Can Italian elegance go hand in hand with carbon wildness? Diadora says yes! The Gara Carbon 2 is a shoe that combines a large dose of racing madness with lightness, responsiveness and safety. It is a shoe that can be a demon of speed, but also a guardian angel, especially during long distance races like marathons or half marathons. Can it compete with the giants of the running market? In my opinion, yes, it can!
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is an advanced racing shoe designed for dynamic, fast running. Thanks to its very high level of cushioning and carbon plate, it can add power during competitions. It is the perfect choice for half marathons and marathons where both speed and comfort over longer distances are important. Its full potential is revealed at a pace of 4:00/km and faster. Importantly, despite its racing nature, the shoe remains stable and secure even when your pace slows and your running technique is less than perfect.
Pros
- high dynamic
- very good cushioning
- breathable and durable upper
- good heel counter
- good stability in the rear
Cons
- may be too “slippery” on wet surfaces
- high price
Diadora running shoes – lineup
Diadora’s range of running shoes is not particularly wide, and the Gara Carbon 2 is the only model in the collection designed for fast long-distance running. It combines two key elements – maximum dynamics and solid cushioning – making it a fairly versatile racing model for both 5K and marathon distances.
For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, Diadora has prepared the Frequenza, a more affordable yet effective shoe. The line also includes classic training styles designed for everyday running. A complete shoe guide for all Diadora shoes can be found in this guide.
| RACING | TRAINING AND COMPETITION | |
|---|---|---|
| maximum dynamics |  Gara Carbon 2 | |
| high dynamics |  Frequenza 2 |
Diadora Gara Carbon 2 alternatives
In the introduction, I asked if the Diadora Gara Carbon 2 could compete with the giants of the running market. The answer? A resounding yes! In terms of technology and performance, this model easily stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the biggest players such as the Asics Metaspeed Sky, adidas Adizero Adios Pro and Nike Alphafly. Advanced cushioning, responsive foam, and a carbon plate keep Diadora at the forefront. It’s an option worth considering.
Want to take a closer look at road shoes? Check out our guide to the fastest road shoes.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 | 39/33 | 6 | 138 | 138 | 500 |
| adidas Adios Pro 4 | 39/33 | 6 | 200 | 175 | 250 |
| Asics Metaspeed Sky | 39/34 | 5 | 205 | 205 | 250 |
| Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 | 35/27 | 8 | 230 | 230 | 250 |
| Diadora Gara Carbon 2 | 40/35 | 5 | 220 | 220 | 290 |
| Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 | 39/32 | 7 | 228 | 228 | 275 |
| Hoka Rocket X 2 | 36/31 | 5 | 236 | 236 | 250 |
| New Balance Fuelcell Supercomp Elite v4 | 40/36 | 4 | 237 | 188 | 280 |
| Nike Alphafly 3 | 40/32 | 8 | 218 | 218 | 310 |
| Nike Vaporfly 3 | 40/32 | 8 | 190 | 150 | 260 |
| On Cloudboom Echo 3 | 37/28 | 9 | 215 | 188 | 300 |
| Salomon S/Lab Phantasm | 37.5/28.5 | 9 | 219 | 219 | 260 |
| Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 | 39/31 | 8 | 204 | 176 | 250 |
Cushioning and dynamics – what’s hidden in the midsole
The Diadora Gara Carbon 2 has the construction you would expect from a top-of-the-line racing shoe. Key features? A responsive carbon fiber plate embedded in dynamic, resilient foam that works together for maximum running efficiency.
At the heart of this construction is a carbon fiber plate that works on a principle often compared to a trampoline – the harder you push down, the more force propels you forward. In the case of the Gara Carbon 2, it works similarly: the harder you push down on the plate when you land, the more energy it will give you when you push off. The carbon fiber plate also allows for an aggressive profile under the front of the foot. This profile improves the forward roll of the foot and increases the rebound effect.
The second, equally important element is ANIMA PBX foam – extremely lightweight, soft and flexible. Compared to standard materials, it increases the rebound of the midsole by up to 55%, while reducing its weight by 40%. It is this foam, no less than the plate itself, that is responsible for the shoe’s unique properties – elasticity, lightness and a smooth stride. Thanks to the foam, it is also a very well cushioned and comfortable shoe. But comfort is not the most important thing.
The rigid plate is surrounded by flexible ANIMA PBX material, which means that the rebound comes not only from the carbon fiber itself, but also from the responsive foam. It is the combination of these two elements that makes the shoe so springy and smooth – one without the other would not have the same effect.
The Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is not only about dynamics and comfort over long distances, but also about something that is not always expected from carbon racing shoes – stability. There are two reasons for this. The first is the relatively simple shape of the midsole, without any cut-outs that could cause instability. Second, the midsole is optimally wide, which makes the shoe stable and easy to control. From a safety and comfort perspective, the Gara Carbon 2 may be the perfect choice for your first race shoe – and once you’ve tried it, you may never want another.
Racing outsole, of course
The outsole of the Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is a classic racing tread, as seen in the placement of the rubber elements. Most of the rubber is located in the front of the outsole, the area that is most stressed during fast running. The further away from the front, the less rubber there is. The tread depth is also typical of racing shoes, at just 0.5mm. This construction is ideal for road racing on dry surfaces. Performance may be less on very wet and waterlogged surfaces.
Lightweight, breathable and durable upper
The upper of the Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is one of the most interesting features of this shoe. It is made of Martyx, an ultra-light, thin mesh that combines several important advantages. In addition to its exceptional lightness, Martyx makes the shoe highly breathable, allowing the foot to breathe even during intense exercise. In addition, this material is extremely durable, ensuring the durability of the shoe despite its ultra-light construction. Interestingly, the Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is the only running shoe to use this technology, making it a unique choice on the market.
The upper is also surprisingly roomy for a carbon racing shoe, especially in the forefoot where it counts the most. There is plenty of room in both width and height, which is not always a priority in racing shoes – they are often narrow to fit the foot better. The Gara Carbon 2, on the other hand, offers the kind of room that will satisfy runners who are looking for more space as well as blazing speed. It’s the perfect option for those who don’t want to sacrifice space even in a race shoe.
The Diadora Gara Carbon 2’s heel counter is reinforced with an internal stiffener that gives the heel enough support without immobilizing it too much. This solution can be particularly beneficial for runners who are looking for an extra sense of security or who need more stability in the ankle joint. Thanks to this element, the Gara Carbon 2 offers not only incredible dynamics, but also a certain level of protection and stability.
Light, but within normal limits
According to the manufacturer, the Diadora Gara Carbon 2 weighs 220 grams in size 9 US, which is a good result for a carbon running shoe. In my case, size 12 US, the shoe weighs 255 grams – still very low compared to all running shoes. On a scale of all shoe models, this model is in the 12% lightest. In the context of carbon racing shoes, its weight is only slightly higher than the average for all shoes of this type, which is currently 247.8 grams. The Gara Carbon 2 is therefore perfectly in line with the standards for racing shoes – it is neither too heavy nor too light, which should ensure a good balance between lightness and durability.
Summary
The Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is a shoe that combines exceptional dynamics, comfort and stability, making it an excellent choice for road racing, especially over long distances. Thanks to its innovative construction with a carbon plate and ANIMA PBX foam, the shoe is springy and lightweight, ideal for fast running. The roomy upper and stiffened heel counter increase comfort and stability, which is rare in racing shoes. On the other hand, it may not provide enough grip on very wet surfaces. This is one of the more expensive carbon racing shoes on the market.
