Diadora Frequenza 2 review

The Diadora Frequenza 2 is an under-the-radar option in today’s market that:

• Works best for runners with narrow feet who want a premium, versatile daily trainer.
• Appeals to those looking for a lightweight running shoe that also looks amazing for casual wear.
• Suits heel strikers who want one shoe that can handle easy miles, long runs and tempo workouts.

We found in the lab that options like the HOKA Mach 6 and Adidas Adizero EVO SL deliver better energy return with a more budget-friendly, value-driven approach—making them smarter picks for most runners.

We also believe the narrow, tapered toebox is a real limitation. In our experience, runners who want space up front will struggle with the Frequenza 2. Shoes like the Altra Experience Flow 2 or Adidas Supernova Rise 2 offer a roomier fit that works better for wider feet.

The Diadora Frequenza 2 delivers a very different ride depending on how you land. Heel strikers get an ultra-cushioned feel, as we measured a massive 161 SA in the heel, while forefoot strikers should expect a more average sensation with 113 SA up front.

It almost feels like two shoes in one, since the ride character changes so clearly. The heel comes across as extremely plush and protective, whereas the forefoot leans toward a more responsive and direct ground feel.

The ANIMA N2 foam is a nitrogen-infused EVA compound that delivered 59.4% energy return in the heel and 62.7% in the forefoot. These are solid results that suit daily miles and some tempo efforts, but they do not translate into a truly energetic ride.

At the Frequenza 2’s price point, we would have liked to see values closer to 70% in our test to better match its premium positioning.

For us, the world of true maximalist running shoes starts at 40 mm in the heel, and the Frequenza 2 sits well below that mark at 36.5 mm.

This choice makes sense, as it helps preserve an agile ride and avoids going too tall with such a plush foam, which could otherwise create excessive instability for heel strikers.

The forefoot sits a bit lower than expected. While Diadora lists 28 mm, we measured just 24.7 mm at the World Athletics reference points.

This noticeable gap gives the front of the Frequenza 2 more ground feel and a feedback-rich ride that will appeal to runners who prefer better road connection.

Because the forefoot came in lower than expected, the drop ends up higher than advertised. Instead of the stated 8 mm, we measured 11.8 mm. This geometry makes the shoe roll very easily without relying on an aggressive rocker, which works well for heel strikers who want smooth, quick transitions in a shoe that still feels flexible and natural.

The supercritical, nitrogen-infused ANIMA N2 foam is extremely plush and really only suits runners who enjoy very soft midsoles. If you prefer a firm, controlled ride, the Frequenza 2 is simply not for you.

Running in it feels like stepping on clouds, and we confirmed that sensation with our Shore A durometer, measuring just 11.8 HA, which is nearly half of the lab average.

One of the features that makes the Frequenza 2 stand out is how it blends modern elements with a fairly classic forefoot rocker. There are no ultra-curved midsoles here, which gives the shoe a more traditional feel up front.

The heel does include a pronounced bevel that helps heel strikers roll smoothly into the midfoot, but beyond that, forward momentum comes mainly from the high heel-to-toe drop rather than an aggressive rocker design.

Diadora shoes usually run on the narrow side and tend to suit low-volume feet, so we wanted to see if the same held true for the Frequenza 2.

To check that, we created a gel mould of the shoe’s interior, and the first measurement starts to confirm it, coming in below average at 93.8 mm.

Our second measurement focused on toebox width, and it also landed below average at 71.6 mm. It’s not extremely narrow or overly restrictive, but it clearly won’t suit runners with wide feet.

Our third measurement confirmed that this shoe is best for runners who prefer a snug fit.

With a toebox height of 23.9 mm, it feels very secure, though it may be too restrictive for some.

The Diadora Frequenza 2 features Duratech 5000 rubber, and it showed strong traction performance. We tested it at 0.63 in our grip test, a very good result that delivers reliable hold on dry pavement and confident traction on wet surfaces after rain.

The outsole combines large sections of exposed foam with rubber patches placed only in high-contact areas, using cutouts to keep weight low especially in the forefoot. We also found a wide central channel that runs from heel to forefoot.

Several horizontal grooves are also present in the front of the shoe to support longitudinal flexibility, which points to a more compliant platform under bending.

One of the standout features of the Frequenza 2 is its high flexibility. While many modern shoes keep getting stiffer, Diadora clearly focused on preserving a natural feel underfoot.

The super-lightweight foam, moderate stack height in the forefoot, and the outsole design work together to deliver a very low 11.4N result in our 30-degree bend test.

