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FitVille produces footwear which offers wider options than competitor brands. We got our hands on a pair of the SpeedEx golf shoes V1 to see if they should be on your radar.
FitVille was founded in Texas (USA) in 2018 by James D. Kual. He is a runner rather than a golfer and he found it difficult to find footwear that fitted. So he and his team set about designing footwear that adhered to three core concepts- namely therapeutic, comfort and support technology.
A quick look at the website shows that FitVille makes footwear not only for golfers, but also runners, hikers and walkers. The brand offers no less than five different golf shoes for men.
Here we test the FitVille SpeedEx V1 model with an RRP of £70.90 / $83.
This is an extremely comfortable and good looking golf shoe, from a brand which will be a godsend particularly for those with awkward feet. It is also very well priced.
This was my first exposure to the FitVille brand, and in fact it seems that the company has only been making golf shoes for a couple of years. I am pretty fortunate in that, although I have slightly wide feet, I seem to have no problem getting shoes to fit comfortably. But I know that is not the case for many people, for example with bunions or hammer toes, so I was interested to test these shoes out.
” LIBERATE YOUR TOES” was the message, or perhaps instruction, on the top of the plain brown cardboard box. And they’re not kidding. This model is available in Wide/2E or Extra Wide/4E in half sizes right the way from 7 to 12. I plumped for the 7.5 (UK) in Wide. There is a very helpful guide on the website which will assist you in getting the size that’s right for you.
I’m also used to golf shoes prioritising comfort as looking, shall we say, a little bland. This was absolutely not the case with the SpeedEx V1. I think it helped that the White-Blue colour supplied is just my cup of tea. The look, as I hope the accompanying pictures show, is very much classy and comfortable smart trainer. The dashes of blue around the sole, laces and heel are just right, and although I am not one for logoing, I really liked the motif on the outer aspect of the heel piece as well as the blue “FitVille Golf” lettering on the mid-shoe.
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There is some smart stitching between the various panels of the shoes which added a quality touch to the overall look.
The material used for the upper is a microfibre fabric which FitVille tell us is water-resistant and durable. The fabric used in this model feels reassuringly thick and is particularly soft to touch. So I would expect the upper to resist the cracking that can occur with some shoes of similar construction. There is a faint hexagonal patterning over the front of the toe box which adds some visual interest. And talking of the toe box, it certainly looks roomy. What I also liked about the shoe is that it looks and feels very well-padded. There is a firm heel counter, which offers both stability and cushioning to help the heel get locked in place.
We are also promised anatomical ArchCore insoles which are moisture-wicking and breathable. There is a TPU insert in the sole which offers torsional stability. The sole comprises six low profile moulded “spikes”, which aren’t really spikes, as well as 18 bars with nubbins at each end. I didn’t feel that the sole looked particularly grippy but was absolutely fine for the vast majority of situations. The contrasting blue laces are nice and thick , and offered secure closure.
This model is presented in three colours, all of which look smart and stylish.
The UK size 7.5 (Euro 41) wide size fitted my usually sized 7.5 wide foot very comfortably out of the box. The toe box did feel particularly roomy but my foot felt secure and snug in the shoe, overall.
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On Course Testing
Testing was carried out over two rounds in dry conditions on my home heathland course. The shoes were extremely comfortable to wear straight out of the box, with good support around the ankle in particular.
The comfort is provided by some excellent lightweight padding offered by the whole of the shoe. The heel counter ensured strong stability such that my foot felt securely contained in position.
My feet remained cool as well as comfortable in the warm weather during testing which attests to the breathability of the fabric.
The shoe gripped pretty well on uneven lies and hitting out of fairway bunkers, but I did lose my footing on a couple of occasions when I was going ‘Full Bryson’ off the tee (which is rarely a particularly good plan at my age). Unlike some shoes which prioritise comfort, the SpeedEx V1 offers good torsional rigidity.
The 19th hole
Due to the sole design I think this is certainly a shoe that can easily be worn on and off the course, soI can see it appealing to a broad range of golfer. The SpeedEx V1 is good looking, comfortable and performs pretty well. And I expect the wide toe box to be a game changer for those golfers that have painful foot conditions.
A brief look at the FitVille ( I’m wondering whether it’s pronounced “Fit Vil” or “Fit Villie”) website will bring up 5 golf shoe options, so you are sure to find a pair to suit your game, all at a very reasonable price.
Fit: True to Size/Small/Large/Wide/Narrow Style: Athletic/Traditional/Off Course Friendly/All Weather/Casual Out of Box Comfort:10/10 Stability: 9/10 Value for Money: 10/10
RRP: £70.90 / $83 Sizes: UK 7-13 (inc. half sizes and extra width) / US 8-14 (inc. half sizes and extra width) Colour: UK – White-Blue, Haze Grey, White-Black More info:FitVille UK / FitVille US
