A few months ago we introduced you to a brand called Royal Albartross and detailed their history and what makes them unique in this Brand Story. This all started in some ways as a personal search for incredible footwear outside of the norm you see week in and week out.

This has led to the Royal Albartross Bond Navy golf shoes and after several months of trial, we want to share some information. The company description.
From London with love. The Bond Navy’s crocodile print Italian Napa leather delivers luxuriously understated quality, a refresh of the popular Croco style it’s been shaken but not stirred. The new ultra-soft neoprene heel sections and a contoured leather-covered footbed wrap the wearers feet in unrivalled comfort. The result is a handcrafted sneaker that refreshes a classic look.

Unlike the vast majority of footwear in the golf space, the Royal Albartross Bond is handmade in Italy and the Navy pair (there are other style and color options) features a faux croc-like effect on the Blue Napa leather upper. Moving towards the heel of the shoe, you notice a fairly high accent, and at first glance might think “not going to like that firmness on the achilles area”. The designers thought this through and this portion of the shoe is a super soft neoprene and almost envelopes that area with cushion.
The footbed is contoured leather and at first pass is a bit firm, but softens up almost immediately, and after walking around the office in them for 10 minutes, the Royal Albartross Bond was extremely comfortable. The exterior features the same attention to detail as the rest of the shoe. The VIBRAM Pro Golf rubber outsole is edged in white and offers really good support for a spikeless offering. In fact, early on you might not even realize these are not spiked.

So how do they fit? Starting this off with sizing, they are pretty true to size. If I was in between sizes, I would opt to drop smaller, but otherwise my typical 11.5 order fits here. The heel is nice and snug with no movement eliminating any thoughts of blisters or discomfort, and the toe bed is one of the best we have tested to date. Wider than typical without offering that complete clown shoe type of look, overall the shoe feels as though it was made for me. It wasn’t, this isn’t a custom option, but probably as close to one as I have found in the premium space.
Can a golf shoe have performance? While that is debatable (not to us), one thing we like to discuss is not just slipping them on and how they fit, but how they handle rounds of golf. So far they have gone through several including extremely cold temperatures during a trip to the Dormie Club in NC when it was low 30s and windy, as well as higher heat and humidity when using them here in FL. We had virtually no discomfort or swell in the higher heat and the shoes surprisingly enough being leather offered some breathability. In the colder weather, there was also zero issue and the wider footbed didn’t become too wide (some do) from the lack of swelling of the feet.

The spikeless design is really well done. Not a single slip since donning them and yet still have a closer to the ground like feeling. One thing to note on wearing them more and more, the sole design really forms to the foot and becomes extremely comfortable the more you wear them.
The Royal Albartross Bond Navy is not a bargain basement shoe. The cost is just over $300 and because of that, we want absolutely fantastic across the board. Did they hit those marks? Honestly, they did. But more so when thinking about the Royal Albartross shoes we own and that includes this pair, the dedication to durability with no sacrifice in comfort is what makes these stand out.
To pick up a pair, check out World Wide Golf Shops as they have a great selection and you can find them all here.
World Wide also features a fairly large selection from Royal Albartross and to shop all of the styles, click here.
Good write up [USER=3]@JB[/USER]
Those are beautiful shoes and the Vibram sole is interesting for a golf shoe. Most manufacturers do not invest in top quality soles like that. Have you walked any rounds in them yet?
[QUOTE=”DataDude, post: 11244291, member: 47057″]
Good write up [USER=3]@JB[/USER]
Those are beautiful shoes and the Vibram sole is interesting for a golf shoe. Most manufacturers do not invest in top quality soles like that. Have you walked any rounds in them yet?
[/QUOTE]
Yes, and played multiple others. One thing that stands out is they remind me of my favorite pair of dress shoes I used to have when I had to wear a suit to work. In that the more you wear them, the more they envelope to your foot and become even more comfortable. Especially around the top and heel.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 11244296, member: 3″]
Yes, and played multiple others. One thing that stands out is they remind me of my favorite pair of dress shoes I used to have when I had to wear a suit to work. In that the more you wear them, the more they envelope to your foot and become even more comfortable. Especially around the top and heel.
[/QUOTE]
That’s been my experience with hiking shoes with a Vibram sole as well. ? These are on the list for my 2022 shoe purchase. Blue shoes always get me in the feels.
