Gravel shoes are having a moment — and for good reason. We’ve tested a handful lately, and while they’re still a bit niche, the right pair can be a game-changer for certain runners. As I’ve said in pretty much every gravel shoe review: there are specific scenarios where these really shine.
First is when your regular route mixes terrain. My go-to example is Willamette Mission State Park, where dirt, grass, and rock-filled non-technical trails weave into paved sections. Link them all together and you’ve got roughly a half marathon of mixed surfaces — exactly where a gravel shoe earns its keep.
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The second scenario is travel. When I’m on the road for work or vacation, I usually try to squeeze in a few runs or races. If I want to hit both trail and pavement, packing multiple pairs (casual, work, road runners, trail runners) is just not happening. A gravel shoe solves that problem beautifully.
Enter the Diadora Nucleo GR (that’s “GR” for gravel). It’s built as a hybrid daily trainer with enough trail-readiness to smoothly transition between asphalt and natural surfaces — perfect for runners who want one shoe that can truly do it all.
Looks
The Nucleo 2 GR comes in two colorways, and our review pair is—at least in my opinion—the cream of the crop. If lighter shoes aren’t your thing, especially when you’re tackling mixed terrain, the blue-and-black version is still a rock-solid pick.
What surprised me is how the Turtledove/Oyster Gray colorway almost reads like a casual sneaker. It’s a bit unassuming, in the best way, and honestly? I really love the look.
In fact, it almost has a triple capability – with the ease of pairing this with a pair of jeans for some casual wear – and no one being the wiser
Construction & Fit
Specs
- Stack height: 37mm (heel) / 32mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: ~12.4oz (Mens 12)
Upper
The upper uses a combination of Nylon Air Mesh and microfiber, and it has a slightly plasticky feel. It’s on the stiffer side—good or bad depending on what you prefer. The upside is durability: this thing feels like it could last forever, and the structure provides a secure hold. That said, even though our testing has been in cooler winter temps (where it feels totally fine), I could see it running a bit warm once summer hits.
Both the tongue and heel are very plush with plenty of padding.
Midsole
The midsole uses Diadora’s new Anima EVA, which they claim is 20% lighter and 30% more responsive than standard EVA. The platform is wide and roomy, delivering a very stable and comfortable ride—though with a bit of added weight.
As for underfoot feel, you’ll see more in the outsole section, but the lack of grooves and the full-coverage rubber give the shoe a one-piece, almost block-like sensation. As a result perhaps, the midsole doesn’t feel quite as lively as some modern foams; it’s not a dealbreaker, but it does come across a little more “old-school EVA” than expected. I was hoping for a bit more rebound and snap.
To be clear, Anima itself is soft and comfortable, but paired with the complete rubber outsole, the ride leans more medium–firm and less responsive. It feels like the entire midsole compresses and returns as one unit rather than delivering the quicker sequence of cushioning + rebound you usually get.
Outsole
The outsole is solid, and durability seems excellent. After a month of putting plenty of pavement miles on it, there’s virtually no wear. The Duratech 5000 compound appears built for the long haul, especially for runners spending time on both asphalt and gravel.
As expected for a gravel hybrid, the lugs are shorter—enough to handle moderate, non-technical terrain without issue. If your routes are compact dirt, grass, or mild elevation, you’ll be totally fine here.
One interesting note: there are no cutouts or grooves anywhere on the outsole. I assume this is intentional to prevent gravel from getting stuck, but it does contribute to that slightly unusual underfoot feel mentioned in the midsole section.
Final Thoughts
The Diadora Nucleo 2 GR delivers exactly what it sets out to be: a hybrid option for runners who regularly move between pavement and non-technical trails.
For runners who value stability, protection, and versatility over speed or bounce, the Nucleo 2 GR fits the brief well—especially as a travel-friendly or “one-shoe-does-most” option.
