There’s a huge difference between playing golf in a cart, and playing a round of golf while walking. Walking a round of golf is a great way to get exercise, and in my opinion it helps you play a little bit better because your body doesn’t get stiff from sitting down. The only downside of walking while playing golf is the fact that it can be pretty hard on your feet, especially if you don’t have the right pair of golf shoes!
While there are literally thousands of options on the market for golf shoes, many of them are a more traditional style and are not comfortable, especially over a 4 hour round. We’ve covered the market to find the absolute best and most comfortable golf shoes for walking- check out the full guide below!
Most Comfortable Golf Shoes for Walking: Our Top Picks
Adidas Tour360 XT
The Adidas Tour360 XT is a spikeless leather golf shoe, and has become extremely popular based off of how comfortable they are. While the Tour360 XT’s are spikeless, they don’t lack in any stability or traction, making this a high performing golf shoe for the avid golfer. It doesn’t hurt that these are the shoes that Dustin Johnson sported in 2020, either.
Above all else, these shoes are made to be comfortable while walking 18 holes and last at least a few seasons of constant wear. The shoes feature a boosted midsole to keep the arches of your feet comfortable during an entire round. These are all-weather walking shoes for the golf course, offering no issues or moisture during a wet or rainy round.
As with all spikeless golf shoes, these don’t have the traction of a golf shoe with soft or hard spikes. When you’re coming out of a sand trap you’ll notice a little more sand clings to your shoes than with a soft spike shoe. However, they make up for it by employing superior technology in the sole materials to ensure a good grip on the ground. Overall, these do the trick perfectly and are mid range in price.
Pros:
- Very comfortable
- Good Support
- Affordable
- Highly flexible
- Water-repellent
- Proven in the market
Cons:
- A little narrow
- Could offer more heel support
FootJoy Men’s Pro/SL
The FootJoy Men’s Pro/SL has a distinct design, and is one of my favorite picks from a “looks” standpoint. The FootJoy Pro/SL shoes have been on the market for a couple years now, and they have been improved over the extremely popular 2019 version to be more comfortable and stable than the previous version.
FootJoy uses a lightweight waterproof performance on the majority of this shoe, and synthetic materials on the sole. This combination creates a great lightweight option that are very comfortable to walk the golf course in, and are comfortable straight out of the box. FootJoy’s main focus on the newer shoes for 2020 was to make these as stable as possible; the result is a shoe that has 189 points of traction to keep you stable on your feet in all weather conditions.
These shoes have a 2-year waterproof warranty, which is a huge statement of quality from FootJoy. The Pro/SL’s were a huge hit in 2019, and the 2020 version are even better. If you want an extremely comfortable, high quality pair of golf shoes that can last you a few seasons, these are going to be up your alley.
Pros:
- Lightweight design
- Water-repellent
- Highly flexible
- Good traction
- Very comfortable
Cons:
- Premium pricing
- Arch support could be improved
New Balance Men’s Breeze
The design of the New Balance Men’s Breeze is highly efficient. The sole contains a unique compound that makes for a lightweight shoe that does not compromise on durability. It provides excellent support and cushioning without being too heavy.
This shoe also comes with a built-in water guard, which helps prevent rainwater from entering the shoe as you play. Nothing is worse than a golf shoe that lets water in, ruining your round by soaking your feet.
The New Balance Men’s Breeze ranks among the most comfortable golf shoes for walking. It is also spikeless and made purely of synthetic materials. Along with the synthetic outer materials, it features a rubber outer sole.
The rest of the shoe is made of mesh that allows for increased breathability. Despite this, the New Balance Men’s Breeze does not rank highly in fit and flexibility. It can be a bit stiff, and the sizing can be a bit off as well. Even with these issues, the New Balance Men’s Breeze remains a great option.
Pros:
- Water-repellent
- Great Breathability
- Soft insole for increased comfort
- Lightweight design
- Very comfortable
Cons:
- It can be a bit stiff
- Sizes tend to run narrow
ECCO Men’s Biom Hybrid
The ECCO Men’s Biom Hybrid is strong but has a manageable weight. That’s the result of using yak leather, which is also highly breathable. These are some of the most technologically advanced golf shoes on this list, and easily some of the most comfortable we’ve come across.
This shoe may be one of the best for keeping your feet dry as you play in wet conditions thanks to the ECCO Hydromax treatment applied to the leather. The ECCO Men’s Biom Hybrid is excellent at keeping rainwater out, as well as managing the moisture your foot produces as you play.
While this shoe is also another spikeless golf shoe, it still has great traction thanks to the ECCO Dynamic Traction System. . The sole’s particular design includes numerous projecting nubs that will create friction between the shoe and the ground.
The color in these shoes, especially the white versions, tends to fade over time. However, their performance is far more important than aesthetics, as it provides great water resistance, among many other premium qualities. These are true performance golf shoes, and have been extremely well received since they came onto the market.
