eyelets, which can create some pressure points if the laces twist. Despite these quirks, the snug fit works well if you have narrow, low-volume feet. And about those laces—they’re really long. I almost considered trimming them because they were just everywhere. I really don't understand the long laces? 

The best shoe uppers are the ones you don’t notice on your feet, but the Neo Vista took a few runs to get to that point for me. At first, it was a struggle to even get them on, and I wasn’t sure they were going to fit. But after a few runs, they became easier to slip on, and I haven’t had issues since. That said, I still wish they had a more traditional upper. Long story short: they’ll probably fit, but you might need a few runs to break them in.

In running shoes, I usually wear between a size 10-11 wide. When it took me a few minutes to get the size 11 on, I thought size 11 wouldn't even fit me. Stay the course and try and get them on (whatever your size is) because they will likely fit. The upper just overcomplicates things. 

The star of the Mizuno Neo Vista is definitely the Enerzy NXT midsole. It’s super soft and squishy, perfect for easy and recovery runs. The foam compresses quite a bit, which gives you that cushioned feel, and there’s a flexible glass fiber plate that adds some propulsion, though it’s more about stability than speed. The midsole’s design, with Smooth Speed Assist, encourages a midfoot strike, which is a nice touch.

Where does the Mizuno Neo Vista fit in my rotation? It’s a high-cushioned, faster-feeling trainer. I can see racing in it too because it does feel so responsive. While I prefer something lighter for speed work, the Neo Vista has become a go-to for my longer, faster runs. I really like the ride—it’s my favorite Mizuno shoe right now.

The outsole of the Neo Vista is covered with a full-length layer of soft rubber, which adds durability and gives you a nice, cushioned landing. But the traction on wet surfaces is a bit lacking due to the flat, smooth rubber design. I’ve taken the Neo Vista on sandy trails and during rainy weather, and while it performs fine, I’d likely choose a different shoe for racing in wet conditions to avoid slipping around.

One thing to note: the central channel on the outsole is pretty deep and wide, which means it can pick up some pretty big rocks. If you start hearing a clinking noise and feel like your shoe is getting heavier, it’s probably just rocks stuck in there.

Overall, the Mizuno Neo Vista is a great option if you’re looking for a soft, cushioned ride. It’s definitely one of my top picks for 2024. The plush midsole and durable outsole make it a solid choice for medium to faster-paced easy and long runs. I do hope in a future version they update the upper. 

Who Should Buy the shoe?

• If you love a super soft, cushioned feel that you can sink into, this shoe is for you.
• If you want a plated shoe that isn’t too stiff, the Neo Vista could be a good fit.

Who Should Not Buy the shoe?

• If you’re looking for a versatile racing shoe, you might want something with a little less shoe.
• If you often run in wet or trail conditions, you might prefer something with better traction.