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TravisMathew The Ringer 2 golf shoes review. Jonathan Taylor got his hands on a pair to find out how they perform compared to the original Ringer.
TravisMathew has been the apparel arm for Callaway for several years. And Cuater by TravisMathew offered a range of excellent footwear, as worn by the likes of Jon Rahm. I tested Cuater The Ringer shoe back in 2022.
TravisMathew apparel and footwear is now all badged under the TravisMathew name and today I am testing the updated version of The Ringer, The Ringer 2.
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This remains an understated and quietly effective golf shoe which performs really well on the course.
It is well- constructed and offers year-round performance.
PROS
CONS
At first glance The Ringer 2 looks identical to the original Ringer. That, in itself is no bad thing as I have worn the original shoe for over 18 months without any fall-off in performance. TravisMathew offer a range of golf shoes and The Ringer 2 is badged as their premium performance Tour golf shoe.
I tested the model in white with a contrasting black sole and trim. This is one of three colour options and is ideal for the summer golf season, whether paired with shorts or long trousers.
If you wanted a shoe for summer and winter this shoe is ideal but would probably opt for it in black to cover both seasons more effectively.
The appearance was smart, athletic and yet relaxed. There is a low-key contrasting logo on the lateral aspect of the heel panel.
The upper is a waterproof PU/Nylon blend. There is a so-called Sweetspot Cushioning System which promises all day comfort with layers of cushioning and support. An air-mesh lining offers breathability and moisture management.
A minor gripe is that the laces feel a bit thinner and flimsier than their predecessor.
The sole features seven removable Softspike Tour Flex Pro cleats which offers first class traction and stability. This is an update from the Pivix cleats found on the original Ringer shoe, and is about the only significant change I can find from the original.
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The cleats were accompanied by an additional fifty or so nubbins in a honeycomb pattern which gives the shoe an appearance of being seriously grippy.
The UK size 7.5 (Euro 41) fitted my wide foot very comfortably and snugly out of the box. Each shoe weighed a reasonably lightweight 385 grammes.
I have tested these shoes over half a dozen rounds in variable conditions on my home heathland course, including in rain and standing water. These shoes performed admirably. They remained extremely comfortable throughout, with no hint of soreness or rubbing, so the Sweetspot Cushioning System certainly lived upto it’s name.
These are the sort of shoes that I would happily wear for 36 holes in a day. The sole delivered the strong traction and stability that the appearance promised , and there was no slipping or sliding even on wet, sloping lies.
My feet remained dry, even in some heavy downpours so I can attest to their waterproof properties.
As with the original Ringer, the only aspect that I think could be enhanced is the breathability of the shoe. This did not detract from the impressive comfort that I experienced but my feet did feel pretty warm at the end of a round.
Although this is a spiked shoe, the low profile nature of the cleats allied to the clean design of the shoe , does make it versatile enough to wear in the clubhouse.
My experience with the original Ringer is that a post-round simple wipe clean with a damp cloth is all that is needed to keep the shoes in tip-top condition.
Although the Ringer 2 offers only minor updates on the original, I think it is very much a case of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”
TravisMathew have set the RRP of £149. However, based on my experience of the original Ringer (still performing after almost 2 years), and wearing The Ringer 2 for several rounds and experiencing the combination of waterproofness, comfort and stability, I regard that as a fair price – even better at the reduced prices!
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Fit: True to Size/Small/Large/Wide/Narrow
Style: Athletic/Traditional/Off Course Friendly/All Weather/Casual
Out of Box Comfort: 9.5/10
Stability: 9.5/10
Value for Money: 9.5/10
Available: Now
RRP: £149 / $179.95
Sizes: UK 7-11 & 13 (Including half sizes) / US 8-14
Colours: Black, White, White/Sleet
More info: TravisMathew UK / TravisMathew US
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