Diadora Nucleo is back in its second edition. It still has that something that makes running around town a pleasure – only now it’s version 2.0. Comfort? Check. Dynamics? Not bad. Fun? Even more so. The Nucleo 2 is a soft companion for everyday runs, but it can also pick up the pace when needed. In short: if you liked the first version, you should like this one even more.
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The Diadora Nucleo 2 is a model with a clear training profile, designed for running on hard surfaces – mainly asphalt and concrete. The shoe offers very good cushioning, making it a particularly attractive choice for heavier runners (90 kg and above) who train regularly in urban conditions. Despite the clear emphasis on comfort, the Nucleo 2 is not a typical “soft couch potato.” The construction combines decent softness with moderate responsiveness, making it also suitable for those who expect a little more bounce from their everyday training shoe.
Pros
- very good cushioning
- pleasant dynamics
- stability similar to shoes with stabilization
- drop reduced to 6mm
- very good foot support
Cons
- quite thick upper
Diadora – lineup breakdown
In Diadora’s training shoe lineup, the Nucleo 2 stands out as the lightest and most dynamic option for everyday running. Compared to models such as the Atomo, Vortice, Vigore, and Volo, it offers noticeably more bounce while maintaining a high level of cushioning. It is a shoe that provides everyday comfort, but at the same time is able to return energy and encourage you to speed up.
If you are interested in a different level of comfort, you can choose something less cushioned, such as the Volo, or one of the softest running shoes on the market, the Atomo Star. You can read more about all these models in the Diadora running shoe guide.
| NEUTRAL SHOES | STABILITY SHOES | |
|---|---|---|
| maximum cushioning |  Atomo Star | |
| very high cushioning |  Nucleo 2  Vortice 9 | |
| high cushioning |  Volo 5 |  Vigore 3 |
Alternatives to Diadora Nucleo 2
Nucleo 2 is a versatile model, well suited for everyday training. No wonder it has many competitors in its category, both among classic “daily trainers” and lighter, more dynamic constructions. The lineups of the biggest brands include several models with similar purposes, differing in the level of cushioning, responsiveness, and fit. This allows runners to choose a shoe that is perfectly tailored to their needs and running style.
If you want to see how the Nucleo II compares to other models for everyday training, check out our shoe guide.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Supernova Rise 2 | 36/26 | 10 | 275 | 230 | 150 |
| Asics Gel-Cumulus 26 | 37/29 | 8 | 253 | 222 | 160 |
| Brooks Ghost 16 | 35/24 | 12 | 278 | 249 | 150 |
| Diadora Nucleo 2 | 38/32 | 6 | 280 | 210 | 150 |
| Hoka Clifton 10 | 42/34 | 8 | 278 | 220 | 150 |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 28 | 38/26 | 12 | 273 | 235 | 160 |
| New Balance 880 v14 | n/a | 8 | 270 | 209 | 160 |
| Nike Pegasus 41 | 37/27 | 10 | 297 | 251 | 140 |
| On Cloudsurfer 7 | 32/22 | 10 | 245 | 205 | 170 |
| Saucony Ride 18 | 35/27 | 8 | 275 | 213 | 150 |
Midsole construction – cushioning with stability
As in the previous version, the heart of the Nucleo 2 is the midsole made of Anima foam. According to the producer, this material combines two key advantages: lower weight (20% less than standard EVA foams) and the ability to effectively return energy. In theory, this should translate into a more dynamic stride and noticeable bounce with every step. How does it work in practice? The foam is indeed pleasant – it provides a lot of softness, but not to the level of top training shoes. It also offers enough responsiveness to allow you to “play” with your pace when needed.
The Nucleo 2 has a completely new midsole design. Additional foam elements have been added to the sides to keep the foot in place. In addition, the midsole layout is not symmetrical. Both of these solutions improve the grip and stability of the foot in the shoe – the producer claims that by 8% compared to its predecessor. These solutions are also characteristic of shoes with stabilization. This means that although we are talking about a neutral shoe, it should be able to cope with slight overpronation (including fatigue overpronation).
One of the less obvious design elements is the drop, which is 6mm for the men’s model and 5mm for the women’s model – relatively low values for a training shoe with solid cushioning. In this class of shoes, most producers opt for classic solutions in the 8–12mm range. For context, the average drop for training shoes for hard surfaces on the blog is 8.68mm, which makes the Nucleo 2 well below average.
What does this mean? Slightly more cushioning under the forefoot and, in theory, a more natural foot position in the shoe. However, with such a high midsole, this is of little significance.
Outsole – for hard surfaces, sidewalks and gravel
Diadora Nucleo 2 is a versatile training shoe that works well in both typical urban environments and on harder, compacted suburban trails. Duratech 5000 rubber, known for its good abrasion resistance, provides traction. It has been arranged in zones, covering about half of the outer sole. Key areas – the heel, toes and side edges – are well protected, which translates into solid durability.
The outsole is not aggressive – it is rather flat, with a dense pattern of grooves up to 1.2mm deep. This structure works well on hard surfaces such as hard surfaces, sidewalks, and roads with fine gravel. Although it is not a trail shoe, it will handle paved gravel paths with ease.
Upper – slightly less breathability, more hold
The Diadora Nucleo 2 upper is made of a fairly densely woven technical mesh, which in theory should make it pleasantly breathable, but in practice it seems quite thick and rather too warm. In any case, it is a slightly thicker upper than we would expect from a training shoe designed for all seasons.
This slightly greater thickness of the upper also has its advantages – soft surroundings for the foot. Since the Nucleo upper is more “meaty” than “airy,” what we feel around the foot is more like a blanket than a curtain. For those who have never had a problem with running shoes being “too warm” and are looking for a soft package for their feet, this is good news.
The width of the Nucleo 2 upper at its widest point is 105.1mm, which does not make it particularly narrow. Despite this, the shoe does not feel too spacious. On the contrary, it feels narrower and well-fitted to the foot. This is due to numerous reinforcements in the upper, which are less flexible than traditional mesh, allowing the construction to fit the foot more snugly and securely. In addition, a new feature in this model (compared to its predecessor) is the integration of the tongue with the upper, which not only improves the fit but also effectively reduces sideways movement of the tongue.
The high level of fit goes hand in hand with good stability. There are no surprises here – the classic stiffened heel counter with internal clip works flawlessly and effectively holds the heel in place. Combined with the fitted construction of the upper and the correspondingly wide and contoured midsole, this results in a high level of stability – without unwanted lateral movement and without the foot feeling like it is “floating” in the shoe.
Weight – mid-range competitor
According to the producer, the weight of the men’s shoe is 280 grams, and the women’s 210 grams, which is quite standard for this category. The previous edition of the Nucleo weighed almost the same. In my size, 12 US, the shoe weighs 323 grams, which is very close to the weight of its predecessor – 319 grams. These are typical values, close to the average for training shoes, which is 334 grams in my size. In terms of weight, the Nucleo 2 is a typical mid-range shoe – neither exceptionally light nor overly heavy.
Summary
The Diadora Nucleo 2 has undergone several changes, the most significant of which is the change of the midsole profile to a more stable one, which makes its construction somewhat resemble shoes with stabilization. Other than that, it is still a versatile, well-fitting training shoe that will work well in both urban and suburban conditions. Thanks to DD Anima foam, it offers solid cushioning with a hint of dynamic and unexpected stability. Although the upper could offer better ventilation, the Nucleo 2 remains a solid choice in its category, combining stability, fit, and comfort for everyday use.
