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Your choice of golf footwear could be the difference between shooting a personal best or playing so poorly that you’re ready to “hang em’ up” for eternity.
Golf is hard enough. Wearing a poorly designed golf shoe makes it harder. A top-performing golf shoe can make the walk more comfortable, keep you stable and enhance your game from tee to green.
Today, we’re talking about spikeless golf shoes. I know, spikeless isn’t always seen as equal to spiked. But the spikeless shoes of today are much closer in terms of traction and stability to their cleated counterparts than ever. Did I mention they’re more comfortable, too?
The secret is out: The best spikeless golf shoes rival spiked shoes in terms of performance, with the added benefit of more flexibility and, thus, more comfort. If you’ve been on the fence, there’s never been a better time to make the spikeless switch.
Here are the best spikeless golf shoes of 2024.
Still with me? You’re in for a treat. Each year it seems like spikeless golf shoes get better and better. Brands are starting to find the perfect balance of comfort, stability and traction. This, coupled with emerging competition from smaller names, has done wonders for the world of spikeless golf shoes.
In fact, the category has grown so much that it can seem impossible to wade through the myriad of options. And it’s not feasible to sit at your local shop trying on pair after pair to find the right fit. Our expert testing staff has done the “legwork” for you.
We’ve tested 28 pairs of spikeless golf shoes head to head. Here are the ones you should consider.
Review Score
Price
The upper and dual-foam cushion make the ECCO LT1 very comfortable.
The waterproofing on the ECCO LT1 is top-notch. You'll be hard-pressed to find anything better.
Like all ECCO shoes, the LT1 is roomier in the toe box, so it's not suited for someone with a very narrow foot.
The ECCO LT1 is the best spikeless golf shoe of 2024. It’s extremely comfortable, offers great traction and good stability.
Testers loved how comfortable the LT1 felt. They also praised the traction and stability. Some testers found the LT1 to fit a little big, though.
When I’m looking for a golf shoe, I want something so comfortable that I hardly notice I’m wearing it. The LT1 fits the bill and then some.
Review Score
Price
The leather upper and PMX foam midsole make the X 002 a very comfortable walking shoe.
The PAYNTR X 002 LE has some of the best spikeless traction.
Due to its flexible design, the X 002 LE isn't as stable as some other spikeless golf shoes.
The PAYNTR X 002 LE impressed with a runner-up finish in the Most Wanted Spikeless Shoe of 2024 test. Comfort and traction are its strong suits.
Testers loved the full-grain leather upper and great traction. Testers thought the shoe was a little too “flimsy” in terms of stability.
PAYNTR continues to show why they’re a force to be reckoned with in the golf shoe space. The small Oregon-based brand has another winner on its hands with the X 002 LE.
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Price
The dual HOVR and Charged foam midsole on the Drive Pro Sl is very comfortable.
Under Armour Swing Support System makes the Drive Pro SL one of the most stable spikeless golf shoes.
Despite changes to the last, the UA Drive Pro SL is still a little narrow if you have wider feet.
The Under Armour Drive Pro SL is undoubtedly one of the best spikeless golf shoes you can buy. And, for $150, the price is right.
Testers loved the midfoot support strap and the dual-foam cushion. Some testers felt that, overall, the shoe was a little too narrow.
If there was an award for “Most Improved”, Under Armour would take it. The new Drive Pro SL is lightyears ahead of the HOVR Drive 2 from previous years.
Review Score
Price
The Go Golf Max 3 is very comfortable thanks to the underfoot cushion and arch support.
The Go Golf Max 3 has some of the best spikeless traction we've experienced.
The Go Golf Max 3 sits a little high and doesn't have enough torsional support to be considered super stable.
The Skechers Go Golf Max 3 is the best value spikeless golf shoe of 2024. It’s not just a good value. This shoe takes down some of the top names in the industry in terms of performance.
Testers loved the arch support and comfortable fit. Testers did comment that the shoe fits pretty small so it’s probably best to go at least a half size up.
Skechers is quietly killing the golf shoe game. Seriously, this $105 shoe could easily be priced at $150 and it would still be worth your cash.
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Price
The Pro/SLX Carbon features a carbon-fiber X-Wing for stability and torsional support.
The traction pattern on the Pro/SLX Carbon holds up very well in any condition.
The focus on stability makes the Pro/SLX less flexible and more firm than other spikeless golf shoes. It's just not as comfortable as it could be.
The FootJoy Pro/SLX Carbon is the most stable spikeless golf shoe for 2024. Its stability rivals that of any spikeless or spiked golf shoe on the market.
Testers loved the stability it provided but felt that the Pro/SLX Carbon wasn’t very comfortable overall.
Nothing is close to the stability that the Pro/SLX Carbon brings to the table. Seriously, if stability is your No. 1 priority, this is the shoe for you.
Review Score
Price
The Skechers Go Golf Max 2 Rover Slip In is the most comfortable spikeless golf shoe. Nothing matches how comfy and cozy this shoe is.
