Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 Review
By Matthew Klein and Bach Pham
Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3Price: $175 at Diadora
Weight: 11.6 oz, 330 g (men's size 9.5), oz, 270 g (women's size 7)
Stack Height: Not Provided
Drop: 11 mm
Shoe Purpose: Premium Stability Daily Trainer
Pros: Good Medial Stability, Smooth Forefoot Flexibility, Secure Upper Fit
Cons: Overly Snug Toe-Box/Forefoot, Slightly Clunky Rearfoot
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 is a premium stability daily trainer for those that want a narrow fit and a higher amount of medial support in the heel and midfoot. A snug and tapered upper provides a narrow fit that breaks in with some time like a dress shoe. The taller midsole provides a large amount of balanced cushioning that provides excelkent shock absorption in a heavier ride that is best at easy efforts. A strong amount of medial support is present in the heel and midfoot, perfect for those who miss the days of medial posts being more prevalent. A more traditional geometry and stability with updated cushioning, the Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 is both a throwback and an update.
SIMILAR SHOES: ASICS Gel Kayano 29
PAST MODEL: Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 2
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The fit of the Vigore 3 has been interesting. Initially on try on, I was concerned that going my with normal Men's US size 10 was too small and I should have asked for a 10.5. After a few runs, the upper has broken in and fits like Italian leather. The fit is snug, tapered and low volume in the forefoot but when the upper breaks in it feels like a gentle hug. However, those sensitive to this should consider a half size up, while those used to breaking in an upper in traditional footwear should go with their normal size. This snug/tapered forefoot transitions into a fairly snug midfoot. The midfoot features a non-gusseted, moderately thick tongue that stays secure. The volume is also low in the midfoot with a low instep and I actually had to slightly loosen the laces. The midfoot is also slighlty snug with a large amount of heel collar padding and a stiff heel counter. The heel aspect of the upper runs a little low, which caused mild heel slippage despite the snug fit. I did have to lace lock the upper, which mostly fixed this. Outside of heel slippage, the security was good mostly due to the snug fit. The medial aspect of the toe guard did put pressure on my big toe, so at least thin socks are a must with this shoe. Overall, the fit is quite snug and will work best for those that want that or who have narrow feet.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
Bach: Like Matt, the Vigore looked like it was going to fit snug out of the box and certainly did on first run, but the upper did steadily get better and better. The toe is still tapered quite a bit, so those who are bothered by a tapered shoe should size up if interested in the model. The fit overall is more on the narrow side and good for those with a standard foot who want a snug fit. There is not a lot of volume and room for error. I did have to use fairly thinly socks (my go-to feetures fit fine). Thick socks were a tough fit. The Vigore does come in separate wide models that would be worth checking out. The heel counter is very rigid and secure. The heel height is also on the lower end, but I did not have slippage or need to lace lock the shoe. The snugness of the whole shoe helped feel fairly dialed in. There is a lightly padded tongue that sits fine over the foot without any issues and there was no biting from lacing down the shoe.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Bach well: Nike Pegasus 40, Saucony Guide 17, Mizuno Wave Inspire 19, Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, Nike Structure 25
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Asics Kayano 30, Puma Electrify Nitro, Brooks Hyperion, Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
Shoes that have fit large: Hoka Gaviota 5, Reebok Floatride Energy X
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Yes
How Flexible is the Shoe: Stiff Heel/Midfoot, Flexible Forefoot
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 is a daily training shoe meant for easy and long runs. It is on the heavier side, which has made any kind of uptempo running difficult. However, easy/recovery runs have been great due to the well balanced cushioning. The DD Anima and Blushield midsole material provides a highly cushioned, slightly soft but not mushy ride that seems to absorb shock quite well. Although we do not have stack height measurements at the moment, the heel feels quite high in the upper 30 mm range. The 10-11 mm drop (10 mm for female, 11 for male) is noticeable makes this shoe feel like an older, traditional stability shoe based on its geometry. This combined with the sole flare at the heel make the rearfoot slightly clunky at heel strike. However, a slightly lateral posterior bevel smooths this transition out a little bit. This continues into a slightly stiff midfoot and a surprisingly flexible forefoot.
Outside of the minimal shoes I also train in, the forefoot is one of the more flexible that I have experienced in a daily trainer in a while. Most shoes in today's world have a high level of stiffness throughout. The Vigore 3 transitions easily over the forefoot thanks to the flexibility and early forefoot rocker, so only those with good toe mobility will do well in this shoe. The outsole material is extensive with a thick amount throughout most of the shoe. Despite this, I have seen some early wear at the posterio-lateral heel and lateral forefoot after 30 miles. It is mild, so I expect an average to slightly above average number of miles out of these for a daily trainer. The traction is good on smooth surfaces and even on wet road. Other than smooth trails I would not use this for technical terrain given the slightly narrow nature of the width. On road this will be a great option if you want a more traditional geometry stability shoe.
