Ten golf shoes for men compared on comfort, traction and waterproofing, each with a spec table and a buying checklist.
A golf shoe has to hold a foot still through a rotation on wet grass and then stay comfortable for five miles of walking. That is why the field splits into spiked shoes, which bite into soft turf with replaceable cleats, and spikeless ones, which use molded rubber lugs and can be worn off the course. Both are here, from a 49 dollar waterproof spike to a 135 dollar slip-in with a dial closure, and every shoe on this page is in stock in men’s sizes right now.
Spiked or spikeless, and what else matters
Spikes still win on wet ground and on slopes. Replaceable cleats, the FastTwist and Pulsar systems on the Callaway for example, dig into soft turf and can be swapped when they wear down, which means the shoe outlives its traction. Spikeless outsoles use dozens of small rubber or TPU lugs instead, grip well enough on dry fairways, walk more comfortably on a cart path and can be worn into a clubhouse or a car without changing.
After that, look for a stated waterproof warranty rather than the word waterproof on its own. Three shoes here carry a one year or longer warranty, and the rest describe the upper as water resistant, which is a different promise on a dewy morning. Check the width too: two of these are sold in wide and extra wide fittings, which matters more in golf than in most sports because a foot spreads under a full turn. Finally, cushioning. Fresh Foam, IGNITE and Arch Fit are all names for the same idea, a midsole soft enough to walk 18 holes on.
- The shoe most golfers should buyFootJoy Sneaker Golf Shoes
- Best cushioning for walking 18Puma Ignite Elevate 2 Tour
- Best comfort and easiest to put onSkechers Go Golf Elite 5 Arch Fit
- Cheapest waterproof spikeTHESTRON Golf Sneakers
| Shoe | Outsole | Upper | Waterproofing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FootJoy Sneaker Golf Shoesbest overall | Spikeless rubber | Full grain leather | 100 percent waterproof guarantee | The one shoe to own |
| Puma Ignite Elevate 2 Tourbest cushioning | 8 cleat TPU | Exoshell with PWRSADDLE | One year waterproof | Walking 18 holes |
| Skechers Go Golf Elite 5 Arch Fitmost comfortable | GRIPFLEX spikeless TPU | Slip-in with Twist Fit dial | Waterproof, one year warranty | Sore feet and quick changes |
| Callaway Solana TRX V3best traction | 5 spike Dura-Rubber with Pulsar cleats | Opti-Dri microfiber leather | Opti-Dri waterproof | Wet ground and slopes |
| New Balance Fresh Foam ROAV Golf v2best spikeless | NDurance spikeless rubber | FantomFit engineered | Not published | On and off the course |
| FitVille Wide Golf Shoesbest for wide feet | Patented spiked non slip | Microfiber leather | Water resistant | Wide and extra wide fittings |
| Skechers Flight Spikeless Slip-ineasiest on and off | Low profile cleats, spikeless | Breathable mesh | Water repellent finish | Fast rounds and warm weather |
| Zakey Golf Sneakersbest replaceable spikes | Detachable and replaceable spikes | Synthetic | Waterproof | A spiked shoe that outlives its cleats |
| FENLERN F059best cheap spike | Abrasion resistant TPU with spikes | Microfiber leather | Water resistant | Wide fittings on a budget |
| THESTRON Golf Sneakerscheapest waterproof | Spiked | Leather with mesh panels | Waterproof | A first pair of golf shoes |
The ten golf shoes in detail
- Uppersoft premium full grain leather
- WaterproofingFootJoy guarantees 100 percent waterproof in normal use
- LastCompetition last, rounded toe, fuller forefoot, narrow heel
- Insolecushioned fit-bed with heel support
- MidsoleEVA fit-beds that do not take a set
- Outsoleproprietary rubber compound for turf grip
Best for: A golfer buying one pair of shoes and expecting several seasons out of them
FootJoy has made golf shoes longer than anyone, and this is the version of that experience sold at a sensible price. The leather is soft enough to wear straight out of the box, the last is shaped for a foot that turns rather than runs, and the waterproof promise is written down.
The reason it sits at the top is longevity. Most shoes in this list will be worn out or leaking by the third season. This one is built so the outsole gives up before the upper does.
