Diadora Gara

Fast and comfortable marathon racer with aggressive toe off

Buy now for $300
The Diadora Gara Carbon is the Italian sportswear brand's first carbon-fiber plated running shoe. It features a 39mm stack of Pebax foam and a plate that was engineered in partnership with the racing brand Ducati. Priced at $300, it was the most expensive race day shoe that was widely available in 2024—$15 more expensive than the Nike Alphafly 3. The supercriticial PEBA midsole of the Gara Carbon is tuned for protective squish, and the aggressively angled carbon fiber plate flings the forefoot along when picking up the pace. While it’s not as aggressive as the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris or as bouncy as the On Cloudboom Strike, the coddling comfort shines through on long and taxing efforts. With a moderate 5 mm drop, it’s also accommodating for all foot strikes. For runners who loved the 1080v13 or the Nike Invincible 3, this is the best race day shoe with a similar comfort-oriented feel. The Gara Carbon has since been updated with a newly redesigned mesh upper in Version 2, so if you can find the original model for under $300, it could be a fun option to try for marathon race day or long runs.
Category
Race Day
Release Date
February 2024
Plated?
Yes
Type of Plate
Full carbon plate
Foam
AnimaPBX
Foam Compound
PEBA
Ride
Bouncy, Cushioned, Soft
Heel Stack (mm)
39.0
Forefoot Stack (mm)
34.0
Drop (mm)
5
Weight (mens size 9)
8.1
Support
Neutral
Fit
True to size

Alternatives

Here are some other options to consider. To find the best shoe for you, take the quiz linked below for personalized matches

Race Day

Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

Aggressive and lightweight racing shoe for fast PR attempts. More aggressive feel than Edge Paris
Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris
Price
$250
Plated?
Yes
Foam
PEBA
Weight (oz)
6.4
Drop (mm)
5
Support
Neutral
BUYdetails

Race Day

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

Soft and cushioned racing shoe with forgiving ride. Top pick of 2024
Saucony Endorphin Pro 4
Price
$225
Plated?
Yes
Foam
PEBA, Supercritical PEBA
Weight (oz)
7.7
Drop (mm)
8
Support
Neutral
BUYdetails

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