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Under Armour are relatively new to the golf shoe market but have rapidly gained a foothold in the market. We got our hands on a pair of Under Armour Charged Draw RST/E golf shoes to see if they should be on your radar.
It is quite remarkable that Under Armour only entered the golf shoe market in 2016, with Jordan Spieth as their flagship athlete following his win at The Masters in Augusta in 2015.
They offer a wide range of spiked and spikeless models and have forged a reputation for making innovative shoes at a reasonable price. Here we test the Charged Draw RST spiked shoe in a wide fitting.
This shoe is perfect for players who have wider feet and want something that fits better.
It is an extremely comfortable golf shoe with great traction that performs well on the golf course.
PROS
CONS
Check out the best deals on the Under Armour Charged Draw RST E golf shoes
This shoe did not immediately grab me from an appearance perspective out of the box. There is a lightweight microfibre ‘leather’ upper which presents a pretty clean appearance with groups of perforations over the toe box and also over the inner and outer aspects of the shoe which add a little interest.
The upper has a one-year waterproof guarantee featuring Under Armour ‘Never-Wet’ treatment to help keep your feet dry. The midsole features Charged Cushioning, a concept which we are told reduces impact on each step and provides enhanced bounce back. I was almost expecting to see a spikeless outsole but, no, there are the excellent lower profile Rotational Resistance (RST 2.0) spikes as seen in the more upmarket Hovr Drive shoe from the same company.
This model comes in a choice of three colours; black, grey and white. I tested the white version, which looks a little more appealing than the black model but will need a little more care and attention if playing in less than perfect conditions.
As with the Hovr Drive 2, I was struck by how lightweight this shoe was. It came in at 355 grams, just five grams heavier than the Hovr, and one of the lightest shoes I’ve tested. And does the lightness of the shoe have an effect on comfort or performance? Well, read on to find out more!
There is plenty of thick padding around the collar and the shoe’s interior. We’ve already discussed the Charged Cushioning in the midsole, which provides underfoot comfort – this is enhanced by a moulded EVA (which is a particularly durable rubber-like plastic) footbed.
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I was pleased to see a nice and firm heel cup but less pleased by the pointless, barely visible, silver Under Armour logo along the medial aspect of the shoe. I felt it really detracted from the overall look.
The UK size 7 (Euro 41) E (which means wide) fitted my usually sized 7.5 wide foot comfortably out of the box. Initially it did feel as though my toes were pushing up against the front of the shoe. Interestingly (perhaps), for most shoe manufacturers, Euro 41 is a 7.5 UK fitting but not for Under Armour where 41 is a 7 and 42 is a 7.5. Either way, everything settled down after a couple of holes without further ado. So I think we can say that this model runs true to the European size, and those of us with wide feet will enjoy the roominess of the toe box.
Testing was carried out over two rounds in pretty wet conditions on my home heathland course. I found the shoe to be extremely comfortable straight out of the box. The Charged Cushioning in the midsole, the moulded EVA footbed and the padding around the collar all conspired to make wearing this shoe an absolute pleasure. And, allied to the lightness of the shoe, I’d have absolutely no hesitation in wearing this for 36 holes in a day.
And how about performance? Well, the heel cup that felt the part certainly did a good job of keeping my foot well locked into position, and the low profile spiked outsole gripped firmly in the wet conditions with no hint of slipping.
The shoe remained waterproof in the rainy conditions courtesy of the Never-Wet technology. I can’t really comment on breathability because testing occurred in pretty cold conditions, but I don’t see that being an issue.
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One small point was that the microfibre upper did crease quite noticeably when the shoe was flexed and I do wonder whether this type of upper will be as durable as leather. Of course, there are the benefits of cost and easier care to consider, so I guess it’s a question of personal preference.
The configuration of the outsole makes this a shoe that belongs on the course rather than in the clubhouse. So this is not the shoe for the individual who prefers to put on their footwear at home.
Although I was not particularly fond of the look of the shoe, the comfort and performance were really very good. When one considers that this shoe is priced at well under £100 then I have no doubt that it will be a popular choice for a wide variety of golfers.
The shoe comes with a 12-month waterproof warranty, and will be easy to care for due to the materials used in construction.
Check out the best deals on the Under Armour Charged Draw RST E golf shoes
Fit: True to Size/Small/Large/Wide/Narrow
Style: Athletic/Traditional/Off Course Friendly/All Weather/Casual
Out of Box Comfort: 9.5/10
Stability: 9/10
Value for Money: 9.5/10
Available: Now
RRP: £90
Sizes: UK 6-12
Colours: Black, Grey, White.
More info: Under Armour website
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