Mizuno Sky Prime Review - Max Stack Versatility
The Mizuno Sky Prime is a max-stack daily trainer with a PEBA super foam inside, and it's more versatile than its size suggests. In my book it edges out the ASICS Slowcush, and I'll explain why below.
First, the looks: I absolutely love this black camo colourway. It's a proper bit of me, and wearing it makes me feel like a commando.
Specs
The Sky Prime costs £190. It has a 47mm stack at the heel and 41mm at the forefoot, for a 6mm drop, and it sits in the same new max-stack daily trainer category as the Puma MagMax Nitro. The midsole is a dual-foam setup. Mizuno Enerzy NXT+, a PEBA super foam, sits on top, with an Enerzy NXT EVA frame underneath. The upper is a stretchy knit mesh, and the outsole is mostly X10 carbon rubber with some exposed midsole. My UK 9.5 weighs 330g and fits true to size, although the toe box tapers, which I cover in the next section.
Design and fit
The camo makes it hard to spot, but the two foams work as a team. The bouncy PEBA layer on top gives you the energy, and the firmer EVA frame below steadies the ride.
The base is nice and wide, so the shoe is inherently stable, and the EVA frame helps further despite the 47mm stack. The adaptive knit upper and very stretchy tongue are comfortable, with plenty of padding. Lacing is traditional, and the pull tab might be the world's smallest.
The one thing to watch is the toe box, which tapers noticeably at the front. It isn't a problem for me, but if your feet are on the wide side, you may need to go up half a size.
Performance
The PEBA layer on top pairs brilliantly with the EVA underneath. I've said for years that Mizuno is one of the most underrated brands out there, and it's because their foams suit me. Apart from the first Neo Zen and first Neo Vista, I respond well to every blend they make. They're not overly soft, yet they give me enough energy return.
This foam delivers a nice bouncy ride, and the stable platform gives you confidence on top of all that stack. That's why I'd compare it with the Puma MagMax Nitro rather than the ASICS. Like the MagMax, it lets you pick up the pace and kick along more than you'd expect from a shoe this big.
It arrived during my taper, so about 90% of my runs in it have been easy. On the runs where I dropped in some marathon goal pace at the end, it handled the faster miles well.
The outsole has been fine in the rain. On one run I got completely soaked, and it never felt waterlogged or heavy. In fact it never feels like 330g on foot at all, which is quite an achievement. It gives off Vomero Premium vibes, which is another fair comparison, and it doesn't squeak.
Sky Prime vs ASICS Slowcush
On paper they're closely matched. The Slowcush costs £185 at sportsshoes.com against the Sky Prime's £190. It has a 48mm heel and an 8mm drop, where the Mizuno has 47mm and 6mm, and at 310g it's 20g lighter. Both are heavy shoes, but neither feels it on foot.
I prefer the Mizuno's upper, because the Slowcush ran warm on me. I also prefer the Mizuno's laces, lockdown and foam.
The real difference is purpose. The Slowcush, like the Saucony Paramount Max, is a pure recovery shoe, though it isn't sluggish and you can pick the pace up a little. I'd wear it on the Monday after a Sunday race. The Sky Prime has more versatility, so it's the shoe for an eight-mile Wednesday run after a Tuesday speed session.
Unsurprisingly, I'd pick the Mizuno, but honestly it's close and comes down to personal preference. You can get a lot of the same from either shoe; I just respond better to Mizuno's foams, and I prefer its looks.
Verdict
There's a lot to like here. I love the look, the dual-foam setup, the upper, the lacing, the comfort and the stability, and the outsole does its job. On the downside, it's expensive, and the tapered toe box may put some of you off. Beyond that, there's little to complain about.
The real question is whether a shoe like this fits your rotation. Max-stack trainers like this are a niche product, filling gaps we didn't have five years ago. Still, seeing a PEBA super foam go into a max-stack daily trainer is pretty cool. Paired with a super trainer, it would make a great combo.
I really like the Sky Prime. Mizuno's foams, geometry and fit just suit the way I run. When I want to drop the pace a little, it lets me, and the responsive ride is why it's my pick over the Slowcush.
You can get discounts on your next running shoe purchase at Sportsshoes.com by either becoming an affiliated club member with FORDY RUNS Running Club where you will get 15% off or you can join the club for free and get 10% off your next purchase by getting our latest discount code from our website
