Best Spikeless Golf Shoes 2026

If you started playing the game many years ago the idea of golf shoes without spikes would have seemed strange; after all weren’t the spikes the very feature that made them fit for purpose? But things change and now spikeless golf shoes are as commonplace as a pin-high approach shot from Scottie Scheffler.

While spiked shoes still hold a slight edge in outright traction, the best spikeless models aren’t far behind. Add in their effortless transition off the course once your round wraps up, and it’s clear why the category has exploded in popularity. Modern spikeless silhouettes look just as natural in the clubhouse bar post-round as they do walking the fairways.

WATCH: Shoe expert Dan Parker runs through the leading pairs in 2026

To help you in your quest to find the right spikeless golf shoes for you we’ve tested numerous pairs over many rounds, reviewing them for comfort, performance and looks. From here we’ve selected our favorites and featured them below. If after reading this guide you’re still undecided about which shoes to buy, we also have comprehensive guides to both the most comfortable golf shoes, and the best waterproof golf shoes too.

The Quick List

Best Spikeless Golf Shoes

Top pick

The Drive Pro Clone SL sees UA revisit its popular Drive Pro template, adding a new proprietary auxetic fabric into the mix. And it’s this new addition that is largely responsible for the shoes walking away with my Top Pick award.

If you’ve ever suffered from golf shoes that pinch or rub then the Drive Pro Clone SLs could be just what you’re after. The aforementioned upper material is remarkable stuff; while it looks and feels like leather it’s able to morph to the shape of your foot off the bat, expanding and shaping as you go. In practice this adaptive fit is superb, gripping your foot securely but with no discomfort whatsoever. It’s a sensation that’s unlike any other I’ve experienced and I can only urge you to try a pair on to see what the fuss is all about.

While the upper is a marked improvement on the previous model, UA has wisely kept the Swing Support System, which made the older Drive Pro such a confident performer. That means you get the comfy Hovr midsole technology and the Lockdown Lacing, though the latter has been refined and is more comfortable as a result.

The spikeless outsole too is largely unchanged, with the same TPU rubber nubs combining with firmer lugs from the lateral heel to the medial toe, where grip is most important. As before, it works well and successfully mimics the feeling of a spiked shoe.

• Read out full Under Armour Drive Pro Clone SL Shoe review

Best for wide feet

I was a big fan of the Ecco Biom C4, which was a good match for my wide feet and delivered plenty of support, stability and comfort. Fortunately the new C5 is just as impressive and even manages to bring some additional refinement to the overall package.

Ecco has mastered the balance between plush walking comfort and swing support, providing ample cushioning underfoot alongside the rigidity needed throughout the golf swing.

While the overall styling and core technology remain largely unchanged, that is certainly no bad thing. Visually, it strikes a clean, athletic profile backed by premium materials throughout. The standout feature is the Gore-Tex Surround construction, which delivers waterproof protection alongside exceptional breathability.

The outsole however could perhaps have been an area where Ecco should have updated the design. As before you get a series of lugs that while are different in shape are all the same height, which does mean that you’re not getting any additional grip when required.

• Read our full Ecco Biom C5 golf shoe review

Best looking

Yes, looks are subjective but the G.112 does possess a simple elegance that many of today’s golf shoes lack. That it manages to achieve this while also using plenty of modern tech makes it a real winner in my book.

On foot, the shoe feels impressively lightweight while keeping your heel and midfoot securely anchored through every swing. This comfort is driven by G/FORE’s trademark nubbed, massaging insole, a signature feature that elevates what is already an exceptionally plush footwear lineup.

The outsole is a solid performer, not quite on the level of the Drive Pro Clone SL above but it's perfect in dry conditions and will hold you steady in damp ones too. Admittedly the price is up there for these shoes, but the versatility means you do get a lot of shoe for your money here.

• Read our full G/FORE G.112 2026 Golf Shoe Review

Best for walking

If the Sun Day Red Presidio shoes had been around in the early 1900s it’s likely that the now familiar saying “golf is a good walk spoiled’ would have never found its way into our vernacular. They are so comfortable you'll quickly forget your bad shots, allowing you to enjoy the stroll along the fairways regardless.

Tiger’s foot issues have been well documented, and it’s easy to imagine he had a direct hand in shaping the shoe's full-length proprietary EVA midsole and foam heel cushioning. Factor in a padded, breathable tongue alongside an external heel counter, and you get a shoe that is as comfortable as they come, all without sacrificing the stability and support you need.

