The Diadora Cross Rainy Trainer Has Landed at RD1 Clothing
The Diadora Cross Rainy has landed at RD1 Clothing. It is one of the finest retro runners to arrive this year. Priced at £80, it comes in two colourways: Posy Green and Ensign Blue. Both take the shape of a 1970s Diadora running shoe and rebuild it for everyday wear.
If you like your trainers slim, low and grounded in real archive history, this is your pair. There is no chunky sole, no oversized logo and no gimmick. Just mesh, suede, a T-toe front panel and that unmistakable Fregio stripe down the side. Below you will find the full story, the sizing answers and what to wear them with.
What is the Diadora Cross Rainy?
The Diadora Cross Rainy is a low-profile retro running trainer, priced at £80 at RD1. It updates Diadora's classic Cross silhouette with a textile and suede upper, a cushioned midsole and a durable rubber outsole. The look is late-seventies running shoe, with contrast Diadora side branding and old-school T-toe panelling at the front.
What sets it apart from most retro runners is the proportion. The sole unit sits low and slim, so the shoe follows the line of your trousers rather than fighting it. That makes it far easier to wear than the heavier silhouettes that dominated the last decade. It is a trainer built to be worn constantly, not saved for best.
From the 1976 Cross 70 to the Cross Rainy: Diadora's Running Archive
Diadora started life in 1948 in Caerano di San Marco, northern Italy, as a mountain boot workshop. Sportswear came later, and running is where the brand made its name. The Equipe arrived in 1975 as Diadora's first proper running shoe, and it introduced the Fregio stripe that still runs down the side of the Cross Rainy today.
The Cross came next. First released in 1976, at the peak of the running trainer revolution, the original Cross 70 paired a nylon weave upper with a toughened PU outsole and that signature T-toe detail. It was Diadora's answer to the great runners of the era, and it did the job properly. Endorsement deals followed, including Seb Coe in the mid-eighties, before the legendary N. series arrived in the early nineties.
That running boom did something nobody in Italy planned for. Athletic shoes escaped the track and became everyday footwear, and British football terraces took the best of them. Italian and European runners became currency among casuals, and Diadora sat right at the centre of it.
The Cross Rainy is the 2026 version of that 1976 shape. Mesh and suede replace the nylon weave, an EVA-style cushioned midsole handles the comfort, and the Fregio branding is front and centre. It is not a tribute made by an outsider. It is Diadora returning to its own archive.
You can browse the full Diadora range with us, from trainers to clothing.
Why Low-Profile Trainers Are Back
Slim trainers are back because the wardrobe around them has changed. Straight-leg denim, tailored trousers and neat cargos all look better with a low sole. Chunky silhouettes swallow the hem and throw the whole outfit off balance. A slim runner keeps the line clean from waist to floor.
There is also the authenticity question, and it matters to this audience. Archive shapes like the Cross were designed as performance shoes decades ago, so nothing about them feels invented. That is the same instinct that drives 80s fashion menswear and terrace style generally. You buy the real thing rather than a reproduction of a memory.
Two Colourways: Posy Green and Ensign Blue
Both pairs are £80 and both come in UK sizes 7 to 12. The shape is identical, so the choice comes down to how loud you want them.
Diadora Cross Rainy Posy Green
The Diadora Cross Rainy Posy Green is the bolder of the two. That fresh green sits against contrast side branding and a light sole unit, so the shoe carries real presence without shouting. It is the pair for anyone who wants their trainers noticed first.
Green works harder than people expect across a wardrobe. It sits beautifully with washed indigo denim, stone chinos, navy and burgundy. Wear it with a plain tee and let the shoe do the talking.
Diadora Cross Rainy Ensign Blue
The Diadora Cross Rainy Ensign Blue is the safer everyday option, and we mean that as a compliment. The blue and subtle contrast detailing go with almost everything already in your wardrobe. It is the pair you reach for without thinking.
This is the one to pick if you want a single trainer for daily rotation. Denim, joggers, shorts and tailored trousers all work. It also sits neatly alongside the navy and grey that dominate most casual wardrobes.
Does the Diadora Cross Rainy Fit True to Size?
Yes, the Cross Rainy comes up true to size, so order your normal trainer size. Like most Italian heritage silhouettes, the last is a little narrower than adidas or Nike. If you have wider feet or usually wear a half size, get in touch before you order and we will advise.
We stock UK 7 to 12 in this style, in whole sizes only. That is worth knowing if you normally sit between sizes. Our team handles fit questions every day, by phone, by email and on our daily TikTok live at 5PM. You can also collect free from our Hastings shop and try them on properly.
