Adidas ZG21 Golf Shoe Review

Our verdict on the adidas ZG21 golf shoe

Adidas ZG21 Golf Shoe Review pictured on grass
(Image credit: Golf Monthly)
Golf Monthly Verdict

We really can’t fault anything significant about what the ZG21 golf shoe has to offer. It is lightweight, extremely comfortable and offers excellent all-round performance.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Exceptional levels of comfort

  • +

    Looks great

  • +

    Performs on every shot from every lie

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Foam sections tricky to keep clean

Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Adidas ZG21 Golf Shoe Review

Golf shoes are usually judged on how they look, which is great for Adidas’ new ZG21 shoe because it looks great, but there is so much more to it that golfers will really appreciate, making it one of the best golf shoes on the market.

Adidas really wanted to make this comfortable as a walking shoe given how long golfers are out on the course during a round. So first and foremost, it needed to be lightweight and it is - 20 per cent lighter than the Tour360 XT specifically - and you notice that straight away. But Adidas hasn’t achieved this at the cost of comfort by stripping out underfoot cushioning. If anything, this has been enhanced with the combination of Lightstrike EVA foam and Boost under the heel.

It provides immediate softness underfoot and a memory foam sensation over time but while maintaining a slight spring in your step that helps reduce foot fatigue towards the end of the round. Make no mistake, these shoes feel fantastic and fitted our feet perfectly snug without pinching, while the soft tongue topped off what is a very pleasant experience when you tie the laces.

adidas-zg21-testing-web

The performance impressed us too. We felt low to the ground and that the outsole was really getting into the turf when we swung, which helped generate power with control. The heel being locked in place certainly helped - there was no unwanted movement inside the shoe and the soft material around the ankle reduced friction so blisters won’t appear.

adidas-zg21-sole-web

The ‘acid yellow/blue oxide’ colour may might be a little too bright for some but we really enjoyed the modern styling on offer here. The ZG21 is clearly a sporty and athletic golf shoe for the player looking to make a statement with what he or she wears, but there are more subtle colours available (all black and all white) as well as a BOA laced option. Is this adidas' best ever golf shoe? It's hard to make a case against it. Some golfers may want a cleaner, leather upper but the waterproof Sprintskin synthetic upper used here has a nice textured pattern to it and is just as easy to keep clean while not creasing over time.

Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x