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For as fancy and fashionable as the golf sport might be, it’s also one of the dirtiest games you’re ever going to play - and we’re not talking about cheating. Golf exposes you to a hodge podge of elements and environmental factors. And more often than not, how you look entering the course won’t be how you look once you step out.
Your feet will potentially face the most abuse as you swing yourself through the course. And because no golfer wants to trudge in a pair of muddy, water-logged shoes, waterproof kicks should be a no-brainer. Ready to make that golfing investment? Here’s what you need to know to find the best waterproof golf shoes.
There’s a lot more to a pair of waterproof shoes than simply keeping your feet dry and comfortable. If you haven’t gotten around to buying a pair of waterproof shoes just yet, these key benefits just might swing you the right way.
Ever tried to take a step in a pair of wet, sloshy shoes? As you bear down with your weight, your foot is likely to move around inside the shoe itself. This lack of stability can severely impact the power of your swing, and may even be a safety hazard as you move through the course.
Let’s face it - it’s not going to be easy to focus on your game when your feet are moist with the dew of a freshly watered fairway. Waterproof shoes will keep your feet comfortably cool for longer, helping you concentrate more on your performance.
Unless you’ve got several pairs of golf shoes in constant circulation, you might find the need for shoe maintenance more often than you prefer. Walking around a golf course can imbue your shoes with all sorts of dirt and moisture. This can stain the material and make it unfit for use the next time around. Waterproof shoes are far easier to clean and maintain. This lets you use the same pair over and over without worrying about aesthetics.
How many times have you had to replace a pair of dilapidated, mud-stained, water-logged golf shoes? Although waterproof shoes are more expensive up front, you stand the chance to save more down the line with the reduced need for replacements.
Not all golf shoes are created equal, and not all waterproof shoes will perform to meet your standards. Before you make that purchase, make sure you know exactly what you should be looking for to avoid the hassle of returns and refunds.
The common trade-off for any waterproof shoe design is breathability. Materials that resist the penetration of moisture also inevitably prevent air from passing through the material. The result is a hot and stuffy interior that promotes excessive sweat production.
There are all sorts of design tweak that manufacturers use to allow proper ventilation without surrendering your feet to external moisture. Leather and synthetics designed with areas of mesh or strategically placed perforations can help improve air flow so your feet can breathe as you move.
There’s more to waterproofing than just the material. The way that the uppers and sole are fused together will play a big role in a shoe’s ability to resist the saturation of water and other contaminants.
Golf shoes that use reinforced sole construction that overlaps and fuses with the upper material can effectively prevent moisture from seeping in through the cracks.
This means that the shoe should use more than just fancy stitching to keep the uppers and soles together. More often than not, foxing should be in place to further fortify the union of the sole and uppers for better waterproof performance.
There are some cases when a waterproof shoe might sacrifice comfort to become impenetrable to moisture. You’ll notice that a typical waterproof design will weigh significantly more than your run-of-the-mill golf shoe. That’s because a lot more material and construction goes into making sure that the footwear design lives up to its promise.
Plush internal padding shouldn’t have to be sacrificed for waterproofing. Lightweight construction, soft interiors, and anatomical arch support should be main considerations for maintaining not just dryness but also long-term comfort on the course. It also wouldn’t hurt to look for moisture-wicking material to moderate sweat on the inside.
Manufacturers work hard to make their shoes look more appealing to their avid consumer base. So much so, that even potentially unsatisfying choices might start to look like viable purchases to the untrained eye. That said, you may want to consider watching out for these performance downers.
We all know that some of the best materials for waterproofing also tend to be relatively stiff. With reduced pliability, these shoes require more effort out of each step. The result is limited range of motion resulting to pain and perhaps even injury down the line.
The pliability of your shoes will depend on the material for the uppers, the soles, and how they come together. Most manufacturers will use one-piece material to prevent water from seeping through. And while that might work for waterproofing, they also prevent flexion.
Opt for shoes with multi-piece uppers that are stitched together to create ‘joints’ in the material that bend with your natural gait cycle. Some shoes might call for a break-in period while others move and flex readily out of the box.
Because some waterproof shoes tend to be difficult to walk in, manufacturers compensate by adding in cleats or treads that improves grip. This helps you reduce the effort of your step, adding stability to each stride and digging your feet into the ground even after every faulty flexion. And although it might work, it helps to consider the regulations of a standard golf course.
Unless you want to get called out for damaging the green, it’s ideal that you choose waterproof shoes that won’t leave a path of golf course destruction in your wake. You’d be surprised how effective a pair of soft rubber cleats can be, eliminating the need for treads and metal hardware that might damage where you step.
