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The serious winter golfer needs a serious pair of golf shoes. James Savage and Dan Murphy test out 10 of the latest models
We asked all the top brands to send in shoes which, first and foremost, were waterproof but also the ones they felt would handle winter conditions the best.
They were free to send spiked or spikeless, boots, ˜proper’ shoes or trainers. We were looking for stability, grip, comfort and flexibility. Style is still important but we feel that performance is the key factor here.
The test took place at Moor Allerton in Leeds. We ensured that each of the 10 models had been tested out on the course by both players.
On the day of the test it wasn’t raining but we’d had recent downpours so the course was wet and muddy enough to properly put the shoes through their paces.
Here are the models and our comments. Results at the bottom of the article.
FootJoy Contour
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SRP: £120, £130 (Boa) Waterproof guarantee: 1 year
Player Comments
JS – If only everything in life was as solid and reliable as a pair of FootJoy Contours the brand’s most successful model. While not winning any awards in the style department for me, this shoe offers ultimate comfort and performance. They look a bit on the bulky side but are incredibly light once on your feet. I know these would do me well over the winter months.
DM – I thought the Contours looked much better when I got them on than they they did in the box. They are a highly practical pair of shoes, perfect for winter. Surprisingly light in weight, they are very comfortable, the laces look like they’ll last and they work well with any dark trouser so you don’t need to worry too much about your outfit as a whole. In short, reliable.
Adidas Adipower Boost/ Asym Boost *CLICK HERE* TO SEE WHICH SHOES WE THOUGHT WERE THE BEST
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SRP: £130, £150 (Boa), £200 (Asymetrical) Waterproof guarantee: 2 years
Player Comments
JS – I tested the Adipower Boost version which look and perform fantastically well. I love the way my feet feel properly secure and stable in the shoe and the foam cushioning gives them a nice bouncy feel to walk in. The gripmore cleats still give you enough stability when it’s soft underfoot making this a great all-year round option. I do find Adidas sizing not particularly generous.
DM – I like the idea of shoes that help your swing. On first impressions, it feels like your feet are being pushed on to your instep, and that, of course, is very much the idea, to help you move your weight better while achieving overall stability. It would be a shame to wear a white pair like these in the mud. You definitely need to size up.
Ecco Biom G2 Hydromax
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SRP: £210 Waterproof guarantee: 1 year
Player Comments
JS – These look the business and when you’ve got them on you just feel ready for even the worst of weather conditions. There’s so much technology going on here and I’m always impressed when I slip on a pair of Ecco shoes at just how well they fit to the shape of my feet. They aren’t cheap but you are getting a seriously premium product that performs brilliantly and has a really cool, futuristic style.
DM – The Biom G2s are expensive, that can’t be ignored, and we golfers might expect a leather-soled brogue rather than something like this for north of £200. But when you slip them on, you can tell where the money has gone. Maybe it’s just my feet, but they seem to fit perfectly from the moment you tie the laces. It’s apparent the materials are super-premium.
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Puma TitanTour
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SRP: £130 Waterproof guarantee: 2 years
Player Comments
JS – I was taken aback at just how comfortable these shoes were. They’ve got lots of soft cushioning around the ankle and the top of the foot in particular and just give off the impression that they’ll be as comfortable over 18 or even 36 holes. I felt like they gave me a rock-solid base when swinging the club and look as good, if not better, than any of the trainer-style shoes on test. It just a shame to get them muddy!
DM – Remarkably comfortable. Personally, I wouldn’t be taking the tissue paper out until May at the earliest but I loved wearing these, even as I tried my hardest to avoid spattering them with mud. They are great to swing in as well, and they felt more like a golf shoe than a trainer compared to some other Puma models I’ve tried.
Ecco Biom Hybrid 2
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SRP: £170 Waterproof guarantee: 1 year
Player Comments
JS – This is a shoe which can go toe-to-toe with anything on the market when it comes to comfort. They are nice and light, and it feels like they have been moulded to fit the exact shape of your feet. This technically is a spikeless shoe but I didn’t notice any lack of traction in slippery conditions. Easily one of the best all-year-round options available.
