Under Armour Charged Phantom SL Golf Shoe Review
Despite only adding golf footwear to their portfolio in 2016, Under Armour has rapidly become a popular choice in the sport of golf. They’re well known for their association with Jordan Spieth.
So how did we find them? Find out in our Under Armour Charged Phantom SL golf shoe review.
Under Armour Charged Phantom SL golf shoes review: NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
The Under Armour Charged Phantom SL golf shoes are a modern, versatile shoe. One for the modern golfer in the market for something a bit different.
It is a fantastic multi-purpose spikeless golf shoe that offers excellent comfort, traction and breathability.
PROS
- Very comfortable.
- Versatile.
- Modern and fashionable.
CONS
- Not a traditional golf shoe.
- Perhaps only suitable for summer wear.
First Impressions
At a first glance, I was impressed with the style of this shoe. You’d be forgiven for not knowing their golf wear, perhaps more akin to a casual running trainer.
So if you’re looking for a classic golf shoe, then this probably isn’t the one for you. However, if you are in the market for a reliable, comfortable piece of footwear to see you through the summer season with some added flair, then don’t dismiss these as an option.
The molded EVA sockliner is a great addition for a quick slip-on if you’re running a little late to your tee time (we’ve all been there). They also offer a great sock-like fit feel which is extremely comfortable.
The lightweight, breathable knit upper material has strategic reinforcements to support your golf swing. It also gives this shoe a really sporty casual styling which made it catch my eye.
The spike-less outsole allows for a more flexible, comfortable feel without compromising on traction.
On Course Testing
I tested these Under Armour shoes at a local heathland golf course. We were lucky with the conditions, but as can often be expected in spring months, some wet patches were encountered, providing a good opportunity to test their durability. Walking around, the shoes were comfortable and extremely light, weighing a modest 309 grams, which makes the fact that they kept my feet dry even more impressive.
I’m quite a consistent size 12 shoe across all departments. However, I did find there was a noticeable amount of space around my foot. This wasn’t a huge concern, and it was only apparent on uneven terrain. If I were to purchase another pair, I’d try for half a size smaller for a tighter fit.
To help further the stability in the swing, Under Armour have added a Rotational Resistance outsole for lightweight lockdown traction, this, accompanied with charged cushioning of the midsole, adds a high level of comfort to the shoe.
Under Armour do heaps of biomechanical testing to optimise the soles of all their golf shoes, it is easy to tell. The traction I received from a variety and lies and conditions was exceptional, almost on par with a spiked golf shoe.
Even in the slightly damper conditions of the course, the shoes held up well. I didn’t feel any lack of control or concern about slipping mid-golf swing. Despite it not hindering my golf in the wet, I would suggest these are ideal summer shoes. As these are highly water resistant, the morning dew wouldn’t affect the shoes, and still look fashionable with some summer golf attire.
If you are worried about the light upper getting dirty, fear not. These shoes are machine washable, so they will be back to brand new in no time at all.
The 19th hole
An ideal clubhouse shoe, perfect for dropping your bag outside and heading into the bar to talk about the previous four hours. Perhaps the only disadvantage is you will be first to the bar whilst your friends are changing out of their spiked shoe!
This shoe also wouldn’t look out of place in the gym, or out and about, so you really are getting a lot for your money in terms of versatility.
In summary, this is a fantastic multi-purpose spikeless golf shoe that offers excellent comfort, traction and breathability.
Fit: Large/Wide
Style: Athletic/Traditional/Off Course Friendly/Casual
Out-of-Box Comfort: 8.5/10
Stability: 9/10
Value for Money: 9.5/10
Under Armour Charged Phantom SL Golf Shoes Review: The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £100
Sizes: UK 7-14 (inc. half sizes).
Colours: Black/Grey, White/Midnight Navy, Harbour Blue/Black, Blue mirage/Midnight Navy
More info: Under Armour Website
More Under Armour Golf Shoe Reviews
- Under Armour Charged Draw 2 Golf Shoe Review
- Under Armour Hovr Fade 2 SL golf shoes review
- Under Armour HOVR Tour SL Wide golf shoes review
- Under Armour HOVR Drive 2 Wide golf shoes review
How do we test golf shoes?
At National Club Golfer, we are passionate about producing accurate and thorough reviews and making sure our testing process is rigorous so we get a good understanding of how each pair of shoes performs.
Each shoe is worn out on the golf course whilst playing golf, so we can get an idea of overall performance in terms of factors like comfort, grip, stability in the golf swing, waterproof protection and how they actually look on the golf course.
What is important when buying Golf shoes?
When buying new golf footwear its important to know what attributes or features you value the most before deciding on a brand or model to buy. For example, do you want spiked or spikeless shoes?
A lot of golfers think comfort is paramount when choosing a shoe, we are going to be standing in them for 3-5 hours right? Some golf shoes on the market have special insoles and cushioned mid-soles designed to keep your feet feeling fresh.
Grip is vital to good performance on the golf course as any foot slip in dry or wet conditions can not only cause the golf club to swing improperly but may also lead to an injury.
Nearly all golf shoes will either be fully waterproof or offer some kind of water resistance, and this is important as real die-hard golfers play in every weather condition. Having wet feet for 4 hours is not and will never be fun.
How good the shoe looks is of course subjective to personal style, but is important to any player. Do you prefer an athletic-looking shoe, or are you more traditional? Does your shoe offer on-course off-course style or do you want shoes purely for the course? Does the style of shoe you like have the best color options for your golfing wardrobe?
Price is the last factor to consider. With the models above we have tried to find shoes at all different price points so if you want a shoe at a lower cost, you can get one. Or if you want to spend more, you can do that too. Importantly there is something for everyone.
You’ve probably spent a small fortune to get the set up that’s right for your game, so don’t forget to get specialist insurance from Golf Care to protect your clubs from theft, loss, and accidental damage. Plus, they even cover GPS watches, trolleys, and other golf equipment. With 30% off annual insurance starting from just £26.59, and a free golf gift bundle worth up to £365 including 12 free Srixon balls, it’s a no brainer. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.
Tom Bullough
Tom is a former professional rugby player (not that he likes to be defined by it) turned avid golfer. Who once went viral on twitter for a very impressive display of the shanks. He loves all things equipment and is often caught in the office eyeing up yet another driver. He plays off a handicap of 15.6 which he doesn't like reminding rounds up to 16.
