Diadora Atomo Star Introduction
First, the Vaporfly set off the carbon plated shoe wars. Many brands tried to imitate. Some have now caught up and even overtaken the original. Diadora pretty much nailed it on the first attempt with the Gara Carbon. It was one of the hidden gems of last year’s releases.
Then came the rise of the supertrainers. Nike, again, was a leader with the very Marmite Tempo Next%. Perhaps the patient zero was the New Balance TC. What came next was the rush of others. New Balance’s imaginatively named SC Trainer, adidas brought the skyscraper stacked Prime X and ASICS ruled the unplated roost with the Superblast.
This is where Diadora step in with the Atomo Star. Built with Diadora DNA from the Mythos Star 2 it has strong retro vibes. Furthermore, it continues the artisan spirit of the Atomo V7000 with its made in Italy label. It is a shoe which is built for both speed days and long runs. A direct competitor to those already established favourites above. On the back of the Gara, expectations were very high for this high-stacked, high-priced debutant.
A high stacked, retro looking shoe which promises versatility and quality. Sounds like the perfect shoe, right? Promises on paper don’t always translate to the pavement. Is this the case with the Atomo Star or have Diadora continued their Midas touch?
The Atomo Star brings a retro vibe with an interesting shape
Andy: In the Atomo Star, the upper is many things. First, and in my opinion, it is a very good looking shoe. It brings the retro running vibe while clearly embracing modern technology. It is also a very plush upper. Diadora have been generous with their padding on the Atomo Star. From the heel cup which has a thick rim of padding to the tongue which you could use as a duvet on a cold night, there is no shortage of foam.
This is a double edged sword. On one hand, it makes for a very comfortable shoe in which it is easy to get a good lockdown. The well padded and stout heel cup means there is no slippage. Meanwhile the thick, gusseted tongue wraps the foot and keeps it in place. On the other hand, I have found some of the padding to be a little intrusive. Perhaps this is due to the sizing (which I will come to in a minute) but I find on longer runs, the heel padding really pushes into my achilles. This has left them feeling a little bruised and tender.
The sizing is a definite issue in the Atomo Star. I received mine half a size down from my usual preference just as the Mythos Volo. While the upper of the Volo is accommodating and this did not cause a problem, the Atomo Star is not so forgiving. The taper in the toe box is rather extreme and I was concerned that it would be an unrunnable shoe for me. Had my feet been any wider, this would have been the case. Thankfully, by taking out Diadora’s very impressive DDattivo insole and wearing the thinnest socks I own, I was able to achieve a wearable fit. This is not a shoe to size down. People with wider feet would be very well advised to try before you buy.
Once I had changed insoles and worked with the lacing, the on foot feel was pleasant. I think the shoe may also have stretched a little during my runs so far. That said, it is a shame to remove the DDattivo insole. The thickness of the foam and addition of the red pad on the rear must add about 5 or 6mm of softness to the shoe. Furthermore, there is added arch support built into the midsole. While I may not be using them with the Atomo Star, the insoles will find a home in other shoes I wear.
Overall, the upper, much like the rest of the shoe, is a mixed bag for me. I appreciate the quality of the build. The materials look and feel very high quality from the suede-esque toe bumper to the nylon airmesh sidewalls. It is certainly a shoe which is built to last and will turn heads while doing so. However, the generosity of materials and shape of the last mean that there are issues with sizing. This has the knock on effect to the comfort of the shoe. I would love to try the Atomo Star in a larger size to see if the achilles aches continue. If you have a high volume or wide foot, check the sizing carefully.
Ivan: Unlike Andy, I went with my usual size (US 8.5, EU 41) for the Diadora Atomo Star. I have to say, the fit is absolutely spot on. It’s not that spacious, but I actually prefer a snug fit around my midfoot and heel. Thankfully, there’s still plenty of room around my right little toe. This often gives me trouble – especially with most HOKA and Saucony models. Length-wise, I have about half to a full thumb’s width at the front, which feels perfect to me.
I really like the look of the shoe. I’m not usually drawn to retro styling, but this one just hits the mark for my taste. The suede accents and the rarely-seen stitching on the back add a cool touch that complements the overall retro vibe. I don’t see this as an uptempo shoe, so I’m not bothered by the few extra grams those details might add.
As Andy also pointed out, the shoe is quite padded all around. I really appreciate the secure lockdown from the thick tongue and the well-padded heel counter, though I will admit it can run a bit hot at times. I think that’s partly due to the softness of not just the materials but also the midsole – especially that ultra-thick DDattivo insole, which I’ll dive into later.
A major midsole which rewards a midfoot strike
Andy: While other supertrainers have PEBA foam on midsole duties, Diadora has chosen to go with their Anima N2 foam. This is a supercritical EVA which is also found in the Frequenza. While the Frezuenza is a very flexible shoe, the addition of far more foam volume in the Atomo Star makes it a very different proposition. With 40mm in the heel and a 6mm drop, it is a much thicker and more torsionally rigid midsole.
The ride of the Atomo Star is very cushioned, dampened and surprisingly stable. Other supertrainers offer big bounce and maximum energy return. The Atomo Star officers a very dampened feel without much given back to the runner. As a forefoot striker, I don’t think I get the most out of the midsole design. Much of the soft feel of the shoe comes from the heel and the pop comes from the relatively long rocker. With my gait cycle and footstrike, I manage to miss out on all of this.
