If you follow MyGolfSpy’s testing, you already know how well PAYNTR shoes perform. The men’s lineup has been stable. There’s also a growing list of PGA Tour players who wear them by choice.
PAYNTR has had a women’s shoe lineup for a while and comfort has always been its calling card. What’s new is the Reserve Classic Collection which debuts two silhouettes: the Reserve Classic RS, the brand’s first studded model for women, and the Reserve Classic SL, its studless counterpart. I tested both side by side over the weekend. Here’s what I found.
Comfort and fit: Ready out of the box
Let’s start here because it’s the thing I noticed first. These shoes did not need a break-in period. I put them on and they were ready to go.
PAYNTR builds both models around what they call the latest Reserve Fit, designed specifically for comfort and performance, and I’d say they got it right. The fit reads wider and wider than many women’s golf shoes on the market. Looking down, you see a wider profile than with something like Ecco, FootJoy or adidas shoes. If that bothers you, these may not be for you.
The good thing is that my foot does not slip in the shoe, even though it is wider.
Underpinning that all-day feel is an OrthoLite footbed designed to compress less than five percent, meaning cushioning, fit and comfort don’t change over time.
I tested these in 96 degree heat and they never felt heavy or heavy. They’re not a breathable shoe in the traditional sense, so if that’s your top priority in summer conditions, it’s worth considering. But weight never became an issue and that matters more than people give it credit for.
Appearance: One step forward
I wore a PAYNTR women’s shoe last year, the Sport Classic LE. Comfort is there; I still wear these shoes. The overall aesthetic is good, but I think the new Reserve collection is much better.
With all the talk about how well PAYNTR’s men’s shoes have performed and how good they look, I was hoping they would eventually bring that same energy to a women’s model. That’s it.
Spiked vs. spikeless: I tested both head-to-head
I’ve been drawn to spikeless golf shoes this year because of the comfort, versatility and ease of use. The Reserve Classic SL is built for wear on and off the course and offers it all. It looks great, it’s comfortable and I love it.
But if you ask me which one to buy? I would tell you to get the spiked RS.
The Reserve Classic RS features a TPU outsole with Fast Twist insert system that provides traction in three dimensions for the life of the shoe and you feel it. When I’m working on swing speed or trying to add power, I want that resistance underfoot and the RS gives me that.
Both shoes share PAYNTR’s PMXSpeed ​​​​PLT thrust plate, designed to help more effectively utilize ground reaction forces, but the studded model has an advantage in stability in real swing conditions. For someone who plays regularly and wants a shoe that does it all on the course, the RS is the call.
One more thing
This might sound small, but it’s not if you care about your equipment: these hide nicely behind the round. A quick wipe and they looked brand new. I like a shoe that is easy to clean and stays looking new.
end
The Reserve Classic RS is $150 and the Reserve Classic SL is $130 and both are available now at PAYNTRGolf.com. These are going into my regular rotation.
