Diadora launches its Mezzofondo spikes, which is flagship racing spike for mid to long distance (1500m – 10,000m), and as far as I know, Diadora’s only spike built for that range. It’s designed in collaboration with Marco Langon, the NCAA champion, and it’s a unique, cool-looking spike straight off the bat. That said, it looks almost exactly like the Nike Dragonfly, released back in 2020, and as will become a running theme in this review, that comparison is going to keep coming up.
At 180g, with a 20mm stack, the same Anima PBX (PEBAX) foam as their Gara Carbon, and a €250 price tag, let’s see what this fast, fast, aggressive spike has to offer.
Upper and Fit of the Diadora Mezzofondo
What works for me
The upper is a textile mesh, a pretty traditional-feeling construction, similar to what you’d find on the Gara Carbon or other Diadora shoes I’ve tried. It’s nice, breathable, and does what it needs to do.
One of the nicest things about the upper is that it fits like a glove, and for a spike, that’s exactly what you want: something that encapsulates the foot, holds it firmly in place, but still feels almost sock-like. I tried it both with and without socks (I’m more of a socks guy myself), and it works well either way.
The fit is true to size for me. I have relatively wide feet, and I still found the shoe fit well without needing to size up or down. Similar to the Dragonfly, it fits exactly as my size should, which is exactly what you want from a spike: relatively tight, but that’s the point for a racing shoe.
What doesn’t work for me
What I didn’t love about the upper is that it isn’t especially imaginative. I think Diadora could have pushed this further, maybe even shed some weight with a cutout in the upper, similar to what Nike did on the back of the Dragonfly.
The technology here feels reminiscent of 2019 or 2020, around when the first super spikes started appearing, or even earlier. It’s not necessarily a bad upper, it does what it needs to, but for a brand so ingrained in design and performance (I loved what they did with the Gara Carbon), I expected a bit more innovation here.
Midsole and Ride of the Diadora Mezzofondo
What works for me
The Midsole contains the Anima PBX compound which is the same foam that I really enjoyed in the Gara Carbon and some of the other Diadora models. With there being such a limited amount of foam it’s hard to really explain the experience but the midsole did feel aggressive and forefoot oriented.
There’s a large portion of the foam around the mid-forefoot which means it really favours runners who stay strong throughout their race and I envision that a lot of the energy/bouncy is meant to also come from the track itself.
What doesn’t work for me
Because it’s a spike, and built very aggressively, the ride is extremely aggressive: very forefoot-oriented, like most spikes, but it feels like a copy-paste of the original Dragonfly, maybe even a slightly more aggressive version of it. Visually and in feel, it’s just the Dragonfly all over again, and I don’t think Diadora innovated much in how they approached that design.
I understand there are real limitations on stack height for track spikes. But looking at other options on the market, the On spikes for example are much less aggressive, and for me personally, that suits me better.
I’m a forefoot runner, but when you fatigue on the track, you need real strength to keep running well in the Mezzofondo, because the ride is so aggressive and so forefoot-oriented. Having spoken with some of the designers and people at Diadora, I know this aggressive character is exactly what the athlete they worked with, Marco, wanted. So I understand this shoe is built around a very elite profile, and while I do run fast, I think I’m missing some of the raw strength this shoe demands, which meant I didn’t get everything out of it.
If you’re looking for an aggressive spike and you’re a strong runner, this is great. If you want something more forgiving, there are better options out there. The ride doesn’t help you out when you’re fatigued the way a lot of road shoes do, when you feel bad, this shoe doesn’t make you feel any better. That might just be a reflection of my own limits as a track runner, but that’s my honest take.
Outsole of the Diadora Mezzofondo
Grip and Traction
In this case it’s a “grip and spike plate” rather than a traditional outsole section. It’s nice, does what it needs to, with six spikes per shoe, which is fairly traditional given how limited the variation between spikes tends to be across brands. The orientation is aggressive and feels like it’s built to push you forward, and it does that really well.
My biggest issue here is that on a couple of separate occasions, the spikes actually fell out, despite being screwed in tightly with the spike tool. It’s possible my specific pair wasn’t the best example, and the spike tool itself is also slightly different from the ones I’m used to, so I can’t be fully certain where the issue lies. But it happened more than once, so it’s worth flagging: there’s some work to be done there, or at least it doesn’t inspire full confidence.
Durability
Since this is a race-day spike rather than a daily trainer, durability isn’t something I’d assess the same way. Realistically, this should easily get you through a full season, probably two, across a handful of races.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At €250 I am a bit shocked how far off the market Diadora has gone with this shoe. Sure it’s a great option for an aggressive spike, but given the other shoes available at price points closer to €150 – €200 I struggle to fully justify where this extra money is going. Premium brand with premium products and a very nice design, 100%, but I think that its a bit of an out-of-touch price point for a product which ultimately is on par with the market and does not outperform it. I’m sure that you can grab it at a discount in the near future, for which it then will be a viable option.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
There isn’t much to say here: this is a racer only for me, something you might use for the occasional training session, but not a shoe with a real place in a broader rotation.
Final Verdict
The Diadora Mezzofondo is, in a lot of ways, the Dragonfly in disguise. A familiar formula with a fresh coat of paint. The upper fits like a glove and the Anima PBX foam is genuinely bouncy. However, the ride is unapologetically aggressive and built for a very specific, elite kind of runner, which meant I personally didn’t get the full benefit out of it. Add in a couple of spikes coming loose mid-tightening, and this feels like a solid spike rather than a standout one. If Diadora wants this to be more than a Dragonfly tribute, it needs a bit more of its own identity.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Diadora Mezzofondo vs. Nike Dragonfly
Honestly, I think this is close to the same shoe. The Mezzofondo mirrors the Dragonfly in looks and in ride. If anything, it might be an even more aggressive version of it.
Diadora Mezzofondo vs. Diadora Gara Carbon
The Gara Carbon isn’t a spike, it’s a road racing shoe. Both come from the same brand and share a similar identity. Firmer, more aggressive rides that work really well if you’re a strong runner, and noticeably less well if you’re not.
Diadora Mezzofondo Quick Questions
How should I use the Diadora Mezzofondo?
Track only. It is a fast track racing shoe. It really has no other use (maybe cross country too).
Is the Diadora Mezzofondo a good shoe for long runs?
No. It is a track racing spike.
Is the Diadora Mezzofondo a good shoe for fast sessions?
Yes, it is for the fastest runs you are going to make on track.
Is the Diadora Mezzofondo a shoe for daily training?
Nope. It is a carbon plated spike. Not ideal for daily training.
Can I wear the Diadora Mezzofondo as a lifestyle shoe?
It would be a brave person who wears a track spike as a daily lifestyle shoe.
Is the Diadora Mezzofondo suitable for all terrains?
It is built for the track. However, it could also find a home as a cross country spike after the end of its track career.
Is the the Diadora Mezzofondo a good shoe for racing?
Yes, it is a track racing spike.
Is the the Diadora Mezzofondo a good shoe for stability?
It is a race focussed track spike. Stability isn’t a concern of the designers.
