There are a lot of cool gadgets in the world of golf equipment that don’t always fit wellThe most requested testsORBuyers Guides. You still want to know how it works. In our We Tried it series, we put the equipment to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What we tried:
of Olukai Makena Golf Shoesthe latest offering in golf-focused footwear from my favorite sandal brand. Yes, it’s okay to have a favorite sandal brand. You need to let the dags breathe, feel?
Who tried it:
Connor. Director of Content and resident sneakerhead. I have tried a few of Olukai’s other golf shoe offerings and have never been too impressed. of Mākena has me excited and hesitant.
Meet Makena
According to Olukai, “makena” translates to many, many; often, a lot.
If the name is any indication of how often I’ll be grabbing this pair over the many others in my overflowing golf shoe closet, then that’s a good sign.
Let’s get this out of the way. The Mākena is not my favorite golf shoe ever. But it’s Olukai’s best ever and that gives me hope for the brand as they continue to evolve their golf shoes.
When compared to Olukai’s entry-level golf offerings, Mākena is leaps and bounds ahead. For that, I have to give major props to Olukai. They finally made a serious golf shoe.
Here’s what I mean.
First things first
I can generally tell you if a golf shoe is good or not based on sight alone. There are several “tells” of sorts that lock me into the performance of a golf shoe before I even lace it up.
The first thing I noticed about the Mākena was the TPU outer tray. This type of sole is generally (but not always) reserved for spiked shoes. One, to provide stability and, two, to give the spikes somewhere to sit.
In a spikeless shoe like the Mākena, it allows for torsional stiffness (resistance to twisting) which gives the much needed stability that so many spikeless shoes lack.
The other “story” that affected me was the superstructure. The Mākena has a synthetic upper, complete with a thin layer of TPU for waterproofing. While I’m usually a fan of leather and suede, a synthetic upper like the one found here lends itself well to real-world golf shoe performance.
It’s not that leather can’t be good, but it’s harder to apply properly. It was nice to see Olukai opting for synthetics here and offering real waterproofing. It is worth noting that despite the change in synthetic materials, the price here is still quite high.
Stuff you’ll either love or hate
If you’re a fan of Olukai’s sandals, you’ll likely be a fan of how the Mākena feels on your feet. While it has a larger pile than most fluffy foam, most of the feel underfoot comes from the included PU bed. It’s definitely on the firmer side, but that’s what I’ve come to expect as someone who wears Olukai sandals on a daily basis.
If you’re expecting HOKA-level compression and comfort, it’s best to attach the foot pad. Mākena takes a more middle ground approach. It is neither too soft nor too hard.
Complicated withdrawal
Mākena withdrawal review is a complicated task. I’m usually not a fan of attractive designs that focus more on the design than the actual appeal. For example, the Mākena has a wavy, ocean-inspired pull pattern. While it looks really, really cool, it would have been more effective if Olukai had gone with a more tried and true shader pattern.
Skepticism aside, the drag performed quite well in dry conditions. I’d be leery if you play in wet conditions often though…which is ironic considering the amount of moisture most of Hawaii gets on an annual basis.
If I had one major gripe with the shoe, it would be traction. The waves are cool, but the performance-driven attraction is cooler.
Much improved
Compared to Olukai’s other offerings, the Mākena fits the bill as the premier golf shoe. It’s not the best golf shoe I’ve ever worn, but it’s definitely the best Olukai has put out so far, and that’s a good thing. Progress is progress, no matter how fast you get there.
As for me and my feet, Mākena won’t disrupt my current rotation. But it will stay in my closet due to my affinity for the brand and the possibility of not being able to go back to Hawaii anytime soon for a round.
Post Olukai finally made a serious golf shoe appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
