Nike Air Zoom Advance Golf Shoes

Nike Golf has a new shoe offering for the 2011 season called the Air Zoom Advance and I was given the job of testing it out for THP’s readers. This is a Tour level shoe with quite a few pieces of technology built in. Golf shoes can be a very personal choice when it comes to look and fit, but I feel that there are some universal traits that can be of value to those doing some research on their future shoe purchases. So, to all you shoe shoppers, I’d like to invite you to take a moment and check out what I found while wearing these guys.

Technology Info from Nike Golf

The Nike Zoom Advance Men’s Golf Shoe is a refined design created for elite players. Built to maximize stability on uneven ground, this shoe has killer cushioning and a comfortable fit that feels great for 18 holes.

For a solid fit, your foot requires both cushioning and support. The Nike Zoom Advance meets these needs in a streamlined, lightweight package. A thin Nike Zoom unit in the heel provides low-profile cushioning that responds to the way you move, and along the middle of the foot, an ultra-durable, lightweight harness helps keep the foot in place. Combined, these technologies make for a secure, comfortable fit and feel.

A solid swing starts from the ground, so stability and balance are key. The Nike Power Platform at the outsole helps keep your foot planted and evenly distributes weight on uneven surfaces. The result is a smoother weight transfer and more power behind your swing.

  • Premium water-resistant full-grain leather upper for a comfortable fit
  • Midfoot harness system for lightweight support and stability
  • Nike Zoom unit in the heel for low-profile, super-responsive cushioning
  • Nike Power Platform at the outsole for better balance and a smooth weight transfer
  • Phylon at the midsole for additional lightweight cushioning
  • Scorpion Stinger Spikes strategically placed for optimal traction
  • Two-year limited waterproof warranty

Looks

The Air Zoom Advance shoes present a unique take on the classic saddle shoe look. The pair that I tested features a white/brown/black color combination that I wasn’t so sure I’d like from looking at in pictures. After taking them out of the box, that unsure feeling went away completely. The leather is nicely textured and the colors actually go together very nicely. The saddle is unique and very pleasing to the eye, especially when looking down at the shoe. I found them to be sufficiently elegant to match a dressy outfit with slacks, but sporty enough to match well with a pair of shorts. In addition, the color combination actually allowed me to wear them with many different outfits, which is handy for those folks that only have one pair of shoes. Nike put out a pretty versatile shoe in the Air Zoom Advance when it comes to looks and color.

Comfort

The best word I can think of to describe the comfort of the Air Zoom Advance shoes is plush. No other word is better suited to convey the way I feel when wearing these shoes. To start, the heel area is very supple and is covered in a fabric that reminds me of the microsuede or microfiber fabrics that are so popular right now. It’s softer than soft and covers the heel area with a great cushion. The toe area is not as pointed as many golf shoes on the market, which I found to be a great feature. As for the fit, I found it to be true to size. The Air Zoom’s were sufficiently wide and I’d even say they were a bit wider than many other golf shoes out there right now. The leather is very soft and pliable, which keeps the shoe from feeling stiff while walking. In all, these are some really, really comfortable shoes in just about every way. Recently, I wore a different pair of shoes for a practice session and found myself wishing I had the Air Zoom’s on. They just have my feet spoiled. As with any shoe, I would certainly recommend trying them on before making a purchase to ensure a good fit.

Performance

I didn’t experience any slipping while testing out the Air Zoom’s, which didn’t surprise me. They have fairly aggressive spikes and should keep you firmly planted on the ground during your swing. I’m not a big fan of feeling like I’m 2 inches off the ground, so I enjoyed the low profile sole, though I didn’t feel that I was quite as low to the ground as with some other shoes on the market. Regardless, they are a vast improvement over shoes from even just a couple years ago. Nike has given the Air Zoom’s a two-year waterproof warranty, so you can feel confident that you won’t have squishy toes during those early morning rounds on dewy grass. In all, I found these shoes to perform predictably well. I wouldn’t have expected anything else.

Final Thoughts

It’s pretty hard to put a price tag on comfort, but many of us still do. To some, these shoes will probably fall out of their price range for golf shoes with a MSRP of $250 (street price of less than $200). I can’t argue with economic choices, but I will say that if these shoes fall within the amount you’re willing to spend, you would be well advised to check them out. They are pretty much stacked with comfort and technology, along with having a great, versatile look. For more info check out Nike Golf’s website . Thanks for reading and here’s to a great 2011 golf season!

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Ryan Hawk
Editor and writer Ryan Hawk lives in northwestern Illinois with his fiance and son. He's been a writer for The Hackers Paradise for two years and has been involved with a number of THP events.
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