What does the future of golf shoes look like?
Oakley seems to have a good idea.
yes, that Oakley. of brand that makes arguably the best golf glasses. The reason they have been so dominant in the sunglasses space is their willingness to stay on the cutting edge of design and technology.
And if Oakley is willing to do this with glasses, why can’t they do the same with golf shoes?
At least, that’s the thought. Sounds good in theory, but not all about it Oakley Edge Elite it’s a success story.
What I liked
The first thing I noticed (and you noticed) was the futuristic design language of the Edge Elite. It’s a golf shoe that looks like no other golf shoe (well, outside of the iconic Edge I wrote about a few years ago).
It’s on the edge. It is unique. It’s brave. And I dig it.
I love walking up to the course without the fear that my playing partner has the same shoes as me. In a game that can often place an emphasis on uniformity and conformity, I like to stand out with my shoes.
The futuristic design features two key elements that I’m a big fan of: the shroud/closure system and the POD pull system.
Both are pretty self-explanatory, but both serve a purpose. Zippered shroud provides water resistance. The cinch-style lacing closure acts as a quick way to lock the leg in place. This system makes the Edge Icon one of the most comfortable golf shoes I’ve worn in a while.
The POD traction system (or those big, silly-looking bumps on the outsole) are more than just a fashion feature. It’s actually a pretty useful studless outsole. It works better than it looks (trust me on that one).
It won’t be a world beater when it comes to control, but it gets the job done.
The POD traction system also works as a pusher in a way, providing extra width and stability at the base of the shoe. Consider me impressed.
What I didn’t like
The biggest gripe I have with the Oakley Edge Elite is the weight. He is a painful boy, for lack of better terms. “Clunky” isn’t the right way to describe the Edge Elite experience because they’re actually quite smooth to ride.
But the two things I like best (the shroud and the POD pull) are probably what make the Edge Elite so heavy.
And in a game where fatigue is an enemy, I don’t know that I’d ever go more than nine holes on Edge Elite.
Take it for what it’s worth. Not everyone is a walker. Not every shoe is designed for walking. And this certainly works better as a casual round or round shoe than a pair of pressure tourers.
What do you think?
Have your say. Is the Oakley Edge Elite on your hit list? Or are you overlooking this? Leave a comment and let me know.