Bach: The Vigore 3 has been a really difficult shoe for me. The shoe is a combination of slightly soft and definitely more flexible in the forefoot than I'm used to. As someone who runs more midfoot forward, I found the flexibility to be a bit difficult to get on with and found myself having to run fairly slow to feel comfortable in the shoe. I think if I was more rearfoot, starting on the stiff end of the platform and rolling forward I would get on with the shoe a lot more, but I get into the flexible part of the shoe fairly quickly and have had a hard time finding a happy medium.
The cushioning is unique, particularly the insole. The insole has a large green section that is quite padded and soft, along with a particularly large red zone in the center of the heel that provides additional softness. The midfoot of the medial side of the insole, however, is a blue quadrant that is fairly unpadded and firm. The combination of soft points and firm points while running was a different feeling to me and I couldn't decide through testing if it was something I liked. For walking, I did actually like the shoe much more as the insole is really comfortable.
The outsole traction is good and dug into the road and wet pavement well. I have not had any durability issues so far, but tend to be light on outsoles. I did take the shoe on grass and dirt and it performed fine.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 is definitely a moderate to high medial stability shoe. This is most prominent in the rearfoot and midfoot through what Diadora calls "CCB". This feels like a medial post that isn't as stiff as most were years ago and instead provides supportive pressure into the heel and midfoot. Once I got used to be in what feels like a posted shoe, it was quite comfortable and seemed to help slow my inward roll. It is probably a bit too much for me now as I tend to do best in stable neutral or mild stability shoes but those who need more medial will do well. There is also extensive sole flare in the heel, with more on the medial than lateral side that adds to the stable rearfoot. The midfoot features a filled in medial side and cut out lateral side, which further provides medial resistance to movement. The forefoot also features sole flare, but is more neutral given the moderate to higher flexibility. Overall the Vigore 3 is one of the few truly medial stability shoes on the market with moderate to high stability present in the heel and midfoot. Those with lateral stability needs will not do well here as this shoe will push you that direction.
Bach: The Vigore 3 has a fairly stiff rearfoot thanks to the "CCB" which feels sort of like a rear to midfoot medial plate. There are some Mizuno Wave Rider 25-ish kind of vibes with the Vigore 3 thanks to the stable rearfoot and flexible forefoot. The width of the shoe is good and provides a good base to land on and there is a lot of sole flare. There is also a bit of guidance in the shoe that reminds me a little of the old Brooks Ravenna. I felt the shoe trying to guide me a little more than I wanted. Compared to some modern shoes like the Saucony Guide 18 or Kayano 31 which is more about having a stable base and less intrusive stability methods, this feels a little more traditional in the way it wants to move you. I personally don't do as well with guidance shoes like the Hoka Arahi or older models of Brooks with Guiderails and felt a similar sensation here. Those who do like a bit of guidance though and miss that older guidance seen in the listed models may like the Vigore. I definitely do best with more modern stability shoes that are also stiffer throughout than the Vigore, so this wasn't my cup of tea. The shoe did not bother my flat feet though through its various stability mechanisms.
Thoughts as a DPT: Medial Stability or Central Guidance?
By Matthew Klein
The Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 is one of the now less common true medial stability shoes besides the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, Topo Ultrafly 5, Saucony Omni 22, Hoka Arahi 7 and the New Balance Fresh Foam 860 v14. Most stability shoes have now moved toward being "guidance" shoes, with the idea of keeping the foot centered rather than pushing it in one direction. Much of this has come from Benno Nigg's preferred movement pathway paradigm, that suggested that every one person moves in their own unique way and the best way to to provide "support" to them is facilitate their motion forward (Nigg et al., 2017). This moved away from pronation being inherently negative and instead recognized that pronation simply describes a motion, it is not problematic in everyone and does not have to be "stopped."
