Ten spikeless golf shoes compared on grip, comfort and how each outsole holds on wet turf.
Every shoe below has a spikeless outsole, is in stock on Amazon right now, and every material and technology named here comes from the maker. Shoes with removable soft spikes are a different category and are not in this list. Prices run from about 64 dollars to about 185.
The best spikeless golf shoes: outsole, upper and how wet you get
A spikeless shoe grips through the shape of the rubber rather than through removable cleats. That means the outsole pattern is the whole traction story: lug shape, lug depth, how far the rubber wraps up the sidewall, and how much of the sole is hard rubber rather than soft foam. Seven of the ten shoes below also state a waterproof or water repellent upper, and two of those come with a written waterproof warranty.
The trade against a spiked shoe is real. Soft spikes still grip better in soaked rough and on steep, wet slopes. What you get instead is a shoe you can wear from the car to the clubhouse to the course without changing, less damage to greens, and in most cases a lighter, more flexible shoe to walk 18 holes in.
- Tour rated traction and the best build hereFootJoy Pro/SL
- Waterproof with a two year warrantyCallaway La Jolla
- Widest fit and the softest midsoleNew Balance Fresh Foam Contend v3
- Lightest and cheapest way inHEYDUDE Wally Golf
| Golf shoe | Outsole | Upper | Cushioning | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FootJoy Pro/SLbest overall | ARCTrax/SL, tour rated | Z-TEC, wider toe box | StratoFOAM heel, EVA forefoot | Playing competitively without spikes |
| Under Armour Drive Fade 2best heel cushioning | UA Rotational Resistance, wraps the sidewall | waterproof microfiber | UA HOVR in the heel | Impact protection on hard ground |
| New Balance Fresh Foam Contend v3best wide fit | NDurance spikeless rubber | FantomFit mesh, forefoot water guard | Fresh Foam, 10mm drop | Wide feet and long walks |
| Callaway La Jollabest waterproofing | Dura-rubber, multi directional lugs | waterproof opti-dri microfiber leather | ForgedFoam midsole, 5mm PLUSfoam insole | Wet mornings and a written warranty |
| Nike Air Pegasus 89 Golfbest sneaker look | spikeless rubber traction pattern | water resistant mesh and synthetics | responsive cushioning | Wearing the same shoes all day |
| Skechers Elite 5 Rangebest arch support | grip TPU | water repellent engineered mesh | Arch Fit insole, Ultra Flight foam | Feet that need certified arch support |
| adidas S2G 24toughest upper | spikeless golf outsole | waterproof ripstop with synthetic overlays | OrthoLite sockliner | Courses that chew up mesh uppers |
| Puma Fusion Grip 6best lug pattern | carbon rubber with hex lugs | engineered mesh with TPU overlays | FUSIONFOAM midsole | Grip on grass and cart paths alike |
| Skechers Max Fairway 4best value | grip TPU | water repellent mesh with overlays | Goga Max insole, Ultra Flight foam | Getting the most shoe per dollar |
| HEYDUDE Wally Golfeasiest on and off | integrated spikeless traction | breathable mesh | removable foam insole | Slipping shoes on and off all day |
The ten spikeless golf shoes in detail
- OutsoleARCTrax/SL, described by FootJoy as tour rated traction
- UpperZ-TEC, built for targeted flexibility and support
- HeelStratoFOAM crash pad
- Forefootlightweight firm EVA plus a nylon spring plate
- FootbedOrthoLite X25 FitBed
- Fitupdated last with an athletic profile and a wider toe box
Best for: A golfer who plays competitively and wants a spikeless shoe that is not a compromise
The Pro/SL is what the rest of this list is compared against. FootJoy's argument is that a spikeless shoe does not have to give up anything, and the components support it: ARCTrax/SL traction that FootJoy rates for tour play, a Z-TEC upper, and a nylon spring plate under the forefoot.
That plate is the part worth paying for. In a golf swing the forefoot loads and the sole tries to twist, and foam alone lets it. The heel gets StratoFOAM instead, because the heel wants cushioning rather than stiffness, and the OrthoLite X25 footbed sits over both. The updated last is wider through the toe than earlier FootJoy shoes.