Those shoes look amazing. The heel “tech” if that’s what it is called also sounds very well thought out. These will be very nice.
That just looks like a well constructed shoe. You could easily go from course to dinner at the clubhouse too. Love the handmade aspect.
Great review. I’m a shoe dog. Been a footwear rep forever. The quality, fit and materials are awesome. Love the leather and just the overall package. I’d wear them as my everyday shoes if they weren’t $300. I don’t mention the price as a negative. They’re worth it!! It’s just a ton for a golf shoe.
I have way too many golf shoes already, but now I might need to add another pair. Nice article JB.
Those look really good. The price is actually really solid for a handmade premium shoe.
Good looking shoes
classy looking shoes and nice to see grip in spikeless that looks like grip for the course. aggressive and glad they perform.
great brand writeup
Nice to see that this premium shoe really performs.
Been keeping an eye out one and off for a good condition pair of the masters themed version they released of this. :unsure:
Man, I really like the looks of these shoes ?
Royal Albatross has some really nice shoes. They have a nice sale going on some older models.
I could find something to rock those white ones with.
The quality looks insane.
I probably don’t need another pair of shoes, but I have been looking at these since the first article. Now this one. I think I need to pull the trigger on these.
Size 9 or Size 12??…..they have the blue crocs for $169 thanks [USER=61009]@Deebo76[/USER]
I don’t own many sneakers but these pull double duty with being spikeless for summer rounds. I love that the quality holds up to the price point.
Thanks, [USER=3]@JB[/USER]. Appreciate the performance review. I’ll admit I’m enamored with this shoe. I love the style and dig that it performs at a high level. I can’t, however, wrap my head around 3 bills for golf shoes.
[QUOTE=”Parrot, post: 11244656, member: 48815″]
Thanks, [USER=3]@JB[/USER]. Appreciate the performance review. I’ll admit I’m enamored with this shoe. I love the style and dig that it performs at a high level. I can’t, however, wrap my head around 3 bills for golf shoes.
[/QUOTE]
It is harder. Budget Golf has a couple of pairs that are really nice right now on sale including one similar to this.
Not sure if the coupon code works, but it certainly might.
Good stuff – I always like a well made shoe. But unlike some people (not to name names), I have a lot so I would bite on sale shoes – none that Iike in my size – I will keep an eye out and see if that changes in future sales.
I really like [USER=3]@JB[/USER] ‘s point about how they feel like a well made dress shoe that molds itself to your foot – as a guy with way too many pairs of Allen Edmonds shoes (kid was a salesperson for them), I fully understand what that means. And, it’s a very high praise – in my opinion.
I am assuming with the material, they are [U]not [/U]waterproof. Is that true or am I missing that detail? [USER=3]@JB[/USER]
[QUOTE=”Scrap22, post: 11244721, member: 15054″]
I am assuming with the material, they are [U]not [/U]waterproof. Is that true or am I missing that detail? [USER=3]@JB[/USER]
[/QUOTE]
I am not sure honestly.
I can say I wore them for two dew sweeping rounds with no issues at all.
I also wore them with [USER=19877]@Mmaynard11[/USER] at Dormie Club in a complete downpour and had no issues either. But I do not have information on a warranty necessarily on that matter.
One point – not a deal breaker in any way. For me, moisture – sweat mostly?, with leather insoles, seems to stain non-cotton socks – I have only had issues like this with FootJoy Premieres where the ankle seems to touch leather (inside the shoe). No idea why or what for either, but the stains would not come out either.
Those are some very good looking shoes! I’m a big fan of shoes that can be worn on and off the course. I have two pairs of Truelinks that I rotate everyday for work.
[QUOTE=”JW Smoove, post: 11244744, member: 63219″]
One point – not a deal breaker in any way. For me, moisture – sweat mostly?, with leather insoles, seems to stain non-cotton socks – I have only had issues like this with FootJoy Premieres where the ankle seems to touch leather (inside the shoe). No idea why or what for either, but the stains would not come out either.
[/QUOTE]
Have not had anything like that with either of my pairs of Royal.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 11244776, member: 3″]
Have not had anything like that with either of my pairs of Royal.
[/QUOTE]
That is great to know – I found it really odd, and could only assume (based on comparing to all my other shoes) that it was something in the leather (FJ) that did not play well with man made materials – it was even weirder that it did not happen with cotton socks. No matter – I am happy to hear that this is not a thing with these!