DM – The Biom Hybrid 2s are pretty much my ideal golf shoes I can and have worn a pair of these for breakfast, 18 holes, lunch, 18 more holes and a pint in the clubhouse without ever taking them off. I’m not a slipper or a slider when I swing, so I’ve never noticed any compromise from going spikeless. Get these in black and they cope well with the British winter you can wipe the mud off easily.
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FootJoy Boot
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SRP: £90 Waterproof guarantee: 1 year
Player Comments
JS – I did have reservations before putting these on but have to say I was very impressed by the performance and look once on. I was conscious of them being high above my ankle at all times when wearing them but this didn’t hamper me at all when swinging. I’d say they look a lot smarter on your feet, especially with a nice pair of trousers, then they do on the shelf. They also offer a little bit of extra warmth.
DM – There is a lot to be said for these, not least because once you’ve got them on you can’t actually tell that they are boots, which is testament to the styling. I was marching fearlessly into the wet undergrowth and through puddles without a second thought. I think a lot of golfers will appreciate the additional support around the ankles as well.
FootJoy Hyperflex
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SRP: £135, £150 (Boa) Waterproof guarantee: 1 year
Player Comments
JS – I love the way that these gave me such a solid base and the superb traction really came into its own in tricky winter conditions. The performance was second to none and there’s no compromise on comfort. It’s quite surprising how light they are because they do look a little bit chunky. But to me they are super-stylish and have all the performance benefits I’m looking for.
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DM – They take a little getting used to when you put them on for the first time because the looks are distinctive, especially the parts of the sole you can see when you look down. I love the Boa fit and the shoe bends with your foot right from the start. The combination results in a really snug, flexible fit. Once you’ve played a few holes in them, I think you’re sold on the performance.
Nike Lunar Bandon 3
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SRP: £140 Waterproof guarantee: 2 years
Player Comments
JS – These certainly caused a bit of a stir in the office and I was really keen to get them out on to the golf course. Not the easiest to get your foot into but once you’re all laced and zipped up they feel great. As with all Nike products they are designed with performance in mind so can’t be faulted on comfort or stability. You’d be glad of these if the heavens really opened and the un-zipped option is a handy, intuitive addition.
DM – A very different beast to the other boots on test, which were more like normal shoes with extra support around the ankles. These are altogether more out there in terms of looks but once I’d finally got them on I have to say they excelled. They feel really soft and encase your feet and you’re certainly not worrying about the mud.
FootJoy DryJoys Tour
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SRP: £140 Waterproof guarantee: 1 year
Player Comments
JS – I think these are hands-down the most stylish ˜proper’ golf shoe in this test. I wouldn’t normally opt for this classic look but maybe I should? The performance offers everything you’d expect from the DryJoys name. They are built to handle tough conditions and do exactly that. Not as light as some which could be a factor if you lean towards more of a trainer style.
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DM – It’s a sign of the times that these were the only traditional-style shoes that were sent in for test. You really can tell the difference because these are proper shoes, and that means they need breaking in. I’m a big DryJoys fan and have been for years. I still love the looks but I’m realised that I’ve also got very used to out-of-the-box comfort and it’s something I almost take for granted now.
Skechers Go Golf – Matt Kuchar Official
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SRP: £119 Waterproof guarantee: 2 years
Player Comments
JS – Skechers have done a great job here to make a shoe that feels halfway between ˜proper’ golf shoe and trainer. That certainly appeals to me. There’s an instant feeling of comfort when you pop them on. I like the way the laces really pull the material over the top of your feet to make them snug. That comfort remains once you get into playing some golf. I’m not certain how they would handle the worst of conditions but they performed superbly on the day and I was reluctant to take them off.
DM – I really like the look of these. They are shoes that you can wear with a pair of trousers but at the same time you also like you’re getting the performance benefits of trainers. Comfort is not an issue here. I can see these being a popular option that will get golfers into Skechers.
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