New and Reviewed: Diadora Equipe Atomo

The Italians, known for design, style, winning Eurovision, speed, family, life, and vitality–could you ever combine all that it means to be Italian into a running shoe? Diadora is giving it a go. Founded in 1948, Diadora is a quintessential Italian sports brand known for high-performance athletic footwear from tennis to soccer and motorsports, and let’s not forget running.

Enter 2021 and Diadora is back in the United States with the new Equipe Atomo, an on-point, Italian-manufactured, tech-forward performance running shoe that is a welcome addition to any shoe rotation, grazie.

Diadora Equipe Atomo Review | $195

Want running shoes that make you look forward to putting them on and logging miles? More so, shoes that you want to wear around even on your off days? The Diadora Equipe Atomo is not only comfortable enough to beckon you for a run and feel great while you’re out there, but it’s designed with Italian flair that’s fun to show off. This shoe isn’t all about looks, however, as it performs on the road as a max-cush daily trainer in a lightweight package.

Heel-Toe Offset: 5mm (29mm heel, 24mm forefoot)

Why It’s Great: The Equipe Atomo offers maximum cushioning in a lightweight, comfortable, Italian-made package. It feels great upon first step-in, with a plush heel collar and tongue and slightly stretchy engineered mesh upper that conforms around the foot. To boot, it looks Italian-made—a good thing—and can double as casual-wear with a European, almost retro vibe.

Who It’s For: Runners who crave a lot of cushioning–albeit cushioning that runs more firm than soft–but who don’t want to sacrifice weight (or looks) in their shoes.

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Pros

• A generous stack height—29mm under the heel and 24mm under the forefoot—absorbs impact and rebounds quickly to feel energetic. It’s made of an EVA polymer blend, which runs more firm and responsive than soft and squishy.
• Despite the thick midsole, this shoe remains lightweight, especially for a daily trainer. The midsole compound itself is lighter than some traditional EVAs, and the strategic placement of outsole rubber keeps things on the light side, as well. Called Duratech-5000, the durable rubber is only placed in high-wear areas, leaving parts of the (lighter weight) midsole foam exposed.
• The 5mm drop from heel to toe feels balanced and works for both heel- and midfoot-strikers alike. (Drops on the higher end, like 10mm or 12mm, work best for heel strikers and can feel awkward for midfoot strikers.) The stack height and foam combo encourages an efficient stride.
• The upper is breathable, soft, slightly stretchy, and seems to conform around the foot like a gentle hug. The extra-padded tongue keeps the flat, stretchy laces from irritating the top of the foot, even when pulled tightly. It’s a comfortable shoe all-around.
• This shoe is Italian-made and it shows. Red and green accent the white of the shoe to mirror the Italian flag, and gold detailing adds flair. A tiny “Made in Italy” tab on the laces and a small Italian flag painted on the heel make you never forget where this shoe came from, which is the Diadora factory in the town of Caerano di San Marco in the Dolomites.

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Cons

• Some might find the cushioning too firm.
• The Equipe Atomo runs about a half-size small, so be sure to try it on at a run specialty store before purchasing to make sure you get the right fit.
• $195 is $195.

We are giving away four pairs of the Diadora Equipe Atomo! Click here to enter!