Most Breathable Golf Shoes: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Top pick
3. Most versatile
4. Best summer shoe
5. Best lightweight
6. Best value
7. Best for wider feet
8. Best unique colors
9. Most comfortable
10. Best waterproofing
11. How we test
12. How to choose
13. FAQs
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. 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.
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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 best spikeless golf shoes and best spiked golf shoes that are both highly breathable and ideal to wear in warm weather. Check out our guide to the best casual golf shoes if you're looking for something to wear on or off the golf course and our guide on the best golf shoes for walking has you covered if you're after a slipper-like pair of golf shoes.
The Quick List
One of the best examples of a hybrid golf shoe currently on the market, the True Linkswear Lux Hybrid straddles the line of on/off course wearability.
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.
A brilliant lightweight golf shoe to use during the summer months. The classic Nike design and range of colorways will suit a lot of golfers out there.
The lightweight design and super soft midsole of the Overtake make for a superbly comfortable golf shoe that really stands out amongst its rivals.
UA have taken inspiration from the brand's most successful running shoes, while delivering the performance expected from a tour quality golf shoe.
A standout spikeless golf shoe. We love Ecco's move to an even more athletic look whilst sticking to its roots of comfort and breathability.
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This lives up to its claim of being the ultimate crossover shoe. It takes a lot of the best bits of the MG4+ golf shoe and then really turns up the fashion dial.
The Pro 5 Hyper is a technology packed spiked golf shoe that delivers on Skechers renowned comfort thanks to some excellent proprietary technology.
Not only is this fully waterproof, but it's breathable and comfortable, with the locked-in feeling allowing you to commit to every shot on the golf course.
Most Breathable Golf Shoes
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Top pick
Perhaps one of the most versatile golf shoes on the market right now, the True Linkswear Lux Hybrid offers excellent visuals and comfort on the course. It comes with an athletic profile that will certainly catch the eye of any golfer looking for a more sporty golf shoe option, akin to some of the best golf sneakers available now. If you have never heard of True Linkswear before, they are a relatively up and coming brand from the Pacific Northwest, and are truly leaning into the market with commitments to casual golf shoes.
Having tested this shoe on the golf course, we think we can all agree this option would comfortably blend in pretty much any environment. But its performance on the golf course really was something to behold. It features a Wanderlux midsole, with the technology soft to the touch but still firm enough underfoot to offer a decent amount of support during your swing.
Aesthetically, we think it blends into any kind of environment and, at just 11.2oz, it's also one of the lightest best spikeless golf shoes we have tested. Another positive is the fully waterproof knit material on the upper which, although you might think would get soggy quickly, actually wicks off any water and keeps your feet bone dry. That being said, we would not recommend wearing these shoes in properly wet or muddy conditions as the overall grip isn't there. For those conditions, perhaps instead check out some of the best winter golf shoes.
- Read our full True Linkswear Lux Hybrid Golf Shoe Review
Most versatile
Next up we have the adidas Ultraboost golf shoes, which have fast become favorites in 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 summer shoe
Styled on the classic Roshe shoes, these are some of the most lightweight sneakers we've ever tested and offer, being made of a mesh upper and spongey mid layer. We loved the cool, understated design on these shoes that epitomise Nike's styling as a brand. They are up there with some of the best spikeless golf shoes around thanks to their versatility, as the Roshe's can be worn both on and off the course on harder surfaces too.
They deliver plenty of comfort too and while the sole doesn't appear super grippy, we didn't slip once when wearing them which was really impressive. It must be noted that these are not waterproof at all, but they are not designed to cope for wet weather. They are focused on summer golf and are one of the best lightweight summer shoes you can buy, whilst the materials used aids breathability as well.