It is not an uncomfortable ride but I don’t find that it offers me a huge wow factor. I find it comfortable underfoot and I have run a range of paces in it but, for me, it doesn’t excel at any of them. Initially, I found the forefoot a little firm, although after about 100km so far, it has started to yield and become a softer landing. This put me off using them for easy runs. As I mentioned above, I miss out on the rocker and the lack of energy return makes them not really a viable choice for fast sessions on my feet.
As I have gone through a few weeks testing the Atomo Star, I have enjoyed my runs in them. That said, I just don’t know where they fit in my rotation. When compared to the Pegasus Premium for a similar price, they are a far better shoe. However, they suffer from being a jack of all trades and losing out to specialists on all of them. I will continue to use them for my morning runs, but at the price point, this seems a rather limited use case.
Overall, it isn’t limited by one particular factor. The weight doesn’t penalise it, the shock absorption is present and the foot transition is smooth. Despite it all being there in the midsole, it just lacks that magic for me. It just seems to be missing the super part of supertrainer.
Ivan: When it comes to the ride of the Diadora Atomo Star, I pretty much agree with everything Andy mentioned. Fortunately for me, I’m not a forefoot striker – I land purely midfoot with a light, flat strike and a relatively weak toe-off. With my biomechanics, the 6mm drop and early-stage rocker work absolutely brilliantly. The ride feels incredibly smooth, and I actually appreciate the lack of super-bouncy foam, which I often find more draining than beneficial for my efficiency.
However, one thing I’m not a huge fan of is the fairly wide platform, and I also wish it wasn’t quite as soft as it feels at times. I managed to resolve the latter issue by swapping out the super-thick, squishy-soft insole for a denser, more responsive one. This change not only improved the overall experience but also made the fit feel less tight, which might help others who find it too snug. I still went with another fairly thick insole because I like a secure lockdown, but opting for a firmer option made a big difference.
With the new insole, the shoe’s use case changed significantly, becoming much more versatile. The initial soft sensation – which felt okay for easy and recovery runs – transformed into a more balanced feel. Now, I genuinely enjoy using the Diadora Atomo Star for most types of daily runs. It’s not my first choice for uptempo sessions, but surprisingly, it held up decently even at marathon pace, thanks to the smooth transition from the rocker design.
In terms of stability, the wide platform and ample foam make for a surprisingly stable ride – a nice bonus since most shoes in this category tend to be on the unstable side. Recently, I’ve been dealing with an injury higher up the chain around my glutes and hips, and most softer shoes have been problematic since they cause me to collapse too much. Despite the Atomo Star’s quite soft and cushioned feel, it has surprisingly worked well for me, offering a great alternative to the more nimble options that seem to work okay with my current issues.
The outsole of the Atomo Star adds softness and stability
Andy: The outsole of the Atomo Star is the one point where I don’t have mixed feelings. The Duratech 5000 rubber is a good material. In the late winter, early spring conditions, I have had no issue with grip. Slimy, frosty pavements have left the Atomo Star unfazed. In addition to this, I have found very little noticeable wear. Coverage is fairly full on both forefoot and heel areas and, while there is a good amount of exposed Anima N2 foam, the high strike areas are protected.
There are cutaways for flexibility and weight reduction. Along with these, there are flex grooves in the rubber. Meanwhile, at the rear, heel strikers get plenty of rubber to keep them grounded. This is the one part of the Atomo Star I wouldn’t make any changes to.
Ivan: The Duratech 5000 rubber compound feels pretty basic but provides decent coverage where it’s needed. I don’t expect it to wear down prematurely. So far, traction has been good, although I haven’t had the chance to really put it to the test in wet conditions yet – probably because I’ve been a bit reluctant to get this good-looking shoe dirty.
One thing worth mentioning is the vertical cutout in the outsole, which helps with guidance and likely contributes to the shoe’s surprisingly stable feel. Additionally, the rubber compound, paired with the dampening midsole, results in a very quiet ride – something I really appreciate.
A smooth, cushioned ride but does it have the X factor?
Andy: For me, the look, style and quality of the Diadora Atomo Star are top notch. It is a striking shoe which will last a long time. However, the fit issue caused by the thickness of the upper and the rather extreme taper of the toebox are a real deal breaker. While for some runners, the midsole will be an absolute dream, I found it to be a little lacklustre.
It is a shoe which will remain in my rotation especially as we are heading towards summer and I want to look good on my runs. However, I was hoping for another eureka moment like the Gara and what I got was a competent daily trainer with fit issues and a high price. Perhaps, with some refinement, the Atomo Star could challenge the best in its category but this version doesn’t hit the heights for me.
Ivan: I actually agree with most of Andy’s points on the Diadora Atomo Star, but my experience has been quite different. I’m not sure if our differences are due to sizing or personal preferences, but for me, the fit and feel are almost perfect, especially since I prefer a well-structured upper with a secure lockdown. That said, if you tend to favor a more relaxed fit, definitely pay attention to sizing, particularly the US to EU conversion.
As for the ride, the Atomo Star provides a comfortable, cushioned experience without feeling unstable. I find it offers great protection for my body while delivering a smooth and efficient ride that’s always pleasant. This is especially true after swapping out the insole, which was a bit too soft for my liking. While the shoe can handle picking up the pace, it truly shines at more relaxed paces.
