Another $300 race day shoe? It’s starting to feel like the norm, and yet how many of us really need these fancy shoes? A new study says we mentally feel better and run faster in them, so maybe all of us! Today we’re putting the Diadora Gara Carbon 2 to the test.
Probably like many of you, I was unfamiliar with the brand Diadora before trying the Diadora Gara Carbon 2, but who doesn’t love checking out a new brand in case it’s the Cinderella you’ve been looking for!
The new shoe technology that has come out over the past few years has been remarkable. And I was ready to find out what this carbon plated shoe had to offer.
Aside from that, the shoe itself looks stylish: the bright orange bottom of the shoe contrasts the light blue color of the mesh top, giving it a speedy look.
So is the $300 price tag worth it? I mean they didn’t increase the price from the original model, so that’s a plus because it was a well liked shoe. Here’s what I found in testing.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the a Diadora Gara Carbon 2 good fit for? Here’s our standard checklist to compare shoes:
- Wide Feet: It has a more snug, narrow fit so maybe not ideal.
- Heavier Runners: Stiffer heel counter should make it feel more stable than other carbon shoes.
- Long Runs: Definitely designed for up to marathon racing.
- Front of the Pack: 100% focused on hitting top speeds.
This shoe is for distance runners that want a combination of comfort and speed in a lightweight carbon shoe.
Diadora Gara Carbon 2 Overview
My initial thought as I unboxed the shoes was “THESE LOOK INCREDIBLY FAST!” I loved the color and the crisp whiteness of the foam.
The Diadora Gara Carbon 2 is by far the lightest pair of shoes that I have. It’s also one of the lightest carbon plate shoes on the market, even with the full length plate.
Like brands they have a special name for their midsole foam: ANIMA PBX. The is a big change from the last model with the lighter foam giving a more snappy and smooth ride underfoot. It’s a supercritical PEBAX foam, which allows the shoe to be bouncy, soft and reallllly light. It also means the shoe won’t have as long of a lifespan as your daily trainer.
They say in a lab test this foam returns 80% of the energy you put in to it. And that friends, is how you get a race day shoe for the front of the pack.
When it came time to go for a test run, I wanted to try them on a variety of surfaces. I ran around 40 miles in these shoes, varied over the track, treadmill, and roads. The majority of my miles came from running on the roads (25+ miles), but I got some good speed sessions in on the track (10 miles) and treadmill runs (4 miles).
The shoe is soft around the heel and has just the right amount of firmness under the midfoot. This is thanks to that combo of foam and the more s-shaped carbon plate.
Each step launches you forward with such power that it makes you excited to run fast. And we definitely think based on the fit and feel this is going to work for a lot more paces than other carbon shoes.
So would we tell a 5 hour marathon runner to drop $300…mmm probably not. But a 4 hour marathon runner is definitely going to get more bang for their buck in this shoe than others designed for the very front of the pack like the Brooks Hyperion Elite 4 PB.
Diadora Gara Carbon 2 Specs
They claim it’s the “the most efficient carbon plate on the market“. So what does that include:
- Weight: 8.1 oz Unisex sizing
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- Stack Height: 39 mm
- 1 color
- Not available in wide
- Available from marathonsports.com for $300
The visual designs are stellar. The shoe looks sleek and fast, and I appreciate the pop of color on the bottom of the shoe. Right now there is only one colorway for these shoes, but this may change since they’re fairly new.
Diadora Gara Carbon 2 Fit
In comparison to other shoes that I’ve tried on, I did not have to spend time breaking in the Diadora Gara Carbon 2 for them to feel good on my feet. They didn’t feel stiff in any way which I appreciated.
Unlike many carbon plated shoes the heel does have some padding! This will be a treat for many of you tired of the stiffer heel collars.
The toe box of the shoe is wide enough to prevent blisters on my toes, but not so wide that they look like clown shoes.
This shoe fit me perfectly! Diadora’s website also provides a sizing guide which can ensure a proper fit.
Note: I am exceptionally prone to blisters on my heels and toes. However, I did not feel the shoe rubbing against my foot in any weird way that would cause a blister!
Diadora Gara Carbon 2 Feel
As I put the shoes on, I immediately noticed the curved shape of the bottom of the shoes that propelled me forward. It made me want to go on a run immediately.
The Matryx mesh upper is made out of carbon yarns and feels very lightweight and breathable.
The shoes felt super bouncy and light as I walked around in them. I was hoping that these shoes would feel sturdy but fast, and these did not disappoint!
The full-length carbon plate encourages me to land on the ball of my foot because that is where I can feel the most speed.
As a lover of trail running, I am sad that I can’t take these shoes on a technical terrain. The hole in the sole of the shoe is basically an invitation for rocks to get stuck there. However, it’s definitely made to last a while with it’s Duratech 5000 wear-resistant rubber sole.
Not every shoe can do it all, and I wholeheartedly believe that the speed of the shoes on roads/track outweighs not being able to take it on the trails.
I am officially converted to Diadora’s Gara Carbon 2 shoe for my speed sessions and road races from now on.
The energy return from the carbon plate combined with the stability in the heel and powerful push off makes this shoe a keeper.
I can’t wait to crush some of my PRs on the roads!
Similar Shoes to Diadora Gara Carbon 2 Fit
We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- Nike Varporfly 3 (similar bounce and curve of the carbon plate, not as good for marathon distance)
- Adidas Adizero (carbon plate, but provides a wider fit)
- Saucony Endorphin Elite 2(super lightweight at 7oz)
Who Tried It
Hi! I’m Laura, a college student in California majoring in exercise physiology with a minor in nutrition. I’ve been running for about six years now, and it has become one of my favorite things ever. You can find me running on California trails, drinking matcha in the early hours of the morning, or creating epic playlists for my next adventure.
I love racing trail half marathons, and have recently gotten into triathlons. I typically run about 40 miles a week, and it’s the purest form of adventure I know.
Ready to run? Head to fit2run.com to check out the Diadora Gara Carbon 2.
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