BEST SPIKELESS SHOE OF 2019

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.

2019 Spikeless Shoe Features Chart

	Product	Material	Colors	Sizing	Width	Warranty
	Adidas Tour 360 XT-SL Check Price	Leather and Microfiber Synthetic	4	7 to 15	M/W	1 Year
	Adidas Adipower 4orged S Check Price	Forged Microfibre Leather	4	7 to 15	M/W	1 Year
	Athalonz EnVe Check Price	Leather	1	5 to 14	M	NA
	Ecco Biom Hybrid 3 Check Price	YAK Leather	7	5 to14.5	M/W	1 Year
	Footjoy Pro Sl Check Price	ChromoSkin Leather	4	7 to 15	M/W/EW	2 Year
	Inesis Dry Grip Check Price	Polyurethane Lining	3	6.5 to 13.5	M	2 Year
	Inesis Waterproof Check Price	Thermoplastic Polyurethane	5	6.5 to 13.5	M	2 Year
	Jack Grace Innovator 1.0 Check Price	Premium Leather	Many Styles	8 to 14	M/W	45 Days
	Puma Grip Fusion Check Price	Microfiber	4	7 to 14	M/W	1 Year
	Puma Ignite NXT Check Price	Performance Mesh TPU	4	7 to 14	M	1 Year
	Puma Grip Fusion Sport Check Price	Mesh	4	7 to 14	M	1 Year
	Skechers Mojo Elite Check Price	Full Grain Leather	4	7.5 to 14	M/EW	2 Year
	Skechers Drive 4 Check Price	Smooth Leather	4	7.5 to 13	M/EW	NA
	Skechers Max Check Price	Synthetic and Mesh	3	7.5 to 13	M/EW	NA
	Stuburt Classic Tour Event Check Price	Premium Leather	2	7 to 12	M	1 Year
	Stuburt Dri Back Check Price	Full Grain Leather	1	7 to 12	M	1 Year
	True linkswear True Knit Check Price	Polyester	4	4 to 15	M	NA

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.

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

	Product	Stability	Comfort	Elements	Style	Traction	Total
	Adidas Tour 360 XT-SL Check Price	1st	5th	1st	1st	6th	94
	Inesis Waterproof Check Price	1st	1st	1st	15th	1st	93
	Puma Grip Fusion Check Price	7th	8th	4th	5th	4th	89.5
	Adidas Adipower 4orged S Check Price	5th	10th	6th	3rd	3rd	89
	Ecco Biom Hybrid 3 Check Price	8th	7th	1st	5th	9th	88
	Skechers Mojo Elite Check Price	5th	5th	13th	10th	9th	85.5
	Footjoy Pro SL Check Price	1st	14th	4th	3rd	7th	83.5
	Puma Ignite NXT Check Price	10th	2nd	14th	2nd	16th	83
	Inesis Dry Grip Check Price	15th	2nd	14th	13th	1st	80
	Athalonz EnVe Check Price	1st	14th	10th	10th	9th	79
	Skechers Drive 4 Check Price	12th	11th	8th	17th	14th	78.5
	Puma Grip Fusion Sport Check Price	16th	2nd	16th	8th	4th	78
	Stuburt Classic Tour Event Check Price	10th	14th	6th	5th	9th	78
	Skechers Max Check Price	8th	12th	9th	15th	17th	77
	Stuburt Dri Back Check Price	14th	13th	10th	13th	9th	75.5
	True linkswear True Knit Check Price	17th	8th	16th	5th	8th	73.5
	Jack Grace Innovator 1.0 Check Price	13th	17th	10th	10th	14th	68.5

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.