Pros
- The nylon forefoot spring plate is the feature that separates this from every casual shoe here: it stiffens the forefoot so the sole does not twist through impact
- A firm EVA forefoot with a soft StratoFOAM heel is the correct split, stability where the swing loads the foot and cushioning where the heel strikes
- The wider toe box in the updated last fixes the usual complaint about narrow tour shoes
- The OrthoLite X25 footbed is a genuine component rather than a printed foam sheet
Cons
- Around 185 dollars, roughly three times the cheapest shoe here
- FootJoy does not state a waterproof upper for this version, unlike the Callaway and the Under Armour
- A firm forefoot is less comfortable for a casual walk than the foam heavy shoes lower down
- Uppermicrofiber, stated as durable, waterproof and breathable
- CushioningUA HOVR in the heel
- OutsoleUA Rotational Resistance, directional traction
- Supportrubber outsole wraps up the sidewall
- Socklinermolded
- Stylepremium metal logo
Best for: A golfer who walks hard courses and feels it in the heels afterwards
Under Armour builds the Drive Fade 2 around two things: heel cushioning and lateral support. UA HOVR sits in the heel, which is where a walking golfer takes the repeated impact, and the rubber outsole wraps up the sidewall so the foot cannot roll off the edge of the sole during the swing.
The upper is microfiber, stated as waterproof and breathable, and the sockliner is molded rather than a flat insert. The Rotational Resistance outsole pattern is designed for the twisting force of a swing rather than for straight line grip, which is the distinction that matters in golf.
Pros
- UA HOVR in the heel is Under Armour's cushioning foam, and putting it in the heel targets the point that actually takes the impact when walking
- The outsole wrapping up the sidewall is a real stability feature: it stops the foot rolling over the edge of the sole at impact
- A waterproof microfiber upper without the leather price
- Rotational Resistance is designed around the twisting load of a golf swing rather than generic grip
Cons
- Around 120 dollars, above the value shoes here
- Under Armour states no waterproof warranty, unlike Callaway and the older New Balance golf shoes
- Microfiber uppers run warmer than mesh in summer
- MidsoleFresh Foam with a 10mm drop
- OutsoleNDurance spikeless rubber with pressure mapped performance zones
- UpperFantomFit engineered mesh with a welded forefoot water guard
- Insolemolded CUSH+
- Fitsold in narrow, medium and wide
- Designperimeter stability built into the midsole
Best for: Anyone whose feet are too wide for a standard golf shoe and who does not want to size up
New Balance takes its running shoe technology to the course here, and the useful part of that is the sizing. Narrow, medium and wide widths on the same model is rare in golf, and going up a half size to get width is the usual bad workaround.
The midsole is Fresh Foam with a published 10mm drop and perimeter stability built in, the outsole is NDurance spikeless rubber with pressure mapped zones, and the upper is FantomFit mesh with a welded water guard across the forefoot. It is a comfort shoe first, so the swing platform is softer than the FootJoy at the top of this list.
Pros
- Narrow, medium and wide widths on the same model, which most golf shoe makers do not offer
- A 10mm drop is a published figure and tells you the heel sits 10mm higher than the forefoot, which suits walkers with tight calves
- NDurance is New Balance's hard wearing rubber compound, so the outsole should outlast the foam
- The welded forefoot water guard covers the part of the shoe that actually gets wet in dew
Cons
- A mesh upper is not waterproof, only guarded at the forefoot
- Fresh Foam is soft, which is comfortable to walk in and less stable through the swing than a firm forefoot
- Around 110 dollars
- Upperwaterproof opti-dri microfiber leather
- Warranty2 year limited waterproof warranty
- MidsoleForgedFoam
- Insole5mm PLUSfoam
- Outsolespikeless dura-rubber with multi directional traction lugs
- Fitavailable in wide
Best for: A golfer who plays early rounds on wet grass and wants the wet feet problem solved in writing
The La Jolla is the weather answer in this list. The upper is opti-dri waterproof microfiber leather, and Callaway backs it with a two year limited waterproof warranty, which is a stronger statement than any water repellent label.
Underneath there is a ForgedFoam midsole and a 5mm PLUSfoam insole, and the outsole is spikeless dura-rubber with multi directional traction lugs. Multi directional matters here: the swing rotates the foot, and a lug pattern designed only for walking forward slips under that load. It is also available in wide fits.
Pros
- A two year waterproof warranty is a commitment, not a claim, and only one other shoe category here offers anything similar
- Multi directional lugs grip in the rotation of the swing as well as walking forward
- Callaway publishes the insole thickness, 5mm PLUSfoam, which is more detail than most makers give
- Microfiber leather cleans up with a wipe, unlike mesh
Cons
- Around 104 dollars, and the wide version can cost more
- Microfiber leather is warmer and heavier than the mesh shoes here
- Callaway does not state a drop figure or a midsole stiffness
- Outsolespikeless rubber traction pattern
- Upperbreathable mesh with synthetic overlays, water resistant materials
- Cushioningresponsive cushioning in a lightweight build
- Styleclassic Pegasus silhouette
- Usestated for golf and casual wear
- Colorwhite, platinum and gum
Best for: A golfer who wants one pair of shoes for the round, the clubhouse and the drive home
This is the most casual looking shoe here that is still sold as a golf shoe. Nike takes the Air Pegasus '89 silhouette, adds a spikeless rubber traction pattern and water resistant materials, and leaves the sneaker look intact.
