The 8 Best Golf Shoes for Walking

Golf shoes have come a long way in recent years. If you’re looking for the best golf shoes for walking, that's good and bad news. The good news is you have more great options to choose from today than ever before. The bad news is, it’s harder than ever to narrow it down to a single pair. 

I hand (foot?) tested eight different golf shoes this year alone, and have life-tested about a dozen different golf shoes over the last two golf seasons. Each and every time I was blown away by the comfort, stability, and performance of the latest golf shoes, which is a testament to the state of golf shoes as whole today.

I also happen to be a die-hard walker. Unless a course or the conditions are downright unwalkable, you’ll find me hoofing my way around the course. So when it comes to the best golf shoes for walking, I’ve got you covered.

These are my picks as the best golf shoes for walking, including my recommendations for the best overall, best value, best waterproof, and best spiked golf shoes for walking.

Yes, every golf shoe I tested this year had me oohing and aahhing over the comfort, but perhaps none moreso than the Payntr X 003 F shoes I tested this fall. 

I pulled these straight out of the box, onto my feet, and strolled to the first tee, and couldn’t have had a more enjoyable experience walking the course. The reason I like them so much for walking – beyond that superior comfort – is because they’re lightweight, breathable, and despite only technically being water-resistant (no actual waterproof warranty), they had no problem keeping my socks and feet dry on a muddy, soggy, New England fall morning. Even in the most ideal golf conditions – for me that’s 75 and sunny on a mid-summer evening, but to each their own – you’re going to encounter some moisture here and there on the golf course. With the X 003 F from Payntr, you won’t have to worry about it.

The spikeless outsole made for an easy walk, and still provided all the stability I need. 

The only downside to these shoes, which I mentioned earlier, is that they’re not actually waterproof. While the NeverWet superhydrophobic solution does help keep you dry and comfortable on the course, there are more advanced golf shoes if you want a pair you can wear in the wettest conditions.

Pros:

• Superior comfort even by today’s high standards
• Lightweight
• Water-resistant material performs well in mildly wet conditions

Cons:

• Water-resistant, but not waterproof

I’m comfortable saying the ECCO Biom H4 is the best all-around golf shoe I’ve ever worn. Whether you’re walking the course on a 90-plus degree summer afternoon or slogging around in a questionable late-fall or early spring mudfest, the ECCO Biom H4 is up to the task. I’m honestly still confused how a golf shoe can be so breathable, yet waterproof at the same time, but I guess that’s why I just wear them and review them.

ECCO uses GORE-TEX (which is why the’re so waterproof) and backs these shoes with an unmatched 3-year waterproof warranty. The translation behind that robust warranty is that these shoes are built to last. Meanwhile, the spikeless MTN GRIP outsole gives the best footing of any spikeless golf shoe I’ve tested, and is more than enough stability for my moderate swing speed, regardless of the conditions. That’s part of what makes these such a great golf shoe for walking, because if you’re a dedicated walker like me, you can rely on these shoes in literally any conditions without worrying about wet feet, hot feet, uncomfortable feet, or slipping.

Pros:

• Excellent all-around golf shoe
• 3-year waterproof warranty is the best among golf shoes
• Built to last several golf seasons
• Best traction/turf interaction of any spikeless shoe we’ve tested

Cons:

• Style may not excite all golfers
• Premium price point

Skechers aimed to make the perfect golf shoe for walking with the Go Golf Elite 5 Slip-In, and nailed the assignment. The Elite 5 Slip-In is very lightweight and breathable, yet waterproof and supportive, with just the right amount of traction for your typical round of golf.

The slip-in feature is great for busy golfers who head directly from the office to the first tee. Even if you hit some showers or trek through a wet course, the waterproof body will keep your feet dry throughout the round.

On top of that, the style is clean and safe (if not anything to write home about) and the price, at a little north of $100, is a bargain for the quality you get. 

If you’re the type of golfer who’s constantly rushing to the first tee or trying to sneak in as much golf as possible before the sun goes down, and need a comfortable and reliable shoe to get you through almost any course conditions, you won’t be disappointed with the Skechers Elite 5 Slip-In.

Pros:

• Ease of a slip in
• Waterproof yet breathable
• Lightweight and flexible for satisfying comfort

Cons:

• Stability could suffer during the wettest rounds

The PUMA Ignite Fasten8 is one of the best golf shoes forwalking, period. The fact that you can usually snatch a pair for under $75 just happens to be a huge bonus, and the reason these shoes get our Best Value tag in this category.

First off, they’re (in my opinion) among the best-looking golf shoe you can get today. PUMA pulls off the classic saddle look in a modern shoe incredibly well, and with plenty of color combinations to choose from, there’s definitely a look that will compliment your on-course style.