Waterproof doesn’t always mean stain-proof. Although you might feel confident walking around the golf course with a pair of waterproof shoes, there’s always the risk of staining the material after prolonged exposure. Certainly, there won’t be an impact on your performance. But who wouldn’t want to maintain a pair of clean, pristine looking shoes?
Some materials are prone to staining. Certain synthetics will allow some water and mud to penetrate its uppermost surface, causing a stubborn stain that might not come away with regular cleaning techniques. If you want to avoid stains all together, see to it that you give your shoes a well-deserved wipe down after each game. Or better yet, choose darker colors that won’t be too prone to staining.
Designed for the toughest golfing conditions, the Nike Lunar Control Vapor 2 Golf Shoes are constructed from lightweight microfiber that incorporates a waterproof membrane layer. Together, these materials make the shoes impervious to moisture all around while still maintaining its flexibility and lightweight comfort. Breathable lining and soft yet structured insoles give a pleasant foot feel, minimizing pressure points and moderating sweat production all in one go.
But aside from the premium waterproof design, the Nike Lunar Control Vapor 2 also touts a reliable rubber tread design. The Nike Articulated Integrated Traction soles are specifically engineered to drive your feet into the ground with unshakable resilience. These waterproof spikeless golf shoes work wonders to keep you grounded despite the total lack of any sort of cleat attachment.
Touting the quintessential New Balance aesthetic, the 574 SL Golf Shoes combine synthetic uppers with a rubber sole. Designed to be impervious to water penetration, the synthetic leather uppers come with an impressive 2 year warranty that protects your purchase in case the shoes don’t deliver on their promises.
Wedged between the uppers and the outsole is a REVlite midsole that’s designed to add bounce to your step. The responsive, comfortable cushion minimizes energy expenditure on your end and helps preserve momentum for a more explosive swing. Underneath the shoe, geometric rubber nugs jut out from the material, providing reliable grip on all sorts of terrain without damaging the ground you’re standing on.
Sleek and sophisticated, the PUMA Ignite Proadapt Golf Shoes boast clean, harmonious edges that heighten its minimalist appeal. These full grain leather waterproof golf shoes use a one-piece construction that reduces the number of nooks, crannies, and crevices where water can penetrate. But despite being cut from a single material, the uppers bend and flex without restriction straight out of the box, gliding with your feet like a reliable second skin.
The outsoles are designed to keep your feet in place as you build up your strength from the ground up. Called the brand’s ‘Proadapt Outsoles’, the rubber layer features tornado cleats that resist destabilizing motion to keep you securely grounded all throughout the swing cycle. And to top it all off, the footwear design brandishes the brand’s revolutionary Ignite Foam insoles that adapt to your feet, providing customized support and comfort with each step.
The one piece leather uppers used for the Adidas Powerband BOA Boost Golf Shoes was intended to minimize any crevices and opening where water might seep through. These premium pliable leather uppers come together with the sole through excellent craftsmanship. Using new generation Adidas engineering and construction, these shoes were built to the highest of standards for excellent and reliable waterproof performance.
A strip of rubber serves the purpose of foxing, covering the seam where the uppers and soles come together. Just beneath the soft, plush insoles, a Boost midsole layer provides ample rebound. This material preserves your energy and increases energy transfer for an effortless stride and a powerful swing. And of course, to keep you grounded and confident as you twist to make that long shot, these shoes come equipped with a 6-spike TPU outsole for tour-proven traction without damaging the delicate grass.
Combining textile uppers and synthetic outsoles, the FootJoy FJ Originals Golf Shoes tout that quintessential golf aesthetic without sacrificing performance. Built to provide the perfect, fullest fit across the forefoot, the FJ Originals offer excellent comfort and anatomical fit for long-wearing comfort on the course. These carefully engineered uppers meet the synthetic soles with premium stitching and adhesives, guaranteeing a reliable seal across all sorts of terrain.
With such reinforced design, the shoe comes with an impressive 1-year waterproofing warranty, protecting your purchase against any potential defects that might interfere with its ability to resist water penetration. All of this comes on top of the shoe’s subtle yet dependable DuraMax rubber outsole that provides maximum turf traction that doesn’t leave a path of uprooted grass wherever you step.
No more cautious navigation around puddles and muddy terrain - a pair of the best waterproof golf shoes should let you focus more of your energy on the things that matter. Shoes designed to protect your feet against moisture won’t only keep your concentration centered on the game, but should also prevent you from spending too much on footwear down the line.
Now there are lots of different waterproof golf shoes on the market - which one’s right for you? Consider our vetted list to find the ideal footwear investment to take you anywhere the golf course might lead.