Pros:
- Good traction
- Lightweight design
- Water-repellent
- Sweat resistance
- Good breathability
Cons:
- Color fades over time
- Less comfort than other options
Puma Ignite NXT
The Puma Ignite NXT is the kind of shoe you could wear on or off the course, mostly because its exterior appearance doesn’t scream “golf shoe”. But it’s about more than looking good as it performs just as well as any other in this list, if not better.
One of the most notable features of this shoe is its Disc Closure System technology. It has a small disc on the shoe’s tongue, which you can twist to tighten the shoe as needed while wearing it. This Disc closure allows for a more custom fit than regular laces.
This shoe’s sole has been carefully designed for maximum comfort while you’re out walking the golf course. The manufacturers have included a series of meticulously placed hexagonal protrusions on each sole. That gives the shoe an impressive grip, almost comparable to a cleated golf shoe.
Other than some stiffness at the edge of the tongue, the Puma Ignite NXT is very comfortable. This comfort derives from the synthetic materials, which keep water out while also providing plenty of cushioning for your mid-sole.
Pros:
- Highly stylish
- Disc system for a custom fit
- Good traction
- Easy to clean
- Water-repellent
Cons:
- The tongue can be sharp
- Toe can be soft
FootJoy FJ Flex
The FootJoy Flex golf shoes are a sporty looking pair of shoes that work well both on and off the golf course, and could easily be worn as a normal tennis shoe. These are exceptionally comfortable thanks to FootJoy’s cushiony FineTunedFoam interior, and are made for walking the golf course all day long. This is another shoe that has been proven to be an excellent golf shoe since coming on the market in the last few years.
The primary material in this shoe is textile, leading to increased breathability compared to synthetic options. The textile material makes these lighter than some of the leather options we’ve looked at, and they do offer more breathability compared to other golf shoes.
While the Versa-Trax traction system does offer stability, the bottoms of these golf shoes offers less traction than others on the list. Admittedly these are even more spikeless than your standard spikeless golf shoe.
These shoes are likely called “FJ Flex” because of how casual they look; you could easily wear these in the clubhouse or to a dinner after your round. If you want a sporty, comfortable pair of Footjoy’s, the FJ Flex is a nice pick.
Pros:
- Good stability
- Lightweight design
- Excellent breathability
- Traction on and off the course
- Quality design and materials
Cons:
- Difficult to clean
- Not ideal for maximum traction
Nike Men’s Air Max 1 G
These shoes don’t even look like they should be golf shoes, instead they look more akin to running or basketball shoes. We’re not complaining though- these are another one of our favorite golf shoes of the year, partially due to the casual appearance they have!
These shoes are modelled after the original Nike Air Max 1’s, which originally came out in the 1980’s. They’re wrapped completely in a synthetic outer layer, making these highly water resistant and pretty easy to clean.
Nike uses a foam midsole and a Max Air unit in the heel to make these shoes as comfortable as possible over a round of golf. The bottoms are spikeless, yet they offer great traction for both wet and dry conditions out on the course. These are a straightforward, sleek looking pair of golf shoes that don’t look anything like golf shoes. They could be a little more comfortable, but are still great for walking and deserve a spot on this list.
Pros:
- Water-repellent
- Good traction
- Lightweight design
- Good breathability
- Sweat resistance
Cons:
- Fit can be off
- Less comfort than other options
True Linkswear True Original
True Linkswear is a smaller player in the golf shoe market, but make no mistake they offer an excellent golf shoe that is easily one of the best on this list. The True Original is a golf shoe designed to look great on and off the course, made with a premium full grain leather that offers a 2-year waterproof guarantee.
This shoe has a rubber sole, and most of the exterior is genuine leather. The wide, leather toe box provides extra space, which gives your toes extra room to move. True Linkswear takes a unique angle on comfort: they’ve designed this shoe feel weightless, as if you’re barefoot on the golf course. Combine that feel with a comfortable sock liner, True Linkswear True Original stand out in terms of comfort level compared to other models.
These spikeless golf shoes offer a surprising amount of traction with the turf in all conditions, and do plenty to help you feel balanced and stable over the golf ball. As an extra benefit, the True Linkswear True Original repels oil and wicks away stains, which keep your shoes looking great when playing in less-than-ideal conditions.
If you want a clean looking, more natural feeling golf shoe for walking, this is definitely one of the best on the market.
Pros:
- Two-year waterproof warranty
- Ample space in tow box
- Flat sole for a natural feel
- Stain-resistant
Cons:
- The heel can feel slightly unbalanced
Adidas Men’s Adipower 4orged S Golf Shoe
This shoe is made with a unique mixture of synthetic and textile materials, featuring a more classic aesthetic for a golf shoe.
The Adidas Men’s Adipower 4orged S Golf Shoe is a lightweight golf shoe that is great for walking. The materials make for a very flexible shoe that is forgiving as you walk, and it’s also highly resistant to external moisture.
Previous models of this golf shoe had issues where they broke down pretty easily and wore out after about a season. This newer model is a bit sturdier and made with better quality materials, helping this golf shoe last more miles on the golf course.
This is a solid option for the weekend golfer. Some players complain that the tongue on the shoe can be a bit sharp, but that said these will last plenty of rounds and remain comfortable if you take care of them.
