2020 SPIKED SHOE BUYER’S GUIDE
MyGolfSpy’s top-rated spiked shoes for 2020?
adidas and Under Armour.
There you go. There’s your Buyer’s Guide.
(Just kidding. We’ll share some science if for no other reason than to justify our existence.)
If you think golf shoes are an accessory rather than an essential piece of equipment, consider this: Studies from FootJoy have shown that wearing the correct shoe can increase your swing speed by three miles per hour. Stability, traction and comfort combine to create the anchor that grounds you during a shot.
Not all that long ago, we saw a handful of companies battle it out for the No. 1 position. For 2020, however, adidas and Under Armour have commandeered all top five spots in the Best Spiked Shoe Buyer’s Guide. Both companies achieved what we considered darned near perfect balance across all testing metrics.
But if the kicks in the top five don’t suit you, all of the shoes in our top 10 performed well and are worthy of consideration.
Best For Stability - Under Armour Spieth 4
The Under Amour Spieth 4 earns the number one spot in the stability category. The Spieth 4s keeps your foot locked in place, while its wider sole helps prevent your foot from spilling over the shoe. One of the focal points in designing the shoe was to encourage golfers to use the ground to enhance their shot. Top-quality traction allows a golfer to dig into the earth and use it to their advantage.
Spiked Shoe Features That Matter
Comfort
Comfort should be the top priority no matter which shoe you’re considering. It’s important to understand that comfort starts with proper sizing. If you’re not wearing the correct size, you’re sacrificing comfort – and performance.
If you’re looking for the most comfortable shoe, try the New Balance Fresh Foam LinksPro. Other shoes that rival the Fresh Foam’s comfort are the adidas Tour 360 XT PK and the Skechers Torque-Twist.
Traction
Seldom is a quality golf shot preceded by a slip. Not all spiked shoe soles are created equal. Some designs provide significantly better traction than others. If you play in wet conditions often, this should be integral to your shoe decision.
If all-weather traction is your main concern, try the Under Armour Spieth 4 or the adidas Tour 360 XT.
DIY Spikes
Did you know that you can turn any regular shoe into a golf shoe? GolfKicks spikes screw into any shoe, allowing you to merge your everyday style with traction on the course.
Stability
You don’t want your foot vulnerable to slippage and spillover but you still want some freedom of movement. A perfectly stable shoe should consist of a molded heel cup along with structured mid-sole support. Weight distribution is also important during your swing. The right amount of foot freedom (lateral movement) is necessary to achieve correct weight distribution.
Golfers seeking the ultimate in stability should consider the Under Armour Spieth 4 and adidas Tour 360 XT. The FootJoy Tour X is also an excellent choice.
The Best Spiked Shoes 2020 - Features
| Product | Colors | Sizing | Real Life Fit | Width | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Adidas Tour 360 XT Check Price | 5 | 7 to 15 | 1/2 Size Big | M-W | 2 Year |
 | Adidas Tour 360 XT PK Check Price | 3 | 7 to 15 | 1/2 Size Big | M | 2 Year |
 | Asics Gel Course Duo Boa Check Price | 3 | 8 to 12 | Fits To Size | M | 1 Year |
 | Callaway LaGrange 2.0 Check Price | 2 | 8 to 14 | Fits To Size | M-W | 2 Year |
 | Ecco Strike 2.0 Check Price | 3 | 5-12.5 | 1/2 Size Big | M | 1 Year |
 | Footjoy Tour X Check Price | 3 | 7 to 15 | Fits To Size | N-EW | 2 Year |
 | New Balance Fresh Foam LinksPro Check Price | 2 | 8 to 16 | Fits To Size | M-EW | 2 Year |
 | Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour Check Price | 3 | 7 to 14 | Fits To Size | M | 2 Year |
 | Puma IGNITE PROADAPT Check Price | 3 | 7 to 14 | 1/2 Size Big | M | 1 Year |
 | Puma IGNITE PWRADAPT CAGED Check Price | 5 | 7 to 15 | 1 Size Big | M-W | 1 Year |
 | Skechers Go Golf Pro 4 Check Price | 2 | 7.5 to 14 | 1/2 Size Big | M | 2 Year |
 | Skechers Go Golf Torque-Twist Check Price | 3 | 7.5 to 13 | 1/2 Size Big | M-EW | 1 Year |
 | Sqairz Arrow Check Price | 2 | 7 to 13 | 1/2 Size Big | W | 2 Year |
 | Sqairz 20/20 Check Price | 2 | 7 to 13 | 1/2 Size Big | W | 2 Year |
 | Under Armour Hovr Drive GXT Check Price | 2 | 7 to 15 | Fits To Size | M-EW | 2 Year |
 | Under Armour Spieth 4 Check Price | 1 | 7 to 12 | 1 Size Big | M-EW | 2 Year |
 | Under Armour Hovr MatchPlay Check Price | 2 | 7 to 15 | Fits To Size | M-EW | 2 Year |
Best For Comfort - New Balance Fresh Foam LinksPro
Just like its Spikeless brother, New Balance Fresh Foam LinksPro offers 360° comfort. The Foam LinksPro also earned top traction and stability marks, making it an all-round performance shoe.
