Pillowy Plush and Tough Enough for Frisky Runs: Diadora Nucleo 2 GR Review

I looked down at the colorful assortment of new shoes waiting to be tested. A little calf tightness meant the minimal runners were out. The 85% humidity and muggy, hot weather meant the waterproof options were a no-go. That left a few road shoes and one pair of “gravel” shoes — aka shoes with light tread meant to accommodate “pavement to path” (aka every shoe we ever wore as kids).

I am not in love with the gravel-shoe marketing buzzing around the running industry right now. But I was very curious to test my first pair from the Italian brand Diadora, which had already generated some acclaim among GearJunkie’s bullpen of run testers (in fact, you’ll find it in GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Running Shoes).

So I laced up the Diadora Nucleo 2 GR, planned a route that would indeed take me from pavement to path, and trotted off. Within my first 10 steps, I immediately felt something striking — or rather, cushioning: My footfalls felt pillowy soft, despite a comparably modest stack height (37mm at the heel). The ensuing 5 miles kicked off a 2-month test that has me hoping that, while not the most technical runners I’ve tried out, these will not be my last pair of Diadora shoes.

In short: The Nucleo 2 GR provides a wonderfully soft ride, and a sticky, lightly lugged sole that will ferry runners over variable terrain, provided it’s not terribly loose, rocky, or wet. The brand’s “Anima” midsole is among the plushest I’ve ever tested — it’s not outright bouncy, but it offers enough energy return to keep strides going. The Nucleo 2 GR also provides outstanding stability with padded but firm heel and ankle support. While it’s not for gnarly trails, casual runners and trainers will look forward to logging miles in them.

Compare the Nucleo 2 GR in the guide to the best trail running shoes.

Diadora Nucleo 2 GR Review

At first glance, the Nucleo 2 GR looks like a middle-of-the-road, all-around shoe. It has a moderate 5mm drop from heel to toe, small, shallow lugs peppering the sole, and an upper that looks neither extraordinarily breathable nor absolutely bombproof.

You won’t find a fancy speed-lacing or a BOA dial, either. The laces are traditional, and the last is neutral. And to be sure, the Nucleo 2 GR is not an extreme-conditions running shoe. Rather, it finds a sweet spot as a go-anywhere (almost) daily, mixed conditions running shoe.

Run Testing

I’ve taken the Nucleo 2 GR on about a dozen runs, ranging from 3 to 6 miles, from sub-8-minute-mile paces into leisurely 9-minute-mile jaunts. They’ve tromped mostly pavement, but I pressed them through a handful of miles on trail, turf, and gravel.

From my first steps up to now, the standout feature remains the midsole foam and cushion. It’s more soft than bouncy, but it’s not a slow shoe. There is plenty of giddyup — Diadora boasts that its “ANIMA” midsole foam is 30% more responsive than traditional EVA.

But its cushion is far and away more forgiving than most any shoe out there. In my runs, this has kept foot fatigue and calf tightness to a minimum, at the expense of groundfeel and some precision. But again, I’m not using these on highly technical terrain where foot placement and feedback are paramount.

On pavement, the Nucleo 2 GR softens the blow. Off pavement, it has just enough traction to meander up and down gravel and dirt inclines and descents, and it can handle fairly aggressive pivots or changes of direction.

I’m not saying you should use this for agility training on a scree field. But if you enjoy breaking up the monotony of your daily run with a jaunt through the woods, these shoes are up for the challenge.

More Than a Feeling: Full Support

While the cushion takes center stage for this shoe, the award for best supporting role goes to … the support. The Nucleo 2 GR has a fairly rigid heel stabilizer and a firm but padded collar. This enables the midsole foam to shine by keeping the Nucleo 2 GR from becoming sloppy.

Because the collar holds strong around the Achilles, I found it important to wear ankle-height socks or higher. I had some heel rub when I ran a few miles with no-show socks.

Upper: Between Breathable and Tough

I found the upper on the Nucleo — officially, air mesh and microfiber — nothing to write home about, in a good way.

My testing took place from late July to deep into September. Temps have ranged from 90-plus down into the 60s. On the hottest days, I didn’t find the “air mesh” exceptionally breathable, but the shoes also didn’t bake my tootsies. The temp was always just right.

And during my treks through a state park, I ran through brush and over rocks. The uppers didn’t snag, fray, or visibly abrade. They’re tough enough for everything I threw at them. In fact, I took a thumbnail to them and scratched hard, just to get a sense of the material. It’s not Kevlar, but I expect the Nucleo 2 GR will hold up just fine for the terrain and conditions it’s built for.

Drawbacks: What I’d Like Better

Given its design and purpose, there’s really nothing the shoe doesn’t do well. My only issues, neither of which are deal-breakers, pertain to fit and water-resistance.

Fit-wise, the Diadora does not offer wide options for any of its sizes. My size 13 fits just well enough that I can manage, but feet are like fingerprints — everyone’s is a little different. My right foot is a tad shorter and wider than my left, and on longer runs, it fills the full width of the toe box. For this reason, I prefer the shape of Altra running shoes, as they offer greater room for splay that accommodates my feet.

I would also like a waterproof option for this shoe. Given that it encourages users to venture off the paved path, these shoes will inevitably encounter dew, puddles, or even muck. I don’t need my feet to stay dry in a downpour, but I like the extra peace of mind when I take my shoes into the unpredictability of a trail run.

Should You Buy?

If you have a favorite sweatshirt or one pair of sunglasses for all occasions, you’ll probably see the appeal of the Nucleo 2 GR. They’re a fit for most environments on most days. They’re not the fastest or most exceptional, but they’re pretty damn good on everything between a dead sprint and a marathon.

The price puts them on the higher end for a shoe that’s not bragging about breaking records or taking down mountains. But given the comfort and tough-enough construction, they’re a reasonable investment for a shoe that takes you most places most of the time.