The original Neo Vista was a great training companion for me. I ran many, many miles in it as I built towards the Amsterdam Marathon. From short recovery runs to long runs with plenty of marathon pace work in them they were a fine shoe for all occasions. The second iteration saw some updates to the upper and added a little stability. In the third version we find more of the same in the shoe which leads the Mizuno Bounce Silo. Their original super trainer retains the bootie-like upper and thick Enerzy NXT nitrogen-infused foam which has the added propulsion of the traditional Wave Plate. But, most importantly, does it retain the fun and versatility of the original?
We have taken to the streets to find out.
Upper and Fit of the Mizuno Neo Vista 3
What works for me
If comfort is your main concern in an upper, it is hard to beat the Neo Vista 3’s bootie. A pull tab on both heel counter and at the top of the lace chain ensure ease of entry. The pull tab at the top of the lace chain also doubles as a cushion for the knot of the laces. This is a very effective little trick and one which helps save some weight. Furthermore, the rubberised surface of the pull tab also keeps the laces stuck down.
Breathability has been no issue, from easy runs to faster sessions, my feet have been held in air cooled comfort. While the mesh is on the thicker side, the perforations allow plenty of airflow. The thickness of the mesh also keeps lace bite at bay on the top of the foot. Lockdown is easy to achieve with the lacing and heel slip is not an issue with the padding around the rear of the shoe.
Despite the height of the heel tab, it is very unobtrusive on the run and doesn’t cause any irritation. The Neo Vista 3 has a true to size fit and the stretch will allow it to accommodate a range of foot sizes. That said, if you have a very wide foot, it may be worth trying before handing over the cash.
Overall, the upper does exactly what you want, it holds the foot well, allows you to remain cool on the run and can be worn for as long as you need.
What doesn’t work for me
My only issue with the upper is that I received these a whole size larger than the previous version. This impacted the fit as would be expected. They feel much like other shoes I have in that size. While they were still a decent fit and I didn’t experience ill effects, I would like to try them in my actual size as the fit on v1 was one of my favourite things about the shoe.
Midsole and Ride of the Mizuno Neo Vista 3
What works for me
The midsole of the Neo Vista 3 is very enjoyable. As we mentioned in the introduction, this is in Mizuno’s bounce silo. Bounce it delivers in abundance. No matter where you land on the midsole, there is energy return and a lovely feeling of pop. With 44.5mm in the heel and an 8mm drop, there is no lack of cushion anywhere. Heel strikers get a lovely sink in the foam before the Wave Plate catches the foot and rolls you forward and away. Midfoot strikers will have the benefit of the plate and softness of the foam. Meanwhile, forefoot strikers still get the benefit of the soft foam and the Smooth Speed Assist of the Wave Plate.
While it is effective, the plate is not harsh. It is a softer plastic plate rather than a super stiff carbon one. The shape of the plate probably also plays a part in this. It is not the regular scoop or flat shape you may have seen on other shoe breakdowns. There are various undulations and levels to the plate which mean that it helps you roll forward without making the shoe feel overly firm.
In fact, firmness is not a word which should be anywhere near the Neo Vista 3. The Enerzy-NXT foam is super soft. Those in need of some stability shouldn’t fear the Neo Vista 3 though. While the plate doesn’t make the shoe too harsh, it does remove any marshmallow like wallow from the foam. On both easy runs and faster sessions, the Enerzy-NXT foam responds well and protects the legs.
On daily runs, the combination of Smooth Speed Assist and soft foam make the miles fly by. My Stryd data shows that they offer good leg protection alongside a good level of efficiency. My power is well translated into pace while the level of pounding I take is minimised. On faster sessions, this efficiency is also key. While I haven’t used these for the very fastest sessions, they have been great on longer tempo and marathon sessions.
One of my favourite sessions I have run in the shoe was a 3 x 12 minutes at marathon power. I got a good return on pace from the effort I put through the shoe and my legs felt good afterwards. I found much the same after my longest run in the shoe so far which was 28km along the coast.
Most of all, it is a fun shoe. I loved the original and ran a lot in it. I was excited to receive this and the smile on my face in the first run was almost as big as the midsole. It is a shoe which I genuinely look forward to putting on and taking out to the road.
What doesn’t work for me
While it is a good shoe to take through a variety of paces, it is still quite a large shoe. For the fastest sessions, I would probably leave this on the rack. While, at 262g, it is not the heaviest shoe on the market, the weight and size may make it a little too chunky for some of the slighter runners out there.
Whilst it never feels cumbersome, it is not a very agile shoe. The bounce is great and the plate helps the toe off and roll but it never quite disappears on foot the way something like the Rebel does. That said, this feeling may be due to the fact that I received them in a larger size than I am used to.
