I am probably not going out on a limb saying that New Balance is not one of the top brands that come to mind when thinking about golf shoes. Many of us recognize their styles as top-notch running shoes or classic lifestyle offerings. Being that they are a significant player in the running space, it only makes sense that we see some of their cushioning technologies bleed over to their golf lineup. After all, golfers spend a lot of time on their feet, making it necessary to have a shoe that provides comfort and stability. For 2022, New Balance has brought their Fresh Foam X technology from the track to the links with the new Fresh Foam X Defender and Defender SL shoes.
Fresh Foam X is New Balance’s premium collection that delivers an ultra-cushioned feel that is responsive and lightweight. These shoes certainly do not lack technology as they benefit from Cush+ and FantomFit. Cush+ is New Balance’s insole foam compound that will help keep the foot feeling fresh throughout the round. The FantomFit helps provide that lightweight structured and secure fit for the shoe’s upper part.
For their golf department, New Balance has three different lasts, which is the form that helps create the shape of each shoe. Defender and Defender SL shoes are built off the PW-1 last, offering a more performance fit. The other two lasts are the MX-001 and the SL-2, representing a relaxed and lifestyle fit. New Balance focuses on four general areas of fit when creating their shoes, and with the Defender models, the fits are standard within the heel, shallower for toe box depth, a lower instep height, and a wider toe bed.
Trying on the Fresh Foam X Defender shoes for the first time, the word that came to mind was comfort. I could quickly feel the softness of the insole, which I enjoyed. These shoes also have a form-fitting tongue, which comfortably hugs the top part of my foot, helping make this design feel secure. My only complaint about these shoes in the early stages is that the upper part of the toe section feels overly stiff. In reality, it’s probably more noticeable than other shoes because of the shallower depth of the toe box. Over time, I imagine this area would soften up, rendering this a non-issue. For sizing, the fit is true to size. I have several New Balance running shoes, and they match the size I would typically wear but are also on par with other brands’ shoes.
New Balance has gone with an Exoskeleton TPU design for the outsole made to respond to the foot’s natural motion. There are also seven removable soft spikes on the sole that offers plenty of traction. These spikes utilize Softspikes FastTwist 3.0 technology, making it easy to replace when the time comes.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Defender shoes come in two different colorways, White/Grey and Black/Red. Meanwhile, there are three color options for the spikeless option, the Defender SL, white/grey, grey/blue, and black. Both Fresh Foam X models offer a 2-year waterproof warranty.
As you can tell, from the inside out, these new Fresh Foam X Defender shoes are made for both comfort and performance. What do you think of the latest shoes from New Balance? Will the Fresh Foam X Defender get you to think twice about New Balance when it comes time to pick up your next pair of golf shoes? Let us know your thoughts either below or on the THP Community!
The Details:
Available: Today
Price: Defender $129.95
Defender SL $119.95