We loved the low weight of the Frequenza 2. Thanks to the plush, airy foam and the reduced outsole coverage, we measured a very light 8.0 oz or 227g on our scale.

That light build helps the shoe feel quick and effortless underfoot, which works well for runners seeking an easy, do-it-all daily trainer that can double for tempo runs.

The upper of the Diadora Frequenza 2 we purchased comes in the SPA RETREAT colorway, a name that sounds playful, and it also looks stylish thanks to its clean blue tone. Still, the real question is how this upper performs when it comes to breathability.

The lack of visible ventilation holes in the toebox hinted at reduced airflow, and our testing confirmed it with a 3/5 breathability score. That places the Frequenza 2 slightly below many direct competitors in this area.

This is not a deal-breaker for most runners, but if you live in very hot climates, we strongly suggest looking for a shoe that scores 4 or 5 in our lab tests and a thinner upper in the midfoot and forefoot areas.

However, the engineered mesh feels excellent on foot. It is soft, smooth, and clearly premium, avoiding any cheap or stiff sensation.

We were also positively surprised by the generous heel padding given the shoe’s low weight. It feels very cosy and provides strong support around the heel.

Diadora did some work to compensate the lack of stability of the plush ANIMA N2 foam. We found that the midsole raises in the heel to hold it better and some structure in the area to prevent lateral collapsing, but even so, we only recommend this shoe for neutral runners.

Those seeking a premium daily trainer with better stability should check the Saucony Tempus 2 instead.

Brands often chase stability by cranking up stiffness, but Diadora took a different path here. With a 3/5 score in our test, the Frequenza 2 keeps a flexible build, resulting in a controlled yet comfortable feel that works well for easy miles.

The heel counter shows slightly higher stiffness, earning a 4 out of 5 in our test. That said, as we observed during our breathability checks, Diadora added generous padding between the counter and the Achilles tendon, which helps prevent any discomfort.

Another reason the Frequenza 2 is not ideal for runners who need extra support is its restrained platform. While current trends push brands toward overly wide, bulky designs, Diadora went the opposite way, resulting in a shoe that feels refreshingly agile and nimble on the run.

In the forefoot, we measured just 113.2 mm, which sits below our lab average.

The heel is slightly wider at 93.5 mm, which makes sense given the tall stack and the plush ANIMA N2 foam in this area. Even so, it never feels excessive and still runs like a regular daily trainer, keeping the agile character we mentioned earlier.

Skipping large ventilation holes in the toebox also means a tougher, harder-to-tear material. Combined with the added TPU reinforcements, this approach resulted in a solid 3/5 durability score for the Frequenza 2.

We were sceptical about heel padding durability given its extreme softness, but the 4/5 result was a pleasant surprise and speaks to the high quality of the materials used here.

The Duratech 5000 rubber also showed excellent durability. We measured just 0.7 mm of wear on the outsole, a solid result that matters even more given the shoe’s limited rubber coverage.

At 2.8 mm thick, the outsole strikes a clear balance between providing enough protection and keeping added weight to a minimum.

The insole measured 5.1 mm in thickness, sitting slightly above the average but only by a small margin.

The insole is removable, which is a nice touch, as swapping it for a thinner one can create a bit of extra room in the toebox if needed.

After 20 minutes in our freezer, the supercritical EVA foam became just 17% firmer. That’s a solid result and shows that the plush feel stays consistent even in cold winter conditions.

We couldn’t find any reflective elements on the upper or midsole of the Frequenza 2, che vuoi farci?

The premium price of the Frequenza 2 comes with a few perks, and one of them is a set of racing-style laces that feel excellent and help secure a very precise lockdown, which we appreciated during our runs.

The focus on weight savings is clear in the tongue design. There are no extra concessions for comfort here, as Diadora opted for a razor-thin tongue with just 1.5 mm of padding—so be mindful if you tend to prefer more cushioning in that area.

The tongue is secured on both sides with a semi-gusseted design, which is exactly what you expect from a lightweight, premium daily trainer. On top of that, it uses two loops instead of one to keep the tongue centred, working together to prevent any unwanted movement.

To buy the Frequenza 2, you need to be comfortable paying a premium compared to other shoes that deliver similar performance. The refined design and high build quality may justify the price for some runners, but it’s also fair to feel that an EVA-based shoe at this cost is simply too expensive.

The Frequenza 2 features a HOKA-esque heel tab, with an extended collar that is easy to grab and offers gentle support around the Achilles tendon.