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How does the updated Fuel from FootJoy perform? Our resident Footjoy shoe expert Jonathan Taylor got his hands on a pair to find out.
The FootJoy Fuel was introduced in 2022 and has proved to be a popular model. In the 2023/24 season, the model secured no less than six victories across the DP World and Ladies European Tours, which was second only to the Premiere Series.
One of the key attributes of the 2022 Fuel was a lightweight design. And for 2025, FootJoy have redesigned the Fuel making it even lighter. Let’s take a look at the updated model for this year with our FootJoy Fuel golf shoe reveiw.
This is my first meeting with a Fuel shoe. I’m more familiar with the Pro SL range, and I particularly enjoyed testing and wearing the Pro/SLX Carbon which was a favourite of mine for last year and is still part of the FJ stable. What I particularly liked about that model was the blend of looks, performance and comfort. It also has proved to be a usable shoe, getting an awful lot of hammer in 2024.
When I compare the 2025 Fuel with the Pro/SLX Carbon, the most striking difference is the weight. The Pro/SLX comes in at 415 gms, whereas the Fuel is a featherweight 260 gms which is quite a difference. The shoe looks sleek, sporty and stylish. It comes in 5 different colours. I tested the version called ‘White/Navy/Blue’, which has a premium white synthetic leather upper with contrasting blue sole, laces, tongue and heel piece. It really is an elegant offering and it certainly doesn’t look lightweight.
There is a breathable mesh lining to the synthetic upper. There is plenty of soft padding around the entry to the shoe and tongue. An EVA cushioning system is lightweight and is said to maximise energy return. The integrated heel piece feels reassuringly firm. A new TPU Power Clip has been incorporated to harness lateral movement for increased stability. The sole has been redesigned and features elements of the Pro/SLX racetrack outsole with multidimensional nubbins and foils to ensure a stable platform.
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I even approve of the reasonably subtle branding, with a small FJ motif on the top of the shoe just below the laces, and a slightly larger one over the outer heel.
The shoe weighed in at 260 gms which is lighter than the previous Fuel version, and is comfortably the lightest shoe I can remember testing.
Previous experience has taught me that you should almost certainly drop down half a size when choosing FootJoy. I’m normally a UK 7.5 (wide) but the UK 7 in medium width fitted pretty well, although perhaps a little on the close side. It certainly fits more closely than the same sized Pro/SLX and I presume this is due to a different last design.
NCG Verdict
The first thing to say is that these shoes are extremely comfortable. There is no sense of compromise in comfort due to the lightweight design and my whole foot felt securely held in place from heel to toe. I think the heel may be a little narrower than in previous FJ shoes I have tested, but that was fine for my foot.
On testing in damp conditions underfoot, I experienced strong stability with no loss of grip on uneven lies or when playing out of fairway bunkers. I really thought that the lightweight nature of the shoe would mean a compromise in comfort or performance but I have not yet found any weakness in the shoe. I would say that if you plan to wear it in wintery conditions then you may be better off with a darker colour, but the synthetic leather wiped down easily, so it was easy to keep clean.
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I have worn this shoe on several rounds at my home heathland course in typical winter conditions. My feet have remained dry throughout, and although I haven’t had the opportunity to wear them for 36 holes in a day, I am sure that they would be fine.
This latest shoe from the Fuel range is another winner and I can see it replacing my beloved Pro/SLX Carbon as my shoe for 2025, which is really saying something.
If you are in the market for a new pair of shoes this year, then do check out the new FootJoy Fuel. Who knows, it might ignite your game!
Fit: True to Size/Small/Large/Wide/Narrow Style: Athletic/Traditional/Off Course Friendly/All Weather/Casual Out of Box Comfort: 10/10 Stability: 10/10 Value for Money: 10/10
