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.
Are You Wearing the Wrong Size Shoe?
Did you know that, according to FootJoy, over 70% of golfers are wearing the wrong size shoe? It sounds almost unbelievable, but the reality is that only a small percentage of golfers seriously consider width when purchasing golf shoes. Take the time to have your foot measured to ensure you buy a properly sized shoe.
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 |
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: New Balance Striker - Function Over Form
While it won't suit every golfer's eye, the New Balance Striker is a serious contender in the spiked shoe category. The shoe features a stable heel cup that helps keep your foot locked-in during the swing. The insole is one of the softest we tested, making it a fantastic walking shoe.
EXPERT TIP - What Does Fit Really Mean?
It cannot be overemphasized: Fit is the most critical element of golf shoe performance. As you likely know, sizing is often inconsistent from brand to brand and even from model to model. The length and width of supposedly same-sized shoes varies tremendously, as do other fit-related elements like the toe box, mid-foot section, and heel cup. You're going to want to ensure that the shoe you buy is snug, yet comfortable and requires next to no breaking-in time.
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 |
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: ECCO BIOM G3 - Yak Leather Upper
The BIOM G3 is major step forward for Ecco in unifying the comfort it's known for with a high-performance midsole and upper. The company is taking a unique approach to materials by constructing the upper on its BIOM G3 from Yak leather. Enhanced with a GORE-TEX membrane, the unusually soft and supple textured Yak leather easily conforms to the contours of your foot, making for one of the softest feeling shoes in our test. A re-engineered outsole helps push the BIOM G3's performance into the upper echelon.
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.
Joey S
5 years ago
For anyone looking to buy new shoes, the Adidas Tour 360 XT (and possibly others) are 30% off as part of the Amazon Primeday deals. Probably the best discount you will see anywhere for quite a while, especially on the top-rated shoes in MGS Buyer’s Guide.