Bursting onto the seen, Payntr Golf is considered a disrupter of sorts. While you may not have heard about them as of yet, there is no doubt you will soon. With a background in the sport of Cricket, the story goes exactly how you would expect. Frustrated by the existing options, David Paynter decided to do something about it. You have heard this before in a number of areas, but in this instance, it isn’t cliche or hyperbole. Payntr has done exactly what they set out to do, create something unique, and since coming into the golf space they have done exactly that and their sales back it up.
Payntr is not your fly by night, buy something open sourced from overseas and stamp a label on it. It’s not a tired message of “cut out advertising and save”. It is a bonafide directive that says we are different, we think better and have the goods and pedigree to back it up. One of the co-founders is Mike Forsey, if the name doesn’t sound familiar, it’s because in the style space, unlike golf equipment R&D, this type of work goes unmentioned, but it shouldn’t. Forsey is no stranger to firsts and innovation in golf shoes. He launched the first Tiger shoe at Nike, the first Spieth shoe at Under Armor and he too wanted something better.
We will have more on the history of the brand I am sure at a future date, but for now let’s talk a bit about what they are releasing today, because it is different. Enter the Payntr X 004 RS, and yes that is not only a name that is impossible to remember, but a mouthful. Yet what it is, does, and plans to be is something you want to pay attention to.
- The First Ventilated Golf Shoe, Ever
- The First Golf Shoe with a Blister Free Heel and Blister Free Warranty
- The First Spiked Golf Shoe with Softspikes new Tour Flex Pro spike
- The First Spiked Golf Shoe with a Graphite Propulsion Plate
Before diving in on the latest tech in Payntr X 004 RS, it is important to note that this is the company’s first spiked model. It hits their website and stores today and retails for $200.
“This is a monumental moment for PAYNTR GOLF to introduce our first spiked product, leveraging the innovation Softspikes has provided golfers for decades,” says Co-founder and President of PAYNTR GOLF, Mike Forsey. “Our brand is all about delivering a footwear performance advantage to the golfer, specifically in the areas of traction and comfort. We accomplish this by focusing on the biomechanics of the golf swing and the on-course needs of the golfer.”
Let’s dive into the tech a little bit. The upper is microfiber, which is not only lightweight, but delivers flexibility while still offering support. The 3D molded heel is where things get pretty interesting. As you read above, they have a blister free guarantee, and this design hugs the back of your foot for support. The midsole is a Ventilated dual density foam that is designed to provide maximum energy return & ultimate under foot support. While that sounds great, what you will notice is comfort. The final thing I want to touch on is the graphite propulsion plate, because it does exactly what it sounds like it does. Harness ground reaction forces more effectively and combined with the new spikes, should in theory give you better stability, balance and thus speed. Can shoes make you longer? From a technical sense they absolutely can.
Is it water resistant? Yes. I wouldn’t say it will be the most waterproof shoe you encounter, but it isn’t designed to be. Neverwet superhydrophobic solution offers a non-wicking moisture protection.
There are a couple of other things I want to mention that stood out to me as I went over the shoe with a fine toothed comb. The footbed is an open cell foam so it compresses less than 5%. What this means is it has the cushion you want, but it never changes. Lastly, have you ever noticed current golf shoes either have no tongue and you are jamming your foot in there and hope for a snug fit, or a tongue that curls a bit and drives you crazy? The Payntr X 004 RS tongue offers stretch in that area to be lightweight, yet still be extremely stable.
This all sounds great, but we know our audience and what it comes down to is comfort and looks. Having not yet tried on a pair of the Payntr X 004 RS I have no comment as of yet, but the Payntr X 001 F fit true to size and were extremely comfortable. No reason to believe the sizing has changed dramatically with their first spiked pair. As to the style, we want to hear from you. What do you think of the looks? Leave us a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
The new Payntr X 004 RS hits stores today with a price tag of $200 and you can find them directly on their website at www.payntrgolf.com.
