2021 Spikeless Shoe Buyer’s Guide

Ever wondered what type of shoes are taking over the industry? Spiked or spikeless? In 2021, we tested 34 different pairs of spikeless shoes compared to 20 in the spiked category. Do the math.

While its spiked sibling has done well in the past, the technology advancements speak for themselves. World long-drive champion Kyle Berkshire wears a spikeless shoe and many pro golfers do as well.

The best spikeless golf shoes for 2021 don’t trade comfort for stability or value for style. You can still go from the office to the golf course but the spikeless category is about much more than versatility. Any of the shoes in our top 10 will give you just about everything you could want from a golf shoe.

WINNER – adidas Tour 360 XT-SL TEX

If you’re looking for a new spikeless golf shoe for the 2021 season, look no further than the adidas Tour 360 XT-SL TEX. Its consistent overall performance across most categories earned it the No. 1 spot.  Compared to its sibling, the XT-SL TEX has a softer, more padded heel section for those golfers who don’t like that firmer feeling.

• Second in stability
• First in comfort
• 15th in elements
• Fourth in traction

Spikeless Shoe Features That Matter

Comfort

Like any footwear—heck, any apparel, for that matter—the most significant factor is proper sizing. Many brands offer half sizes and multiple widths  along with various support features. Don’t get seduced by appearance or brand name. With plenty of choices available, you are sure to find the combination of comfort and style you’re looking for.

If you want the most comfortable shoe, try the adidas Tour 360 XT-SL TEX. Other shoes that rival the XT-SL TEX’s comfort are the adidas S2G SL and the Inesis Dry Grip and Waterproof models.

Traction

This has been the proverbial millstone around spikeless shoes from their inception. True or not, the perception is that spikeless shoes do not offer significant traction. And while that’s generally accurate in wet conditions, the best spikeless shoes for 2021 maintain their grip even when the course is soft.

If all-weather traction is your main concern, try the Inesis Waterproof or the adidas Tour 360 XT-SL TEX.

Stability

Spikeless designs tend to be less stable than traditional spiked shoes. It’s not unintentional, as the purpose of early spikeless shoes was to allow more freedom of movement as well as increased comfort. That being said, while the ideal level of stability varies among golfers, a shoe should never be so unstable that your foot spills over the edge of the footbed.

As spikeless shoes have grown in popularity, the need to marry the lifestyle design of spikeless shoes with more traditional shoe elements has emerged. As a result, we’re seeing more options designed around greater stability. In doing so, you often lose a bit of the casual gym-shoe look. It’s a small price to pay for spikeless options that offer the stability of a traditional golf shoe.

Golfers seeking the ultimate in stability should consider the adidas Tour 360 XT SL 2 and Under Armour HOVR Show SL. The Inesis Waterproof is also an excellent choice.

THE BEST SPIKELESS SHOES OF 2021 - FEATURES

	Product	Colors	Sizing	Width	Real Life Fit
	Adidas EQT SL Check Price	2	7-15	Wide	1/2 Size Big
	Adidas S2G SL Check Price	3	7-15	Medium	1/2 Size Big
	Adidas Tour 360 XT SL 2 Check Price	3	7-15	Medium	1/2 Size Big
	Adidas Tour 360 XT-SL TEX Check Price	3	7-15	Medium	1/2 Size Big
	Asics Gel Course - Glide Check Price	6	6-14	Medium	True To Size
	ASICS Gel Course ACE Check Price	3	7-13	Medium	True To Size
	Callaway Coronado V2 SL Check Price	3	8-14	M/W	True To Size
	Callaway Del Mar Sunset Check Price	3	8-15	M/W	True To Size
	Cuater The MoneyMaker Check Price	4	8-13	Medium	1/2 Size Big
	Cuater The Wildcard Check Price	3	8-13	Medium	1/2 Size Big
	DUCA Del Cosma Monterosso Check Price	1	7-14	Medium	True To Size
	DUCA Del Cosma Flyer Check Price	1	7-14	Medium	True To Size
	ECCO S Hybrid Check Price	3	9-13.5	Wide	1/2 Size Big
	FootJoy Premiere Series Flint Check Price	3	7-15	N/M/W/EW	True To Size
	FootJoy Pro SL Check Price	8	7-15	N/M/W/EW	True To Size
	FootJoy Pro SL Carbon Check Price	2	7-15	N/M/W/EW	True To Size
	GFore MG4 Plus Check Price	4	7-14	Medium	True To Size
	GFore MG4-1 Check Price	1	7-15	Medium	True To Size
	Inesis Dry Grip Check Price	3	6.5-13.5	Medium	True To Size
	Inesis Mountain Check Price	2	6.5-13.5	Medium	True To Size
	Inesis Waterproof Check Price	5	6.5-13.5	Medium	True To Size
	New Balance Fresh Foam Links BOA Check Price	2	8-14	M/W	True To Size
	New Balance Fresh Foam Pace SL Check Price	3	7-17	Medium	True To Size
	Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Check Price	3	3.5-16	Medium	True To Size
	Nike React Infinity Pro Check Price	7	3.5-16	Medium	True To Size
	PAYNTR X 001 F Check Price	3	8-13	Medium	True To Size
	PUMA Fusion EVO Check Price	2	7-17	M/EW	True To Size
	PUMA IGNITE FASTEN 8 Check Price	5	7-14	Medium	1/2 Size Big
	PUMA RSG Check Price	3	7-13	Medium	True To Size
	Skechers Go Golf Elite Tour SL Check Price	2	7-13	Medium	True To Size
	Skechers GO GOLF Elite 4 Victory Check Price	4	7.5-13	M/EW	True To Size
	Under Armour Curry 6 Check Price	2	7-13	Medium	True To Size
	Under Armour HOVR Forge RCSL Check Price	2	7.14	Medium	True To Size
	Under Armour HOVR Show SL Check Price	2	7-15	Medium	True To Size