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 11244743, member: 3″]
I am not sure honestly.
I can say I wore them for two dew sweeping rounds with no issues at all.
I also wore them with [USER=19877]@Mmaynard11[/USER] at Dormie Club in a complete downpour and had no issues either. But I do not have information on a warranty necessarily on that matter.
[/QUOTE]
I honestly did not know you wearing these in the downpour. Not once did I hear you mention your feet being wet.
[QUOTE=”Mmaynard11, post: 11245122, member: 19877″]
I honestly did not know you wearing these in the downpour. Not once did I hear you mention your feet being wet.
[/QUOTE]
No, they held up really well and while I brought two pairs of shoes, I definitely wanted to see how they held up. So far everything about them has been stellar and makes me want to try a few of their other styles.
great shoes – but I’m now a BOA-only golf shoe dude. Could do with more color options too.
Albartross makes some unique and good looking shoes. Been keeping an eye on them for a couple years and would like to be able to try them on somewhere.
Man, their shoes are so attractive. I need to get a pair in the future.
I dig these, I’m going to have to look at them more. The brand name always messes with my head though.
I’m going to be wearing these around town today to see how they hold up vs just on course and for dining at the club after the round.
Also want to add for those looking for a sale, World Wide has a number of options available.
[URL]https://www.worldwidegolfshops.com/royal-albartross[/URL]
Not the bond/croc, but these arrived today. Ordered Sunday arrived from GB Thursday.
Box was soaked, torn as to whether or not shoes are damp or not. As they are really cold.
Look MUCH better in hand than one line.
I hate fed ex and frankly, just about all shippers as they just do not care, usps is so so, but they are mostly dependable [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”7AE03EE7-A222-4BCB-B224-9F72802E2E40.jpeg”]9153248[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=”full” alt=”FE4A1278-7BD1-43C2-AAE8-DEEA852CF106.jpeg”]9153249[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=”full” alt=”0B843D1F-FFD2-4ED1-B078-1053F4167F4C.jpeg”]9153250[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=”full” alt=”3099F8DB-5ADD-4C34-ACCE-CF2AA2C52809.jpeg”]9153251[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=”full” alt=”2FB3F102-CA49-4545-BE13-79A902C43E7E.jpeg”]9153252[/ATTACH]
[QUOTE=”JW Smoove, post: 11258327, member: 63219″]
Not the bond/croc, but these arrived today. Pestered Sunday arrived from GB Thursday.
Box was soaked, torn as to whether or not shoes are damp or not. As they are really cold.
Look MUCH better in hand than one line.
I hate fed ex and frankly, just about all shippers as they just do not care, usps is so so, but they are mostly dependable [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”7AE03EE7-A222-4BCB-B224-9F72802E2E40.jpeg”]9153248[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=”full” alt=”FE4A1278-7BD1-43C2-AAE8-DEEA852CF106.jpeg”]9153249[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=”full” alt=”0B843D1F-FFD2-4ED1-B078-1053F4167F4C.jpeg”]9153250[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=”full” alt=”3099F8DB-5ADD-4C34-ACCE-CF2AA2C52809.jpeg”]9153251[/ATTACH][ATTACH type=”full” alt=”2FB3F102-CA49-4545-BE13-79A902C43E7E.jpeg”]9153252[/ATTACH]
[/QUOTE]
That’s pretty unfortunate about the box. But the shoes look great!
[QUOTE=”scratchgolfjourney, post: 11258337, member: 69361″]
That’s pretty unfortunate about the box. But the shoes look great!
[/QUOTE]
Yes. I don’t care abou the box, but it was mind blowing – I mean i peeled it open, what really annoyed me, was the inside (shoe box) also quite wet – but harder to show. That said the shoe bag and the wrapping paper (that is customary) seem to be dry as such clearly the outer and inner boxes absorbed the water – it just kills me that no one cares seemingly about anything anymore. The Amazoning of shipping? Get it out and let the chips fall where they may?
After WGP I jumped on their sight and saw some models on sale… I like the look, almost more as a casual shoe than a golf shoe, but could do both. I ended up buying a pair of Solstice for $130 including tax/shipping. Very excited to get these in hand and try them out later this spring.