Pros
- Full grain leather with a written 100 percent waterproof guarantee, the strongest waterproof claim in this list
- The Competition last is the fit FootJoy builds its tour shoes on, wide at the forefoot and narrow at the heel
- EVA that does not compress permanently, so the cushioning is the same in year two as on day one
- A spikeless rubber outsole means it can be worn to the course and into the clubhouse
Cons
- At around 120 dollars it is near the top of this field
- Leather needs occasional care, where microfiber and mesh do not
- Spikeless traction gives up grip to the Callaway on a wet slope
- MidsoleIGNITE foam
- LockdownPWRSADDLE combined with the exoshell
- Outsole8 cleat TPU
- RubberCrystal rubber compound
- Waterproofingone year waterproof warranty
- Usetour proven spiked shoe
Best for: Players who walk the course and feel it in their feet on the back nine
This is the shoe for the golfer who walks. IGNITE foam came out of Puma's running line and it behaves like it, returning energy over five miles instead of just padding the first hole.
The saddle is the other half of the design. A soft midsole normally means a foot that rolls in the swing, and the PWRSADDLE plus exoshell is what stops that, so you get running shoe comfort with a golf shoe's stability.
Pros
- IGNITE foam is Puma's running midsole, which is the point: it is built for miles rather than for standing still
- The PWRSADDLE wraps the midfoot and holds the foot down through a hard turn
- An eight cleat TPU outsole gives real spiked traction, not molded lugs
- A one year waterproof warranty in writing rather than a water resistant claim
Cons
- Puma does not publish a width fitting, so wide feet should look at the FitVille
- At around 120 dollars it costs the same as the FootJoy without the leather upper
- The tour styling is loud compared to the plain shoes here
- EntryHands Free slip-in with a Twist Fit dial closure
- Insolepodiatrist certified Arch Fit, removable and cushioned
- Waterproofingwaterproof with a one year warranty
- OutsoleGRIPFLEX spikeless TPU
- HeelHeel Pillow with padded collar and tongue
- Stylespikeless slip-in
Best for: Anyone whose feet hurt after 18 holes, and anyone who hates bending down to tie laces
Skechers built this around the two things golfers complain about: sore arches and fiddly laces. The Arch Fit insole is the same shape podiatrists use for support, and the Twist Fit dial pulls the upper evenly rather than in the ladder of tension laces produce.
Slip-in entry sounds like a gimmick until you are changing shoes in a car park in the rain. The Heel Pillow means the foot still locks down, so the convenience does not cost stability.
Pros
- The Arch Fit insole is a certified orthotic shape rather than a foam layer, which is the only shoe here making that claim
- A Twist Fit dial gives an even tension across the foot that laces cannot match
- Slip-in entry with a Heel Pillow, so the shoe goes on standing up and still holds the heel
- Waterproof with a one year warranty, which is unusual on a slip-in
Cons
- At around 135 dollars it is the most expensive shoe in this list
- Spikeless GRIPFLEX gives up bite on wet slopes compared to a cleated outsole
- The dial is a mechanical part, and mechanical parts eventually fail
- Outsole5 spike Dura-Rubber with FastTwist 3.0 removable Pulsar cleats
- UpperOpti-Dri waterproof microfiber leather
- MidsoleForged DX for natural ground feel
- Insole5 mm PLUSfoam
- LiningOpti-Vent mesh liner
- Fittingsmedium and wide
Best for: Wet courses, soft ground and anyone who slips at the top of the backswing
The Solana TRX has been Callaway's workhorse for years and the V3 is the current version of it. Replaceable Pulsar cleats are the reason to buy it: traction on a golf shoe wears out long before the shoe does, and this one can be re-spiked for the price of a sleeve of balls.
Everything else is sensibly conventional. Waterproof microfiber, a vented liner, a soft PLUSfoam insole and a midsole that keeps the foot close to the ground, which is what most players want on an uneven lie.
Pros
- FastTwist 3.0 Pulsar cleats are replaceable, so worn traction is a five dollar fix rather than a new pair of shoes
- Opti-Dri waterproof microfiber leather wipes clean and does not need the care leather does
- An Opti-Vent mesh liner, so a waterproof shoe still moves air
- Available in wide fittings as well as medium
Cons
- Microfiber leather never feels as good underfoot as the FootJoy's full grain
- Callaway states waterproof protection but the warranty length is not published in this listing
- Five spikes is fewer than the Puma's eight cleat arrangement
- MidsoleFresh Foam with a 10 mm drop
- OutsoleNDurance spikeless rubber
- Upperskeletally engineered FantomFit
- Insolemolded CUSH plus
- Heelultra heel that adapts to the foot
- Fittingsmedium and wide
Best for: A golfer who drives to the course in the shoes and walks the dog in them afterwards
This is the shoe that does not look like a golf shoe, and for a lot of golfers that is the point. It is a ROAV running shoe reworked with a golf outsole, so it walks the way a running shoe walks and passes for a sneaker in a car park.
