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2018 SPIKELESS GOLF SHOE BUYER’S GUIDE
Golf shoes are changing, and they’re changing fast. With all this change happening under our feet, Mygolfspy continues looks for the shoe that provides the Goldilocks effect: The one that’s just right.
In 2018 golfers should demand a shoe that not only looks good but also provides comfort right out of the box. It must also provide stability in the right places and be able to handle the harsh conditions encountered on the course throughout the entire season.
The aim of this spikeless golf shoe buyer’s guide is to identify spikeless shoes that offer the functionality of a spiked shoe with the comfort of your favorite sneaker.
The process of buying anything in today’s time has become stressful and time-consuming. We want to help solve that problem for you. The MyGolfSpy mission is simple: create the world’s most objective and comprehensive testing in the industry. We feel the best reviews are those that help you make the right choices and help you get the most out of your time and money.
This way you can buy with confidence and eliminate a lot of the guesswork. We are here to help show you how a product will perform before you buy.
One key to our testing protocols is that we test products head-to-head. We select the top products from each category and put them through rigorous side-by-side testing. We test both in the lab and in the field. We score each product across a range of weighted categories. We then rank the products, explain why our top performers bested the other entries, and give awards to the best performing products in the category.
This year we approached spikeless shoe testing with more critical scoring and improved protocols. This was based on an intensive look at the market and feedback from consumers just like you. Several key findings from that research influenced the shoe testing process for 2018.
Our findings are based on many factors. This includes the stability provided by the shoe throughout the round. The comfort of the shoe a golfer gets straight from the box and during the swing. The ability of the shoe to resist golf course conditions without breaking down. The style of the shoe as deemed by the majority of consumers. And the overall traction of the shoe that allows confidence to swing as you would in a spiked shoe.
THE METRICS
We’re always fine-tuning the process to make sure we’re collecting as much meaningful data as possible. Continuing that trend we’ve updated and refined this year’s analysis to bring you the best buying advice possible.
2018 SPIKELESS SHOE FEATURES CHART
NAME | MATERIAL | COLORS | SIZING | WIDTH | WATERPROOF |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adidas Adi power s boost 3 | Climastorm | 6 | 7-15 | M | 1 Year |
Adidas Adicross bounce | Thermoplastic Polyurethane | 6 | 7-15 | M | NA |
Ecco BIOM HYBRID 3 GTX | YAK Leather | 6 | 5.5-16.5 | W | 3 Years |
Footjoy Pro SL | ChromoSkin Leather | 8 | 7-15 | M/W | 2 Years |
Lambda Golf Varenna | Hand Made Leather | 3 | 5.5-14 | N | NA |
New Balance Minimus SL | Microfiber Leather | 3 | 7-14 | N/W | 2 Year |
Nike Lunar Control Vapor 2 | Newskin Technology | 4 | 7-15 | N/W | 2 Year |
Puma Grip Fusion | Microfiber | 4 | 7-14 | N/W | 1 Year |
Puma IGNITE PWRSPORT | Performance Mesh + TPU | 4 | 7-14 | N/M/W | 1 Year |
Skechers Go Golf Elite v.3 | Leather, deco-stitched upper | 5 | 7.5-14 | M/W | 2 Year |
Skechers Go Golf Drive 3 | Goga Mat | 4 | 7.5-14 | M | 2 Year |
True linkswear Outsider | Prime Asia WP Leather | 3 | 7-15 | W | 2 Year |
Truelinkswear Original | Prime Asia WP Leather | 5 | 7-15 | W | 2 Year |
Under Armour UA PERFORMANCE SL | Full-grain leather | 2 | 7-15 | N | 2 Year |
We put in hours of testing utilizing data-driven protocols and enhanced metrics.
Over the course of the test, testers hit balls wearing each pair of shoes. For each pair of shoes, testers hit eight shots and gave scores during and after the test. There were opportunities for breaks to limit sweat and tester fatigue. We also closely examined parts of the shoes without our testers present. We checked the insoles, midsoles, and outsoles for anything that could limit functionality or comfort.
Stability (25 points) – How much support does the shoe provide throughout the golf swing? Does the ankle feel stable? Does the ankle move and by how much and in which direction? We also test how far the ball of the foot and toes slide forward and laterally. We find that poor performing shoes allow the ankles and or balls of the foot and toes to roll and or slide instead of forcing them to turn. Shoes that performed well had effectively designed heel cups helping lock the ankle into place. In these shoes, balance is improved because of the more stable lower body. We also found that shoes with either horizontal patterns and or slicker material on the insole can cause the ball of the foot and toes to slide more during the swing.
