Diadora Cellula 2 Review
By Bach Pham and Matthew Klein
Diadora Cellula 2Price: $180 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 10.6 oz, 301 g (men's size 9), 9.3 oz, 264 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 42 mm heel / 37 mm forefoot
Drop: 5 mm
Shoe Purpose: Max Cushion Daily Trainer
Pros: Cushioning is comfortable and mildly responsive, durability is excellent
Cons: Break-in period, price top-end of competition
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Diadora Cellula 2 is a max cushion daily trainer built for cruising tons of miles. The shoe's update is all about its cushioning. Now pushing over 40mm in this edition, the Cellula 2 features a new dual-density edition of their supercritical midsole Anima N2. A softer top layer provides a comfortable step while a lighter, slightly firmer bottom layer offers some decent responsiveness. Underneath, Duratech 5000 rubber offers a lot of traction and durability.
SIMILAR SHOES: Asics Gel Nimbus 27
PAST MODEL: Diadora Cellula
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Cellula 2 fits me slightly in my normal Men's US size 10. I typically wear a US size 10, JP size 28 and UK size 9.5. The size label lists the Cellula 2 as US 10, JP 27.5 and UK 9, so you will need to double-check your sizing. The fit is slightly snug throughout the length of the shoe with a tapered and low toe box that initially made the shoe feel short. This is fairly standard for Diadora and does open up with time. The overlays over the toe box to provide structure, but create excessive pressure on the top of the big toe that takes 10-15 miles to break in. The taper opens slightly in a normal-width forefoot. The midfoot is normal in width with a thin but centrally padded and well gusseted tongue. The midfoot was secure enough that I did not have to tighten the laces to get a secure fit. The heel fits slightly sung thanks to a large amount of heel collar padding. There is a stiff heel counter that is 2/3 the height of the upper and rounded.
Thanks to the additional padding, the counter did not bother me that much but those with sensitive heels may not do well. The counter extends a decent amount forward on the medial and lateral sides, which adds nice medial/lateral structure to the heel. While the inner liner is comfortable, there are a few exposed seams and the low overlay in the forefoot causes enough pressure that I would highly suggest socks. The breathability is fairly average and does not get too warm or cold. Overall, this is a secure upper that is slightly snug, possibly due to some variations in sizing.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Bach: The Cellula 2 comes with a fairly comfortable fit. The length and volume of the forefoot was good for me and true to my typical size. The heel is a little on the wider side. I had to use a heel lock to get the best lockdown on this model. The laces when done this way are a touch on the short side, but there's just enough to hold it together. Once I heel locked, I had no issues with any slippage or sliding in the shoe. The tongue is thin and minimal, and does a good job not creating any biting when lacing down. There is a mildly plush heel with a firm heel counter. The breathability of the upper was good and gave me no issues. Overall, this is a pretty comfortable upper that gets the job done.
There is also a supercritical foam insole that provides a little bit of extra direct comfort underfoot. The insole is removeable with enough room for your own insole if needed.
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: No
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Okay
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Yes
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: High
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Diadora Cellula 2 is a premium daily training shoe. Despite this label, the Cellula 2 has been one of the firmer training shoes I have put on. This is drastically different from version 1, which had a soft insole feeling underfoot. However, the Cellula 2 midsole does break in but it took almost 30 miles to get there. It is still on the firmer side in the heel but is more balanced between soft and firmer in the forefoot. This may be due to the medially angled heel, which creates a clunky rearfoot transition. Fortunately the heel drop is lower (5mm) and the slightly softer forefoot is more comfortable to land on. The forefoot has a longer rocker with low toe spring, which makes for a rockered and smooth forefoot transition. Despite the lower drop, my Achilles has done surprisingly well with this shoe, likely due to how rockered the forefoot is.
Despite the smooth forefoot transition, this shoe is best for easier miles. the 10.6 oz weight (men's size 9) was noticeable and while the midsole started to soften a little, it is not responsive. Even strides felt clunky, so this is a shoe purely for easy running and walking. Although slightly short for me, walking and standing was quite comfortable in this. The additional structure (see stability) also made it great for longer standing.
The durability of both the midsole and outsole have been fantastic. Despite 30 miles of use, there is no wear on the outsole. The midsole has slowly broken in, but it is holding its shape and I'm not seeing any creasing in the sides. However, it is best for road as the traction is fairly average (unless you are David). For those reasons, I expect this shoe to last far longer than most premium daily trainers.
