Diadora Cellula 2 Review | A Run-Walkers Dream Shoe

If you’re looking for an innovative, max cushion daily trainer that’s durable enough to take you through a ton of miles, Italian brand Diadora’s latest shoe, the Cellula 2, may be a solid option for you.

The Cellula 2 is Diadora’s most recent update to the Cellula model, released at the end of 2025 as a neutral, max stack trainer meant for cushioned daily and longer runs. While the shoe had a longer break-in period, the Cellula 2 turns out to be an energetic, comfortable ride for the days where you need a little more support and cushion to get you through your miles.

Diadora made some great adjustments to this shoe since its last version that make the Cellula 2 a trainer worth looking into if you’re looking for that max cushion to get you through your long, easy days.

Let’s check this one out!

Diadora Cellula 2 Overview

The Cellula 2 is Diadora’s latest update to the brand’s Cellula model, which is built for cushioned longer runs and easy miles.

As a childhood soccer player, I have typically associated the Italian Diadora brand with soccer cleats and performance gear, but I was impressed with the innovative and comfortable Cellula 2 as part of the brand’s running shoe lineup.

While the changes from the Cellula to the Cellula 2 are modest, the updated version provides increased responsiveness in the midsole and a firmer, more supportive ride than its predecessor.

Where the original Cellula leaned towards a more traditional plush ride of a max cushioned trainer, the updated Cellula 2 uses Anima midsole technology to increase the shoes responsiveness on turnover.

The Cellula 2 features an upgraded dual-density version of their midsole Anima N2. A softer top layer provides comfort while the lighter, firmer bottom layer offers responsiveness and support.

With this change to the Cellula 2 midsole, the shoe never feels like your feet are sinking into the cushioning, which is something I’ve struggled with in many max cushion shoes over the years. While some runners may like that overly soft plush feeling of a max cushion shoe, I liked feeling a bit more grounded and supported.

Beyond the Anima midsole, the shoe’s Duratech 5000 rubber sole offers a lot of traction and durability, making this shoe feel like the type of trainer that could last you through a ton of miles. That increased durability seemed to me like they’d outlast their predecessor over the miles, as well as a lot of competing max cushioned shoes on the market.

The mesh upper on the Cellula 2 is breathable and supportive, but it did feel a bit restrictive on first wear. I found the upper on this shoe to be a great weight for any type of weather, thick enough to get through cold winter days and light enough to not overheat in warmer weather as well.

While so many brands are trending towards max cushion and higher stack height shoes these days, the Cellula 2 really goes all-in on stack height, with the shoe’s stack measuring 42mm. For reference, a regular trainer is usually closer to 25-35mm and the Nike Vomero Premium lands at a whopping 55mm stack height.

The 42mm stack height on the Cellula 2 makes the shoe cushioned enough to feel protected in your longer runs while also not feeling bulky. That being said, this shoe is not designed with speed in mind and really shines on your long, easy runs.

At 9.3oz, the Cellula 2 doesn’t feel clunky or overweight over time in a longer run. It feels substantial enough to balance performance with comfort in a way that makes the shoe feel reliable, durable, and smooth for most workouts.Although I generally liked this shoe, I would caution that it was in no way love at first run. On first wear, the shoe felt stiff and firm, and it at times felt a bit narrow in the midfoot. This shoe’s break-in period was longer than others I’ve tried recently, requiring about 10-15 miles to really feel like I understood how the shoe would fit and feel.

That being said, once I got through the rough break-in period, the patience paid off. The shoes now feel supportive and smooth, and the narrowness I felt initially in the upper softened significantly with wear. The shoes now feel really comfortable, especially as I’m coming back from injury and blending my increased running mileage with a lot of long walks.

Higher heel drop can be useful if you’re a heel striker or have Achilles pain, but we like to see our runners play around with drop height to see what works best for their feet.

From a design perspective, this shoe is simple and modern, emphasizing the maximalist technology paired with minimalised aesthetic.

Diadora Cellula 2 Fit

The Cellula fits mostly true to size in terms of length and width. It is not a wide shoe and does not come in a wide option.

The mesh upper is lightweight and breathable, but it felt stiff and secure upon first wear. The upper eventually breaks in and feels flexible enough to wear for a variety of workouts and long days on your feet. The upper also felt really secure throughout the midfoot, making it a great option as I needed extra stabilization and security when coming back to running.

My heel felt securely in place when I was striding, and the padded plush heel collar helped these shoes feel even more comfortable. Some runners may not like the amount of padding in this heel collar, as it is quite thick, but I liked it as I was breaking these in. The tongue is very minimalist and light.

The lacing on these felt pretty standard with two eyelets at the top of the shoe and laces long enough to let you play around with how you lace up for your runs.

The Cellula 2 is certainly cushioned and versatile enough that I’d highly recommend it as an option for runners who incorporate walking into their routines. While this shoe isn’t one I’d take out on race day, it’s one that I like in my rotation when I need supported cushioning and a change of pace.

Similar Shoes to the Diadora Cellula 2

We’ve tested a whole lot of max cushioned shoes and here are the one’s we find most similar: 

I hope you found the info in this review helpful as you’re making decisions about your next pair of shoes. Go check these out!

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