Matt Cradock
Playing golf on a hot summer's day is one of life's simple joys. With the sun on your back and your golf clubs in hand, nothing much else matters.
However, what certainly is not so enjoyable is returning to the clubhouse with sodden, smelly feet that have been suffocated in a pair of unbreathable shoes. Not all of the best golf shoes are fully breathable, so you have to be careful which ones you pick and choose. The modern, seam-sealed, fully waterproof war horses that get us through the wet winter months are fantastic but, come the summer, they can be cumbersome and get rather sweaty.
WATCH: Dan Parker runs through the best golf shoes of 2025
That's why moving to a very lightweight - often mesh - golf shoe in the warmer months can leave your feet dry and comfortable on even the hottest summer days. Of course, you don't get as much waterproof protection from these shoes, but hopefully you won't need it at the height of summer or if you're on a golf holiday somewhere warm.
So, what are the best breathable golf shoes on the market? Well, we've been out on the fairways testing some of the best options going and have collated a list of the best spikeless golf shoes and best spiked golf shoes that are both highly breathable and ideal to wear in warm weather.
Along with the best breathable shoes, why not also check out our guide to the best casual golf shoes if you're looking for something to wear on or off the golf course, as well as our guide on the best golf shoes for walking.
The Quick List
The Street 720 isn't just a versatile option, but also fully waterproof and incredibly soft underfoot. Set at a great price point, there's plenty of value to be had in this model.
While it won’t win any awards for stability, that’s not what this shoe is designed for. For us, it’s one of the most comfortable and versatile casual golf shoes currently on the market.
One of the most versatile and lightweight golf shoes we've tested, the All Day Knit 3 is an ideal warm-weather golf shoe that provides excellent looks.
A fantastic spikeless shoe offering impressive next-level comfort, with the lightweight, running trainer-style making this shoe a great choice for those summer rounds.
A sneaker-style look that will turn heads on the course, the comfort and stability on offer is excellent whilst the knitted upper keeps your feet cool.
A visually impactful debut golf shoe from J.Lindeberg that excelled on the course in the comfort, looks and grip it offered
Most Breathable Golf Shoes
Top pick
Everyone loves a pair of versatile golf shoes and one of our favorite breathable models that fits that versatility is the Street 720 from Ecco. These are literally designed to be worn all day and looks-wise, the modern design can be worn with pretty much anything. What's more, we think that Ecco has done the right thing by eliminating almost all the branding and keeping it subtle. That’s not to say these are a dull-looking shoe, there are some neat design touches that make for a modern and versatile silhouette.
Performance-wise, we wouldn't recommend wearing this in winter as we found the Street 720s marked easily and were difficult to clean. However, underfoot there is much more cushioning, the fully waterproof construction means no leaking when you’re out and about on a wet day and the Gore-Tex construction also makes them significantly more breathable.
Additionally they are constructed with a smooth leather material which raises the premium, quality feel up a notch as well.
- Read our full Ecco Street 720 Golf Shoe Review
Most versatile
Next up we have the adidas Ultraboost golf shoes, which have fast become favorites with the Golf Monthly team. Similar aesthetically to the Ultraboost running shoe, these look fantastic and the obvious versatility is clear to see, much like the True Linkswear FS-01 and Air Jordan 1 Low G shoes.
The shoe uses a Primeknit mesh upper - which is breathable and water resistant - as well as the sock-like material around the tongue of the shoe. Thankfully there is plenty of padding around the ankle along with the toe area reinforcements, both of which help make this one of the most comfortable golf shoes we have tested. Anyone who has worn the running sneakers will appreciate the softness and cushioning underfoot, and that has translated to this golf shoe.
Although not fully waterproof, it is water resistant, the Ultraboost has incredible breathability, with the mesh upper giving a supreme sense of comfort when we tested out on the course. What's more, we especially liked how the Ultraboost is not pretending to be something it's not. It’s not a shoe to play your 36-hole club championships in, but it is perfect for a casual round.
- Read our full Adidas Ultraboost Golf Shoe Review
Best off course
True Linkswear are known for producing some of the most comfortable golf shoes on the market, with the All Day Knit 3 providing all the qualities needed to shine in the breathable category.
To begin with, it weights just 10oz and is constructed of a soft, one-piece knit upper. What's more, there is a sock-liner opening that allowed our feet to slide in and out easily in testing. Along with the the upper, the brand have kept their Wanderlux insole which, as we know from the True Lux Hybrid and True FS-01, gives this shoe excellent breathability.
Admittedly, there are better shoes on the market in terms of grip and getting the locked-in feel. That's not to say, though, that the shoe struggles here, it's just that there are better shoes for that purpose on the market. Overall, however, the looks and breathability are up there with some of the best that money can buy, and the fact you can use these just about anywhere raises the performance even further.
- Read our full True Linkswear All Day Knit 3 Golf Shoe Review
Best summer shoe
Implemented with the same technology that you would find in the Tiger Woods 13 shoes, the Free Golf NN has a trainer-like style and low-profile that gives it a really sporty feel. Overall, it's difficult to find fault with the aesthetics, as these easily make their way into the best Nike golf shoes category.
Nike Free shoes came onto the market around the start of the 2000s, with Nike introducing their running technology into their golf shoes. During our testing, we found the experience of this model seamless, as there was incredible comfort out of the box, as well as a lightweight feel and ample support.
Providing great breathability, the stability comes from what Nike calls 'brio cables', which help secure the shoe's upper to the outsole for additional strength and support. Grip-wise, we found that damp conditions weren't an issue either, with wet traction rubber patterns in a variety of shapes and angles providing extra grip.
