Asics Superblast 2 or Mizuno Neo Vista—which one should you buy? Let’s find out today.
Both of these trainers are trending right now, and experts recommend them for their responsive foot feel and well-cushioned ride. But figuring out which one is actually better can be tough.
That’s why I’ve created an easy-to-read comparison of these two trainers. I focused on five key aspects: the upper, midsole, outsole, ride, and price.
So, stay tuned, because by the end, you’ll know which one is actually better.
Contents
Analyzing Mizuno Neo Vista vs ASICS Superblast 2
Before we directly dive into the comparison, check out this quick table I’ve attached below. This will give you an idea of what both trainers offer.
Now, let’s finally start the comparison you’ve been waiting for.
Now, let’s finally start the comparison you’ve been waiting for.
Upper
Mizuno Neo Vista: On Neo Vista, you get to see a fully knitted upper, which is both soft and flexible. The material is quite thick, which I believe will be no good for hotter weather.
Speaking of design, Neo Vista has a booty design, which means the whole upper is made out of just one piece with an integrated tongue. Moreover, you get to see a high collar and a fairly high heel tab. And then, at the back, there’s a firm heel counter.
Now, there’s one thing that I think is a bit weird; there’s no cushioning on the upper. It’s a bit surprising to me and usually you get some cushioning on the heel lock but here, there’s none.
Asics Superblast 2: The Superblast 2 has an engineered woven upper material that offers extra elasticity and softness during runs. Breathiability-wise, it’s better than Neo Vista.
Speaking of design, it’s not booty like Neo Vista, which I usually prefer because this design prioritizes better comfort and functionality for runners. And with that, I feel like the heel lock on this shoe design feels better.
Speaking of the tongue, it’s designed to be thin with minimal padding to alleviate pressure from the laces. The heel cup construction is also pretty consistent compared to the previous year’s model. And it features a limited use of foam to maintain a certain level of restraint.
So, from all that, Superblast 2 feels much more updated and reliable in terms of design and appearance.
Winner: The Asics Superblast 2 has a better upper. It features more breathable material and offers minimal cushioning in the heel lock. The overall design isn’t like a booty style, which I personally prefer.
Midsole
Mizuno Neo Vista: The midsole of the Mizuno Neo Vista is obviously a big one due to a high stack of cushioning. Mizuno calls it the “Mizuno Enerzy NXT midsole.”
This midsole consists of two layers of Enerzy NXT foam. This foam is actually EVA foam but it’s exceptionally springy and bouncy. And in between these two layers of EVA foam, there’s a glass fiber-infused wave plate. This wave plate adds rigidity to the shoe, making it stiff but not as stiff as a carbon-plated shoe.
With that, the brand offers you a Smooth Assist rocker. It’s an assist geometry that helps you run easier. It’s similar to what’s found in Mizuno’s premium Rebellion series (Rebellion Pro and Flash). However, it’s less aggressive in this shoe; you get to see 5 degrees on this shoe, while it’s 11 degrees on the Wave Rebellion Pro 2.
Asics Superblast 2: The Superblast 2 also features a chunky midsole with two layers of cushioning foam, similar to Mizuno shoes. However, unlike Mizuno, it doesn’t have any plates between the layers.
The top layer is thicker and made of FF Turbo+ foam, which is a premium, responsive, and lightweight foam. Underneath that, there’s a thinner layer called FF Blast Plus Eco. It’s designed to add more durability and control to your run.
Overall, the midsole is impressive, although it lacks the plates that help maintain better geometry and increase the speed of the runner. But, despite the absence of this plate, the shoe still performs well.
Winner: I believe Mizuno takes the lead in the midsole section because plates are typically included in trainers with this high budget. Plus, the midsole on Neo Vista is softer and more responsive than Superblast.
Outsole
Mizuno Neo Vista: The Outsole on the Neo Vista is a bit weird yet a promising one. It’s made out of rubber and it’s quite soft and responsive.
And I call it weird because it comes with a huge cavity in the middle of the outsole and from this cavity, you can see the wave-plate.
Many people find this cut-out design appealing. I find the cavity rather strange because, when running on the track, stones always get stuck in the middle, which I find really unpleasant.
But, apart from that, the outsole is extremely grippy and it’ll keep you from slipping.