- Read our Full Nike Roshe G Next Nature Golf Shoe Review
Best lightweight
Cole Haan are best known for their work producing running trainers and athletic footwear, but they are now branching out into the golf market, with their latest release, the ZeroGrand. It is one of the most lightweight offerings we've tested and is perfect for summer golf. Aesthetically, this shoe seriously has a lot of shelf appeal. That is partly due to the premium materials the brand have used to create the trainer, which will match some of the best golf sneakers on the market for visuals.
The best thing about this the ZeroGrand though is the comfort. They weight next to nothing whilst the upper and materials surrounding your feet are breathable and offer excellent moisture wicking properties that'll keep your feet cool on the hottest of days. They also come with a midsole that feels almost like a memory foam mattress to walk on. Cole Haan call this their GrandFoam midsole plate. It feels soft and full of bounce as you walk around the course and we felt it really hugged the bottom of our feet when walking - a fantastic sensation to say the least. In fact, we would even go as far as saying that this was one of the most comfortable golf shoes we've tested this year.
Overall this shoe a great addition to those who are looking for a more easy-going look, something you might find from some of the best casual golf shoes on the market. The only downside here is this shoe is only water-resistant and not waterproof.
- Read our full Cole Haan ZeroGrand Overtake Golf Shoe Review
Best value
The Charged Phantom SL takes the profile and style of a running trainer but performs like a golf shoe. It is undoubtedly one of the best spikeless golf shoes on the market, purely for its visuals which we loved. We tested the blue colorway which comes with a very cool blue and white gradient around the midsole. That adds to the very cool design on offer here, blending nicely with the premium materials on the shoes upper.
Some of the best Under Armour golf shoes are jam packed with technology to help you play your best golf and we can safely say they deliver on that basis too! The first thing to note here is the 'never wet' knit upper mesh that means your feet can breathe but will also wick any moisture or sweat away from your toes, and that kept our feet dry and cool on the course. It's also good to note that these shoes are machine washable, meaning we could wash them between rounds pretty easily, to keep our feet fresh for longer.
Putting them on, we felt they were very sung and delivered an excellent fit thanks to the Storm Flat Knit Collar situated around the ankle. That delivers a locked-in feel while and proves to be very comfortable. The Charged midsole that separates the footbed and the outsole delivers plenty of comfort and helps you transfer energy from pushing into the ground into your golf swing. The traction of the shoe is superb and performed well when we tested it on a damp driving range and the shoe provides great value for money too.
- Read our full Under Armour Charged Phantom SL Golf Shoe Review
Best for wider feet
One of the most technology-packed spikeless golf shoes we've tested, the Ecco Biom C4 seriously impressed us with its overall comfort, grip, style and breathability. It's built nicely on the foundations of the excellent Biom H4, but the new sneaker-style has won our hearts from a style perspective, and the performance is there to match.
The Biom C4 uses Ecco's Exhaust Grid technology that scoops fresh air towards the sole of the foot to keep it cool. This, combined with Gore-Tex surround and breathable Ortholite insole makes this one of the most breathable shoe we've tested by some stretch. Another excellent touch from Ecco is that the insole is removable to allow for more width in the shoe. This makes the Biom C4 one of the best golf shoes for wider feet and there was still the same amount of comfort and cushioning with the first insole removed. It's certainly a step in the more athletic direction for an Ecco shoe, and we think this aesthetic move will attract golfers of all ages into Ecco shoes - we think these are some of the best looking golf shoes this year.
- Read our full Ecco Biom C4 Golf Shoe Review
Best unique colors
We’ve seen G/FORE show their quality with models like the Gallivanter and MG4+, and the brand’s flair is evident once again in the MG4x2 shoes. This is a cross-trainer shoe, a multi-functional model designed for both on and off the course. A lot of golf shoes struggle to find the balance between on and off course versatility; many end up failing on one or sometimes both camps with either the style or performance being compromised. Not so with the MG4x2 shoes.
