Adidas Tour 360 Shoes

Adidas’ trademark three stripe logo comes from the original track shoe design of Adi (Adolph) Dassler, who founded Adidas in 1920. The stripes were a part of the shoe design which helped support the foot and offer stability.

Its not surprising, therefore, that the new Adidas Tour 360 shoes also feature a foot support system called the 360 wrap, which is supposed to promote a stable, tour-caliber hitting platform. The shoe’s high traction split outsole features tapered, kidney shaped lugs that are supposed to avoid clogging while still providing a strong grip on the turf.

Adidas continues the theme by including what it calls a “3D FitFoam” sock liner that has three densities of foam. The polyurethane base layer provides outstanding support from heel to toe. A cushioning layer in the heel absorbs shoes, while memory foam adapts to the contours of the forefoot.

Nike Revive Junior Golf Shoe

My eldest wants a pair of golf shoes for Christmas. And these Nike Revive shoes look like just the trick. They look like a pair of sneakers (do people even use that term any more), but have the golf spikes. I’m more of a traditionalist when it comes to shoes, but I can’t imagine him in a pair of saddle shoes.

There’s just one problem. The boy is growing like the proverbial weed. Any shoe that I buy him in December is going to be too small by summer.  My best bet may be to buy a pair two sizes too large.

Adidas Torsion Euro Golf Shoes

While I think that Adidas sometimes goes overboard with their three stripe logo, these are quite tastefully done. This is a very good looking golf shoe with a lot of tech built in.

The “torsion” in the name refers to the shoe’s Torsion system, which is supposed to control the rotation of the heel and foot with a mid-foot support system. Lugs in the sole are designed to optimize weight distribution by increasing ground surface contact.

The shoes also feature Adidas’ ClimaProof system—their version of GoreTex. While remaining waterproof, the material allows moisture to wick out to the surface of the shoe. That way, your feet stay dry inside and out.

Moisture control is especially important in cold weather golf. It’s ok if your feet sweat in the summer—the worse that can happen is that the dogs feel a little unconfortable. But moisture in the winter will cool off your feet, sapping overall body heat.

In winter, dry is the key.

FootJoy offers a custom shoe program where you can get your footwear done with the colors and logo of your favorite college or pro team.

They don’t have West Virginia. Too bad.

FootJoy Spikeless Classics Dry Premiere

If soft spikes are better than metal cleats, then perhaps spikeless golf shoes are the next wave.

The FootJoy Spikeless Classics feature calfskin leather uppers, combined with what FootJoy calls an “Intellishield Extreme” membrane (I can’t stand the “trendy” use of the word “extreme”, but that’s neither here nor there). Footjoy says that pores in the membrane open as they get hot to release heat and moisture. As the temperature falls, the pores provide insulation by closing. It also manages to be waterproof throughout.

The soles are the key to a “spikeless” design, though. Footjoy says that its DuraMax outsole offers superior turf gripping properties—without the need for spikes. The tread consists of a great many small “nubs” with cross hatched

I’m interested in trying a pair of spikeless shoes to see how they work. It occurs to me that they might actually be better for walking.

ADIDAS Powerband - White / Silver / Black

Continuing yesterday’s Adidas theme, here are the company’s latest golf shoes.

The Powerband in the name refers to the shoe’s “chassis”, which Adidas says limits midsole compression and stabliizes the perimeter. This is supposed to help harness more of the power generated for the swing. The interior is outfitted with FitFoam, which molds to the contours of the foot, evenly distributing weight and pressure. Ultimately, Adidas, says, this promotes better footwork for weight transfer and balance. Moisture management in the shoe is provided by Adidas’s ClimaProof, which wicks moisture away from the shoe while providing a waterproof membrane.

When I hit the lottery, these are the shoes I’m going to buy. For my money, Eccos are the best golf shoes made. But they’re a little pricey. And at $399.99, these are a LOT pricey.

Still, you apparently get what you pay for. The Ecco World Class Wing Tips combine leather, GoreTex and thermoplastic polyurethane to create a lightweight, flexible, long-lasting, breathable shoe.

I love the Eccos I bought last year and it would take a great deal of convincing to get me to go to another brand. But $399? Whew.