It should be noted; a quality spikeless golf shoe does not trade stability for comfort.
Comfort (40 points) – Straight from the box, can you play 9? 18? 36? While many shoes are comfortable while standing or sitting, they become uncomfortable when walking long distances. We noticed that some shoes have uncomfortable contouring of their insoles while others have unpliable outsoles. The most comfortable shoes feel light on the feet, yet provide the stability needed during the round. We also integrated fit into this category which examined the length, width, ankle entry, toe box, midsection, and heel cup to ensure that each shoe provided a snug and comfortable fit. Shoes that finished poorly in this category caused discomfort stemming from the fit itself. On the other hand, shoes that performed well fit like a glove.
Elements (15 points) – On the golf course, one faces a variety of different conditions. Therefore one of the main challenges a golf shoe faces is how it handles those conditions. From dew to mud to rain a golf shoe must be able to keep your feet safe from the elements. The best shoes in this category have well-designed midsoles, uppers, and outsoles that seal the shoe from the elements.
Style (10 points) – Score is established by considering what we believe the majority of consumers deem stylish, not whether the individual tester likes the look of the shoe. Survey questions provided to testers were developed to combat any brand-driven favoritism on the part of the individual respondent.
Traction (10 points) – No one likes slipping when hitting a shot on a golf course. Therefore, it’s critical that a golf shoe keep you grounded when hitting a shot. The best shoes in this category allow the golfer to swing without slipping.
It should be noted; traction is not the same as stability.
Final grades were awarded based on total scores. Best Overall is our highest overall scoring spikeless golf shoe, and awards are given to the top five shoes. Also, more specific Best in Class recognition is awarded to shoes in certain categories (like fit, comfort, and stability) that push the industry ‘envelope.’
We also give an “Editor’s Choice” and a “Best Buy” award to those companies that provide value products that seriously compete with the bigger names.
THE BEST SPIKELESS SHOES OF 2018
2018 SPIKELESS SHOE BUYER'S GUIDE
Name | Price | Stability | Comfort | Elements | Style | Traction | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Puma Grip Fusion | $75.00 | 6th | 5th | 4th | 3rd | 2nd | 89.75 |
Skechers Go Golf Elite V.3 | $100.00 | 4th | 6th | 4th | 11th | 2nd | 88.25 |
Adidas Adipower s boost 3 | $130.00 | 6th | 7th | 10th | 1st | 4th | 87.75 |
Footjoy Pro SL | $159.99 | 3rd | 10th | 8th | 4th | 7th | 86 |
Under Armour UA Performance SL | $150.00 | 1st | 11th | 8th | 8th | 7th | 85.75 |
Nike Lunar Control Vapor 2 | $175.00 | 8th | 13th | 4th | 8th | 1st | 85.5 |
Truelinkswear Outsider | $169.00 | 9th | 8th | 1st | 8th | 7th | 85 |
Truelinkswear Original | $149.00 | 9th | 11th | 1st | 7th | 6th | 84.75 |
New Balance Minimus SL | $119.99 | 2nd | 9th | 4th | 12th | 10th | 84.25 |
Ecco BIOM HYBRID 3 | $200.00 | 12th | 4th | 3rd | 4th | 14th | 83.5 |
Skechers Go Golf Drive 3 | $85.00 | 4th | 2nd | 14th | 12th | 5th | 83.5 |
Puma IGNITE PWRSPORT | $120.00 | 14th | 1st | 12th | 1st | 11th | 83.25 |
Adidas Adicross bounce | $120.00 | 13th | 2nd | 12th | 4th | 13th | 80.5 |
Lambda Golf Varenna | $290 Euros | 9th | 14th | 11th | 14th | 11th | 72.5 |
Bill
6 years ago
Style is subjective and the rankings are almost upside down, to my eye.
Most of the top rated models have strange proportions. The Puma looks goofy to me. Not a fan of sketchers but they are far better looking. I have 4 pair of New Balance shoes. 3 Minimus spikeless and one of their top line spiked models. Look like a golf shoe, good stability and easy to wear for long periods and the best choice for people with wide feet. To each their own, I suppose.
Evan
5 years ago
Personally, I don’t think Sketchers’ style is as much to my liking as Adidas, FootJoy, Nike, etc. but that being said, I believe my pair of Sketchers Go Golf spikeless shoes are the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn….including normal sneakers! The “Goga Max” cushioning is where its at. I walk the course most of the time and they are phenomenal