Diadora has quietly — and impressively — transformed itself from “that soccer brand I remember from high school” into a legitimate player in the running space. Over the past few years, they’ve rolled out gravel models, plated racers (spoiler: you’ll see one in our forthcoming Best Running Shoes of 2025 roundup), and a handful of daily trainers that punch above their name recognition.
Their newest update, the Diadora Cellula 2, lands with some significant tweaks but manages to keep the comfort-heavy, do-anything identity of the original.
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Looks
Diadora almost never misses on aesthetics, and the Cellula 2 keeps that streak alive. Both men’s and women’s versions come in three colorways, though in my opinion the women’s palette is notably stronger. The white/whisper white looks clean and crisp (as long as you’re willing to risk white trail-adjacent shoes), and the grey/orange-red combo feels playful in a restrained way.
For men, the navy and grey/blue options (our reviewed option) are solid and subdued — just not quite as striking as their counterparts. Still, it’s an Italian brand with a reputation for visual flair, and the Cellula 2 fits right in: stylish, modern, and easy to appreciate on foot.
Construction
We didn’t review the first Cellula, which means we can’t do the usual point-by-point comparison. What we can say is that the overall ethos appears unchanged: the Cellula line is meant to be a cushioned, comfortable, moderately versatile trainer that lives primarily on the roads but is happy to dip into mellow terrain. After some research into V1, a few updates stand out:
- Heel stack jumps from 33mm to 38mm
- Weight increases slightly
- Addition of a forefoot insert made from Diadora’s N2 supercritical EVA foam
Specs
- Stack height: 38mm (heel) / 33mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 5mm
- Weight: ~10.7oz (Mens 9)
Upper
The upper uses a nylon air mesh that holds the foot securely without feeling bulky. Some Diadora models in the past have leaned heavy on overlays, but that seems toned down here. The structure is still there — the shoe feels stable — but it doesn’t look or feel overbuilt.
There’s substantial cushioning around the heel collar, which helps lock the rearfoot in without slipping. The gusseted tongue is thinner than expected, but it works well with the rest of the upper to create a snug, comfortable hold.
Honestly this is one of those shoes that felt great on first wear right out of the box and the upper has a lot to do with that.
Midsole
This is where Diadora put most of its effort. The Cellula 2 keeps the SCF TPU insole from the original, a high-rebound layer that sits directly underfoot and delivers immediate energy return. The midsole geometry has been updated, and the shoe now includes an Anima N2 forefoot insert (see the blue below)— a nitrogen-infused supercritical EVA designed to increase rebound and propulsion by about 10%.
Translation: the shoe feels bouncier in the front half and more efficient as you transition into toe-off. In my runs, two things stood out:
- My foot seemed to fall naturally into the forefoot foam, creating a smoother flex and an easier roll into toe-off.
- There’s a noticeable pop when pushing off, which helps compensate for the added stack and weight.
Diadora says the total energy return sits around 65%, and while lab numbers aside, the ride does feel energetic and fatigue-fighting on longer outings.
I noticed the forefoot insert at first, but it faded almost immediately once I started running. And for a shoe that isn’t exactly lightweight, the midsole construction delivers a surprisingly responsive ride. During interval sessions—pushing from about 7:40 pace down to 5:45—I actually felt a real pop and rebound that I didn’t expect.
Basically, I was able to push it way more than I anticipated. Even at more moderate paces, that energetic feel sticks around. It’s honestly as close to an ideal daily-trainer sensation as most runners could ask for.
Outsole
The outsole features Diadora’s Duratech 5000 wear-resistant rubber. Grip was perfectly fine on dry roads and light mixed terrain. I wouldn’t use this for truly wet or technical trails, but that’s not the intent of the shoe anyway. For typical day-to-day conditions, the outsole should hold up well.
Final Thoughts
The Diadora Cellula 2 is a strong daily trainer update that delivers more cushioning, more rebound, and more forward pop without abandoning the comfortable, easy-going personality of the original. If you like a plush midsole with a bit of liveliness — and want something that can handle casual mileage on both road and mild off-road stretches — this fits the bill nicely.
