Diadora Nucleo 2 Review: Simply Diadorable!

PROS	CONS
+ Stable ride + Decently responsive + Solid weight	– Dense upper – A bit pricey

I didn’t know what to expect with my first running shoe from Diadora — an Italian brand I only had a connection to from childhood AYSO soccer. I faintly recall rocking a pair of Diadora cleats at some point during my tumultuous soccer tenure marked by a debilitating fear of the ball. Can still hear my coach scream at me: “Be more aggressive!” But that was decades ago. Now, running is front and center, and there’s no round object to be afraid of. You only get one chance to make a first impression. Did Diadora leave a lasting mark in my mind? I detail my thoughts on the neutral daily trainer in this Diadora Nucleo 2 review.

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Diadora Nucleo 2 Review

STACK HEIGHT	WEIGHT	PRICE
35/30 mm (5 mm drop)	M9: 9.7 oz/275 g W8: 7.8 oz/220 g	$165

Intro

First off, it’s worth noting the Nucleo is the only running shoe Diadora makes in size 15. Ouch. I suppose those of us with colossally oversized “hooves” should be grateful they make any shoe in our size, as brands like On and Salomon stop at size 14.

Diadora provides a boatload of information on their shoes. I was blown away by the descriptions for each component of the shoe. Most of the time, you just get a generic, vague sentence or two about the upper, midsole, and outsole. Exhibit A from Saucony on the Triumph 23: “Reimagined outsole design offers fluid movement and a more natural ride.” Ok…how? Any details would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, that’s literally all they say about it.

Not with Diadora: they’ve got paragraph upon paragraph of content detailing how the shoe is constructed. I gotta tell ya, it makes my job as an underwhelming shoe reviewer much easier.

Diadora says the second edition of the Nucleo has been entirely re-engineered to significantly enhance overall support. And nowhere is that more evident than in the midsole.

Midsole

In the midsole is Diadora’s “elevated” EVA foam, Anima—not to be confused with the style of animation originating from Japan, characterized by colorful graphics, energetic characters, and action-oriented plots. The foam is designed to increase responsiveness by 30%, while reducing weight by 20%. Diadora doesn’t specify, but I assume those percentages are compared to traditional EVA, which is becoming less commonly used because it’s the “missionary position” of foams.

I’ll be extremely lazy and just let Diadora explain the midsole’s design:

• There’s a new asymmetrical design of the forefoot midsole. Externally, two excavated areas were added, while the midsole was flattened internally.

• A high-relief element was introduced to anchor the foot to the shoe and control over rotation. This feature is further enhanced by a less excavated inner area in the midsole, extending from the heel to the medial side.

• In the heel and midfoot, the correct foot rolling is ensured by high-relief elements, both internal and external, and a less curved internal design.

See what I mean about Diadora providing abundant information? Essentially, this is all just a fancy, unnecessarily wordy way of saying the construction of the midsole helps you move more natural— improving comfort, stability, and efficiency as you run.

The insole is comprised of a DDattivo high density, light foam for added cushioning and increased softness. Diadora notes that it’s fully ventilated with high absorption and desorption capacity, while helping eliminate odors. Clearly Diadora has never smelled my gargantuan tootsies after running. No amount of antibacterial components will remove that godawful stench. Like Brian Fantana’s “Sex Panther”, the aroma is reminiscent of a turd covered in burnt hair.

I’d like to see more brands experiment with insoles like this. It’s not exactly a dual-density midsole, but it’s another way to improve the underfoot experience.

With a 35/30 mm stack height, it’s more of a moderately cushioned trainer, as most max cushion pairs sit closer to 40 mm in the heel.

Ride

As if it wasn’t already clear from the midsole description, the Nucleo 2 has a very stable ride. In addition to sidewalls, Diadora widened the heel by 9 mm, midfoot by 13 mm, and the forefoot by 5 mm from the first version. But don’t just take my word for it: Diadora’s lab tests show the shoe’s overall inherent stability has nearly doubled since v1. Additionally, tests indicate a reduction of 12 degrees in over-pronation. There’s no doubt the Nucleo 2 is a “stable neutral daily trainer.”

