Bouncy, surprisingly lightweight, and featuring a secure knit upper, the Mizuno Neo Vista is one of the best super trainers SportPlus has tested this year, and a versatile shoe for all runners
Super trainers are all the rage these days, and with so many of running shoe brands launching their performance trainers this quarter, it's easy to get confused about which one could be the best fit for you amidst all the noise.
Here, we do our best to share the best qualities of super trainer running shoes as well as the cons, to help you make a more informed choice ahead of your next purchase - particularly if you only have the budget to buy a single pair.
But wait a minute, what are performance trainers in the first place and how are they different from your regular daily trainers?
Performance trainers are a new breed of running shoes that are designed to fill the gap between your regular daily trainers for those everyday miles, and your race day shoes. They are often seen as the training companion for race day shoes, with many brands opting to pair them up with their own set of pinnacle super shoes.
In many cases, these shoes are designed with better durability in mind, as most super shoes or race day shoes are designed to be fast but often suffer in the durability factor as the outsole foams used, coupled with the carbon plates of the shoes make it wear out a lot faster than those used in regular daily trainers.
Enter super trainers - who offer that similar race day feel in your training, but with an upgraded outsole foam that is more durable and enjoyable than super shoes.
In many cases, these shoes are designed with better durability in mind, as most super shoes or race day shoes are designed to be fast but often suffer in the durability factor as the outsole foams used, coupled with the carbon plates of the shoes make it wear out a lot faster than those used in regular daily trainers.
Enter performance trainers - who offer that similar race day feel in your training, but with an upgraded outsole foam that is more durable and enjoyable than super shoes.
What to Look for in Good Super Trainers Running Shoes
When it comes to performance trainers, we are looking at shoes that should be fun and make running those long miles feel more effortless. While many brands have started to incorporate carbon or nylon plates into their performance trainers, the main goal is actually to help runners achieve a more energetic and effortless ride - with comfort at the forefront of our minds.
What Makes Mizuno Neo Vista One of the Top Performance Trainers of 2024?
While fit and functionality should always come first ahead of style or colourway when choosing your running shoes, our team loves the launch colourway of the Mizuno Neo Vista, particularly the white one for women's.
Keeping in mind that when it comes to trainers overall, it is important that you have the right level of support, cushioning, and protection to reduce your risk of injury and improve your performance.
For us, the Mizuno Neo Vista ticks most of these boxes and is one of the best running shoes available in the performance trainer category. Despite it's high stack, it offers a very enjoyable and versatile ride that will appeal to runners of all levels.
It’s bouncy, surprisingly lightweight, and its new midsole formulation ENERZY NXT coupled with the nylon plate adds propulsion even for faster runs and up tempo efforts. What's more, the upper and outsole is made from more than 60 per cent recycled and eco-friendly materials, making it the most eco-friendly model of the Mizuno product range too, scoring a big win for the environment.
We see it as a springy all-rounder that can be used for a much wider variety of your workouts - from your fast track sessions to even those long easy runs on a Saturday morning. It’s great fun to run in, and one of the best new shoes six of our SportPlus creators have tested in 2024.
Key Features
Mizuno Wave - a wave shaped glass fiber-reinforced nylon plate providing stability without sacrificing cushioning, a secure knit upper, Speed Assist Geometry, Soft and cushioned Mizuno Enerzy NXT midsole to reduce leg fatigue
Stack Height
44.5 mm in heel, 36.5 mm in forefoot (8 mm offset / drop)
Weight
270g / 9.5oz
What are the favourite features of the Mizuno Neo Vista that some of our SportPlus creators like?
Soft and Cushioned, Smooth Transitions
Hybrid athlete Kenneth Seet shared that his favourite features of the Mizuno Neo Vista are twofold.
“It’s very soft and cushioned which I feel are essential for long runs,” he said in reference to its max cushion. “It adds to the comfort so that my legs don’t feel so beaten up after my runs.”
“The other key feature that I like about them is that they feel very slow in transitions when going slow to faster speeds. There are some shoes where you need to put in quite a bit more effort when going faster from your usual pace, but not Neo Vista. This feels very smooth.”
Spring in My Step
Adding to Kenneth’s thoughts on the Mizuno Neo Vista, running content creator John Yeong echoed Kenneth’s thoughts, saying that the shoes are very bouncy and saves on energy for his runs.
“I like that it’s a snug and good fit without too much space wastage, and also just how springy and bouncy it is.”
“Usually the worry you get with softer shoes is that they can’t be used for longer runs because of the lack of energy return, but with the Neo Vista I feel like I can keep going.
Pros
+Springy, fun ride
+Versatile - can be used for most runs
+Sock knit upper fits most foot shapes
+Lightweight cushioning
+Feels effortless when running longer distances
Cons
-Lacks stability if you take on sharper corners
-Tying shoe laces may take a bit longer
-Material of the upper can trap heat in tropical countries
For more of our running shoe reviews, visit our reviews page here or watch “Sole Mates” in our Watch section here.
The Mizuno Neo Vista is available for purchase at mizuno.com/sg.