A major trend in golf shoes today is lighter, athletic shoe designs. Frequently such design choices come at the expense of stability and traction but increase comfort and aesthetics. Not every company is headed in this direction however, including the impressive start-up Sqairz. In a world of companies eager to say “me too” with product offerings, Sqairz is different. Different by design.
One look at Sqairz’s Arrow design and you will notice one major departure from common golf shoes, but before we address the big, square-shaped elephant in the room I would love to address the rest first. Yes, the toe is square and that design choice is quite different. Heck, it is even a little jarring the first time you wear them, but we have to move past that so we don’t lose sight of what Sqairz has done right here. Don’t worry, I’ll get back to the square toe before too long.
Great, with that aside we can look at the real story, at least in my eyes, which is the Torque Generation System (TGS) outsole. If you have been paying attention to any of the modern swing coaches and their teaching ethos, using the ground is critical and is not just for the tour players. Because using the ground can be the key to unlocking extra speed and distance, doesn’t it make sense that your shoes should maximize your ability to grip the ground?
The Sqairz TGS outsole is pretty darn impressive at gripping the ground. The soft spikes are strategically located at key locations, mainly the pressure points throughout the swing but the grip isn’t merely a function of the soft spikes. Much like modern spikeless designs, the outsole also features deep well-positioned, permeant treads that work in conjunction with the soft spikes. Together, the combination of the spikeless-like treads and soft spikes deliver impressive grip and traction to the ground. Certainly, the grip is better than the shoes I have been using for the last year (although I will protect the names of the innocent here).
The Sqairz shoe is also designed to be stable and have (for a lack of a better word) a substantial footprint. As a result of the wide design and sturdy materials, the Sqairz shoes are surprisingly supportive in the ankle throughout the swing and promote a well-balanced finish more than typical golf shoes. I cannot say they will fix your balance issues because they likely will not, but the wider forefoot area did promote a more balanced finish when I swung hard. If you take anything away from this review, remember these things.
Alright, I promised to get back to that toe so let’s get back into the square toe. According to Sqairz, the square toe design “allows the toes to spread and sit naturally in the shoes which enables the feet to experience full range of motion, unparalleled comfort, and feel for the ground.” What I can say for sure is that the extra toe room will certainly be a welcome addition for golfers with wider feet. But the square design can also prove useful as a legal training aid of sorts on the course. Or as Sqairz calls it, equipment for your feet.
On full swings, it is very easy to see if your feet are open, closed, or square by only looking down. Even if you flare your feet, like I do, you can square up originally and then flare. It takes adjustment and attention but it just might help you figure things out when the wheels come off the bus mid-round. On the greens, the Sqairz square toe can be useful to see when your setup is a little off or when your face is not perpendicular to your foot line. It is the little things that you can choose to use mid-round. Or not – your choice.
Finally, I have to hand it to Sqairz and their design team because they paid attention to the little details. This isn’t all that surprising given the impressive leadership team, which includes past PGA Presidents, highly accomplished footwear designers, and seasoned business executives. While the insole design is very comfortable, the real highlight of the little details has to be Sta-Put laces that are unlike anything I’ve seen before. The rubber-like bumps on the laces grab the eyelets to hold and lock the laces in place. As a result, even if your laces loosen during the round (or you are a savage that doesn’t tie your golf shoes… you know who you are), the Sta-Put laces will still be holding tight and remain in place. Pretty darn clever, Sqairz.
Of course, the looks of the Arrow design certainly will not be for everyone and, in my humble opinion, the upper design leaves plenty to be desired but the rest of the shoe demands attention. I implore you all to follow along in the forum as I continue to update everyone on my experience with the Sqairz shoes as golf courses open up following the quarantine. My time with the Sqairz was far less than I would commonly prefer before a review but they undoubtedly will remain in the rotation for the 2020 season based on what I have seen so far. You can find the forum discussion here, or you can learn more about the Sqairz brand at https://sqairz.com/
Very helpful. Appreciate that!
? I don’t think anyone said they do.
