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Diadora Nucleo 2 Review: Italian Workhorse

Two of my favorite things: soccer and running. Diadora, with its rich history of quality and performance on the pitch, has long been an iconic name in soccer, crafting gear for some of the sport’s greatest players. In recent years, they’ve brought that same attention to detail and athlete-focused design to the running world. Seeing Diadora excel in both arenas immediately caught my attention, perfectly blending two of my biggest passions into one.

Completely re-engineered at the Centro Ricerche Diadora, the Nucleo 2 is the brand’s latest high-cushioned daily trainer. Rooted in Italian heritage, it attempts to combine quality craftsmanship with a ride designed to suit every runner. With their “Normalize High Mileage” campaign, Diadora aims to keep runners going strong mile after mile. Does the Nucleo 2 live up to that promise, or leave me cutting my runs short? Let’s find out.

Diadora Nucleo 2
Diadora Nucleo 2
Diadora Nucleo 2

SPECS

FIT

True to Size

CATEGORY

Neutral Daily Trainer

SURFACE

ROAD

WHAT'S NEW

  • Asymmetrical Midsole Design
  • Redesigned Tongue
  • Widened Heel
Diadora Nucleo 2 UPPER
Diadora Nucleo 2 MIDSOLE

PROS

CONS

IS THIS SHOE FOR YOU?

Diadora describes the Nucleo 2 as ‘the foundational running shoe for every runner, whether expert or beginner,’ and I’d have to agree. The 5mm drop and built-in stability features make this shoe versatile enough to suit a wide range of runners. It’s a dependable daily trainer that justifies its $160 price tag. Experienced runners will appreciate the responsive ride of the ANIMA midsole, while beginners will benefit from the widened heel and added stability when form starts to falter late in a run.

Diadora Nucleo 2
Diadora Nucleo 2
Diadora Nucleo 2

WRAP UP

The Diadora Nucleo 2 delivers on its promise as a versatile daily trainer for runners of all levels. With an asymmetrical midsole design, redesigned tongue, and widened heel, it offers a blend of comfort, stability, and performance. The quality upper, responsive ANIMA midsole, and durable Duratech 5000 outsole make it a dependable choice. While the heel stiffness might be a drawback for some, the shoe’s neutral ride shines through. At $160, it’s a solid investment for both experienced runners and beginners alike.

Disclosure: Diadora provided the shoes for review free of charge, but all opinions are my own. They had no input or review of this write-up before it was published.

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