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Are trainer-like golf shoes really all that? Here’s our review of the J.Lindeberg Vent 500 KN Golf Sneaker to give you the answer
Introduction
There are plenty of brands keeping that traditional look of golf clothing and shoes alive. J.Lindeberg are not one of those. Actually they’re far from it.
For regular followers of professional golf, either on the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour, the Swedish company’s badge will be a familiar sight on golfers.
Promising athletic performance without compromising on style, J.Lindeberg’s golf shoes are designed to appeal to players who want to look as good as they play. And, their new ones are no different!
Styling – Possibly the best looking shoes I have worn to date.
Price – When premium quality is about, premium pricing is never too far behind.
Comfort – Out of the box comfort, in part thanks to the Ortholite insole.
Lightweight – Even after walking a full round, my feet still felt fresh.
First Impressions
I was so excited to be given these to review. I adore J Lindberg clothing but haven’t tried their shoes before, being a G-Fore addict. However, when I opened the box, my first thought was simply “wow”. These are one of the nicest looking golf shoes I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t wait to get them on my feet.
I tested the High Rise colourway and absolutely loved the clean finish. There’s something effortlessly stylish about them that means they’ll work with almost any golfing outfit. Whether you’re wearing shorts, trousers or a skort, I think they just look premium and make you feel proud to have them on your feet.
I was excited to see whether the performance would live up to the looks….
The stacked midsole immediately caught my eye. It gives the shoe a modern profile but also suggests there’s plenty of cushioning underneath. Combined with the Ortholite insole, they felt incredibly comfortable from the first time I slipped them on. There was no break-in period needed, they felt ready to play.
J.Lindeberg claim they are a ‘technical sneaker that balances innovation with design’ and they certainly lived up to this. For me they are a design led golf shoe, and if that comes with a raft of technical capabilities, then even better.
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They were super comfortable from the outset, no pinching, no rubbing – just comfort and stability.
How I undertook the review
I tested the Vent 500 over a few rounds of golf during early summer, wearing them on a mixture of dry fairways – mainly at my home course Fulford, and also on a couple of golf trips away. I used them in practice sessions and kept them on after golf to see whether they offered the versatility expected from a modern sneaker-style golf shoe.
As with all my footwear reviews, I paid particular attention to comfort, stability, grip and how the shoes felt over a full round rather than just on the opening few holes.
I felt stylish for the whole round, and that confidence definitely helped my midset (and score)! Comfort is undoubtedly a standout feature of the Vent 500; thanks to the Ortholite insole and generous cushioning from the stacked sole, they remained comfortable from the first tee to the final green. Even after walking a full round, my feet still felt fresh.
Despite the trainer-inspired design, I never felt I was sacrificing stability. The shoe felt secure throughout the swing and provided plenty of confidence underfoot, even when playing from uneven lies.
J.Lindeberg Vent 500 KN Golf Sneaker side | Source: NCG
What really sets this shoe apart, though, is its look. Golf footwear has become increasingly fashion conscious in recent years, and J.Lindeberg has absolutely nailed the balance between performance and contemporary design. I genuinely lost count of the number of compliments I received while wearing them.
Of course, £190 places them firmly in the premium category, but they certainly look and feel like a premium product. If you enjoy looking good on the golf course and appreciate quality footwear, you’ll quickly understand where the money has gone and feel happy with that decision.
NCG Final Say
The Vent 500 is one of the most stylish golf shoes I’ve tested and backs up its looks with genuine all-day comfort. J.Lindeberg has successfully transferred everything people love about its clothing into its footwear. A firm favourite in my shoe cupboard now!
At £190 they’re undoubtedly an investment, but if you’re looking for a premium golf shoe that delivers comfort, performance and plenty of compliments, they’re well worth considering.
Nikki is a member of Fulford Golf Club and loves to get out as much as her busy work / life allows. When she isn't reviewing things for NCG, she is a Director in an Advisory Business (Fresh Thinking Advisory), and a Co-Founder of a Golf networking business (Clubhouse Leaders). She has 2 children who are almost adults now which is allowing her to start to get her handicap of 20.8 down!
