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

 ProductColorsSizingReal Life FitWidthWarranty
Adidas Tour 360 XT

Check Price		57 to 151/2 Size BigM-W2 Year
Adidas Tour 360 XT PK

Check Price		37 to 151/2 Size BigM2 Year
Asics Gel Course Duo Boa

Check Price		38 to 12Fits To SizeM1 Year
Callaway LaGrange 2.0

Check Price		28 to 14Fits To SizeM-W2 Year
Ecco Strike 2.0

Check Price		35-12.51/2 Size BigM1 Year
Footjoy Tour X

Check Price		37 to 15Fits To SizeN-EW2 Year
New Balance Fresh Foam LinksPro

Check Price		28 to 16Fits To SizeM-EW2 Year
Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour

Check Price		37 to 14Fits To SizeM2 Year
Puma IGNITE PROADAPT

Check Price		37 to 141/2 Size BigM1 Year
Puma IGNITE PWRADAPT CAGED

Check Price		57 to 151 Size BigM-W1 Year
Skechers Go Golf Pro 4

Check Price		27.5 to 141/2 Size BigM2 Year
Skechers Go Golf Torque-Twist

Check Price		37.5 to 131/2 Size BigM-EW1 Year
Sqairz Arrow

Check Price		27 to 131/2 Size BigW2 Year
Sqairz 20/20

Check Price		27 to 131/2 Size BigW2 Year
Under Armour Hovr Drive GXT

Check Price		27 to 15Fits To SizeM-EW2 Year
Under Armour Spieth 4

Check Price		17 to 121 Size BigM-EW2 Year
Under Armour Hovr MatchPlay

Check Price		27 to 15Fits To SizeM-EW2 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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SEE MY RESULTS

The Best Spiked Shoe 2020 - Results

 ProductStabilityComfortElementsStyleTractionTotal
Adidas Tour 360 XT

Check Price		2nd8th2nd2nd2nd93.5
Under Armour Hovr Drive GXT

Check Price		6th4th1st4th10th93
Under Armour Spieth 4

Check Price		1st11th2nd3rd1st92.5
Adidas Tour 360 XT PK

Check Price		8th2nd16th1st4th91.5
Under Armour Hovr MatchPlay

Check Price		4th5th4th4th15th91
New Balance Fresh Foam LinksPro

Check Price		8th1st11th13th4th89.5
Footjoy Tour X

Check Price		2nd11th7th7th4th89
Callaway LaGrange 2.0

Check Price		11th10th7th14th2nd86
Skechers Go Golf Pro 4

Check Price		4th8th7th15th16th85.5
Sqairz Arrow

Check Price		11th13th4th10th10th85
Skechers Go Golf Torque-Twist

Check Price		15th3rd14th17th4th84.5
Sqairz 20/20

Check Price		14th13th4th10th10th84.5
Puma IGNITE PROADAPT

Check Price		6th16th7th7th10th84
Asics Gel Course Duo Boa

Check Price		8th5th14th15th17th84
Puma IGNITE PWRADAPT CAGED

Check Price		17th7th16th4th4th83.5
Ecco Strike 2.0

Check Price		16th15th11th12th4th80.5
Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour

Check Price		11th17th11th7th10th77.5

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.