Second of all, these shoes function great on your feet, delivering the performance of shoes that cost double, or more, what you pay for these. They’re lightweight, breathable, and soft on your feet. They’re also waterproof, with a one-year waterproof warranty.

Even though the Ignite Fasten8 is waterproof (for one year), with the mesh area above the toe and the lighter-duty spikeless outsole, I’d stop short of wearing them in anything more than light to moderate rain. With that said, however, in roughly 10 rounds walking with these shoes, I never slipped or experienced wet feet.

Pros:

• Blend of modern and classic style
• Best value you can find in a great golf shoe for walking
• Plenty of color options available

Cons:

• Sizes may run long, consider a half-size smaller than your normal size, especially if you are typically between sizes
• Not ideal for the wettest conditions

Take one look at the TRUE LUX Hybrid and you can see why they’re a popular option among walking golfers. The classic saddle over a modern-looking shoe is a distinct look that most golfers gravitate towards. And while the knit upper looks like it’s strictly built for comfort, these shoes are actually waterproof, complete with an impressive 2-year warranty. 

The outsole is tour-quality – the Lux Hybrid is literally worn on the PGA TOUR – giving all the validation you need that these shoes can keep even the fastest-swingers grounded, and provide plenty of comfort for walking 18 holes.

They’re also available in six different styles, so whether you prefer a classic look like the brown leather saddle over a cream-colord shoe (my personal favorite), or something more edgy like the Dead Golfer edition (a close second for me), you have plenty of options.

Pros:

• 2 year waterproof warranty
• Several exquisite color combinations
• Highly regarded for comfort

Cons:

• Premium pricepoint

I’ll be straightforward here, our inclusion of the Jordan 1 Low golf shoes on this list is a departure from what earned the other seven shoes a spot on this list.

What I mean by that is, while most reasonable people who are looking for the best golf shoes for walking think of extreme comfort, stability and traction as top priorities (they’d be right), and this shoe does not check those boxes.

So why include it?

Because it checks a different set of boxes that are just as important to a small but fierce group of people, our sneakerhead friends.

These are the first spikeless Jordan golf shoes, and with the classic Jordan 1 look, you can wear these on or off the course.

Yes, they’re comfortable enough to walk 18 holes in, but after the final putt, you’ll probably be ready to slip something else on those feet. If you want to walk the course in these shoes regularly, consider a custom insole for extra comfort.

They do provide enough traction to get some wear on Tour, but again, it isn’t hard to find golf shoes that win head-to-head in this category.

The bottom line is, if you want Jordan 1 Lows that you can realistically play golf in, then yes, these are absolutely the golf shoes for you. If you want the absolute best golf shoes for walking, then no, these are not the golf shoes for you.

Pros:

• Classic Jordan Low look in a functional golf shoe
• Suitable on or off the course
• Plenty of high-demand color combinations

Cons:

• Lacks the comfort and stability of an elite golf shoe

If you want the best golf shoe for walking and you want a spiked shoe, the Skechers Go Golf Pro 5 Hyper is my top recommendation. 

There are two types of golfers out there: those who own one pair of golf shoes, and those who own more than they can count. If you’re in the first category, you need that single pair of shoes to handle the best and worst conditions you play in all year long, and you probably need that pair to be spiked. The Pro 5 Hyper is also a great option for golfers who want a really good spiked shoe for walking a round in less than ideal conditions.

The Pro 5 Hyper packs all the comfort you’d expect from a brand that established itself on its walking shoes. The bottom is more comfortable than the upper, but overall, they feel great for walking. On top of that, the seemingly impenetrable build protects your feet from whatever elements you encounter on the golf course. Finally, with a spiked outsole, you never have to worry about losing your balance or slipping, not even from a muddy, downhill lie (trust me, I tried).

Sure, they may not win any style awards, but after you feel the performance benefits, you probably won’t care.

Pros:

• Excellent traction in very wet and muddy conditions
• Better waterproof warranty than most golf shoes

Cons:

• Style leaves something to be desired

FootJoy has one of the best reputations for quality, comfortable golf shoes, so it’s no surprise they make an appearance on our list of the best golf shoes for walking. 

We love the FJ Flex because, in addition to being lauded for the comfort FootJoy is known for, these shoes perform great for walking the course, particularly in dry, summer conditions. At under $100, they’re also a great value from a trustworthy brand.

That said, when you run into wet or muddy conditions, consider swapping in your all-weather golf shoes. Or, if you like the Flex but need the assurance of a waterproof shoe, check out the FootJoy Flex XP. The XP is the same basic shoe as the Flex, but with a bonded membrane in the upper and a one-year waterproof warranty.

Pros:

• Comfortable for walking all day
• Great for dry conditions
• Great value from a reputable brand

Cons:

• Not ideal for muddy or wet conditions