Underfoot, multi-directional lugs run the entire length of the outsole rather than concentrating solely on the heel and toe. Aesthetically, the Presidio strikes a clean, modern profile without looking overly technical, particularly in the sharp white-and-grey colourway. That sleek styling is backed by fully waterproof materials, giving the shoe versatility across all four seasons.

• Read our full Sun Day Red Presidio golf shoes review

Most comfortable

If out-and-out comfort is your priority, then we’d highly recommend Footjoy’s Quantum model. It’s billed as possessing ‘cloud-like comfort’ and after rigorously testing the shoe we’re inclined to agree.

It’s the brand’s SofFoam technology that’s used both in and around the heel that deserves much of the credit. It results in an impressively cushioned ride, and we enjoyed the benefits during the swing and walking between shots. We really did feel as though we were floating, with the generous midsole absorbing plenty of energy regardless of the terrain underfoot. The shoe’s comfort is further enhanced by the inclusion of an Ortholite Impression FitBed that moulds to your foot over time.

Perhaps the shoes only downside is the comparative lack of support, which can be an issue with softer shoes that place a premium on comfort.

• Read our full FootJoy Quantum Golf Shoe Review

Best value

Golf shoes don’t have to cost the earth, and can still perform well despite their affordability. A case in point is the S2g SL model from Adidas. It’s one of the best budget golf shoes around and well suited to those who want a stylish, lightweight shoe that’s versatile enough to transition from the course to the bar, or wherever you happen to head after your round is over.

The upper blends leather and synthetic materials to keep overall weight down without sacrificing the stability and support you need. Unsurprisingly, that running-shoe looks translates into an exceptionally comfortable walk, with the brand’s Lightstrike technology delivering plush cushioning underfoot.

At this price point, a few trade-offs are to be expected. Breathability is somewhat limited, and the relatively basic outsole lacks the aggressive grip needed to handle wet, muddy turf. If you're looking for an affordable option tailored for dry summer rounds, practice sessions, or casual trips to the driving range, it fits the bill nicely.

• Read our full adidas S2G SL Golf Shoe Review

Best insole

The best G/FORE golf shoes continue to carve out a stellar reputation in golf footwear, due in no small part to the standout ribbed insoles that set them apart from any brand. They set a benchmark for underfoot comfort, gently massaging the soles of your feet with every stride. When you're spending up to five hours on your feet over 18 holes, it’s an absolute blessing.

Of course, a great golf shoe needs to deliver far more than just a plush insole, and thankfully the MG4+ O2 proves to be an impressively well-rounded performer. The combination of a waterproof upper and TPU outsole did its job impeccably, keeping moisture firmly locked out and my feet bone-dry through some properly wet test rounds.

The wet testing weather also allowed the shoe’s outsole to shine. It’s home to what the brand calls Heel-to-toe Sawtooth Traction, which in essence is a series of aggressive lugs that grips about as well as any spikeless shoe I’ve tested.

• Read our full G/FORE MG4+ O2 Golf Shoe Review

Best support

Payntr Golf are one of the newer golf footwear brands but have made quite the impact over the last few years. We loved its Eighty Seven SC shoe so much it was awarded Golf Monthly’s best golf shoe back in 2025. Thankfully this stylish spineless offering is just as good.

There’s plenty of technology here, all designed to deliver comfort and performance. It earns the title of 'best support' because of how well it performed from a range of different lies under foot. Whether you have a tricky shot with the ball way above or below your feet, or you're stuck with one of those awkward shots in which your balance is thrown off because of undulations under foot, we felt supported no matter what the course threw at us.

For golfers who prefer walking the fairways over riding in a cart, these are an outstanding option. The responsive energy return through both your stride and swing is an immediate highlight and the shoe holds the foot securely across the instep and heel. Finally, the generous midsole foam and a 3D moulded footbed supply all the plush cushioning needed for your round.

They sit at the higher end of the price spectrum, but the performance and lasting comfort make them well worth the investment.

• Read our full Payntr Match Day SC Golf Shoe Review

Most versatile

To begin with, the SL is inspired by New Balance's 997H shoes, which the brand claim is: "Made for those with an appreciation for style and a desire for comfort." When we took the model out of the box, we felt the look oozed class and style, with the sneaker-style aesthetic making them some of the best casual golf shoes on the market.