The upper is breathable and waterproof, meaning your feet will stay dry from rain and not get too hot when temperatures rise. The shoes kept our feet cool and dry during several hot and wet rounds of golf and the Sawtooth sole design offers one of the most compelling spikeless outsoles on the market - even in wet and soft underfoot conditions! They also feature a moulded heel cup that prevented our feet from slipping around in the shoe, helping us feel really secure.
The insole is uniquely designed to massage your foot as you walk – you truly have to experience the sensation of walking in one of the best G/FORE golf shoes to understand the comfort on offer. It took us a moment to get used to, but once we were into our round, we loved the comfort and massaging feel the shoe offered us. It comes in several different colorways so if you want to stand out on the course, there are plenty of ways to do so with the MG4x2.
- Read our full G/FORE MG4x2 Golf Shoes Review
Most comfortable
Skechers' flagship model, the Pro Golf 5 Hyper shoe takes comfort to the next level by incorporating Skechers Arch Fit technology that provides podiatrist certified support to your feet, with cushioning across the midsole. We thought this made the shoe one of the most comfortable golf shoes on this list. That Arch Fit technology also helps to reduce aches and pains in your feet as you navigate your way around 18-holes.
The shoe also boasts Skechers Hyper Burst and Resamax cushioning which work in tandem to offer excellent rebound in your step. Additionally the Hyper shoe is made from a breathable upper mesh which helped our feet remain cool and fresh during testing. We also enjoyed the grip on offer thanks to the Softspikes, which are easy to replace and prolong the life of the shoe.
- Read our full Skechers Pro 5 Hyper Golf Shoe Review
Best waterproofing
The Payntr X 006 RS Golf Shoe is one of the best spiked golf shoes in the game right now, offering excellent visuals and superb comfort. They were a real winner when we put them to the test out on the golf course sliding our feet into the shoe, we immediately noticed the comfort on offer.
The Clarino Tongue offered plenty of stretch support that also cushioned our feet as we walked and committed to our shots. We think these shoes are one of the best golf shoes for wide feet on the market, with the Ventilated Dual Density PMX Foam, Patel Footbed and Open Cell Foam all combining brilliantly. These aspects help to provide a longer life span than some of the other best golf shoes money can buy, as the shoe moulded itself perfectly to the shape of our feet over multiple rounds, but not to the extent where the protection, fit and comfort were compromised.
The overall protection and breathability, though, was where we were most impressed. They kept our feet nicely dry on the golf course, even when the rain started to pour. Overall, these are a supremely comfortable and breathable shoe, and the minimalist styling is something that we really loved.
- Read our full Payntr X 006 RS Golf Shoes Review
How We Test Golf Shoes
The Golf Monthly team are not podiatrists but we do 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.
How To Choose Golf Shoes
Buying golf shoes can sometimes be an overwhelming task. There are plenty of things to consider when looking to purchase your next pair of golf shoes and with all the technology that's on the market right now, it can be a really difficult job getting the right pair of shoes for your needs. From comfort right down to breathability, we've set out a few key points that'll help you in your buying decision.
1. Comfort
As you would expect, when it comes to the most breathable golf shoes, comfort is king. As we stride the fairways and greens, an uncomfortable pair can distract us from our game. We recommend trying on some models before you buy to see what you like the feel of, and 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.
2. Grip/Stability/Traction
All three of these things are important because they allow you to commit to golf swings and play with confidence. 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.
3. Looks
This is entirely subjective, but you need to make sure you like the look of your golf shoes. We've covered all shapes and sizes of golf shoe above and there's a style to suit everyone out there.
4. 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.
5. Sizes
It sounds like an obvious thing to say but make sure you get the right size for your feet. It is worth trying models on and making note of brands that come up slightly smaller or larger. For example Nike often comes up half a size bigger than my normal shoe size.
6. Budget
Setting a budget will allow you to hone in on the most breathable golf shoes for you. Our list has covered a range of price points, but 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 budget golf shoes.
FAQs
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.
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!
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.
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