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.
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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 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
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.
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 fantastic spikeless shoe offering impressive next-level comfort, with the lightweight, running trainer-style making this shoe a great choice for those summer rounds.
The lightweight design and super soft midsole of the Overtake make for a superbly comfortable golf shoe that really stands out amongst its rivals.
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 standout spikeless golf shoe. We love Ecco's move to an even more athletic look whilst sticking to its roots of comfort and breathability.
Load the next 4 models
TravisMathew has done an excellent job in designing a superb, well-rounded golf shoe, with the combination of modern-classic looks and high performance materials making this perfect all-year round
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.
A visually impactful debut golf shoe from J.Lindeberg that excelled on the course in the comfort, looks and grip it offered
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
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.
- Read our full True Linkswear All Day Knit 3 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 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 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 the ZeroGrand though is the comfort. They weigh 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.
Overall this shoe is a great addition to those who are seeking 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
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.
- Read our full Under Armour Phantom 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 a 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, which 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, but we think this aesthetic will attract golfers of all ages to the brand.
- Read our full Ecco Biom C4 Golf Shoe Review
Best spiked
We adored the original Ringer golf shoes and, with The Ringer 2, it's a similar story, as the clean modern-classic look is fully waterproof, with excellent levels of traction for a range of conditions.
Look and fit-wise, the fit is much shallower than we had thought and not half as wide around the heel area as first appeared. This will obviously divide opinion, as will the looks, which we enjoyed because of the simplicity, whereas some will want a shoe that is a bit brighter and louder.
Admittedly, this golf shoe felt a little tight across the mid-section of the tester's foot when slipping them on for the first time so, if you have wider feet, this is something to bear in mind. Aside from that, the SweetSpot cushioning system offered superb comfort underfoot and for those keen enough to walk 36 holes in a day, this shoe would rival all of the best golf shoes for walking.
- Read our full TravisMathew The Ringer 2 Golf Shoe Review
Best unique colors
We’ve seen G/FORE show their quality with models like the Gallivan2r and MG4+, with the brand’s flair 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, which strikes the balance perfectly when it comes to looks.
The upper is breathable and waterproof, meaning your feet will stay dry from rain and not get too hot when temperatures rise. In testing, the shoes kept our feet cool and dry during several hot and wet rounds of golf, with the Sawtooth sole design offering one of the most compelling spikeless outsoles on the market - even in wet and soft underfoot conditions!
What stood out, to us, is that the insole is uniquely designed to massage your foot as you walk. This is something that we've only really experienced in the best G/FORE golf shoes before, so it took us a moment to get used to. However, once we were into our round, we loved the comfort and massaging feel the shoe offered us.
- Read our full G/FORE MG4x2 Golf Shoes 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.
- Read our full J. Lindeberg Vent 500 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, immediately noticing 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 foot 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 supremely comfortable and breathable shoes, 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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