That is the entire argument, and for many golfers it is enough. The upper is breathable mesh with synthetic overlays for structure, and the cushioning is described as responsive and lightweight. What Nike does not give you is any measurement: no drop, no foam name, no lug depth, so this one is bought on the look and the brand.
Pros
- The Pegasus silhouette is a sneaker first, so it does not look like golf footwear off the course
- Water resistant materials cover the early morning dew case without the weight of leather
- A lightweight build with responsive cushioning is the right combination for walking rather than riding
- Breathable mesh with synthetic overlays keeps structure where the swing loads the foot
Cons
- Water resistant, not waterproof, and there is no waterproof warranty
- Stock on this listing has been thin
- Nike publishes no drop figure, no midsole foam name and no lug depth
- InsoleArch Fit, podiatrist designed with certified arch support
- CushioningUltra Flight plus Soft Stride foam
- Upperbreathable engineered mesh, water repellent
- Outsoledurable grip TPU, spikeless
- Fitrelaxed fit
- Builddescribed as ultra lightweight
Best for: A golfer with flat feet or arch pain who has been putting aftermarket insoles in golf shoes
Skechers builds this one around the insole. Arch Fit is described as podiatrist designed with certified arch support, and it molds to the foot, which is the fix for a golfer who currently buys shoes and then replaces the insole.
The rest is a lightweight walking package: Ultra Flight cushioning with Soft Stride foam, a breathable engineered mesh upper with water repellent treatment, and a TPU spikeless outsole. The fit is relaxed, which gives room across the forefoot. One warning about the listing itself: parts of the Skechers copy are recycled from their running shoe range.
Pros
- Arch Fit is the only insole system here described as podiatrist designed with certified arch support, which is a specific claim rather than a comfort adjective
- Relaxed fit means extra room through the forefoot without going up a size
- Water repellent mesh keeps the shoe light while still handling dew
- A TPU outsole is harder wearing than a plain rubber compound
Cons
- Water repellent is not waterproof, so heavy rain will get through
- Relaxed fit is looser through the midfoot, which some players dislike in a swing
- Around 93 dollars, and the Skechers listing text is written for running shoes in places
- Upperwaterproof ripstop with synthetic overlays
- Heelmolded TPU heel clip
- SocklinerOrthoLite
- Closurelace
- Outsolespikeless
- Colorfootwear white with halo silver and gum
Best for: A golfer playing rough, overgrown courses where a mesh upper gets shredded
The S2G is the shoe for courses that destroy footwear. A ripstop upper is woven with a reinforcing grid so a puncture does not run into a tear, and adidas states it as waterproof rather than water repellent.
The other feature worth having is the molded TPU heel clip. It holds the heel in place, which matters on downhill and sidehill lies where the foot otherwise slides forward inside the shoe. What adidas leaves out is everything about the sole: no foam name, no compound, no lug detail, which is unusual for them.
Pros
- Ripstop is woven so that a tear does not spread, which is the specific answer to brambles and thorns on an unkempt course
- The upper is stated as waterproof, not just water repellent
- A molded TPU heel clip locks the heel in place, which stops the foot sliding forward on downhill lies
- An OrthoLite sockliner is a real component with an anti odor function
Cons
- adidas publishes almost nothing else: no midsole foam, no outsole compound, no lug description
- Stock on this listing has been down to a couple of pairs
- Around 88 dollars for a fairly plain specification
- Outsolecarbon rubber with hex lugs
- MidsoleFUSIONFOAM, soft EVA combined with responsive rubber
- Upperengineered mesh with TPU film overlays
- Supporttargeted TPU overlays for swing stability
- Closureslip on construction with a lace closure
- Usestated for grass, cart paths and casual wear
Best for: A golfer who walks a course with a lot of cart path and does not want to feel every step of it
Puma's contribution here is the outsole compound. Carbon rubber is harder and more abrasion resistant than standard rubber, and hex lugs grip in every direction rather than only fore and aft. On a course with long cart path stretches, that combination lasts noticeably longer.
The midsole is FUSIONFOAM, which mixes soft EVA with responsive rubber rather than being pure foam, and TPU film overlays on the mesh upper add support where the swing loads the foot. The gap is weather: Puma claims no waterproofing at all for this model.