Pros:
- Highly flexible
- Lightweight design
- Water-repellent
- Good breathability
- Good traction
Cons:
- The tongue can be sharp
- Slight lack of durability
How to Choose Comfortable Golf Shoes: Guide and FAQ
In my opinion, the most crucial consideration when shopping for footwear is how they fit. If you have the chance to try on your golf shoes before purchasing, you should do so. I’ve had the displeasure of buying my standard size golf shoe and walking a few rounds, only to start getting blisters due to the fact that the shoe ran a bit bigger than my true size.
Regardless of where you purchase your golf shoes, they will only be comfortable if they fit correctly. A proper fit is essential to experience the full benefits of comfortable golf shoes. Luckily, there are usually size guides online that can tell you if a certain brand runs small or large based off the shoes you normally wear. It does help that most of our top picks are big name brands like Nike, Adidas etc, as their sizing is pretty uniform.
Golf shoes come in different styles, materials, and support levels. Generally speaking, the newer style of golf shoes that resemble tennis shoes and running shoes are much more comfortable than the traditional, all leather stiff golf shoes that the sport is well known for.
What Are the Benefits of Comfortable Golf Shoes?
The way they feel on your feet is the most apparent aspect of quality golf shoes, but that’s not the only metric you should pay attention to while choosing a pair. All-day comfort and support are crucial, even if you don’t feel like you’re walking much. For reference, the average round of golf can involve four miles of walking– with that kind of distance being covered, support and durability are crucial. Comfort and proper support can help you avoid overuse injuries and soreness after a long round of golf.
Golf shoes can improve your game as well, by offering stability and traction while you’re swinging the club. No, a comfy pair of golf shoes won’t stop you from 3 putting, but compared to a comfortable pair of regular sneakers or traditional golf shoes, there’s a big improvement. More traction and stability allows you put a little more power into your swing, no matter the playing conditions.
What to Look for in Comfortable Golf Shoes
When searching for the most comfortable golf shoes for walking, there are a few essential features to consider.
Here are our top criteria you should look for.
Spikes
Golf shoes either have physical spikes on the bottoms that can be changed, or come spikeless.
Golf shoes with spikes, also called cleated golf shoes, offer a stronger grip. These shoes are best if you intend to play in inclement weather. Spikeless shoes provide less traction than cleated golf shoes but feature more traction than a standard pair of trainers.
In my experience over the years, golf shoes without spikes have consistently been more lightweight and comfortable. If you’re going for comfort, spikeless is the way to go.
Materials
You will have a few options when it comes to golf shoe material. By far, leather is the most popular, but there are a few other choices to consider.
If you are like me, then spending time in wet socks when playing on a rainy day is one of your least favorite things. Some of the best golf shoes will have waterproof linings, and might even offer a waterproof guarantee. If you’re a regular player, it makes sense to go for an all weather pair. If you’re a weekend or fair weather player, this is less important.
Other golf shoes use synthetic materials; Polyester being the most common. Golf shoes made with polyester are often among the most lightweight options.
Breathability
Breathability is another essential factor in comfortable golf shoes, and it depends heavily on the materials and construction of the shoe.
It’s essential to keep water out of your shoe on a rainy day. But during your round, your feet will produce moisture as well. A build-up of sweat can end up being just as uncomfortable as water from outside your shoe.
Fortunately, many golf shoe manufacturers recognize this issue, and often their products include moisture-absorbing materials. These materials help ensure that your feet stay dry and breathe as you play.
Support
All shoes come with varying levels of support for your foot. To find the best level of support for you, you need to understand your foot.
I have flat feet, which means I need a shoe with a little more support. The added support helps compensate for the natural instability of my flat feet. Thankfully, there are plenty of golf shoes with extra arch support.
Those without flat feet can broaden their search and explore the varieties of golf shoes with thinner soles. These thin soles do not provide a lot of support, but they give a more natural feel for your foot. They do this by placing less material between your foot and the ground. The result is that your foot has more flexibility to move.
Flexibility
Another critical factor in a golf shoe’s comfort is that the more flexible your shoe is, the less restricted your foot will feel. Flexibility will also make for a better fit as the shoe has more capacity to mold to your foot.
Naturally, shoes that rank highly for flexibility also typically have a little less support. You should balance these two benefits based on your personal needs.
There are also plenty of shoes that are far too stiff. Stiffness is a significant detractor from the comfort of your golf shoes. One specific issue to look out for is a stiff tongue, as a stiff tongue with a sharp edge could cut your ankle as you walk.
The Verdict
A comfortable pair of walking shoes can make your round so much more enjoyable, and help you stay more stable and balanced over the golf ball. Wehn you’re looking for the most comfortable golf shoes for walking, make sure you look into the materials, spike style, flex, and support offered in the shoe you’re looking at.
For me, the winner in this category is the Puma Ignite NXT golf shoe. This shoe can match any other when it comes to comfort and performance on the course. It also includes stand-out technology that gives you a great fit every time you wear them. Considering fit is so important, the Puma Ignite NXT is one of the most comfortable golf shoes for walking. As a bonus, it offers added value by being incredibly stylish.
