If you follow MyGolfSpy testing, you already know how well PAYNTR shoes perform. The men’s lineup has been a consistent standout. There’s also a growing list of PGA Tour players who wear them by choice.
PAYNTR has had a women’s footwear lineup for a while and comfort has always been the calling card. What’s new is the Reserve Classic Collection which debuts two silhouettes: the Reserve Classic RS, the brand’s first-ever spiked model for women, and the Reserve Classic SL, its spikeless counterpart. I tested both back-to-back over the weekend. Here’s what I found.
Comfort and fit: Out-of-the-box ready
Let’s start here because it’s the thing I noticed first. These shoes did not need a break-in period. I put them on and they were ready to go.
PAYNTR builds both models around what they call a newly engineered Reserve Fit last, designed specifically for comfort and performance, and I’d say they got it right. The fit reads as roomier and wider than a lot of women’s golf shoes on the market. Looking down you see a wider profile than you do with something like an Ecco, FootJoy or adidas shoe. If that bothers you, these may not be for you.
The good thing is my foot doesn’t slide around in the shoe, even though it’s wider.
Contributing to that all-day feel is an OrthoLite footbed designed to compress less than five percent, which means the cushioning, fit and comfort don’t change over time.
I tested these in 96-degree heat and they never felt heavy or burdensome. They’re not a breathable shoe in the traditional sense so if that’s your top priority in summer conditions, worth keeping in mind. But the weight never became an issue and that matters more than people give it credit for.
The look: A step forward
I wore a PAYNTR women’s shoe last year, the Sport Classic LE. The comfort is there; I still wear these shoes. The overall aesthetic is fine but I think the new Reserve collection is much better.
With all the conversation about how well PAYNTR’s men’s shoes have performed and how good they look, I’d been hoping they’d eventually bring that same energy to a women’s model. This is it.
Spiked versus spikeless: I tested both head-to-head
I’ve been gravitating toward spikeless golf shoes this year because of the comfort, versatility and ease of use. The Reserve Classic SL is built for on-course and off-course wear and it delivers on all of that. It looks great, it’s comfortable and I like it.
But if you asked me which one to buy? I’d tell you to get the spiked RS.
The Reserve Classic RS features a TPU outsole with Fast Twist insert system that delivers traction in three dimensions for the life of the shoe and you feel it. When I’m working on swing speed or trying to add power, I want that resistance underfoot and the RS gives me that.
Both shoes share PAYNTR’s PMXSpeed PLT propulsion plate, designed to help harness ground reaction forces more effectively, but the spiked model has an edge in stability under real swing conditions. For someone who plays regularly and wants one shoe that does it all on the course, the RS is the call.
One more thing
This might sound minor but it isn’t if you care about your gear: these wiped down beautifully after the round. A quick wipe and they looked brand-new. I like a shoe that’s easy to clean and stays looking new.
Bottom line
The Reserve Classic RS is $150 and the Reserve Classic SL is $130 and both are available now at PAYNTRGolf.com. These are going into my regular rotation.
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