Pros
- Carbon rubber is the harder, more abrasion resistant rubber compound, which is what you want if half your round is on concrete
- Hex lugs give the same grip in every direction, which suits the rotation of a swing
- FUSIONFOAM mixes EVA with rubber, so the midsole is cushioned without being purely soft
- Around 70 dollars for a full golf specification from a golf brand
Cons
- Puma states no waterproof or water repellent treatment for this model
- Engineered mesh soaks up dew on an early tee time
- The slip on construction suits some feet better than others
- InsoleGoga Max, high rebound
- CushioningUltra Flight foam
- Uppermesh with synthetic overlays, water repellent construction
- Outsoledurable grip TPU, spikeless
- Fitavailable in wide
- Builddescribed as lightweight
Best for: A golfer who plays a few times a month and does not want to spend three figures on shoes
The Max Fairway 4 is the value pick, and it is the shoe that replaces the Max Fairway 3 the earlier version of this list pointed at. What you get for around 65 dollars is a real golf specification: a Goga Max high rebound insole, Ultra Flight cushioning, a water repellent mesh upper and a TPU spikeless outsole.
Wide sizes exist, which is uncommon in this price bracket. What is missing compared to the Elite 5 higher up is the Arch Fit insole system, so if arch support is the reason you are shopping, the extra 30 dollars buys something specific.
Pros
- Around 65 dollars with a water repellent upper, a TPU outsole and a rebound insole, which is a complete specification at this price
- Wide sizes are available, which is unusual under 70 dollars
- Ultra Flight foam is the same cushioning family used in the more expensive Skechers golf shoes
- A mesh upper keeps it light and cool for summer rounds
Cons
- Water repellent only, and there is no waterproof warranty
- Goga Max is a comfort insole, not an arch support system like the Arch Fit in the Elite 5
- Skechers publishes no drop figure or outsole lug detail
- Upperlightweight breathable mesh
- Outsoleintegrated spikeless traction
- Laceselastic with front and heel loops for slip on wear
- Insoleremovable cushioned foam
- Fitrelaxed and roomy
- Usestated for golf, travel and everyday wear
Best for: A golfer who plays a casual nine after work and does not want to change shoes twice
This is the least serious golf shoe in the list and the honest reason to buy it is convenience. Elastic laces with front and heel loops mean you step in and out, the mesh is light and cool, and the insole comes out if you use your own.
Be clear about the trade. There is no waterproofing claimed, and the flexible unstructured build gives less support through the swing than anything above it. As a shoe for a casual nine, a range session or a golf trip where luggage space matters, it does the job for around 64 dollars.
Pros
- Elastic laces with a heel loop make this genuinely slip on, which no other shoe here is
- The removable insole means an aftermarket orthotic drops straight in
- Breathable mesh with a relaxed fit is the most comfortable thing here for walking in heat
- Around 64 dollars, the cheapest shoe in this list
Cons
- No waterproofing or water repellency of any kind is claimed
- A flexible, unstructured shoe gives the least stable swing platform here
- HEYDUDE describes it as golf and everyday wear, so the golf performance is the secondary priority
Checklist: What makes a great spikeless golf shoe
- Comfort: Look for shoes with cushioned insoles, midsoles with responsive padding, and flexible fit construction that can provide support throughout an entire round of golf while alleviating foot fatigue.
- Traction: Essential for stability and performance, a high-quality spikeless golf shoe should feature a robust outsole with a multi-directional grip, lugs, or rubber cleats that can handle diverse terrain.
- Durability: Golf shoes should be made with weather-resistant materials, like synthetic uppers or microfiber leather, and come with a warranty to ensure they can withstand the rigors of frequent play.
- Waterproofing: To keep feet dry in wet conditions, look for golf shoes with waterproof technologies like waterproof warranties, which are vital for all-season play and comfort on the course.
- Style: Since confidence can play a part in your game, consider the visual design and color options of the shoes, ensuring they align with your personal style and golfing attire.
- Breathability: Adequate ventilation is key for comfort, especially on hot days. Breathable materials or mesh liners help keep feet cool and reduce moisture inside the shoe.
- Maintenance: For convenience, choose shoes that are easy to clean and maintain, such as machine-washable options, so they remain in top condition without requiring excessive effort.
FAQ
Are spikeless golf shoes suitable for wet conditions?
Yes, many spikeless golf shoes offer waterproof features and materials to keep feet dry in wet conditions on the golf course.
Can spikeless golf shoes provide adequate traction on the golf course?
Spikeless golf shoes are designed with robust outsoles and traction elements to deliver stable grip across varying terrains on the course.
Is comfort important when choosing spikeless golf shoes?
Comfort is crucial in spikeless golf shoes, with features like cushioned insoles and responsive midsoles needed to support and reduce foot fatigue during a round of golf.
