Check out what’s new in our FootJoy HyperFlex II review. See if they’ve improved on the original with a new upper system that moves like your foot…
It’s has been over two years since we first saw HyperFlex – one of the most striking shoes ever released by FootJoy – but now there’s even cooler technology in HyperFlex II.
We were among the first people to get our hands on HyperFlex II as we tested them out at a FootJoy launch event in Portugal.
FootJoy’s product expert Jeremy Baldwin explained all the tech before we took them out on to the course at Amendoeira Golf Resort.
FootJoy HyperFlex II review – First impressions
So the first HyperFlex featured something called a FlexGrid upper which was inspired by the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston, Massachusetts.
It was flexible while still offering superb levels of support.
I’ve been a huge fan of the HyperFlex and have been wearing them fairly religiously over the past two years.
My balance isn’t the best and my legs can be a bit all over the place at times.
The FootJoy HyperFlex gave me loads of stability and traction while still allowing my body to try and generate some power.
I was very keen to see what had been changed in HyperFlex II as there wasn’t much, if anything, that I would have changed about them.
From a distance, HyperFlex II don’t look much different to the original model.
If anything the design and patterning, particularly on the toe area, is a bit busier than the original.
But once you get them in your hands you can see there’s a completely new upper which feels softer and even more flexible.
If you weren’t a fan of the original HyperFlex from an aesthetic point of view I’m not sure there’s anything about HyperFlex II that will convert you.
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But it’s all about the performance.
I expected HyperFlex to just be for younger golfers but have been surprised over the last two years at just how many senior golfers have been rocking them on the fairways.
FootJoy HyperFlex II review – The technology
The key technology in HyperFlex II is once again in the upper.
In the new FlexGrid 3.0, there’s something FootJoy are calling a BioMorph upper.
It all sounds very scientific, and it is, but put simply the shoe has been designed to work in unison with and mimic the movements of the foot.
There are some very interesting patterns on the upper which allow for more natural movement and flexibility while maintaining stability.
As in the original HyperFlex there’s Fine Tuned Foam (FTF) in the midsole which provides cushioning and comfort.
For added stability and traction there’s a stabiliser on the heel and ‘Tornado’ Cleats by SoftSpikes on the sole
These have been specifically engineered with thin TPU for flexible and durable underfoot traction.
“With the new BioMorph upper, our goal was to strike a balance between structure and flexibility and deliver those benefits in the exact locations they’re needed,” said Doug Robinson, VP of Golf Footwear.
“We accomplished this by studying the physiology of the human foot and building an upper that worked in unison with the musculature and tendons of the foot to give the golfer a shoe that will move when they need it to and provide support when they need it.”
FootJoy HyperFlex II review – The results/ NCG Verdict.
There may have been some who didn’t expect a second-generation of the HyperFlex shoe because it was maybe a bit ‘out there’ and not aligned with FootJoy’s core customer base.
But it was a huge success. Both on tour and with the club golfer.
It may have attracted some new, younger fans but it also struck a chord with more senior golfers.
So there will be plenty of golfers keen to know if FootJoy have managed to improve on the original.
If anything, the looks have been toned down a bit in terms of the colour options.
There’s four – Blue/Silver, Grey/Silver, Black, Navy/Orange – each being fairly subtle with nothing to put anyone off for the outset.
I tested the black model which was ideal as when playing winter golf I stay well away from white and lighter colours when the course gets muddy.
I actually prefer the look of my Black and Red original HyperFlex but there’s not really a huge difference.
Although the black HyperFlex II aren’t available with BOA lacing which is a shame.
After getting used to BOA it’s hard to move back to laces – particularly in the winter.
When I put HyperFlex II on for the first time – and got over the fact I had to tie my laces – they did feel a bit more sung and comfortable than the original.
It feels like the upper is wrapping around your foot a bit more. The upper also feels softer and lighter.
Out on the course I enjoyed the same superb traction I had experienced with the first generation HyperFlex shoes.
I felt nicely rooted to the ground – a key thing for me to make better golf swings.
There’s fantastic freedom of movement too from the flexible upper materials.
The reason I like these shoes so much is because they give me all the performance benefits of a ‘proper’ structured golf shoe but are very light and comfortable.
The traction is as good as any shoe I have worn over the past couple of years.
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This shoe may not be for everyone for aesthetic and performance reasons but I’d recommend giving them a trial.
The performance may persuade you to overlook the looks, if that makes sense.
Test them out by hitting some shots on Trackman with your pro and take a look at the results compared to other shoes.
Get fitted for your shoes in the same way you’d get fitted for a driver.
You can thank me later.
Details
Colours: Blue/Silver, Grey/Silver (available in laced and BOA), Black, Navy/Orange
In store: January 1, 2017
SRP: £145/£160 BOA
For more visit the FootJoy website HERE
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