- Read our full Nike Free Golf NN Shoes Review
Best value
Out of the box, we loved the look of the Under Armour Phantom Golf Shoe, as the knitted upper and rigid plastic on the heel provided a sporty, premium feel that could easily be worn on and off the course.
It wasn't just the looks, though, where it shone, as the Phantom performed just like the best Under Armour golf shoes should. It features an array of technology, like a SpeedForm 2.0 sockliner and HOVR cushioning, which not only gave us stability, but also a locked-in feel that was very breathable.
Admittedly, the knit collar is slightly tight round the ankle, but once loosened, will become easier to slip on and off. What we did like is that the membrane of the Phantom is waterproof, with Under Armour providing a one-year waterproof warranty but, personally, we would opt to use these more in the summer months as they go well with both shorts and pants. Finally the price of these shoes makes them even more attractive as the value is arguably the best on this list.
- Read our full Under Armour Phantom Golf Shoe Review
Most comfortable
For the first time in their history, J. Lindeberg have introduced a new golf shoe to the market, with the Vent 500 providing excellent style that is clearly a J. Lindeberg product.
Firstly, the outsole is chunky, but this didn't affect performance, as the Vent 500 is suitably solid and stable underfoot. Also, the Ortholite+ insole was really comfortable, offering a perfect amount of cushioning and energy return underfoot, as well as great breathability.
The stand-out of these shoes was the TPU outsole, which was one of the best we've tested on a spikeless golf shoe. Opting for TPU instead of rubber gave a brilliant sensation of grip underfoot, all without sacrificing the comfort and low-profile nature. The only slight downside is that the firmness and loftiness of the TPU nubs on the outsole do have their drawbacks in the dryer conditions of summer.
Finally there are several cool colors to choose from and as we mentioned above, we really like the unique styling of this shoe.
- Read our full J. Lindeberg Vent 500 Golf Shoe Review
How we test golf shoes
The Golf Monthly team know a seriously comfortable and supportive shoe when we try one. The golf shoes above represent the cream of the crop when it comes to breathability and ventilation on the golf course, to help stop your feet from feeling hot and sweaty during your round. Using our extensive testing methodology, we look to wear each shoe over several rounds of golf to determine the comfort, grip, durability and breathability the shoe possesses. We also attend product launches with the respective brand's R&D experts to get a better understanding of the technology in each shoe and how the features built into each shoe can benefit you on the course.
Specifically for shoes, Staff Writer Dan Parker oversees all golf shoe testing and has become an expert in the field. He is often ably assisted by many members of the Golf Monthly team as well.
How to choose golf shoes
As you know, there are plenty of factors to consider when purchasing a new pair of golf shoes and to help you narrow your search, we run through the top ones below.
Comfort
Arguably the most important factor to consider in shoes is the comfort. When walking on the golf course, a comfortable pair lets us focus on our games, whereas an uncomfortable shoe can cause pain and discomfort. As a result we recommend trying on different shoes to see what kind of feel you like, and it will give you an idea on sizing in select brands because sometimes they are different. Also be aware of some models that have specific foam technologies, or specific sole designs that are designed to house your feet in all day comfort.
Grip/Stability/Traction
Given the feet touch the ground during the swing, and using the ground is so important, then grip and stability is a hugely important factor. If a pair doesn't deliver on these then you may slip, causing a bad shot or even worse, a bad injury. As a result, many of the models above, in both spiked and spikeless designs, have specifically designed traction patterns and lugs to make sure your feet don't slip. It is worth acknowledging that from our testing the spiked models will provide best-in-class traction, but spikeless designs are catching up somewhat.
Looks
The look of a shoe is entirely subjective but it is obvious to say that you need to like the look of your shoe. As a result we have included lots of different styles and designs above so there is a style for everyone.
Waterproofing
If you are going to be walking in all weather conditions then you need a waterproof model too. Thankfully most of the models above provide 100% waterproof protection and we also recommend checking out specific brands that have long waterproof warranty's. This aspect is especially important for breathable shoes if they are made from mesh fabrics because if you wear those in wet conditions and they aren't waterproof, then that will be a bad experience.
Sizes
Tying in with the comfort point above, getting the right size for you is vital, and as a result you should try different shoes on and different sizes because this will tell you which brands come up smaller, which are larger, or maybe models that are more narrow or wide.
Budget
Finally have a think about how much you are willing to spend on a golf shoe because there are models in this guide that have different price points. That being said, whilst our list has covered a range of price points, to really get an idea of a good budget golf shoe, check out our guide on the best budget golf shoes.
For more advice on some of the best golf shoes on the market check out our guides to the best waterproof golf shoes, best winter golf shoes and best golf shoes for seniors.
FAQs
Why is it important to have a breathable pair of golf shoes?
Generally speaking, the hotter your feet get on the golf course, the more likely they are to sweat. And that can be a nightmare for any golfer, as if you've ever played in wet shoes, having saturated and damp feet or socks can inhibit your performance. Your feet will start to slide around as you play each shot and that can hinder your stability and prevent you from powering through each golf shot. For that reason, it's a great idea to ensure your golf shoes are breathable and offer great ventilation to your feet!
What makes a golf shoe breathable?
Any golf shoe that uses Gore-Tex will be extremely breathable. Gore-Tex is a material that allows sweat and heat to escape from the shoe without letting water in. Lightweight shoes tend to be more breathable too, as lighter materials mean your feet will sweat less.
How can I protect myself from high temperatures on the golf course?
Playing in warmer climates can sometimes be dangerous so it is wise to always take precautions when you step out onto the course, to ensure you play well, enjoy your round and don't suffer from heat stroke. Hats are an essential on any sunny day as are sunglasses. Meanwhile it is important to stay hydrated too so bring plenty of water with you. You'll also want to ensure you have covered yourself in suncream too, as sun burns don't look good and can be very painful.