Asics Superblast 2: Superblast 2 also brings you a rubber outsole, which they call the ASICSGRIP outsole. But unlike Mizuno, there’s no cutout in the middle or anything new in it.
It’s design is rather simple and regular-looking. It’s not as soft as Mizuno but is definitely more sturdy and durable. And also, there are rubber patches on the outsole, which increase grip on wet surfaces.
Overall, compared to Mizuno, it’s a tiny bit sturdier and doesn’t trap pebbles while running.
Winner: For the outsole, I’ll go with Mizuno. It may seem unusual, but I find Mizuno’s outsole traction to be better. The issue of pebbles getting stuck can be resolved by running on the road, so Mizuno wins in this category.
Fit
Mizuno Neo Vista: Speaking of it’s fit, the shoe really feels snug and secure, and I barely ever needed any lace adjustments. Usually, the shoe fits true to size.
However, getting into the shoes can be a bit frustrating due to their booty design. But once you’re in, they hug your feet quite nicely!
Asics Superblast 2: Moving on to the Superblast 2, it offers a snug fit from the upper and has a good heel lock for better fitting.
Regarding sizing, it runs true to size, with some extra spacious toe boxes, which I usually appreciate. You will not be disappointed with the extra space in the toe box.
Winner: I’ll say it’s a draw, as both fit well.
Ride
Mizuno Neo Vista: Speaking of the ride, it’s very soft—not too sloppy or mushy. The heel-to-toe transition is unique and probably the smoothest I’ve ever experienced.
The foam has the perfect amount of bounce, spring, pop, and softness. Not like extra bouncy or springy, but up to the right level. Another good thing about its foam is that it never feels heavy.
I feel like it’s finely tuned for everyday running and is more responsive at slower speeds. The shoe’s geometry works perfectly with the foam, making it very efficient for my foot strike. Each step feels soft and absorbent, so you do not get bungee-like sensations with each toe-off.
And despite being really soft, it doesn’t cause any stability issues in running. It has a nice, wide platform that keeps you anchored to the road. Overall, a 9/10 score for its ride.
Asics Superblast 2: The Superblast is also a fantastic trainer, offering a very different feel compared to the Neo Vista. While it’s not as soft or bouncy as the Neo Vista, it’s better at picking up pace. It’s designed to give you better speed.
The heel-to-toe transition is smooth, and the midsole feels supportive. The foam isn’t highly bouncy; it’s a bit firm. But it absorbs impact well and feels balanced. It’s not like you’re going to lose control in these shoes.
For everyday running, these trainers are super lightweight and responsive. The newly engineered mesh helps circulate air better than the Neo Vista, keeping your feet cool for a bit longer.
Also, for a longer run, these are a fantastic pair of shoes. I can run in this shoe all day without my foot getting fatigued. They adjust well on the run, making them a great option for those looking for lightweight trainers. Overall, I’d rate the ride an 8/10.
Winner: Mizuno Neo Vista is the winner. It’s bouncier, softer, more responsive, and smoother in terms of providing a great ride. While the Superblast is also a great trainer, it can’t match the level of the Neo Vista.
Cost
Mizuno Neo Vista: The Neo Vista costs around $180 US, which is typical for top-tier trainers.
Asics Superblast 2: The Superblast 2 is priced at $200 US, which means you’ll need to spend more compared to the Neo Vista.
Winner: Once again, Neo Vista takes the lead. While $20 doesn’t sound like much, it makes a difference.
Final Verdict: Which One is Actually Better?
If you’ve been reading along through each section—upper, midsole, outsole, ride, and price—you probably already have a sense of where I stand. For me, Mizuno Neo Vista stands out as the clear winner.
Throughout my testing, the Neo Vista consistently impressed me with its superior comfort, responsiveness, and overall performance. Also, it is slightly less expensive than Asics Superblast 2.
So, I found that Neo Vista offered more value than I expected in terms of the features I wanted in a running shoe.
And don’t get me wrong about Superblast 2. It’s a solid shoe with its own strengths and suits well for those who like to run at a faster pace. But for my personal needs and preferences, the Mizuno Neo Vista is just what I wanted. If I were making the choice again in the future, I would undoubtedly go for the Neo Vista for my runs.