Its limits are the limits of spikeless in general. On a dry summer course it is faultless. On a wet slope in November, the Callaway or the Puma will hold where this one slides.
Pros
- Fresh Foam is New Balance's road running midsole, so it walks better than anything else spikeless here
- The NDurance outsole flexes with the foot rather than fighting it, which is what makes a spikeless shoe wearable off the course
- FantomFit is an engineered upper with almost no stitching, so there is nothing to rub
- Wide fittings available at no extra cost
Cons
- New Balance publishes no waterproof rating or warranty for this model
- A 10 mm drop is higher than most golf shoes, which changes the feel at address
- Spikeless rubber on wet clay is the weakest traction combination in this list
- Fittingswide and extra wide with a roomy toe box
- Outsolepatented non slip outsole with slip resistant spikes
- Upperwater resistant microfiber leather
- Insolearch support with OrthoLite anti odor material
- Midsoledual density EVA with anti torsion TPU
- Profilelow profile outsole for ground feel
Best for: Feet that do not fit standard golf shoes, and anyone with arch pain
Wide feet are badly served in golf. Most brands offer one wide fitting in two colors, and it is usually just a longer shoe. FitVille builds around the foot shape instead, with a genuinely roomy toe box in wide and extra wide.
The rest is more serious than the price suggests: an anti torsion plate to stop the sole twisting under a turn, dual density EVA and an OrthoLite arch support. What it does not have is a waterproof guarantee, so this is a dry weather shoe.
Pros
- Wide and extra wide fittings as standard, where most brands treat wide as an afterthought
- Arch support built into an OrthoLite insole, which handles both support and odor
- Dual density EVA with an anti torsion TPU plate, so a wide shoe still resists twisting
- A low profile spiked outsole that keeps the foot close to the ground
Cons
- FitVille calls the upper water resistant rather than waterproof, which is a weaker promise
- The brand is a specialist in wide footwear rather than a golf company
- No published waterproof warranty
- EntryHands Free slip-in with a Heel Pillow
- CushioningULTRA FLIGHT with a GOGA MAX high rebound insole
- Upperbreathable mesh with a water repellent finish and synthetic overlays
- Outsoleflexible rubber with low profile cleats
- Closureadjustable laces alongside the slip-in construction
- Stylespikeless sneaker
Best for: Warm weather golf and players who change shoes at the car
The Flight is the cheap way into slip-in golf shoes. The Heel Pillow does the same job as the one in the Elite 5, holding the heel while the foot slides in, and the GOGA MAX insole is genuinely bouncy.
It is a summer shoe. Mesh breathes better than anything else in this list, and the water repellent finish handles dew rather than downpours. For a hot climate or a second pair, that is the right compromise at the price.
Pros
- Slip-in entry at around 60 dollars, where the dial version costs more than double
- ULTRA FLIGHT is the lightest cushioning package Skechers puts in a golf shoe
- A breathable mesh upper, which is the coolest shoe here in summer heat
- Adjustable laces on top of the slip-in, so the fit can still be tuned
Cons
- A water repellent finish is not waterproofing, so it wets out in real rain
- Mesh lets in grass clippings and dust that leather keeps out
- Low profile cleats give the least traction of the spikeless shoes here
- Spikesreplaceable and detachable
- Waterproofingwaterproof upper
- Stylegolf sneaker profile
- Tractionanti slip outsole
- Usegolf and daily walking
- Sizesmen's, from US 7
Best for: A budget spiked shoe that should not be thrown away when the cleats wear
The interesting part of this shoe is the cleat system. Below about 70 dollars, spiked shoes almost always use molded spikes, which means that when the traction goes, the shoe goes. Zakey uses detachable cleats, so a worn sole is a set of replacements away from being new.