Outsole of the Mizuno Neo Vista 3
Grip and Traction
Whilst I haven’t had much in the way of conditions to really test the limits of the grip, the Neo Vista 3 has never given me alarm when running. On dirt paths, road and pavement, it has held firm. The rubber is strategically placed and has plenty of flex grooves and cutouts to reduce weight and increase flexibility. Nothing to complain about.
Durability
After about 80km in the Neo Vista 3, things are holding up well. The midsole, as one would hope, still feels fresh. The outsole has some wear on the lateral side of the forefoot where I land but nothing overly concerning. Meanwhile, the exposed foam has held up very well to the rigours of the road. From previous experience with the Neo Vista series, I expect that I will have many hundred more enjoyable, bouncy miles in these.
Conclusion
Value for Money
For $200, these sit in a tier alongside other brand’s super trainer offerings. While this is a high price, the versatility and fun factor of the Neo Vista 3 make this a fair place for it. The premium feel and quality of materials also add into the positive column for value.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
This can be a one shoe rotation for many runners. It can take you from daily miles to speedier sessions. It offers protection, softness and propulsion which means that there are not many times when this won’t be at home on foot. Outside of the very fastest sessions, it will do exactly what you want. Only the size and extra weight of the shoe may make it miss out if you have a session of blasting 200s or similar at top pace.
This is another one of those great suitcase shoes. If you can only take one pair of running shoes with you, the Neo Vista 3 would be a very good choice.
Final Verdict
I loved the Neo Vista 1 and the third version has kept the fire burning. Fun, bouncy and versatile, it is a shoe which should be a good choice for the majority of runners out there. While it is on the more expensive side, it is a shoe which can cover most of your running and will last you for a good long time. The comfort and wearability of the Neo Vista 3 also mean that it is a shoe which most people should try.
If you have never dabbled with Mizuno, this is a very good entry point into the Japanese brand.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 vs. Mizuno Neo Vista
The latest version is more refined. However, unlike some shoes which have the magic iterated out of them, the Neo Vista 3 retains the joy factor of the original. Gone is some of the wildness and instability but the X factor remains. A shoe which should be an anathema to stability runners is well engineered enough for them to enjoy. The price has risen but the fun factor has not diminished.
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 vs. ASICS Superblast 3
While one is plated and the other isn’t, the ride and feel of these two monsters is not vastly dissimilar. The FFLeap in the Superblast 3 is softer than the Enerzy-NXT of the Neo Vista 3. That said, the bottom layer of FFBlast+ stiffens the ride and acts like the Wave Plate in the Neo Vista. These are two shoes which have a great versatility. Both are shoes which can be used for most of your running. Also, both are shoes which are probably a little chunky and big for running a personal best in the mile. Both will last a while and either makes a good choice for most runners.
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 vs. Nike Vomero Plus
While the price of the Neo Vista puts it alongside the Vomero Premium, the ride is more akin to that of the Plus. Both are capable of a variety of runs, the Neo Vista 3 probably edges the versatility stakes due to the plate and the added pop of the foam. While the Vomero Plus was one of my shoes of the year last year, I think that the Neo Vista has probably knocked it off top spot so far this year.
Other People’s Takes on the Mizuno Neo Vista 3
Josh’s Take on the Mizuno Neo Vista 3
The word that keeps coming back to me with the Neo Vista 3 is fun. From the moment you put it on and take your first stride, there is an almost childlike quality to the way this shoe bounces beneath you. The Enerzy NXT foam really does feel like running on loaded springs. It is soft and deeply cushioned, yet with a liveliness to it that keeps you engaged rather than just comfortable. It is the kind of shoe that makes you want to go for a run even on days when you would rather not.
My original concern going into the Neo Vista 3 was one that I suspect many runners share: with a midsole this soft, surely the stability suffers? On paper it looks like the kind of shoe that could wallow and roll beneath you. In practice, that simply is not what happens. The 3D nylon Wave Plate does a brilliant job of channeling all of that bounce and softness in one direction, forward. Rather than the energy dispersing chaotically underfoot, the plate organises it and uses it to propel you through your stride. It is an impressive piece of engineering, and it completely changed my expectations of what a shoe this soft could feel like in motion.
Unlike Andy, I received my pair in the correct size, and I am glad I did because the fit of the Neo Vista 3 in the right size is excellent. The knit bootie upper wraps the foot in a way that feels genuinely premium, and I had no issues with lockdown, heel slip, or discomfort across any of my runs. My recommendation would be to go true to size with the Neo Vista 3 when ordering your pair, which you definitely should!