Bach: The Diadora Cellula 2 out-of-box honestly wasn't a great look. The shoe's midsole felt a little firmer and disjointed on my first short run. Luckily the shoe broken in during my second run and the promised combination of softer top layer with lighter and more responsive bottom layer started to come to life for me. The ANIMA N2 midsole has continued to get better and better with each run. It's not the softest or most responsive premium cushioning shoe in the market, but it does the job well enough to be a comfortable ride. Those who prefer a slightly firmer, but cushioned shoe will like this ride. I had no issues taking it for longer easy efforts over an hour. The shoe transitioned pretty well for me (I'm typically more mid-to-forefoot as a runner) and was responsive enough to trudge through hills without any issues, something that some premium cushioned trainers often are not great at.
The shoe is not the lightest at over 10.6 ounces for the sample size, but the shoe's comfortable cushioning and light peppiness makes up for that. The Cellula 2 even felt responsive enough to lightly pick up in, although its nowhere near my first pick as a workout shoe of any kind. There is a mild late stage rocker that also helps create a very smooth transition without being too aggressive. For anyone who is seeking an easy day or recovery kind of shoe, this definitely ticks those boxes.
The outsole traction has been fairly good. We have a very late fall in South Carolina, and I was able to take it over some slick leaves and didn't feel like I had to worry at any point. I have not made a dent in my outsole so far after 20 miles, but I am often very light on my outsoles.
For those seeking a walking shoe, this is a solid option all-around. I had no trouble spending the day in the model running around town on errands.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Diadora Cellula 2 is listed as a neutral shoe but feels like a mild stability shoe. There are large sidewalls that run from the heel into the midfoot. It also feels like there is some additional medial pressure under my arch, the long heel counter that runs far forward on both the medial and lateral sides of the foot creates good heel stability and the early forefoot rocker keeps good forward momentum. The firmness also adds to the stable feeling along with the mild sole flare present in the heel and forefoot. So those with mild stability needs in the rearfoot/midfoot and mild guidance needs in the forefoot will do well with this shoe.
Bach: The Cellula 1 was actually listed as a shoe for both "comfort and stability." Version 2 drops the stability off the description, focusing on comfort. Despite that, the shoe feels fairly stable for a neutral trainer. The width helps along with mild sole flare in the forefoot both laterally and medially. The foam is also not terribly soft (though comfortable), offering a little firmness to help not be unstable. There's no particular forms of stability otherwise. The upper locks down well enough, helping keep the foot feeling secure. Like many max cushion shoes today, the light rocker offers some nice guidance forward. I feel comfortable enough calling this model stable neutral as nothing feels too unstable here and gave my flat feet no issues.
Thoughts as a DPT: What is a Forefoot Rocker?
By Matthew Klein
One of the more prominent geometrical features of the Diadora Cellula 2 is its large and early forefoot rocker. A forefoot rocker in a shoe refers to an upward curve at the front of the shoe underneath the toes. This is meant to replace the natural forefoot rocker of the foot. The natural forefoot rocker in the foot is the ability of the toes to extend, with typically 60-90 degrees of extension being required for normal walking and running gait. As the human body transitions over the front of the foot during gait, the toes extend passively (somewhat), allowing for the maintenance of forward momentum.
This is one of the many energy-saving mechanisms in the human body that allow us to be efficient with forward motion. As shoes get taller and stiffer, this upward curve must be added to maintain forward movement, as the stiffness removes the ability of the toes to naturally extend. This mechanism is a great choice for those who have limited toe extension secondary to pathologies like hallux rigidus or other forms of osteoarthritis or stiffening disorders, as it allows this forward motion without stressing the toes. The length of the forefoot rocker can further affect this transition.