More Tips

• Not everyone needs a ton of stability in a golf shoe. Try different shoe designs to determine what level of stability works best for you.
• If you find that you want or need maximum stability, look for designs with “cage technology” in the mid-foot section. It’s common in traditional spiked shoes but companies have begun adding stability-enhancing components to their spikeless designs.
• Depending on the manufacture, sizes can vary. If you can’t try them on, check the company’s sizing sheet to ensure you get the size you need.
• Whether you choose spiked or spikeless, have your foot measured to ensure you’re buying the proper size.
• To play your best, you need to be grounded. A shoe that doesn’t provide proper traction is going to cost you strokes.
• In general, spikeless shoes are easier on turf than the more aggressively spiked shoes. If you want your superintendent and the golfers that follow you to love you, go spikeless.

THE BEST SPIKELESS SHOES 2021 - RESULTS

	Product	Stability	Comfort	Elements	Traction	Total
	Adidas Tour 360 XT-SL TEX Check Price	2nd	1st	15th	4th	95
	Adidas S2G SL Check Price	5th	1st	15th	4th	94.5
	Under Armour HOVR Show SL Check Price	2nd	6th	2nd	4th	93.5
	Adidas Tour 360 XT SL 2 Check Price	1st	23rd	2nd	4th	93
	PAYNTR X 001 F Check Price	5th	4th	7th	4th	92
	Inesis Waterproof Check Price	2nd	9th	2nd	1st	91
	ECCO S Hybrid Check Price	11th	18th	1st	17th	89.5
	Callaway Coronado V2 SL Check Price	18th	4th	22nd	17th	89
	Skechers Go Golf Elite Tour SL Check Price	5th	9th	9th	22nd	89
	Cuater The MoneyMaker Check Price	18th	23rd	15th	4th	88.5
	GFore MG4 Plus Check Price	23rd	18th	7th	11th	88
	New Balance Fresh Foam Pace SL Check Price	21st	6th	22nd	22nd	87
	ASICS Gel Course ACE Check Price	11th	15th	9th	17th	87
	Under Armour HOVR Forge RCSL Check Price	28th	15th	15th	4th	87
	Inesis Dry Grip Check Price	23rd	3rd	27th	1st	86.5
	Skechers GO GOLF Elite 4 Victory Check Price	11th	9th	9th	22nd	86.5
	PUMA IGNITE FASTEN 8 Check Price	11th	9th	22nd	31st	85.5
	Asics Gel Course - Glide Check Price	23rd	6th	22nd	17th	85
	FootJoy Pro SL Carbon Check Price	5th	30th	2nd	22nd	85
	PUMA Fusion EVO Check Price	30th	9th	27th	30th	83.5
	Under Armour Curry 6 Check Price	23rd	22nd	27th	11th	83.5
	Nike React Infinity Pro Check Price	11th	25th	19th	32nd	83.5
	Callaway Del Mar Sunset Check Price	21st	28th	27th	11th	83.5
	GFore MG4-1 Check Price	31st	15th	34th	11th	82.5
	New Balance Fresh Foam Links BOA Check Price	28th	18th	19th	17th	82.5
	Adidas EQT SL Check Price	23rd	18th	32nd	22nd	82
	Cuater The Wildcard Check Price	33rd	9th	32nd	11th	81.5
	PUMA RSG Check Price	11th	25th	22nd	32nd	81
	FootJoy Premiere Series Flint Check Price	5th	31st	9th	11th	81
	FootJoy Pro SL Check Price	18th	33rd	2nd	22nd	79
	DUCA Del Cosma Flyer Check Price	31st	29th	19th	22nd	78
	Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Check Price	11th	33rd	9th	32nd	77
	Inesis Mountain Check Price	5th	31st	9th	3rd	76.5
	DUCA Del Cosma Monterosso Check Price	34th	25th	27th	29th	75

Best Spikeless Shoes of 2021 – FAQ

Q: How much should I spend on a shoe? 

A: While it’s possible to find a well-designed, fully featured golf shoe for around $80, the majority of top performers sell for around $150. Golfers who play just a few times a year may be able to find a suitable option for less. Never skimp on comfort to save a buck.

Q: What is the main feature I should look for when buying a spikeless shoe?

A: Comfort is by far the most important factor, followed by traction. Stability is also an important consideration but different golfers require different levels of stability. 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. 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. Although it’s not a big deal to re-tighten, who wants to worry about it? Also consider that if a shoelace breaks, it’s easily replaceable whereas warranty replacements for other closure systems can take some time.