Founded in Osaka in 1906, Mizuno built its reputation the old-fashioned way: meticulous Japanese craftsmanship, obsessive attention to detail, and a midsole technology so distinctive that runners who love the brand’s Wave plate are essentially a subculture unto themselves. For decades, the brand’s lineup was as reliable as it was predictable. You knew what you were getting with a Wave Rider.
It’s a solid, comfy daily trainer for long runs. You knew what you were getting with an Inspire—a lightweight running shoe that helps you find your get-up-and-go. The problem was that the brand suffered in its own niche-ness, with brand loyalists loving it, but it had a hard time outside of that group.
What’s been happening at Mizuno over the last few years is nothing short of a renaissance. It started, arguably, with the Wave Rebellion Pro, a carbon-plated super shoe so geometrically strange and performance-forward that it barely looked like it came from the same company that made the Wave Rider. Since then, the brand has been introducing shoes—like the Neo Vista and Neo Zen—that would have been genuinely unrecognizable to a Mizuno loyalist 10 years ago.
Where the brand’s lineup was once fairly predictable, and maybe even bordered on stale, Mizuno debuted an entirely new super racer in 2023 and the innovation has only accelerated since. The new Enerzy Nxt, which is a nitrogen-infused compound, is an about-face from the classically firmer ride the brand has long been associated with, moving into territory that’s softer, bouncier, and more competitive with what other foam-obsessed brands have been offering. The shoes below represent where Mizuno is right now.
Whether you’re a Wave loyalist or someone coming to Mizuno for the first time, there’s more to discover here for every sort of runner. Get Your Full Run Fit: Best Running Shorts ● Best Socks ● Best Running Hats To pick the best Mizuno running shoes, I spoke with the design team of Mizuno as well as chatted with other Mizuno runners. I got input from Running Reviews Editor Amanda Furrer, and consulted the results from our Runner’s World wear-test program.
I have also personally run in every shoe on this list. The Mizuno Neo Zen 2 feels like the next evolution of Mizuno’s modern cushioning approach, blending softness with a controlled, responsive ride. Underfoot, the foam delivers a smooth, almost rolling transition that makes easy miles feel effortless, while still holding enough structure to keep things from getting mushy.
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