Here at The Hackers Paradise we have been on a little bit of a golf shoe kick as of late. We seem to be reviewing just about every line that comes out and enjoying quite a few of them. However since the 2009 PGA Merchandise Show, no shoe was on our radar to review more than the PUMA Swing Crown GTX. Since we got the chance to review the PUMA belts last year we have become extremely fond of everything PUMA Golf. The company offers sleek styling, amazing, comfort, and overall good quality. As I mentioned before, at the PGA Show this year we got a private showing of showing of what to expect from this brand in 2009. The shoes from looks alone blew us away. There are very few people that get as excited about golf shoes as we do, but what can we say, it’s a sickness.
After the show we begged and pleaded until a pair of shoes was sent to us to review. I think our friends at PUMA did it more to stop hearing from us than anything else. In all seriousness, we contacted them and they were happy to send a pair over for us to cover. There were so many things that stuck out to me with these shoes from appearance and fact sheets alone, that I just could not wait to see if all this technology made a difference on the course. But I must say that if 1st appearance means anything (and we all know it does), these shoes were headed in the right direction.
Now as most of our readers know, I am golf shoe fanatic. As crazy as it sounds, I relate it to Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, fashion dictates comfort! But it seems more and more with the new lines being released you can have your cake and eat it too. But with golf shoes at the higher end of the price scale, I have come to expect certain things in return. Here is what PUMA has to say about this line of their shoes.
Royalty on the greens. With our innovative Smart Quill technology, that features a two year durability guarantee on the Quills, this updated version of the Swing GTX adds power to your game. A super lightweight golf shoe, it has a fiber glass outsole that is unique for the left and right feet and a synthetic microfiber upper with a two year GORE-TEX waterproof warranty so that you can rule – even in the rain. Additionally, a TPU reinforcement cage offers support as well as a seamless effect. Use your power wisely.
For the purposes of this review we will start with style, then comfort, and then go into technology. As I mentioned previously, our first impressions were pretty spectacular. The shoes look great! They are classic looking but definitely have added some modern flare. I have never been one to really enjoy just a solid colored shoe, so the added silver really adds a pop and makes matching it with apparel work even better. I am also really glad to see a company use regular shoe laces. I cannot stand those compaines that use these thin, wire type of laces that never stay tied. The first day we headed to the golf course and I must say I was surprised that both the head teaching professional and a fellow member commented on the PUMA Swing Crown GTX shoes before my round even began.
For most golfers, comfort is far more important than style in a golf shoe. And while I believe that is preposterous, we do not write these reviews for me, we write them for everybody else. (I’m joking by the way) The PUMA Swing Crown GTX has you covered either way though. The little things stand out in these shoes that make you want to wear them all the time. The built in tongue of the shoe never moves, and therefore never has any discomfort. The soles of the shoe are quite “cushiony” to help with foot exhaustion. But more importantly to me in all of that was the fact these golf shoes are EXTREMELY LIGHT WEIGHT. I hate to admit this, but I really have enjoyed wearing the sneaker style golf shoe in recent weeks because of just how light they are. Well, these shoes from PUMA have the same light weight and I do not have to sacrifice anything in the style department. Just how comfortable are they? I have played five rounds of golf in them and are so in love with both the style and comfort, I just went last weekend and bought a new pair of PUMA running shoes.
So now we get into the technical side of everything. The Swing Crown GTX golf shoe is made up of Gore-Tex which is a waterproof and breathable fabric that is being used more and more in top of the line outerwear and shoes because of just how well is performs and how durable it is. It actually rained on us during one round and no where on this shoe did water leak to the inside. That is very important for somebody like me because most of my rounds are early morning when the ground is still damp. But the technical side everybody wants to know about are of course the “Smart Quills”. The technology behind it is fascinating, and I love the fact that they last for 2 full years if not longer. The “Quills” are positioned at different angles and facing different directions to actually aid your traction during a golf swing. The right and left shoes have these Quills in different spots and facing different directions. I love the idea and the tech behind it, but I question how it will work with left handed golfers. But for me (right handed) I thought the traction and support WERE actually superior to my regular spikes. In fairness to PUMA there is a lot more technology packed into this shoe, but I not sure I understand most of it. But the key points for me were the Gore-Tex and the Smart Quills. Both did extremely well.
Overall, I felt as though the PUMA Swing Crown GTX lived up to the hype that we heard at the PGA Show. The MSRP is around $275.00, so they are not the cheapest shoe out there, however if you are looking for that go to pair that has it all, you have to give these a strong look. Style, Comfort, and Technology make this one shoe that must be reckoned with. For more information on PUMA Golf products check out PUMA Golf’s Blog. Lots of great information there about all of their players and products.
Till Next Time
Josh B.