Is the Cross Rainy a Waterproof Trainer?
No, the Cross Rainy is not a waterproof or weatherproof trainer. Rainy is simply Diadora's name for this version of the Cross, not a performance claim. The upper mixes textile and suede, so treat it as you would any suede trainer.
How to Clean Suede and Mesh Trainers
The Cross Rainy has a textile mesh and suede upper on a rubber sole, so it is wipe clean only. Never put them in the washing machine and never soak them. Water and heat ruin suede and can weaken the glue holding the sole. Five minutes of dry brushing does more good than any deep clean.
Start with a soft suede brush once the shoes are completely dry. Brush in one direction to lift dust and loose dirt out of the nap. For scuffs and shiny patches, a suede eraser block works better than any liquid. Work gently and stop as soon as the mark lifts.
Treat the mesh panels separately with a soft brush or an old toothbrush. Use barely damp water and the smallest amount of mild soap, then blot the panel dry with a clean cloth. Wipe the rubber sole and the Fregio sidewall with a damp cloth, and use a cotton bud along the edges. Keep water off the suede while you do it.
Dry them at room temperature, well away from radiators and direct sun. Stuff them with paper to hold their shape while they dry. A suede protector spray before first wear is the single best thing you can do for them. Reapply it every few months and these will look sharp for years.
Heavy rain and puddles are not their friend, so save them for dry days if you can. If they do get caught out, let them dry naturally and never near a radiator. There is a full care section below with everything else you need to know.
What to Wear With the Diadora Cross Rainy
The Cross Rainy is a genuine all-rounder, which is the whole point of a low-profile runner. Here is where it earns its keep.
Denim. Straight-leg or slim jeans are the natural home for this shape. The low sole keeps the hem sitting where it should.
Track tops. Nothing pairs with an Italian runner like Italian sportswear. Our track tops run deep, and Sergio Tacchini or Fila are the obvious pairing for the green.
Polos and knitwear. A knitted or tipped polo takes the Cross Rainy somewhere smarter. Look at Lyle & Scott and Gabicci for that.
Shorts. Cargo shorts with the blue pair is one of the easiest looks of the season. Keep socks low and let the silhouette breathe.
Outerwear. A Harrington jacket is the classic terrace layer over the top. Weekend Offender, Peaceful Hooligan and Aquascutum all sit in the same world as Diadora and layer over it well.
If your look leans terrace, the whole football casual clothing range is built for exactly this kind of trainer.
If you lean more mod and Britpop, the Cross Rainy still works hard. A slim runner under straight trousers has been part of that look since the sixties. Try it with Pretty Green or anything from our mod style clothing range.
Where to Buy the Diadora Cross Rainy in the UK
Here at RD1 Clothing we have both Cross Rainy colourways in stock now, in UK sizes 7 to 12, at £80 a pair. We are an independent menswear shop on Havelock Road in Hastings and an authorised Diadora stockist. Every order is packed by hand by Mickey and the team.
UK delivery is Royal Mail Tracked 24 or 48, and it is free on orders over £75. Both colourways clear that threshold, so your trainers ship free. Click and collect from the Hastings shop is free too, if you would rather try before you commit.
If you want to see them on foot before buying, join our TikTok live at 5PM. We style the new drops, answer sizing questions and run exclusive deals. It is the closest thing to being in the shop.
Diadora Cross Rainy FAQs
What sizes does the Diadora Cross Rainy come in?
We stock UK sizes 7 to 12 in both Posy Green and Ensign Blue. This style runs in whole sizes only.
Do Diadora trainers come up true to size?
Yes, order your usual size. The Italian last is slightly narrower than American brands, so contact us if you have wider feet.
How much is the Diadora Cross Rainy?
It is £80 a pair at RD1 Clothing. UK delivery is free on orders over £75, so delivery is included.
Is the Cross Rainy waterproof?
No. Rainy is Diadora's name for this version of the Cross, not a weatherproofing feature. Wipe clean only.
How do I clean the Diadora Cross Rainy?
Wipe clean only. Use a soft suede brush on the suede, a barely damp cloth on the mesh and sole, and let them dry at room temperature. Never machine wash them.
Can I try them on in person?
Yes. Visit us at 41 Havelock Road, Hastings, or order online with free click and collect. (Call us to check store stock availability)
Is the Cross Rainy suitable for running?
It is a lifestyle trainer built on a running archive shape. Wear it every day, but choose a modern running shoe for actual mileage.