The Skechers Go Golf Max 2 Rover Slip In is also very economical at just $105.
The Slip In heel function makes the Skechers Go Golf Max 2 Rover Slip In less stable than most other spikeless golf shoes.
Despite its fantastic comfort, the Skechers Go Golf Max 2 Rover Slip In falls short in the traction department.
The Skechers Go Golf Max 2 Rover Slip In is the most comfortable spikeless golf shoe of 2024. This shoe feels more like a house slipper than a golf shoe.
Testers loved the slip-in function and the knit upper. Testers cited that the shoe didn’t feel very stable and that the traction was lacking.
If your No. 1 concern is comfort, you won’t find a better golf shoe. Seriously, this feels like no other golf shoe I’ve ever put on (that’s a good thing).
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over decades of testing golf shoes, it’s that not all shoes are created equal. While marketing jargon and fancy terminology may have you convinced that every golf shoe is “the best”, there are a few key factors that separate the true top performers from the top pretenders.
Your hard-earned cash deserves to be spent on something that doesn’t pretend. When performance matters, so do these key attributes.
Above all else, a spikeless golf shoe must be comfortable. Seriously, it’s a mystery why anyone would create a spikeless shoe that isn’t comfortable. Yet, every year we have a few contenders that are borderline unwearable.
What good is a shoe that’s so uncomfortable that you have to take it off three holes in to your round? Forget break-in time. No shoe should require months of wear before it feels good. The “best of the best” spikeless golf shoes are more comforting than your favorite home-cooked meal.
We’re talking no break-in, no pain nor blisters. A comfortable spikeless shoe is a good spikeless shoe because who wants to walk 18 holes in something my dad would wear to church? The most comfortable spikeless shoes have great form-fitting uppers and soft cushioned midsoles. A fitted insole or sock liner is a plus.
If comfort is your top priority, look no further than the Skechers Go Golf 2 Max Slip In Rover. It feels more like a slipper than a golf shoe and that’s a good thing. For a more traditional option, you can’t go wrong with the ECCO LT1 or PAYNTR X 002 LE.
In some ways, stability is the antithesis of comfort. A stable golf shoe is inherently more rigid than an unstable golf shoe. That said, the best spikeless golf shoes don’t trade comfort for stability. Or, at least, they shouldn’t.
Why is stability important? A stable golf shoe is a safe golf shoe. The immense forces of the golf swing take a toll on your shoes. If the golf shoe isn’t able to handle the twisting and shear force, then your foot is no longer protected. A stable shoe keeps your foot and ankle from going past the point of normal flexion or extension and disseminates pressure evenly through the foot, ankle and leg.
As with any golf shoe feature, the important thing is to determine your needs. If you want something that’s supremely stable, you will have to sacrifice things like flexibility. The most stable spikeless golf shoe, the FootJoy Pro/SLX Carbon, leans more on stability than it does comfort.
However, shoes like the Under Armour Drive Pro SL find a much better balance between torsional rigidity and step-in comfort. It’s not quite as stable as the Pro/SLX Carbon but it’s much more comfortable.
In either case, the choice is yours. Stability is important so don’t fall in love with a shoe that’s ONLY comfortable unless you can handle the extra stress that an unstable shoe will put on your ligaments and joints.
You’ve finally made it to the most scrutinized piece of the spikeless golf shoe conversation: traction. Despite claims that spiked shoes are always better, we’re starting to see more people, even professional golfers, switch to spikeless shoes.
The line of thinking, at least for me, is that if you can get something more comfortable with around 80 percent of the same traction performance, it’s worth the switch to spikeless. Traction is getting much better. There are plenty of good spikeless shoes that work well in all weather conditions.
Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Gone are the days of assuming that every spikeless shoe has the same lackluster traction. Enough of the comments stating that “spikeless shoes are just sneakers.” Until you’ve tried on as many shoes as we have, I’d sit this one out.
While spikeless shoes may not ever catch up to the traction offered by their cleated counterparts, there are plenty of spikeless models with Tour-level traction.
The PAYNTR X 002 LE, Under Armour Drive Pro SL and Skechers Go Golf Max 3 feature stellar spikeless traction. The FootJoy Pro/SLX Carbon is another less traditional-looking traction pattern that holds its own.
Not a fan of the top spikeless golf shoes listed above? Give a few of these a try.
While spikeless golf shoe are becoming more performance-centric, there are still a host of spikeless shoes that focus on form and fashion over function. These lifestyle shoes like the PUMA SlipStream G, TravisMathew Daily Hybrid and the New Balance 574 G are solid options despite the focus on fashion.
I’m a sucker for raw materials and more brands are starting to use leather uppers and liners. The adidas S2G is a great example, A leather upper on a $110 golf shoe is almost unheard of. On the upper end of the spectrum, shoes like the Boxto Legacy Love and Duca Del Cosma Positano make good use of premium materials with an accompanying premium price.
Brands are starting to take note of the wide variety of foot shapes and styles. Thus, brands like Under Armour and PUMA, which traditionally fit very narrow, have started to widen lasts.
