Mizuno Neo Vista 2 Review: Softer, Bouncier, More Versatile
The Mizuno Neo Vista 2 marks Mizuno’s confident return to the super trainer scene, building smartly on what made the original Neo Vista such an exciting departure from the brand’s traditionally conservative designs. For a company best known for its structured and stable models, the Neo Vista line has opened a fresh chapter — one focused on bounce, energy, and long-run comfort — and the second version carries that forward with thoughtful updates.
Let’s break down what’s new, what’s better, and where things might feel different.
Key specifications:
Brand: Mizuno
Model: Neo Vista 2
Weight: 9.4 oz. (269 g) for US 9 model
Stack Height: 44.5 mm heel / 36.5 mm forefoot
Heel drop: 8 mm
Carbon plate: Fibreglass plate
Price of Mizuno Neo Vista 2
Price: $190 USD ($230 CAD)
Release date: June 1, 2025
Mizuno Neo Vista 1 vs Vista 2: What’s changed?
While the Neo Vista 2 might look nearly identical to the original at first glance, there are meaningful changes across nearly every part of the shoe—some subtle, others significant. Here’s how the two models stack up against each other:
1. Upper Design & Fit
The original Neo Vista featured a snug, one-piece upper that wrapped the foot like a second skin—soft, stretchy, and form-fitting. It was a dream for those who love a glove-like fit, but it also ran narrow and lacked breathability, which didn’t suit everyone.
Neo Vista 2 moves in a different direction. The upper is more relaxed and generous, especially in the toe box, offering a roomier fit and improved airflow. While the stretchiness and close-to-foot feel are slightly dialed back, the new design addresses complaints about tightness in version 1. The added structure particularly the shark-fin heel overlay, also improves rearfoot stability. Some users might find a bit of material scrunching around the laces, but overall, the updated upper feels more accessible to a wider range of runners.
2. Midsole Foam Composition
This is where the biggest change happens. Neo Vista 1 used a single layer of Mizuno Enerzy foam—soft, plush, and buttery smooth, perfect for soaking up long kilometres.
Vista 2 upgrades to a dual-layer setup:
- Bottom layer: Same Mizuno Enerzy foam from Neo Vista 1.
- Top layer: A livelier, more responsive nitrogen-infused foam borrowed from the Neo Zen.
This new combination introduces bounce and energy return into the mix, making the Neo Vista 2 more versatile. While still cushioned and long-run friendly, it now feels capable of pushing the pace—something the original struggled with.
Upper
Visually, the Neo Vista 2 keeps the oversized silhouette and knit upper of its predecessor, though it now features a distinctive “shark fin” overlay on the heel, adding both visual flair and some welcome rearfoot structure. While I wasn’t sure about this design at first, it’s grown on me — and I’m excited to see the broader range of colourways Mizuno plans to roll out, signaling that this line is here to stay.
In terms of fit, things have shifted. The original Neo Vista had a snug, glove-like upper that I personally loved, but many runners found it tight and not very breathable. The new engineered knit upper is roomier, especially in the toebox, and feels similar to the Neo Zen’s upper. While I miss the locked-in feel of version one, I can understand why Mizuno made this change: it fixes the narrow fit complaints and improves breathability.
Midsole
Without a doubt, the biggest update sits underfoot. The Neo Vista 2 now features a dual-layer midsole setup: the familiar ENERZY nxt foam from the original sits on the bottom, while the top layer borrows the nitrogen-infused foam from Mizuno’s bouncy Neo Zen.
For those who haven’t run in the Mizuno Neo Zen, let me tell you it’s an explosively energetic shoe. Bringing that top-layer feel into the Neo Vista 2 creates a noticeably more responsive, lively ride. On long runs, it still soaks up kilometres effortlessly, but now it also feels comfortable when you dial up the pace. I’ve been able to drop down to low 4 min/km splits, something I’d never have attempted in the original Vista, which was firmly a long-run-only companion.
That said, the shoe still isn’t a dedicated speed or tempo trainer — but it’s inching closer to models like the ASICS Superblast, expanding its versatility beyond slow, easy miles. Importantly, the slightly firmer setup (compared to version one) improves midsole stability, though with such a tall stack, I’d still caution stability-seekers to look elsewhere.
The embedded fibreglass plate remains, giving just the right amount of snap without making the ride harsh or aggressive. Combined with Mizuno’s excellent Smooth Speed Assist rocker geometry, the shoe offers a fluid, rolling transition that makes it feel almost effortless to keep your legs turning over.
Outsole
The outsole has seen subtle but smart adjustments. There’s a slight increase in surface area for improved stability, and the outsole pattern has switched from a wavy design to a beefier, checkered tread. In practice, grip is solid – nothing groundbreaking, but it holds well on dry surfaces and performs as expected in typical road conditions.
Durability has been a strong point: after many kilometres, the rubber has held up beautifully, just like the original Neo Vista. I expect similar longevity here, making it a good investment for heavy trainers logging serious mileage.
My Experience: Still a long run king, but now more fun
The original Neo Vista became my go-to long-run shoe because it made piling on the kilometres feel almost weightless. The smooth, soft ride was perfect for slow and steady days, but it struggled with sharp turns or when fatigue set in, feeling a bit unstable.
The Neo Vista 2 addresses this with improved midsole stability, a more responsive ride, and a slightly firmer feel, all without sacrificing the plushness I loved. I’ve enjoyed taking it out not just for long easy days but also for faster efforts, and it’s held up surprisingly well — a testament to Mizuno’s smart material choices.
That said, the upper’s new fit is a bit of a mixed bag for me. While it fixes the narrowness and breathability complaints, I do miss the second-skin feel of the original. But overall, it’s a trade-off that likely benefits more runners than it alienates.
Final Verdict: A solid, more versatile update
The Mizuno Neo Vista 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel — and that’s a good thing. Instead, Mizuno has focused on thoughtful refinements: boosting bounce, improving stability, and broadening the shoe’s range without losing the signature plushness that made the original so beloved. For runners looking for a fun, reliable, and durable super trainer that can handle long runs, steady efforts, and the occasional uptempo day, the Neo Vista 2 absolutely deserves a spot on your radar. It’s no longer just a long-run-only shoe — it’s a versatile, do-it-all workhorse that shows Mizuno’s evolution in this highly competitive category.
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