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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 03, 2026 03:33 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 17, 2026 04:23 PM
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Diadora
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
Weight
290.1 g (10.23 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.9 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
38.9 mm
Weight
283.8 g (10.01 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.1 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
ASICS GEL-EXCITE 11
Diadora Nucleo 2
The ASICS GEL-EXCITE 11 and Diadora Nucleo 2 perform very similarly overall, but the ASICS is a much better value for money. It's significantly cheaper and has a more even cushioning profile, making it more protective for a wider range of runners. The Diadora is undeniably more stylish, but unless looks matter enough to justify the extra cost, get the ASICS.
Variants
- GEL-EXCITE 11 (Aurora Green/Black - (Men - US 9))
- GEL-EXCITE 11 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
- Nucleo 2 (White/Bosphorus - (Men - US 9))
- Nucleo 2 (White/Silver - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.2
6.0
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.8
5.1
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
290.1 g (10.23 oz)
283.8 g (10.01 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
38.9 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
32.3 mm
30.8 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
7.9 mm
8.1 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
5.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
100 mm (3.9")
98 mm (3.9")
Outsole Arch Width
83 mm (3.3")
72 mm (2.8")
Outsole Forefoot Width
117 mm (4.6")
116 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.54
2.52
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.62
3.76
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
276 mm (10.9")
280 mm (11.0")
Internal Heel Width
62 mm (2.4")
66 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
94 mm (3.7")
91 mm (3.6")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
Yes
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.5
8.7
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
2.5 mm (0.100")
3.8 mm (0.149")
Toe TTS Deviation
-0.7 mm (-0.028")
6.4 mm (0.254")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.4
6.5
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-4.3 mm (-0.169")
-4.2 mm (-0.166")
Arch Fit: Width
8.9
10
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.1 mm (-0.081")
0.6 mm (0.022")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.6
6.0
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
20 mm (0.8")
15 mm (0.6")
Heel Apex Position
26.6%
14.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
14.6°
19.7°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.3
7.5
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
50 mm (2.0")
52 mm (2.0")
Toe Apex Position
58.6%
61.4%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
22.6°
24.3°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
AMPLIFOAM™ PLUS
Primary Foam Name
ANIMA
Primary Foam Type
EVA
EVA
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Round
Flat
Width
5.0 mm (0.2")
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.5 mm (0.1")
1.8 mm (0.1")
Stretch
10.0%
10.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Fully-gusseted
Plate
None
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
2.0
0.8
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
67.8%
63.3%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
2.9
2.2
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
69.4%
68.2%
Heel Cushioning
7.2
7.0
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
2.76 J
2.79 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.24 J
8.89 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.35 J
15.94 J
Forefoot Cushioning
6.7
7.0
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
3.84 J
4.10 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
7.10 J
7.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
10.91 J
11.38 J
Heel Firmness
9.0
8.9
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
59.2 N/mm
56.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
63.2 N/mm
63.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
85.1 N/mm
85.5 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.4
9.3
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
77.9 N/mm
75.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
96.6 N/mm
92.8 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
130 N/mm
125 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
6.2
6.4
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
6.81 J
7.11 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
6.66 J
6.85 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
6.56 J
6.73 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
6.50 J
6.64 J
Rocker Stiffness
5.7
5.5
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
55 N
51 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
3.4
2.1
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
51.3%
47.0%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
7.8
7.1
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
14.1 N/mm
9.3 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
378 N
357 N
Heel Compression Depth
4.9
4.9
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
9.3 mm
9.7 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
17.4 mm
17.3 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
22.3 mm
22.2 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
4.6
4.7
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
10.3 mm
10.6 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
13.5 mm
14.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
15.8 mm
16.4 mm
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ASICS GEL-EXCITE 11
Diadora Nucleo 2
Comments
ASICS GEL-EXCITE 11 vs Diadora Nucleo 2: Main Discussion
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