If there’s an area in which golf shoes are really starting to innovate, it’s the materials space. Where carbon-fiber plates have generally been reserved for marathon “super” shoes, brands like PAYNTR and FootJoy have started to use carbon fiber in ways that are unique to the golf space.
Spikeless golf shoes are evaluated on based on comfort, traction, stability and elements (waterproofness).
Spiked and spikeless golf shoes are scored based on the following criteria which we mentioned above.
Comfort
A good golf shoe must be comfortable. This accounts for the upper, midsole, and overall flex of the shoe. If you can’t walk comfortably, it won’t score well. Insoles, heel cups and the construction of the tongue are also taken into account.
Traction
Spikeless golf shoes should provide excellent traction. Shoes are tested for traction indoors and outdoors.
Stability
How resilient is a shoe to the pressures and twisting of the golf swing? Stability takes into account overall lockdown, fit and torsional rigidity.
Elements
A golf shoe must be waterproof. All shoes are run under water for 30 seconds in order to determine whether water is able to permeate the membrane. A good spikeless shoe should be easy to clean.
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Connor is MyGolfSpy's resident sneakerhead who believes that golf is more enjoyable with a fresh pair of kicks. When he isn't scrolling Twitter to find his next golf shoe purchase, you can find him at the piano or trying a new dessert place with his wife. #Lefty
| Driver PING G410 SFT | Hybrid Cobra KING TEC |
| Irons Srixon ZX4 MK II | Wedges Titleist Vokey SM10 |
| Putter L.A.B Mezz.1 Max Custom | Ball Maxfli Tour X |
6 days ago
No Adidas codechaos seriously? Head and shoulders above all these others.
6 days ago
Hey, the CODECHAOS won last year and is also two years old (they last updated CODECHAOS in 2022)
2 weeks ago
The Lux series is great. I mostly wear the OG’s (leather and sport) and the Original 1.2s. Their waterproofing is fantastic and if there’s ever an issue, their guarantee on all of their waterproof shoes and their customer service is the best out there.
2 weeks ago
Asics Gel Kayano Ace for the win in comfort, traction and water proofness without over heating….
2 weeks ago
One great option not mentioned are good hiking shoes. What is golf but a hike? Great traction, waterproof, best comfort, support and durability, an often cheaper too. Examine the tread pattern to make sure the edges are not “rounded” for lateral stability, but that is most of them. Its all I buy anymore, and several of us have made the switch.
Merrell, Columbia, and North Face have great options.
2 weeks ago
I discovered the Payntr brand through MGS years ago, and will never wear any other brand. I walk 18 on hilly courses at least 3 days a week.
2 weeks ago
Usually only wear ECCO as the wide toe area is perfect for me. One question, did you include any BOA shoes in your test? I’ve come to only wear BOA shoes. As someone on your staff once said “laces are for suckers”
2 weeks ago
Thanks for the review. I stumbled across the new Puma Avant when looking for new spike-less shoes. They are very comfortable. I have a wider foot and the additional width is perfect. I did wear them walking “right out of the box”. I also use Johnston and Murphy spike less luxe hybrid shoes. Same brand Arnie wore back in the day. A large number of good spineless shoes available today.
2 weeks ago
Hard to believe True didn’t make this list. Although, I see in comments you have indicated why. In my opinion, the only improvement possible is a BOA type system. My personal favorite it the one found on some Puma offerings. Thanks Connor, and keep up the good work!
2 weeks ago
Wow, those are about the ugliest bunch of I’ve shoes I’ve ever seen. You can’t go wrong with the G/Fore G.112’s
2 weeks ago
Agree with this! See my comment above – great looking choices too.
2 weeks ago
Is there data for the non-winners?
2 weeks ago
Is there a full list of all the shoes tested? Other tests have listed all the items tested and I’m not seeing that here. As a shoe junky I need all the info.
2 weeks ago
Love this, thank you. My only feedback is that it would be nice to have a Best for Wide Feet category. Wide widths are the left handed clubs of golf shoes.
2 weeks ago
It would surely be nice to try some UA, or Ecco or Puma, or NIKE but they do not provide a wide or extra wide shoe. If they offered a truly wide shoe i would buy a pair.
2 weeks ago
Michael,
All ECCO shoes feature a removeable footbed for extra width. UA offers the new Drive Pro SL in wide
2 weeks ago
Good cross section of available options in the market , but a favorite of mine, True Linkswear, isn’t among the tested brands. Did they choose not to provide shoes to be tested or were they simply not selected for testing?
2 weeks ago
Thanks for your comment, Mark. TRUE opted not to participate, so we decided to do a one-off review piece on the Lux Hybrid. https://mygolfspy.com/we-tried-it/did-true-linkswear-make-the-perfect-walking-shoe/
2 weeks ago
Best shoes on the market!
Titleist ProV1 Golf Balls
strokerAce
6 days ago
outside of the Ecco are there any wide models that you recommend?