It’s got a rather efficient ride that feels soft underfoot. And there’s surprisingly decent energy return, although I felt like it took a bit to break in the shoe. The first few runs felt rather stiff. As advertised, the Anima—not anime—midsole is light and responsive.

The ride reminds me of a cross between the Brooks Ghost 17 and Mizuno Wave Rider 29—just with half (5 mm) the 10 mm drop. Its moderately cushioned stack height—35/30 mm—is akin to the Ghost 17, while the midsole and underfoot sensation feel similar to both the Ghost and Wave Rider 29. I’d say the Ghost 17 is the “firmest” of the three pairs, followed by the Nucleo and then Wave Rider. The lower weight in all three pairs make you feel more nimble and lighter on your feet.

The Nucleo works best as a daily trainer for those who desire some stability without resorting to full-blown motion control shoes—yuck! Despite its great weight (9.7 oz for men’s size 9 and 7.8 oz for women’s size 8), I prefer a more cushioned, bouncier pair with a higher drop for long runs. Additionally, I’d want an even softer, more cushioned shoe for recovery days.

Upper

The upper is made of a nice blend of nylon air mesh and microfiber. The formidable gusseted tongue has a lot of padding—perhaps too much for some. Not me: I always prefer a beefier tongue. Nothing I hate more than when a good shoe is ruined by an insufficient tongue. It was redesigned from v1 and is secured laterally with elastic mesh integrated into the lining construction to ensure a snug fit and secure lockdown. Similar to the tongue, the heel has a good amount of padding for added comfort and support.

The one knock on this upper is the level of breathability. There’s a clear lack of ventilation holes up top, resulting in warmer tootsies. I didn’t test the pair during the summer, but I can imagine it might be a slight issue in warmer months. Bottom line: It’s a minor gripe that doesn’t ruin the shoe.

Outsole

There’s a Duratech 5000 compound across the entire outsole. This is described as wear-resistant rubber for better durability than traditional rubber. The internal length of the heel outsole rubber on the medial side increased from 6 cm to 11 cm, providing “improved stability and enhanced control over rotation.”

It’s a durable outsole with no wear and tear through 60 miles.

Weight

Any stable daily trainer under 10 ounces for a men’s size 9 is a win. So the Nucleo’s weight of 9.7 oz (275 g) and 7.8 oz (220 g) for a women’s size 8 is a homerun—or a negative split, I guess? It’s an unexpected weight given the shoe’s dense upper and stability elements. It’s a testament to the lightweight nature of the midsole. You can really feel the difference between this shoe and other similar, heavier daily trainers.

Aesthetics

Overall a great-looking shoe, according to my eyeballs. It’s got a modern, lower-profile design that doesn’t resemble a moon boot.

Good news: If you’re someone who likes options, there are a whopping eight colorways to choose from. Bad news: If you’re someone who struggles to choose among many options…there are a whopping eight colorways to choose from. My black/white colorway is fairly basic, but it looks great on the run. Don’t worry: there are more exciting and eccentric colorways available.

Price

So it appears the original price was $160 but was later raised to $165, likely due to tariffs. Unfortunately, $160 is more appropriate for this pair. At $165, I’d expect additional cushioning to grant it entry into the Max Cushion Club™. Not to mention $160 is a more competitive price point compared to the bigger brands who have name recognition in running. Yes, it’s only $5, but every dollar counts when it comes to exorbitant running shoe prices.

I don’t have a PhD in running shoe economics, but, truthfully, $150 would be an even smarter price point given Diadora is likely looking to gain more market share in the crowded running shoe space. In the current cesspool of an economy, customers are asking companies “How low can you go?” and they’re responding with “Sir, this isn’t a yard sale.”

Conclusion

A lighter, responsive stable neutral shoe is a rare occurrence, but Diadora delivers one that’s a solid, under-the-radar daily trainer for runners of all backgrounds. It can’t do it all, but it nails what it’s built for.

The Nucleo 2 is available on Diadora’s website.

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Diadora graciously provided this shoe to me for wear testing. I was not compensated for this Diadora Nucleo 2 review and they didn’t get an opportunity to see this Diadora Nucleo 2 review before I published.