New Balance offer the 997 SL in 'standard' width, as well as 'wide' and 'x-wide' and, if you do have wider feet, we would recommend going for one of the wider options, as the overall fit was slightly snug, albeit not too the point where it was uncomfortable.

From a performance standpoint, there is plenty to admire about the 997 SL. Generous padding around the collar and heel delivers a locked-in feel, keeping your foot firmly anchored while walking and swinging. That said, it could benefit from a touch more support under the balls of the feet. Crucially for a spikeless design, traction proved remarkably dependable across both wet and dry conditions, giving us the confidence to commit fully to every shot.

• Read our full New Balance 997 SL Golf Shoe Review

How we test spikeless golf shoes

As with any product we test, we rely on a comprehensive approach that ensures all the models under review are put through their paces in a range of different conditions. Each of the shoes listed above personally used by a member of the Golf Monthly team and golf shoe testing is headed up by our Staff Writer Dan Parker.

We pride ourselves on thorough product testing, and our golf shoe reviews are no exception. Each pair is put through its paces across multiple rounds, different courses, and varying weather and turf conditions to ensure we deliver the fairest, most comprehensive review possible.

Every golf shoe brings a distinct selling point to the table like tour-level traction, comfort, or total waterproof protection. Our testing hones in on these core claims to see if each model genuinely lives up to the brand's promises.

For sneaker golf shoes, we wear them extensively both on and off the course to evaluate how comfort holds up over time. When a shoe boasts waterproof performance, we make a point of playing in the rain, or even drenching them under a tap or water bottle to verify they truly keep moisture locked out.

We also regularly attend product launches and consult directly with manufacturers' R&D experts to gain a deep, firsthand understanding of the technology behind every release.

Editorial integrity is the cornerstone of everything we do at Golf Monthly. Over more than a decade of testing the game's best clubs, shoes, bags, and tech, we have earned a level of reader trust that we never take for granted.

We know our audience trusts on our objective, bias-free reporting, and protecting that standard will always be our highest priority. No brand ever receives preferential treatment, and a favorable review can never be bought. Instead, our testers simply call it as they see it, combining deep industry expertise and genuine passion for the game to deliver buying advice you can depend on.

What to consider when buying spikeless golf shoes

1. Spiked or spikeless

Both spiked and spikeless golf shoes have distinct advantages and trade-offs. Having tested both styles extensively, spiked models still hold the clear edge in pure grip and stability, particularly in wet conditions, making them our go-to recommendation for winter rounds. That said, notable improvements in spikeless outsoles continue to narrow that gap with every release cycle.

Where spikeless designs truly stand out is in their comfort and versatility. By borrowing cushioning and materials from modern athletic sneakers, they feel just as plush underfoot as your favorite running or tennis shoes, while their casual styling lets you wear them straight both on and off the course.

2. Comfort

Given that a round of golf takes hours rather than minutes, comfort is a vital component of any decent golf shoe. The best advice is to try on a few pairs, as comfort isn’t just about the mid and outsole design but also heel support, the materials used and the overall fit. Brands that offer a good range of sizes including half-sizes as well as different widths are advisable if you struggle with finding comfortable footwear.

3. Grip/Stability/Traction

The knock on spikeless golf shoes used to be the lack of grip, traction and stability. But as we said earlier, there have been huge improvements in recent years and we’d now happily recommend many models for all but the wettest of conditions. Again, given the variation of outsole design, if you can try on or better test a shoe then this is advisable.

4. Looks

This is entirely subjective and it will be different for everybody, but whatever your preference you obviously want to make sure you like the look of your golf shoes. We feel that there is a model above for all different types of fashion sense, especially as most shoes come in various color options and not just the ones shown above.

5. Waterproofing

Most golf shoes these days offer a degree of waterproof protection but some are better than others so, if you see yourself playing in the rain a lot, make sure you go for a fully waterproof option that also has good traction to avoid any slippage during your swing.

6. Sizes

As with sneakers, golf shoe sizing varies between brands and even models. There’s no substitute for trying on a number of pairs to get the right fit for you.

7. Price

The last factor to consider is price. With the models above we have tried to find shoes at all different price points so if you want a cheap model, you can get one. Or if you want to spend more, you can do that too. Importantly there is something for everyone.

While there are some fantastic spikeless golf shoes on the market, you should also check out some of our other guides on the best golf shoes for walking, most breathable golf shoes, and our guide on the best golf shoes for wide feet.

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