Diadora Mythos Blushield Volo 5 review

The Diadora Mythos Blushield Volo 5 is a good option for:

• Heel strikers who want a stable daily trainer for easy and steady miles.
• Runners who prefer a flexible, stable ride and don't care about high-bounce foams.
• Diadora fans who want a dependable running shoe that also works well as a casual sneaker for everyday use.

We are used to average energy return in daily trainers, but we found in the lab that the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 falls well below that mark. We do not recommend it if you want a lively, spring-loaded feel. Check the Saucony Tempus 2, as it delivers support with far better rebound.

We also think the high drop limits its appeal for many runners. In our experience, those who prefer a lower offset will struggle with this geometry. Check the Altra Paradigm 8 (zero-drop) or the Altra Experience Form (low-drop). Both feature a lower drop with a broader, foot-shaped toebox and a more relaxed feel.

The Mythos Blushield Volo 5 delivers a solid level of cushioning, with 137 SA in the heel and 106 SA in the forefoot. However, this is slightly lower than we expected given the stack height.

That said, it makes sense to us when considering that the shoe does not use an advanced foam and that the BluShield technology provides less impact protection than a single, uninterrupted slab of foam. More on that later!

The ANIMA and BluShield combination works well for stability but falls short in terms of energy return. We measured just 42.8% of rebound in the heel, with the forefoot performing only slightly better at 47.4%. There is clearly plenty of room for improvement in this area.

Diadora lists a 36 mm heel stack, but the shoe feels noticeably taller. We confirmed this impression with our own measurement of 40.0 mm.

This places the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 firmly in maximalist territory for rearfoot strikers and helps explain the above-average shock absorption in the heel.

The forefoot also measured higher than the official specification, reaching 28.8 mm. However, as shown in our photo, part of this height comes from the BluShield structure, which adds limited cushioning and helps explain why shock absorption in this area remained only average.

Diadora states an 8 mm drop, but our measurements showed a higher 11.2 mm.

This increased offset positions the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 as a more suitable option for heel strikers, as it helps promote a smoother forward roll. It can also benefit runners who deal with recurring Achilles tendon issues, since a higher drop often reduces strain in that area.

This shoe uses two midsole technologies, with the layer closest to the ground being a full-length slab of ANIMA foam. It is not flashy or especially lively as we proved before, just a straightforward EVA compound that works fine if performance is not the main priority.

Regarding softness, Diadora chose a balanced setup at 20.0 HA, which aligns well with the shoe’s stability-focused design.

The rocker of the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 follows a classic shape that will appeal to runners who dislike today’s maximalist, ultra-curved designs.

The forefoot is noticeably flat, which is not an issue because the stack height remains moderate and flexibility is excellent. However, the heel features a generous curvature that starts very early, helping rearfoot strikers transition smoothly into each stride.

The Blushield technology from Diadora is a very important part of this shoe. The goal of this unique design is to deliver a cushioning system that adapts to the asymmetric forces of the foot, especially for runners with mild pronation who need moderate support without a strong corrective feel.

We have to give Diadora credit for two things. First, it is a clearly different and brave move away from conventional designs. Second, it looks genuinely cool when cut in half. However, based on our experience, it does not deliver clear benefits over a traditional setup in cushioning, energy return, or support.

We have tested enough shoes from Diadora to know that the brand favors a tight fit, and that is exactly what we expected from the Mythos Blushield Volo 5. After creating our gel mold using our custom method, we took precise measurements to assess the fit. And spoiler alert: it is, again, best for narrow feet.

Our first reading came in at 94.1 mm, which sits slightly below the current lab average, although only by a small margin.

Our second measurement also came in clearly below average at 71.0 mm. This places the Mythos as a strong option for runners with narrow feet, or for those who prefer a snug and secure feel.

Indeed, this is not necessarily a downside for a stability-oriented shoe in terms of support. However, the risk of feeling overly restrictive remains for many runners.

The hat-trick of lower-than-average measurements concludes with a toebox height of just 23.5 mm.

That is very low and works best for runners with low-volume feet or for those who enjoy a close, foot-hugging upper with minimal space above the toes.

In our SATRA TM144 testing on wet concrete, the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 recorded a forefoot friction score of 0.61, clearly demonstrating solid grip in challenging conditions. As a result, it stands out as a dependable option for rainy road runs, plus traction on dry asphalt remains excellent too.

We found that the outsole of the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 is clearly split into two distinct zones.

Up front, Diadora uses orange Flexoft rubber, which delivers solid grip while maintaining excellent flexibility, exactly as the name implies. In contrast, the heel relies on the brand’s Duratech 5000 compound, chosen to boost abrasion resistance in an area that typically experiences higher wear in a stability-oriented shoe.