The rest is a plain waterproof golf sneaker. There is not much published beyond that, and stock has been unreliable, so it is worth checking availability in your size before planning around it.
Pros
- Replaceable and detachable spikes at under 60 dollars, a feature usually reserved for shoes at twice the price
- A waterproof upper rather than a water resistant one
- The sneaker profile means it does not look out of place off the course
- Anti slip outsole designed for walking as well as swinging
Cons
- Zakey publishes almost no specification beyond the headline features
- Stock is thin and it sells in single figures at a time
- No published waterproof warranty to back the claim
- Upperwater resistant microfiber leather
- MidsolePU with cushioning
- Outsolehigh durometer abrasion resistant TPU with spikes
- Paddingaround the tongue and collar
- Socklinerbreathable, conforms to the foot to prevent slippage
- Fittingswide sizes available
Best for: A first spiked shoe, or a spare pair for wet months
FENLERN sells a shoe that looks like a 120 dollar spiked golf shoe and costs 50. The compromises are where you would expect: the midsole material is cheaper and will pack down after a season, and the upper resists water rather than blocking it.
What it gets right is the outsole. A hard TPU chassis with proper traction zones is what makes a spiked shoe work, and this one has it, plus a wide fitting that the branded shoes at this price do not offer.
Pros
- A spiked TPU outsole with real traction zones at under 50 dollars
- Wide fittings, which almost nothing at this price offers
- Padded tongue and collar, so it does not need breaking in
- Microfiber leather wipes clean, which matters on a muddy course
Cons
- Water resistant rather than waterproof, so it will wet through in sustained rain
- A PU midsole compresses faster than the EVA and foam midsoles above
- FENLERN has no track record beyond marketplace listings
- Upperleather with mesh panels
- Waterproofingwaterproof
- Outsolespiked
- Styleathletic sneaker profile
- Usegolf and general outdoor wear
- Sizesmen's
Best for: Someone playing their first season who is not ready to spend three figures on shoes
This is the entry point. It is a waterproof spiked golf shoe for the price of a green fee, with a mesh and leather upper that keeps it lighter than most cheap golf shoes.
Do not expect it to last like the FootJoy. The specification is thin, there is no warranty, and the spikes are not replaceable. As a first pair while you find out whether golf sticks, it is the sensible amount to spend.
Pros
- A waterproof spiked shoe at under 50 dollars, the cheapest combination on this page
- The leather and mesh construction keeps the weight down while still shedding water
- The sneaker styling means it works as an everyday shoe as well
- It has been consistently in stock, unlike several shoes in this price band
Cons
- THESTRON publishes almost no specification, not even the outsole material
- No waterproof warranty behind the waterproof claim
- Fixed spikes rather than the replaceable cleats on the Zakey
Checklist: What makes a great golf shoe for men
- Comfort: Look for features like cushioned insoles, padded collars, and responsive midsoles. These elements ensure sustained comfort which is essential during prolonged periods of play and walking across the golf course.
- Traction: A reliable golf shoe must have excellent grip. Attributes like spikeless outsoles or replaceable spikes can improve stability and help maintain a steady position during swings, regardless of the terrain.
- Waterproofing: Golf courses can be damp, so water-resistant or waterproof materials are vital. This keeps feet dry during early morning rounds or unexpected rain, thus preserving comfort and reducing distraction.
- Style: While performance is key, style also matters. Look for shoes that reflect your personal fashion sense, available in various colors and designs that can transition from the fairway to the clubhouse with ease.
- Fit: Proper fit cannot be overstated. Shoes should provide a snug, secure feel without pinching or slipping. Many models offer adjustable lacing systems or ample room for natural movements of the feet.
- Eco-Friendliness: Consider the environmental impact of your golf shoes. Options utilizing sustainable materials and eco-conscious production processes can offer a green alternative without compromising quality.
FAQ
What features should I look for in a good golf shoe for men?
Opt for golf shoes with cushioned insoles, reliable traction, waterproof materials, and a fit that balances snugness with comfort for optimal performance on the course.
How important is waterproofing in men's golf shoes?
Waterproofing is crucial in men's golf shoes to keep feet dry in dew or rain, thus enhancing comfort and focus during play.
Can style and performance be balanced in men's golf shoes?
Yes, many golf shoes for men offer a range of styles without compromising on comfort, grip, and waterproofing, suitable for both play and social settings at the clubhouse.
