BEST SPIKED SHOES OF 2019

2019 SPIKED SHOE BUYERS GUIDE

Despite the emergence of the spikeless golf shoe category, there are still many who prefer spiked shoes. While there are always exceptions, spiked shoes often provide better traction in wet conditions, and for golfers who need it, the additional stability that is sometimes traded for the versatility that makes spikeless shoes great for casual wear or for going straight from the office to the golf course.

At the same time, manufacturers have responded to the changing trends by leveraging new and often lighter materials and placing a significantly greater emphasis on comfort without sacrificing the traction and stability golfers demand from their footwear. Simply put, these aren’t your grampa’s wooden-soled, metal spiked blister-makers.

Whether you’re looking to buy a new spiked shoe today, looking for some buying advice, or just want a closer look at what’s on the market right now, this guide will help you find the right spiked shoe to fit your needs.

GOLF SHOE FEATURES THAT MATTER

Comfort

It’s important to understand that a significant portion of comfort comes from proper sizing. If you have a wide foot, you absolutely should gravitate to brands that offer wide sizing. The same is true for the narrow-footed among us. Every aspect of golf shoe performance begins with a proper fit.

A golf shoe should be comfortable from the moment it goes on your foot. There shouldn’t be any rubbing or discomfort after just a few minutes of use. A quality golf shoe doesn’t require any significant break-in period. Simply put, under no circumstance should comfort be sacrificed.

Traction

The last thing you want is to slip or spin out during your swing. Seldom is a quality golf shot preceded by a slip. Traction is sometimes overlooked because many golfers assume that all spiked soles are created equal. That’s simply not the case. Some designs provide significantly better traction with the biggest differences emerging in wet conditions.

Stability

While stability – the feeling of having the foot locked in place during the swing – is generally regarded as important, it should be noted that some golfers prefer and benefit from a shoe that allows the freedom to move around the footbed a bit during the swing. That said, a shoe should never be so unstable that it allows the foot to spill over the edge of the footbed.

Many golfers will find stability among the most important considerations in a golf shoe. Well-designed heel cups, along with stable support structures play a role in enhancing stability.

2019 Spiked Features Chart

	Name	Material	Colors	Sizing	Width	Warranty
	Adidas Tour 360 XT Check Price	Premium Leather	4	7 to15	M/W	2 Year
	Adidas Tour 360 Boost 2.0 Check Price	Premium Leather	7	7 to 14	M/W	2 Year
	Callaway La Grange Check Price	FashionLite TPU	4	8 to 14	M/W	2 Year
	ECCO Biom G3 Check Price	YAK Leather	4	5 to 13.5	M/W	1 Year
	Etonic Stabilizer Check Price	Microfiber Leather	3	8 to 13	M/W	2 Year
	FootJoy Fury Check Price	Full Grain Leather	4	7 to 15	N/M/W/EW	2 Year
	Mizuno Wave Cadence 2 GTX Check Price	Gortex	4	6.5 to 11	M/W	2 Year
	Mizuno Nexlite Check Price	Premium Kuray	6	6.5 to 11	M	2 Year
	New Balance Striker Check Price	Microfiber Leather	3	8 to 16	M/W/EW	2 Year
	New Balance Minimus Tour Check Price	Premium Leather	4	7 to 14	M/W	2 Year
	Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour Check Price	Premium Leather	3	7 to 14	M	2 Year
	PUMA Ignite PWRADAPT Leather Check Price	Full Grain Leather	3	7 to 14	M	2 Year
	Skechers Go Golf Pro V.4 Honors Check Price	Smooth Leather	2	7.5 to 14	M	2 Year
	Skechers Go Golf Pro V4 Check Price	Full Grain Leather	3	7.5 to 14	M/EW	2 Year
	Under Armour HOVR Drive Check Price	Microfiber Leather	2	7 to 15	M/W	2 Year
	Under Armour Speith 3 Check Price	Microfiber Leather	2	7 to 13	M/W	2 Year

More Tips

• Not everyone needs the most stable golf shoe one can find. It’s worth doing some experimenting with different shoe designs to determine what level of stability works best for you.
• For those who do require more stability, look for designs with some form of wrap technology in the mid-foot section to help keep you anchored in your shoe.
• BOA/DISC and lace systems sometimes secure the shoe, and ultimately your foot, differently than laces. If something doesn’t feel quite right in an otherwise comfortable shoe, it may be worth trying the BOA/DISC alternative when it’s offered. Note that these closure systems often increase the cost of the shoe.
• While style preferences will vary among golfers, comfort is an absolute. Make it your top priority and don’t sacrifice it for any reason.
• A healthy percentage of comfort comes from proper fitting. Take the time to have your foot measured to ensure you’re buying and wearing the proper size.

2019 Spiked Shoe Results

	Name	Stability	Comfort	Elements	Style	Traction	Total
	Adidas Tour 360 XT Check Price	1st	2nd	2nd	1st	1st	93
	Under Armour HOVR Drive Check Price	2nd	2nd	7th	4th	1st	90.5
	Adidas Tour 360 Boost 2.0 Check Price	3rd	7th	2nd	1st	7th	90
	PUMA Ignite PWRADAPT Leather Check Price	3rd	5th	9th	3rd	1st	89
	Skechers Go Golf Pro V4 Check Price	7th	1st	2nd	10th	13th	85.5
	New Balance Striker Check Price	7th	2nd	11th	15th	1st	85
	Under Armour Speith 3 Check Price	5th	10th	11th	4th	1st	85
	ECCO Biom G3 Check Price	16th	10th	1st	6th	7th	82
	Mizuno Wave Cadence 2 GTX Check Price	10th	5th	16th	13th	7th	81.5
	New Balance Minimus Tour Check Price	7th	8th	9th	16th	10th	81.5
	Callaway La Grange Check Price	10th	14th	7th	8th	10th	79.5
	Skechers Go Golf Pro V.4 Honors Check Price	5th	8th	15th	13th	15th	79.5
	FootJoy Fury Check Price	13th	13th	14th	8th	13th	77.5
	Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour Check Price	10th	16th	2nd	6th	1st	77.5
	Etonic Stablizer Check Price	15th	12th	11th	10th	15th	76.5
	Mizuno Nexlite Check Price	13th	15th	2nd	10th	12th	76.5

FAQ

Q: How much should I spend on a shoe? 

A: We’ve found that it’s possible to find a well-designed, fully featured golf shoes for around $90. That said, the majority of top performers, including our choice for Best Overall, are closer to $200. As with anything else, your rate of play should factor in the decision. Golfers who play just a few times a year may be able to find a suitable offering for less. Just don’t skimp on comfort to save a buck.

Q: What is the main feature I should look out for when buying a spiked shoe?

A: Comfort is by far the most important factor, followed by traction. While stability is an important consideration, the level of stability needed varies between golfers. Only after you have those three considerations covered should style factor in the decision.

Q: Is BOA/DISC technology better than laces?

A: Some golfers prefer modern closure systems to traditional laces, but it’s certainly not a universal preference. Users of BOA and DISC report a tendency for their shoes to loosen throughout a round, and while that’s not a big deal to re-tighten, it can become an annoyance. Also consider that if a shoelace breaks, it’s easily replaceable, whereas warranty replacements for other closure systems can take some time.