Most people don't need to be shoved in one direction but rather guided forward. This is where internal geometry, sidewalls and other methods have come into play to keep people balanced in the middle. However, there are still people who benefit from stability in a certain place, particularly the medial heel and midfoot (and some in the forefoot but that is harder to find). Some people do better with medial posts while others do better with newer guidance methods. Rather than only doing one method, the goal should be to have an appropriate variety in today's market so that there is something for everyone. People are different and respond to different things. While some will do well with "guidance" and being kept centered, others may need a specific medial post or method. Identifying who needs what specifically is the next step but for now, having variety on the market is key.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: While the fit of the Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 and I don't fully get along, I appreciate this shoe. It is a rare traditional feeling stability shoe with a higher drop and a narrow fit. This is really the only type of shoe like this left. That said, there are some things that need to be updated. A snug fit is fine but such a massive taper at the toe box is not necessary. I would highly suggest rounding that more to make more room for the toes. Not everyone has a wide foot, but a more rounded shape is key regardless of foot width. My second suggestion is on the heel design. A higher drop is fine, although I think dropping to 9-10 mm may certainly help the heel transition. I like the placement of the heel bevel, which aids in the medial stability. However, I think the length of the bevel could be longer. The angle is a little sharp and a slightly longer bevel may help smooth out the transition and offset the posterior flare. My last suggestion is to drop the weight. 330 g (11.6 oz) is really heavy. This shoe certainly in the more premium stability category but many of those shoes will be dropping weight in the coming years. I hope that Diadora can do the same, which will only improve the ride and transition.
Bach: I would love to see less flexibility in the forefoot. It feels a little disjointed right now and I think the softer insole landing with a stiffer forefoot would make for a better feeling underfoot. I also feel like there's an awful lot of heel and that it can be carved down and smoothened out quite a bit to help reduce weight and help facilitate a cleaner ride from front-to-back.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 is a highly cushioned stability shoe for those that need a moderate to higher level of medial stability in the heel and midfoot. The fit will work best for those who have narrow feet or those who want a really snug upper. The ride is well cushioned and will work best for those who wanted balanced to slightly softer cushioning with a higher heel drop. This shoe feels like it took the geometry of traditional stability shoes and upgraded it with more plush materials. There really isn't anything on the market like this, particularly with such a narrow fit, high drop and medial post feeling. I get this is an Italian brand, but the price is a little high even for a premium shoe. For that cost I would want a far lighter shoe as that is getting into super trainer/performance trainer with upgraded midsole material type pricing. Based on the Gara Carbon's design I believe these kind of upgrades are possible. For the moment, this this provides a unique and more traditional ride. Even though it doesn't work for me as it is too heavy, high drop and narrow, there is still a population that will appreciate shoe. So know it still exists, especially for those who still want a shoe with a high level of medial stability.
Bach: The Vigore is a higher level stability shoe than most in the market today that may appeal to stability shoe fans who crave more traditional stability from years past. The shoe does have a slimmer fit than most stability shoes and an unusual mix of softer cushion directly underfoot and flexibility that isn't normally seen in stability shoes. I think the shoe is a bit more of a niche model for runners who are looking for these aspects (narrow fit, soft instep, flexible forefoot, guided, medial support) in one shoe - of which is quite rare in the market today. The Vigore 3 does have a high price point coming in at $175. For runners who need this combination of elements, it's sort of your only option in the market! This is also just a nice walking shoe on its own and for those looking for a narrow-fitting stable walking and standing shoe and also likes the look of the design along with the kind of culture behind Diadora and its distinction of products made specifically in Italy, this could be a good option.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B- (Narrow/snug fit that takes some time to break in. Best for those with narrow feet while others may want to consider a half size up. Slight heel slippage requires additional lock down but premium fit once you get past all this)
Performance: B (Well cushioned midsole with mild softness without being mushy. Best for easy/recovery efforts given the higher weight but can handle longer efforts too)
Stability: A- [Moderate to High Stability] (Moderate medial heel/midfoot stability from post, sidewalls and sole flare. More neutral forefoot due to flexibility)
Value: B- (High price for moderate durability and overly snug fit. Materials are nice but need better heel security and lighter weight)
Personal: C+/B- (I appreciate this shoe but it is too narrow for me. I like the medial stability and although the upper is breaking it, it is too much for me.)
Overall Design: B/B-
Bach
Fit: B- (Snug and narrow, though it does break in. Makes it hard to recommend the perfect sizing)
Performance: B- (A mix of stiff and flexible may be hard for some to get on with, but a lot of comfort underfoot)
Stability: B+ (A high level of stability and some guidance, more than most shoes right now - may be too much for some runners)
Value: C (One of the most expensive stability shoes in the market right now)
Personal: C (The elements of the shoe just didn't come together for me from fit to ride and comfort)
Overall Design: C+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORDiadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 3Price: $175 at Diadora
Shop Men | Shop Women
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FURTHER READING
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