As someone who has been running for around 15 years now, there aren’t many brands of trainer that I have never tried.
But for some reason, until a month ago, Mizuno was one of them.
Mizuno flies under the radar for many runners compared to mega-brands like Adidas and Nike because it prioritises heritage craftsmanship and word-of-mouth over hyped-up marketing.
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But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t churn out some of the best shoes in the business.
So when the opportunity came up to try the Japanese brand’s new Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Shoe ($320), released this June, I couldn’t say no — and couldn’t get them on to my feet fast enough.
Billed as a max-cushioned “super trainer” designed to deliver a bouncy, highly propulsive, and smooth ride for everyday miles, long runs, and tempo efforts, the Mizuno Neo Vista 3 ($320) has been specifically designed to keep your feet feeling good on mid to long-distance races — and running quickly, too.
So how did I get on?
The shoe
When you get this shoe out of the box, one of the first things you’ll notice is its super snazzy colourway, that almost instructs you to move quickly.
The next thing I noticed was the upper part of the shoe.
Instead of a traditional tongue and lace setup, you’ve got a shoe that’s more like a sock that wraps around your foot.
I’ve seen this kind of trainer before but I have to admit it’s not my favourite type to put on.
That being said, I get why it’s been done, in order to make the shoe lighter and more propulsive.
Once you move on from the look of the shoe, it’s time to take a look at its specs.
Weighing in at 220 grams, it’s on the lighter end of the trainer market.
It also has Mizuno’s core feature that combines cushioning and stability through the sole’s wave-shaped structure, alongside what the Japanese brand call ENERZY NXT nitrogen-infused midsole foam, which offers a more energetic ride.
When it comes to how this shoe feels once you get it on, it’s pretty comfortable.
The fact that it doesn’t have a traditional tongue and lace works in its favour insofar as it keeps your foot perfectly locked in place — ideal if you’re running at a faster pace or for a longer distance and you can feel your forefoot slipping around.
How it feels
Upon taking this out for a recent speed session, I was pleasantly surprised at just how well it holds up across a variety of paces, from an easy warm up through to two-minute intervals and finishing on a tempo.
If anything, it feels easier and easier on the faster paces.
Rather than having your foot wobbling all over the place as you speed up, this shoe keeps you locked in and focused on the running, rather than where your foot is striking every time it lands.
I loved the Mizuno Neo Vista 3 and now plan to use it for all of my tempo-based marathon pace workouts.
I think if you’re looking for your next fast running shoe, this is a great addition to your lineup.
For more information and to shop the Mizuno Neo Vista 3 for yourself, head here now.
