Adidas ZG23 BOA Golf Shoe Review
What’s new? How much do they cost? And how do they perform? Jack Backhouse brings you the low down on the new Adidas ZG23 BOA lightstrike golf shoes
As one of the biggest footwear manufacturers for the last 70 years, we know that any pair of shoes we receive from Adidas are going to be top-notch. The ZG23 BOA golf shoes are designed for the best players in the world to be worn in any weather conditions, so how did we find them? Find out in our Adidas ZG23 BOA golf shoe review.
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Adidas ZG23 BOA golf shoe review: NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
These are the black pair of waterproof golf shoes you want this winter. They are extremely comfortable, and warm and offer an excellent amount of traction and grip; you can’t ask for much more from a shoe.
As well as being really easy to clean up, the BOA system locks your foot into the shoe whilst also saving you from painfully trying to retire your shoelaces when it’s 0 degrees Celsius and wet.
They are sporty, modern and an all-round great shoe. You will not regret owning a pair of the ZG23 BOA golf shoes this winter.
PROS
- Extremely grippy
- Easy to clean
- BOA system is amazing
CONS
- They are a wide fitting golf shoe so may not suit narrow footed people
First Impressions
I generally lean towards wearing traditional-style shoes, so when I was given these to test, I didn’t fall in love with the Adidas ZG23 BOA golf shoes straight away. However, after unboxing them and feeling how light they were, my mind started to change. Marching around a golf course through the wet clagg is hard enough without adding sodden leather shoes, the first tick in the ZG23’s column.
These shoes will absolutely appeal to golfers who like the trendy modern trainer-type shoe, and when you put them on they’re even better. Although slightly wide fitting (perfect for thick or even two pairs of socks in winter), they are extremely comfortable as soon as you get them on your feet, and the BOA fit system allows you to dial in the fit to perfection.
A standout feature of the shoe is the lightstrike cushioning midsole, which, despite being super light, is very cushioning underfoot and keeps your feet feeling fresh throughout 18 holes or even 36. This same technology is found in a lot of Adidas’s top-of-the-range sports shoes (running, basketball, tennis) so we are benefitting from technology that the best athletes in the world also use.
This spiked golf shoe has six spikes as well as other spikeless nubs that really make you feel like you are stuck to the ground in the swing, which is ideal for those golfers like me who have a tendency to slip in the golf swing.
On Course Testing
Everyone needs a black pair of winter golf shoes. I have tried for many years to stick it out wearing styling white shoes, but within 2 or 3 holes, they are muddy, and you’re in a constant fight trying to keep them sort of clean and respectable. Going to a black pair like these Adidas ZG23 BOA golf shoes straight away makes your life loads easier as they look better throughout the round and are easy to tidy up afterwards.
What you notice fairly quickly out on the course in these shoes is just how stable you are, not only when swinging the golf club but also in the inevitable trail around the course that features steep slopes and uneven footing.
This sole undoubtedly provides enhanced grip, supporting the maintenance of balance during your swing. This feature is crucial for contributing to
maintaining consistency in your shots, particularly in unpredictable weather conditions. Under testing in wet conditions, the shoe allowed no slippage or lateral slide which can be a cause for concern for some.
I found the shoes to be extremely waterproof with my feet not getting wet at all when playing on a pretty wet morning. The BOA system keeps you locked in, and Adidas guarantee 1-year of dry feet, which is great.
It’s also great to know that these shoes are made up of 50% recycled plastic waste, a much more sustainable practice than a lot of other shoe manufacturers. This doesn’t really help the performance, but it may help you to know you’re doing a bit to save the world.
The 19th hole
Unlike a lot of spikeless shoes in the Adidas range, the Adidas ZG23 BOA golf shoes are not really a great on-course/off-course option for those looking to stroll straight off the course into a bar somewhere.
The Adidas ZG23 BOA golf shoe lives up to the brand’s reputation for quality. Having these shoes for winter will help your game a lot as you will enjoy the day more with warm, dry and light feet as opposed to the opposite. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned regular, you don’t need to look any further when choosing your winter pair of shoes for the 23/24 wet season.
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: 9.5/10
The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £170
Sizes: UK 6.5-14.5 (inc. half sizes).
Colours: White or Black.
More info: Adidas Website
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Jack Backhouse
Jack is a PGA Golf Professional who specialises in coaching, teaching golf to beginners and top-level amateurs for 10+ years. He also loves his golf equipment and analysing the data of the latest clubs on the market using launch monitors, specialising in blade irons and low-spinning drivers despite having a chronically low ball flight.
Although Jack has no formal journalism training, He has been reading What's In The Bag articles since he started playing at 12 and studying golf swings since his dad first filmed his swing to reveal one of the worst over-the-top slice swings he reckons has ever been recorded, which set him off on the path to be a coach. His favourite club ever owned was a Ping G10 driver bought from a local top amateur with the hope that some of the quality golf shots would come with it (they didn't), and worst was a Nike SQ driver he only bought because Tiger was using it.
Jack is a member of Sand Moor Golf Club and regularly gets out on the golf course to prepare for tournaments. Jack uses a TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver, a half set of TaylorMade P7MB irons, MG4 wedges and a TaylorMade TP Reserve putter.
