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The Gara Carbon 3 is the latest carbon race shoe from Italian footwear makers Diadora. It returns with an updated version of the Anima PBX foam that’s now tuned to be firmer, more responsive and lighter. There are new mesh uppers and the shoe sheds a bit of weight versus the previous generations.
Earlier versions of the Gara Carbon had some merit while not entirely hitting the standards of our favourite super-shoes for all out speed. So the big question: can these updates help Diadora’s race shoe now keep pace with the best carbon plate running shoes in a very competitive space? We put it to the test to find out.
The Diadora Gara Carbon 3 doesn’t look quite like your regular race shoe. While it’s got the familiar ingredients of a big stack of superfoam, carbon plate and mesh uppers. It’s at the opposite end of the spectrum to the superlight, incredibly stripped back shoes like the Pumar Fast-R3 or the Asics Metaspeed Ray Tokyo. It doesn’t quite scream race shoe.
The midsole sticks with Anima PBX foam but according to Diadora, this version of the foam is denser and firmer than the last-gen shoe in the hope of boosting the responsiveness and control. That’s a response to the fact that some runners found the Gara Carbon 2 lacking in stability.
According to Diadora’s official stats, the energy return form that midsole has improved 5% from the Gara Carbon 2. That’s supported by a full length, more curved 100% carbon fibre plate in the middle. The rocker point is also now further back in a bid to increase the speed of the transitions into toe off.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £250/$310
- Weight: 7.5oz / 211g (men’s UK 8.5/US 9.5)
- Drop: 5mm
- Stack: 39mm heel, 24mm forefoot
- Upper: Matrix mesh with carbon yarns
- Midsole: Anima PBX, full length carbon plate
- Outsole: Generous covering of TPU tread
Diadora Gara Carbon 3 review
The Fit
The Diadora Gara Carbon 3 cuts a different path to the majority of carbon race shoes with comparatively thick uppers and generously padded heel collars. The fit definitely prioritises comfort over weight saving. Minimal this shoe is not. It feels closer to fast daily trainer than a stripped-back race shoe.
While the fit is still quite hugging, the forefoot offers a more relaxed comfort than some carbon race shoes. You can happily walk around in the Gara Carbon 2. That’s probably not true of a shoe like the Puma Fast-R 3.
The forefoot is relatively relaxed compared to narrower-fit race shoes and we all found it offered quite an easy, unfussy feel that’s not dissimilar to previous versions of the Gara Carbon.
Sawtooth laces help secure the midfoot but the midfoot lockdown split the team. Mike found he wanted a bit more lockdown at the back of the toes, Tom found it a bit narrow. Kieran found it just about right. The padded heel collars are super-plus and secure with no unwanted slipping.
Across the three Run Testers who tested the Diadora Gara Carbon 3, we were all happy running in our regular shoe size for this shoe.
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The Run Test: Likes
The Diadora Gara Carbon 3 tries to mix it with the best carbon race shoes. And while it comes up a bit short on the all-out energy (more on that below), it absolutely delivers on stability and definitely offers long-haul comfort. That’s 100% its strongest asset.
It’s really easy to get settled into the shoe fresh out of the box and they feel more natural on the foot, than many carbon race shoes. There’s a super trainer or daily trainer edge to the design that feels more accommodating and approachable than more minimal race shoes.
That safe-bet sensation is backed up by the firmer-tuned Anima PBX that brings a bit more stability to the shoe than previous generations. You get plenty of protection underfoot and the Gara Carbon 3 is as capable at cushioning easy, slower miles as it is cruising at marathon pace. If you want a race shoe that’s going to be reliable underfoot from mile one to 26, this could be it. It’s more of a hedge your bets shoe than many of the more aggressive, bouncier alternatives.
The uppers – though quite thick and not the most breathable – are also built to last, thanks to that carbon yarn which really beefs up the strength and durability.
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The Run Test: Dislikes
The one thing we all agreed on: the Diadora Gara Carbon 3 midsole doesn’t deliver the bounce, energy or out and out punch of top-tier carbon race shoes like the Asics Metaspeed Edge Tokyo and Sky Tokyo. Of the stiffness and snappiness from the carbon plate that you find from the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3. Both shoes this goes up against on price with that $300 price tag.
The ride is much closer to a super trainer than the most efficient, effective carbon race shoes. It’s just not really packing the same level of punch when it comes to the assistance you want to help you hold top paces, without spending as much energy.
It’s also comparatively heavy – the trade off for all the comfort elements and the robust uppers. But we’d happily swap some of those long-haul-friendly softer edges for less weight and more agility.
Verdict And Alternatives
The Diadora Gara Carbon 3 failed to wow. In fact, Mike and Tom both felt the changes to make the midsole firmer were a step backwards versus the Gara Carbon 2. And we all agreed that Diadora isn’t quite keeping up with the best running shoes for speed. This isn’t a serious match for the top shoes from Puma, Asics, Adidas, Hoke, Nike and Co. It performs closer to a fast trainer than an all-out PB chasing speedy racer. A shortcoming that’s made much hard to stomach when you look at the price tag.
None of the team felt they’d pick the Gara Carbon 3 first for racing and we all felt there were better, more affordable alternatives.
If you want a stable race-day option or you need a shoe that’ll help you round a marathon in comfort with a little bit of energy, maybe its got merit. But it’s definitely closer to a Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 or an Under Armour Velociti Elite 3 than the leading race shoes. And it’s a good chunk more expensive than those two shoes.
If you want top-speed edge the Asics Metaspeed Ray Tokyo, the Puma Fast-R3, the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0, the Adidas Adios Pro 4, to name just a few, offer more for the same or less £££.
The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 also offers a good dose of the reliability but with a lot more energy. The Hoka Rocket X3 is another option if you want a fast shoe that feels a little more controlled.