Thanks to the moderate stack height, the Flexoft rubber, and the BluShield technology, our machine needed just 11.7N of force to bend the shoe to 30 degrees. This level of flexibility is notably high and contributes to a smooth, natural ride.

We expected a lower weight from the Mythos Blushield Volo 5, but that expectation came from comparing it to the featherweight Diadora Frequenza 2 that we reviewed just before this pair.

However, this model is heavier for clear reasons—the BluShield technology and the ANIMA foam both are heavier when compared to the nitrogen-infused ANIMA N2. We found that at 9.9 oz or 281g, the weight remains reasonable for a stability shoe, although we would not want it to increase beyond this point.

The upper is where Diadora clearly invests the most care and premium materials. However, this focus does not automatically translate into top-level breathability.

After filling the toebox with smoke, we observed decent airflow and gave the shoe a 3/5 score. This is a solid result that works well throughout the year and, when paired with thin socks, can also be sufficient for summer runs.

As expected from a stability-oriented shoe, the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 offers plenty of structure and support in the heel and midfoot. In contrast, the toebox is noticeably thinner.

We then examined the engineered mesh upper under our digital microscope.

The material feels premium to the touch, and visually it confirms a high level of quality, clearly exceeding what we usually see at this price point.

Finally, the heel padding stood out immediately. There is an impressive amount of cushioning here, creating an extremely cozy and comfortable step-in feel that many runners will appreciate.

In our view, the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 clearly falls into the mild-stability category, offering only moderate guidance and feeling just slightly more stable than most daily trainers.

Flexibility is easy to notice in the forefoot, while the midfoot and heel feel slightly stiffer. Taking everything into account, we rated it 4 out of 5.

The ultra-plush heel padding mentioned earlier plays a crucial role here, as the heel counter’s extreme 5/5 stiffness demands a generous amount of foam to prevent the area from feeling harsh or uncomfortable.

We found it interesting that Diadora sticks to a classic profile with this shoe, avoiding an oversized rocker and keeping the build flexible.

At the same time, they kept the dimensions under control, with a forefoot width of just 110.8 mm, which helps deliver an agile ride. Taking this approach in a stability shoe requires bravery, and it clearly sets this model apart.

The heel also sits close to the lab average, although it is not as compact as the forefoot when compared to other shoes. Here, our calipers measured 91.3 mm.

While the upper feels very pleasant to the touch, it is also quite thin and shows limited resistance to abrasion. In our first Dremel test, it scored just 1 out of 5.

The heel padding showed some improvement, but it still fell slightly short of expectations, earning a 3 out of 5.

We already know from other Diadora models that Duratech 5000 excels in durability, which is exactly what its name suggests. The outcome was again very positive, showing just 0.8 mm of wear.

Diadora took a conservative approach by adding a thick 3.8 mm layer of rubber, which is a smart choice for a stability-oriented shoe.

The DDATTIVO insole stands out from what we usually see in most running shoes. It features a thicker heel section designed to add extra cushioning in that area, somewhat similar to how ASICS uses Gel, but here the concept is applied directly to the insole instead of the midsole. And because of this added chunk of red foam, the insole reaches 7.9 mm at its thickest point.

If you are not a fan of the DDATTIVO insole, you can easily remove it and use a standard one instead. This can be a smart option for forefoot or midfoot strikers, as swapping it out effectively lowers the shoe’s drop.

The ANIMA foam showed a decent result in our freezer test, becoming 22% firmer after spending 20 minutes in the freezer. That is a respectable outcome for an EVA foam.

Unfortunately, we could not find any reflective elements on the upper of the Mythos Blushield Volo 5.

Diadora skipped some premium details seen in other models, which explains the simple but effective eyelet chain that comes fully reinforced to avoid tearing.

We measured the tongue and found it follows the brand’s usual approach, with a thin build measuring just 1.5 mm, which may disappoint runners who prefer thick and cushioned tongues in daily trainers. However, it's worth mentioning that this lighter design choice is becoming more common across several brands.

The tongue uses a semi-gusseted design that delivers a secure lockdown and effectively prevents unwanted movement.

Many Diadora models come with a small price premium compared to mainstream brands, and the Mythos Blushield Volo 5 is no exception. For most runners, it likely will not feel worth it due to the lack of bounce, but the solid build quality and attractive design could still be tempting.

This is an area where Diadora kept the design simple. There are no extra pieces or finger-loop tabs, just a clean and straightforward finish.