Expert Tips
- Not everyone needs the most stable golf shoe on the market. Try on different shoe designs to determine what level of stability works best for you.
- If you 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.
- If something doesn’t feel quite right in an otherwise comfortable shoe, it may be worth trying the BOA/DISC alternative if offered. These closure systems often increase the cost of the shoe.
- While style preferences will vary among golfers, comfort is an absolute. Don’t sacrifice it for any reason.
- Have your foot measured to ensure you’re buying the proper size.
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The Best Spiked Shoe 2020 - Results
| Product | Stability | Comfort | Elements | Style | Traction | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adidas Tour 360 XT Check Price | 2nd | 8th | 2nd | 2nd | 2nd | 93.5 |
| Under Armour Hovr Drive GXT Check Price | 6th | 4th | 1st | 4th | 10th | 93 |
| Under Armour Spieth 4 Check Price | 1st | 11th | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | 92.5 |
| Adidas Tour 360 XT PK Check Price | 8th | 2nd | 16th | 1st | 4th | 91.5 |
| Under Armour Hovr MatchPlay Check Price | 4th | 5th | 4th | 4th | 15th | 91 |
| New Balance Fresh Foam LinksPro Check Price | 8th | 1st | 11th | 13th | 4th | 89.5 |
| Footjoy Tour X Check Price | 2nd | 11th | 7th | 7th | 4th | 89 |
| Callaway LaGrange 2.0 Check Price | 11th | 10th | 7th | 14th | 2nd | 86 |
| Skechers Go Golf Pro 4 Check Price | 4th | 8th | 7th | 15th | 16th | 85.5 |
| Sqairz Arrow Check Price | 11th | 13th | 4th | 10th | 10th | 85 |
| Skechers Go Golf Torque-Twist Check Price | 15th | 3rd | 14th | 17th | 4th | 84.5 |
| Sqairz 20/20 Check Price | 14th | 13th | 4th | 10th | 10th | 84.5 |
| Puma IGNITE PROADAPT Check Price | 6th | 16th | 7th | 7th | 10th | 84 |
| Asics Gel Course Duo Boa Check Price | 8th | 5th | 14th | 15th | 17th | 84 |
| Puma IGNITE PWRADAPT CAGED Check Price | 17th | 7th | 16th | 4th | 4th | 83.5 |
| Ecco Strike 2.0 Check Price | 16th | 15th | 11th | 12th | 4th | 80.5 |
| Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour Check Price | 11th | 17th | 11th | 7th | 10th | 77.5 |
Shape of Innovation - Sqairz Arrow
The Sqairz Arrow unique toebox will get you noticed on the course. Like its name suggests, the Sqairz has a square toe. The theory is the square toe helps golfers align properly over the ball. The Arrow's wider toe box allows your foot to lay flat which Squairz says encourages the correct amount of lateral movement. The shoe runs 1/2 size big, but with the right size, comfort, and stability increase making it a shoe to consider...if you can get past the shape.
Best Spiked Shoes of 2020 – FAQ
Q: How much should I spend on a shoe?
A: It’s possible to find well-designed, fully featured golf shoes for around $105. That said, the majority of top performers, including our choice for Best Stability, are closer to $200. As with anything else, your frequency 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: Do I need to buy golf shoes? Can I play golf in regular shoes?
A: You can. But the correct footwear will contribute to your game. If you’re not playing for score, you can transform any shoe into a spiked golf shoe with screw-in spikes called GolfKicks. Discuss among yourselves.
Q: Is BOA/DISC technology better than laces?
A: Some golfers prefer these 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 during a round and while it’s not a big deal to re-tighten, it can be an annoyance. Also consider that if a shoelace breaks, it’s easily replaceable whereas warranty replacements for other closure systems can take time.
WU
3 years ago
Man, I read the reviews here carefully and so I went with the Adidas. And boy, lemme tell ya guys, you guys made a mistake. The new Adidas shoes are not the best shoes this year. I’ve worn previous generation Adidas too, as well others like Sketchers Go Golf etc, and only based on the reviews here, I went and got the Adidas again. I was thinking of may be getting the Asics or even UA, but I went with the Adidas because of wha you said – and the review is incorrect.
The XT spikes are way too soft. The Boost is too soft. I wore these for about 3 weeks straight, probably 4 rounds a week and a few buckets – and the Boost is already gone. It’s done. It’s so soft, they sink down like some bathroom sponge. Imagine stepping on a sponge and it gets flat? That’s what this Boost feels like.
Also, the leather sidewall and around the heel do not wrap around and hug the heel like the previous generation and so the foot moves around too much because it’s too loose and there is no side support, and along with the softness of the Boost, the foot squishes around as if you’re wearing one of them soft, lightweight breathable tennis or running shoe as opposed to a solid base golf shoe. The XT spikes are not stable, they are too soft and move around so much you lose traction and toque and you will miss hit shots like I have been.
Anyway, I am very disappointed to say the least. You need to revise these reviews based after a month of use, because after all, these shoes are all meant to last at least a year or two, and if they get this worn after a month, the reviews need to indicate it as such.