Diadora Atomo Star

A made-in-Italy premium max-cushion trainer (40/34mm) with springy supercritical foam and no plate, scored 9.58/10 by RoadTrailRun. For runners who want deep, vibration-absorbing cushion with a distinct rebound at relaxed paces. The $240 price and warm, lined upper are the trade-offs.

Quick specs
CushionMaximum
SupportNeutral
Drop6 mm
Heel stack40 mm
Toe boxStandard
Foot strikeHeel, Midfoot
Who it's for

Reach for the Diadora Atomo Star for everyday training miles, long runs and easy recovery days. It's a neutral shoe, best for runners with an efficient stride who don't need pronation support. The tall, soft stack favors comfort over ground feel. That's great for high mileage and bigger runners, less so for racing snappiness.

Daily trainingLong runsRecovery runs
Pros
  • Springy, vibration-absorbing supercritical foam
  • Light for its 40mm stack
  • Premium Italian craftsmanship
Cons
  • Very expensive for an unplated trainer
  • Upper runs warm
Similar shoes to consider
ShoeCushionSupportPrice
ASICS Superblast 2MaximumNeutral$200Analyze
Hoka Clifton 10MaximumNeutral$150Analyze
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14MaximumNeutral$165Analyze
ASICS Novablast 5MaximumNeutral$150Analyze
Skill profile
Support42
Cushion90
Durability80
Popularity50
Price50
Versatility60
Lightness73

Ratings compare the current lineup. Price favors lower cost.

Key stats
$240Price (MSRP)
40 mmStack height
6 mmDrop
9.6 ozMen's weight
7.4 ozWomen's weight
2025Release year
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