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- Getting into something like this where it's more squishy, it's more bouncy. It was definitely a different experience, but I'm glad I tried it because I feel like I've kind of been just sticking with what I know. So this was like a good opportunity to get kind of get out and see like what other shoes would work for me. - At Runner's World we test all kinds of shoes to help you find the best pair, from road to trail, from fit to comfort. And now we wanna hear from you. How was your run? We're talking about the Diadora Gara Carbon. It is a $300 shoe and it is a racing shoe. And my guest today is Gisle Carig from Vallejo, California. Gisele, first question, how was your run in the Gara Carbon? - Surprisingly, pretty good. I was a little hesitant about this shoe, to be honest with you. - Have you ever heard of Diadora? - I've heard of Diadora, but not recently. Like I, you know, to me it, it invokes kinda like a classic shoe, like, and not a running shoe. I didn't really know much about them in terms of like their running shoes or performance shoes. But then once I got these, I kind of, I, you know, Googled it. I started to see like, okay, they are actually producing like pretty, you know, high quality running shoes now. So, but definitely my first time running in them. - Just a little bit of history on Diadora. They've actually been around for a long time, since 1948. They're an Italian brand. They're kind of sort of new in the running market. But yeah, this is their racing shoe and it's kind of a surprising effort for, you know, a brand that's not really well known like in the running circle. What did you think of it, like when you, yeah, when you, like for your first run? - I was a little bit worried about this shoe only because I've never run in a carbon plated shoe, so. - I was just gonna ask you that because I saw your goal in your little survey was that you're gonna be running the New York City marathon. - I am. - So yes, what did you think about running in a carbon fiber shoe? - It's definitely a different experience. I, so I also run mostly in stability shoes. So running in this was like way different and it took me a few like runs to get used to it, but just like that feeling of like the pop and like kind of it, it also kind of like rolls you forward, which was something I've never experienced before. But I would say the shoe, even though it does have more cushion that I'm used to and also the plate, I feel like it's not overly unstable. So I was able to run in it comfortably. - Quick emergency explainer. So here is a cool little tidbit about this shoe, the carbon fiber plate, you don't really like get to hear that much about like who makes these carbon fiber plates 'cause the brands, they actually don't, they get it from a supplier. The supplier for this carbon fiber plate actually makes the same carbon fiber for Ducati, for motorcycles. So they're all about speed. So it like has like that speed DNA. What kind of workouts did you do? - I mostly run on roads around here and also my treadmill because sometimes I gotta get the workout in early morning and that's, you know, kind of the best thing I have. - Cool. Was there any difference running on a treadmill and like running on the road? I mean besides like any other shoe, but like how was that like control wise? Because I know like the propulsion on carbon fiber shoes, they can be a little much. - Yeah, I actually enjoyed it more on the treadmill I think because I just felt a little bit more in control, you know, like not worrying about if there's like a divot in the road or like there's all of a sudden there's a climb or you know, like it was just more controlled and so I found it it easier to adjust to that feeling in the shoe. - That makes sense, yeah, and it's nice to run on a treadmill because you can kind of see like, oh this is what this pace feels like and then eventually just, you know, have that go on when you're on the road. How was this on the hills then? Like was it like a little bit aggressive on the downhill would you say? - Yeah, definitely more aggressive on downhill because I, like I said, I noticed too, like how it really makes you go up onto your forefoot, which is something like most of the shoes I wear do not have any kind of like rocker or does not make you feel that way. So when I first felt it, it was a bit of an adjustment for me. Like I was like, okay, I need to like make sure I stay stable on my ankles. I, you know, I was a little bit nervous about that, but it actually is pretty comfortable and I feel like it overall, it's not overly like, it's not unnatural movement I guess is what I'm trying to say. Like it was, it was pretty comfortable. - That's great, yeah, 'cause like I said, it can just get like a little hard to control sometimes, but yeah, you like really picked up on it because it has a 39.5 stack height that's known for just being just under what's allowed for like the pro runners to race in. So yeah, that's pretty high. Five millimeter drop, which is not really much of a difference between this and the forefoot. So not too crazy. Also it has that PBX foam, which PBX and running it's kind of known for just being really like high energy return, high rebound. So they really went all out with this shoe I guess you could say. What'd you think of the upper, by the way? - The upper is interesting, like there's not much there. It's pretty, you know, like when I put it on and I was like, oh I can see my socks, but. - Yeah that's a little weird isn't it? - Yeah, but I did like it because it is so lightweight, so breathable. And also one thing I've noticed over the years is that my right foot feels, like when usually when I wear shoes, I feel like that foot is loose in the shoes. Like it's like smaller for some reason than my other foot. But in this shoe, like however, I don't know if it's the material or what it is, it felt like a good fit. Like it was nice and snug without being too constrictive. - Oh that's great, especially for a racing shoe. You don't like want your foot to swim in there because you could get black toenails. Yeah, lots of blisters. Actually, so the thing about the upper, that weird see-through part, it has a matrix upper, so that matrix there, they're carbon fibers so they kind of help with that security. So maybe that's what was, you know, causing like that nice snug fit while you were running. Because you usually run in the Adrenaline, how is it compare, like it must have been a totally different monster compared to, yeah. - Yes, Adrenaline is a very sturdy shoe. Like it's very stiff is how I would describe it. Which I normally, I'm used to because that's how I've, you know, I've been running in them for a long time. So getting into something like this where it's more squishy, it's more bouncy, it was definitely a different experience. But I'm glad I tried it because I feel like I've kind of been just sticking with, you know what I know. So this was like a good opportunity to get kind of get out and see like what other shoes would work for me. - Oh, awesome, glad to broaden your horizons. So then I guess one of my questions would be, would you consider running in this shoe for New York City like since you've never raced in a carbon fiber shoe? - Probably not, honestly, just because I, you know, I have a history of, yeah, I had surgery once on one of my ankles, so I am nervous to do like too long of a run in these right now. Like I feel like I need to build up to it. I just think, you know, like since it is a big change for me, I would like to kind of incrementally see how I feel.

Italian shoe brand Diadora is slowly gaining traction stateside, so we thought we’d send RW+ member Gisele Carig to the brand’s first super shoe, the Gara Carbon.

Give A Gift 2024 spring shoe guide, has a Pebax midsole and carbon-fiber plate to promote propulsion as you race. A little fun fact that links the shoe to another realm of speed: the carbon fiber is crafted by the same supplier of motorcycle manufacturer Ducati. The Gara Carbon has a 39mm stack height and 5mm drop.

Gisele Carig, who lives in Vallejo, California, never ran in a carbon-fiber shoe. Find out what shoe thinks of the Gara Carbon by watching the full episode!

Why You Should Race in the Diadora Gara Carbon | A RW+ Members Take on the Altra Lone Peak 8? | Episode 7

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