A long, smooth rocker like the one found in the Diadora Cellula 2 makes the shoe begin to tip forward earlier, beginning the transition forward early and gradually. A late forefoot rocker still facilitates forward motion, but tends to make the ride stiffer and snappier, working better at faster paces. This is one of the many reasons the Diadora Cellula 2 works better at easier paces and has such a smooth forefoot transition. Its forefoot rocker design is smooth, and the long length works better at easier paces.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Cellula 2 looks like a nice shoe, but has some major issues. The first is that the midsole is way too firm for a premium trainer. While this is slowly getting better, I would expect this to be softer and more responsive. This is the role the Atomo Star likely fills but it is still needs to be softer. The second is the sizing needs to be consistent. This size 10 is not the same as other size 10s when comparing how it translates to others. To me, this feels closer to a 9.5, which is confirmed by the UK and JP sizing listing. This needs to be adjusted or noted prior to purchase. Finally, the heel bevel needs to be placed correctly. It is rare for people to land on the medial side of the heel. The majority (and normal biomechanics) land on the posterolateral side. The bevel either needs to be centered or laterally angled to facilitate a smoother transition.
Bach: The Cellula 2 offers some nice updates to the midsole that makes it a comfortable, easy trainer to like if you prefer firmer cushoined shoes. The easy recommendation is to continue to reduce weight, but for its purpose which feels very well fulfilled here, I don't worry about that so much. I like where the Cellula 2 sits right now as a max cushion trainer that's comfortable and stable. The Atomo Star kind of fits the niche of softer and more neutral, so the two compliment the lineup well.
I do think the shoe doesn't have a lot that makes it totally stand out in a crowded market. The premium, high stacked daily trainer is absolute stacked right now, and answering the question of whether this stands out over any of the dozen of peers it has is a difficult answer. As a whole, I feel Diadora has an opportunity to really emphasize the Made in Italy component further through really amplifying their materials and design, especially if they aren't able to find a lower price point.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Diadora Cellula 2 is for those who want a durable, secure, mild stability/guidance, firmer shoe for easy running and walking. The lower drop, firmer, and rockered ride will work for those who do not like mushy shoes but still want a rolling ride for slower runs. The fit will work best for those who want good security with a more cushioned upper and are not bothered by a tapered toe box. The price point is fairly high unless you factor in the durability and are willing to be patient for the midsole to break in. For those who found the Atomo Star too soft, this may be a decent alternative in the premium market. I am still confused as to the labeling of this shoe, both with the "neutral" rating as well as the sizing. There is a small and unique population that will work with this shoe, ie someone with a narrow foot who wants a strong forefoot rocker in a stable firmer shoe. If that is you, great. Most people may not fit with this categorization at this price. Diadora is improving, but a little more work needs to be done to compete with other shoes in this category.
Bach: The Diadora Cellula 2 is a solid max cushion trainer for someone looking for cushioning, durability, and some decent stability without being too stable. The shoe offers a nice, no frills ride for those looking for a stable neutral ride. The Cellula fits fairly standard for me, not too wide or narrow and the materials do feel nice as a whole. The price point is a touch on the higher end of max cushion shoes, but there is some value here thanks to the quality of the build. The shoe does come a little firmer immediately out-of-box, but has a nice break-in that doesn't take too long.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B (Secure and comfortable upper. Fit is slightly short for me due to some potential sizing issues)
Performance: B- (Slightly firmer ride. Great forefoot transition that is best for easy running and walking)
Stability: A- [Mild Stability] (This feels like a mild stability shoe. Large sidewalls in the heel and midfoot with what feels like a medial post in the midfoot and a facilitate forefoot transition)
Value: B- (A highly durable shoe, that is expensive for what it is. It will last, but the firmer ride and odd sizing make this a bit expensive for what it is)
Personal: C+ (I think I may need to try a size 10, but the weird sizing, slow ride and clunky heel make this something I will not continue wearing. Bach's experience helps me realize that with the right size, this is probably a great walking/standing and slow running shoe)
Overall Design: B-
Bach
Fit: B+/A- (Forefoot is comfortable, heel needs some locking in but then works well)
Performance: B+ (A very solid, no-frills ride once broken in. Some softness, some responsiveness, without extremes)
Stability: B+ (Decent width, sole flaring, mild firmness and rocker offer a classic example of stable max cushion shoe)
Value: B (The shoe is on the higher end of typical max cushion shoes price-wise, but the durability and comfort helps)
Personal: B+ (I ended up enjoying the easy going miles in the shoe. This is a truly mileage eater that feels heavily reliable. B+ all-around as nothing stands out, but I also mean that in a good way)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORDiadora Cellula 2Price: $180 at Running Warehouse
Shop Men | Shop Women
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FURTHER READING
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The most stack, period.
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