The Nucleo 2 is Diadora’s moderately stacked premium daily trainer. Retailing for $165, it competes with shoes like the ASICS Nimbus 27 ($165) and Adidas Supernova Prima ($160). The Nucleo 2 features 35 mm of an EVA-blend foam in the heel and a reported 5 mm drop; however, it felt closer to an 8 mm drop during initial testing, giving the shoe more ground feel and flexibility than some runners might prefer. It’s an excellent do-it-all pick for a one- or two-shoe running rotation—something you can also take to the gym, farmers market, errands, or school drop-offs. In their marketing copy, Diadora positions the Nucleo 2 as a stability shoe. While it does have sidewall overlays for some support, it doesn’t deliver the same planted feeling you might find in a true stability model like the Saucony Hurricane 24. The Nucleo 2 is a good-looking, good-feeling, and comfortable shoe with a nice pillowy bounce.

Category

Daily Trainer

Release Date

November 2024

Plated?

No

Foam

Anima

Foam Compound

EVA Blend

Ride

Bouncy, cushioned, stable

Heel Stack (mm)

35.0

Forefoot Stack (mm)

30.0

Drop (mm)

5

Weight (mens size 9)

9.8

Support

Mild Stability

Fit

True to size