2019 SPIKELESS SHOE BUYERS GUIDE

Trivia Time:

What do Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Adam Scott, and Fred Couples have in common?…You guessed it. They all play golf. Not only that, they all play impressive golf in spikeless golf shoes. If it’s good enough for them, why not for you?

Companies are building performance shoes with the comfort of your everyday gym shoe, but the grip of a trusty spiked shoe. Extensive testing at MyGolfSpy headquarters only confirmed our growing suspicions. Spikeless shoes are a force to be reckoned with and their spiked older brothers should watch out.

Whether you’re looking to buy a new spikeless 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 spikeless shoe to fit your needs.

How We Test

We're here to help you find the perfect spike-less shoe for your needs.

To do that, we employ a rigorous and fully independent testing process that leaves no sole unexplored, no arch unsupported, and no stone unturned.

The Test Process

Shoes are tested head to head with rigorous protocols. Consideration is given to the design, comfort, and ultimately the performance of the shoe, both while walking and while swinging.

Our Metrics

The metrics we consider when rating golf shoes include Comfort, Traction, Stability, Resistance to the Elements, and Style.

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 should absolutely 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. There is significant variation in the traction offered in spikeless designs. Shoes that are designed to go from the office to the golf course sometimes sacrifice traction for everyday functionality. While the versatility is convenient, it may not serve you well on the golf course, particularly when the course isn’t dry.

Stability

While it’s not universally true, in general, spikeless designs tend to be less stable than traditional spikeless shoes. Some of that is by design, as early spikeless designs were intentionally unstructured to allow more freedom of movement within the shoe and increased comfort. As the spikeless shoe has gone mainstream, more traditional – i.e., stable – designs have emerged giving those who want it, options for greater stability. The most stable designs tend to look more like traditional golf shoes, and aren’t as well-suited for everyday wear. As with spiked designs, the level of stability necessary depends on the golfer, and it remains true that a shoe should never be so unstable that it allows the foot to spill over the edge of the footbed.

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.

2019 Spikeless Shoe Features Chart

 ProductMaterialColorsSizingWidthWarranty
Adidas Tour 360 XT-SL

Check Price		Leather and Microfiber Synthetic47 to 15M/W1 Year
Adidas Adipower 4orged S

Check Price		Forged Microfibre Leather47 to 15M/W1 Year
Athalonz EnVe

Check Price		Leather15 to 14MNA
Ecco Biom Hybrid 3

Check Price		YAK Leather75 to14.5M/W1 Year
Footjoy Pro Sl

Check Price		ChromoSkin Leather47 to 15M/W/EW2 Year
Inesis Dry Grip

Check Price		Polyurethane Lining36.5 to 13.5M2 Year
Inesis Waterproof

Check Price		Thermoplastic Polyurethane56.5 to 13.5M2 Year
Jack Grace Innovator 1.0

Check Price		Premium LeatherMany Styles8 to 14M/W45 Days
Puma Grip Fusion

Check Price		Microfiber47 to 14M/W1 Year
Puma Ignite NXT

Check Price		Performance Mesh TPU47 to 14M1 Year
Puma Grip Fusion Sport

Check Price		Mesh47 to 14M1 Year
Skechers Mojo Elite

Check Price		Full Grain Leather47.5 to 14M/EW2 Year
Skechers Drive 4

Check Price		Smooth Leather47.5 to 13M/EWNA
Skechers Max

Check Price		Synthetic and Mesh37.5 to 13M/EWNA
Stuburt Classic Tour Event

Check Price		Premium Leather27 to 12M1 Year
Stuburt Dri Back

Check Price		Full Grain Leather17 to 12M1 Year
True linkswear True Knit

Check Price		Polyester44 to 15MNA

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - PUMA IGNITE NXT

The PUMA IGNITE NXT offers three different closure styles (Disc, Soleace, lace). While each fits a bit differently, they all offer midfoot stability uniquely tailored to your footwear needs. The IGNITE NXT LACE (tested), features a traditional lace system for those who like to do things the old-fashioned way. The IGNITE foam sole is incredibly responsive making it an exceptional walking shoe. It's so comfortable, you wouldn't know it's a golf shoe unless you know it's a golf shoe.

EXPERT TIP - Traction is your friend

When playing your shot, you never want to be worrying about slipping or spinning out of the shot. Your swing is the star of the show, and it can't perform its best when your feet are sliding out from under you. Your shoes are meant to be silent partners, supportive and reliable, not something you need to worry about letting you down. Choose a shoe that has your back, keeps you firmly planted, and supports you for an entire round.

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 based on how you load your swing.
  • For those who do require more stability, look for designs with some form of “cage” technology in the mid-foot section to help keep you anchored in your shoe. While this type of construction has traditionally been reserved for spiked designs, as the market has moved towards spikeless, companies are beginning to incorporate stability-enhancing elements into their spikeless designs.
  • BOA/DISC offerings are not as prevalent in spikeless designs. However, it remains true that, when offered, these systems secure the shoe, and ultimately your foot, differently than the laced alternative. 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.
  • Even with spikeless designs, 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 Spikeless Shoe Results

 ProductStabilityComfortElementsStyleTractionTotal
Adidas Tour 360 XT-SL

Check Price		1st5th1st1st6th94
Inesis Waterproof

Check Price		1st1st1st15th1st93
Puma Grip Fusion

Check Price		7th8th4th5th4th89.5
Adidas Adipower 4orged S

Check Price		5th10th6th3rd3rd89
Ecco Biom Hybrid 3

Check Price		8th7th1st5th9th88
Skechers Mojo Elite

Check Price		5th5th13th10th9th85.5
Footjoy Pro SL

Check Price		1st14th4th3rd7th83.5
Puma Ignite NXT

Check Price		10th2nd14th2nd16th83
Inesis Dry Grip

Check Price		15th2nd14th13th1st80
Athalonz EnVe

Check Price		1st14th10th10th9th79
Skechers Drive 4

Check Price		12th11th8th17th14th78.5
Puma Grip Fusion Sport

Check Price		16th2nd16th8th4th78
Stuburt Classic Tour Event

Check Price		10th14th6th5th9th78
Skechers Max

Check Price		8th12th9th15th17th77
Stuburt Dri Back

Check Price		14th13th10th13th9th75.5
True linkswear True Knit

Check Price		17th8th16th5th8th73.5
Jack Grace Innovator 1.0

Check Price		13th17th10th10th14th68.5

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - Skechers Mojo Elite

You're going to want some Mojo in your life after checking out the new Skechers Mojo Elite. They're spikeless, they're breathable, and Skecher's legendary comfort doesn't come at the expense of stability. Laugh if you like, but Skechers has become a force to be reckoned with in the spikeless category.

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 $80. 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 option 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 spikeless 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 into the decision.

Q: Is BOA/DISC technology better than laces?

A: Use of BOA and DISC technology is less prevalent in spikeless designs, but 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.