Asics has already shown us that they can produce safe, lightweight, fast-feeling trainers. So what happens when they try to introduce a natural, not-quite-but-almost-minimalist feel to their shoes?

Disappointing results, if the Asics Gel-Neo33 is any indication. The shoe’s unique engineering offers certain advantages, but not the lightweight, natural ride for which it was designed.

The Feel

The Neo’s midsole may resemble that of the Nike Free, but don’t expect the same flexibility. This shoe offers little more bend than the standard Cumulus, Nimbus, or 2160. I’m hoping that this is a result of the surprisingly stiff medial post, and that the other shoes in the 33 line are a little more yielding.

But the 33-style midsole isn’t without merit. Its flatness allows it to make contact with the ground along its entire length. This means a stable, smooth ride. It also makes for great road feel.

The Look

Supercool, especially in the Blue/Limeade colorway.

The Fit

The Neo’s upper is meant to lock feet down, but it does its job just a little too well. It takes lots of tinkering with the laces to keep the shoe from pinching the bridge of the foot. This is far from the barely-there feeling that performance and minimalist shoes usually provide. Once the laces are properly adjusted, though, rest assured that they will not slip.

This shoe also seems to run a little narrower in the toebox than most Asics. Longtime Asics wearers may have to go up half a size to fit into it.

The Bottom Line: The Neo’s weight and fit lands closer to a standard trainer than the performance shoe it’s meant to be.

The Mizuno Waverider has many fans. Over the last 15 years, it’s provided runners a smooth, light and surprisingly cushy feeling.

So it’s surprising to see how quietly the most recent iteration launched. The Wave Rider 15, which most retailers won’t carry until mid-November, is already available to east-coast runners.

You can buy the newest ‘Rider at City Sports– a full month earlier than anywhere else.

Read Rod Foley (Mizuno USA’s Footwear Director)’s breakdown on the City Sports blog.

Many runners (myself included) felt dissapointed by this shoe’s 14th iteration; until last year, the ‘Rider was famous for its lightweight, natural feel– and its Mizuno fit. These runners will be happy to know that the Wave Rider 15 has returned to its roots.

On testing the shoe, I found that the toe box is wider than the 14th version (though not as baggy as the 13′s). Mizuno also lowered the profile and dropped the heel, restoring their beloved “go fast” feel.

If you’ve loved past versions of this shoe, or if you’re looking for a zippier long-distance trainer, the Wave Rider 15 is an excellent choice. You can try it now at certain City Sports locations.

When these guys appeared on the shoe wall at my sports store, I knew I would need a pair. I had already heard good things about their efficiency and comfort. Actually seeing them, though, I fell in love. They look like little samurai retainers, appropriate since “musha” is japanese for “warrior.”

I didn’t just buy them for the asthetics, however. I’ve been searching for new performance shoes for my shorter workouts and, of course, for The Broadstreet Run. The Green Silence is a good shoe, but my own pair give me blisters. I need the classic Mizuno fit, and I wanted to see how the waveplate technology works in a racing shoe.

I took them on their first road test yesterday, and they performed well. I like how smooth they feel, even though they lack the bounciness of the ‘Silences. I also favor a slightly stiffer forefoot in performance shoes; while the Musha is far from rigid, it’s not as flexible as, say, the T5, Kinvara, or Free. This means less comfort but a quicker snap-off in my stride– something to help a turtle with turnover.

(for my review of the Wave rider 13, click here)

If you’ve been running in the old ‘Riders, you’ll immediately notice the different feel of this newest incarnation. In fact, Mizuno’s made several important changes to the shoe:

Fit: We’re used to Mizuno shoes fitting narrow in the heel and wide in the toebox. Those who like this classic fit will be disappointing with the 14′s football shape. The forefoot feels much narrower, like it cuts across your small toes. Those with a history of black toenails may need to look for some wider shoes.

Heel: I initially didn’t want to update my ‘Riders because of the 14′s heel, which looks much higher than the previous model’s. Looks, however, can be deceiving. The cup inside the shoe that’s meant to hold your heel is actually cut deeper, so that there’s no noticeable difference in the height of the shoe. It doesn’t have the clunky feeling of a built-up heel at all.

Cushion: I wrote before about how the ‘Riders aren’t designed for heavier runners— how I typically need more cushioning. Mizuno decided to meet us halfway. While I still wouldn’t call this a well-cushioned shoe, it’s definitely more protective. The downside: it’s lost a little of that performanc-ey “zippy” feeling.

Color: Badass.

Flexibility: The forefoot in this model is noticeably less flexible than in the previous one. This sounds bad, but Mizuno claims that it was done to preserve the speedy feel of the shoe; a rigid forefoot leads to a more energy-efficient motion as you snap off of your toes.

Bottom Line: Less comfortable and slower-feeling than the 13th iteration, but more protective.

Ever since I was so disappointed by the most recent iteration of the Asics Cumulus, I’ve been running in the Mizuno Wave Rider. I’ve put enough mileage on these babies that I feel prepared for an official review:

Pros:

It’s Lightweight: Runner’s World categorizes the Riders as a performance shoe. I wouldn’t go that far, but at 10.4 oz., it’s extremely light. Most shoes with similar cushioning weigh 2-3 oz. more (doesn’t sound like a lot, but you’ll feel the difference).

The smooth ride: I couldn’t believe how fluid my feet felt through the gait cycle when I ran in these. The Cumulus isn’t a clompy shoe, but these made them seem like wooden clogs.

The fit: Mizuno has been tricking out most of its shoes with independent eyelets, special mesh on the upper, and a special tongue in order to eliminate pressure points. In short, it’s worked.

Cons:

It’s bad for heavier runners: There just isn’t enough shoe underfoot for heavy (200+ lb) runners. At 190 lbs, I feel like I’m pushing the shoe’s capabilities. If you have a plodding pace and/or extra pounds, look elsewhere.

It’s uncomfortable when you’re not running: As unobtrusive as these shoes are when you run, the opposite is true when you stand or walk. Uncomfortable may be too strong a word, but you’ll certainly be aware of them on your feet.

Bottom line: These shoes will make even a turtle feel zippy, though heavier runners will need more cushioning.