Haha. Correct. At the same time, the analogy works kind of. Rough balance or stability in the car or cart, first thing to look at would be the tires.
Unlike Tiger, I don’t wear a lot of red so the White with Navy is better for me than the original White with Red. Unlike a lot of Navy that can be so dark as to be almost black, the "blue" in this shoe definitely comes through. The Gray with the Gray I see as an improvement over the Gray with Blue as I think they can be worn with more colors for those that like to look "stylish" on the course.
I think this brings to six the number of color options they have. It is always nice to have choices. I just really love these shoes and even that little bit of "non-conformity" that the square toe brings.
I don’t buy any of that marketing on gaining distance unless they are using a sample size that includes people who are swinging out of their shoes in very poor gripping shoes compared to these. I didn’t (and still haven’t) see any distance gains that were noticeable. The stability and grip in these are fantastic – maybe among the best I’ve experienced – but distance claims are suspect to me.
These are still in my rotation and when the weather gets worse, these come out. They are heavy and stay on the bench when its nearly 100 degrees because I walk my rounds.
I haven’t seen much stretching.
I’m going to agree.
If you just put these shoes on instead of your FJs or Addidas or any other golf shoe you might wear, and swing as you always have, then, "No" you won’t see any added distance. If you are someone who is already swinging at your max speed, you won’t necessarily see anything added either. However, if you use the greater ground connectivity and traction to your advantage and swing a little faster than you normally do (still staying in control!) then you might just realize the claimed distance gains. I have.
That’s really cool that it’s helping you like that. Better ground connectivity will always be better for speed vs less!
I would order a 9.5
Add another 30 percent or so in CDN dollars so not cheap, but no more than buying another pair of Ecco Biom Goretex here thatr are wide enough, but really not that comfortable walking. I prefer spikes anyway for replacement virtue and stability.
The new shoes still may fight for a place with my old stock and inexpensive Footjoy ContourFit ones (2 pairs) that aso far are the most comfy I’ve probably ever had. Others I speak with who I see (still) wearing them seem to agree with me.
For what it’s worth:
SQAIRZ Golf Shoes – The New Shape of Innovation?
tinyurl.com
Curious what kid of socks you wear? I haven’t had any blister issues and that normally comes from rubbing.
The wider toe box of SQAIRZ Golf Shoes provides additional room for your feet to sit naturally. This unique design will most likely translate to you choosing a size slightly smaller; if you’re between sizes definitely choose the smaller of the two sizes.
I liked the looks of the shoe but the foundation was just too tight in the area in the forefoot, across the balls of my feet. Could not see how they could stretch enough to work. And might be hot even if they did fit better. Expensive experiment with shipping both ways to/from Canada, currency exchange, taxes assessed, $13 restocking fee.
Still looking, several days ago I picked up spiked model Ecco Biom G3 Gore Tex (not Boa) in Euro 42 ( 8-8.5 US). More expensive than the Sqairz. I have worn (and do wear) Biom walking shoes in 42, though current models seem a bit more narrow. The soft Yak leather and good support are great. The G3 golf shoes fit just slightly wider. I wore them the next day for 18 holes (I did not remove the outer insole for extra width) and they were just fine for the round for comfort and great support. The Yak leather should mold for even better comfort after another round or two. As I mentioned earlier in this thread I already have Ecco G2 spikeless Gore Tex. But I prefer spiked for stability plus the spikeless felt a bit harsh to me underfoot…the G3 spiked felt better in both respects.
I believe it was Golf Monthly in the UK that mentioned the G3 design collects less mud and grass than usual with spiked shoes. I found that to be true especially at the front of the shoe. Attached is a pic after just a very quick brush post-round in the parking lot.
I might also mention that though Ecco GoreTex are waterproof, it’s the inner lining. One should still use a quality Gore Tex suitable waterproofer on the leather, such as Ecco’s own Repel. Helps keep dirt off too.
View attachment 8970828
I see the problem – Nick Faldo as Investor. I haven’t looked closely at these shoes, but if experience teaches us anything, it’s that Nick will be gone in a flash. Good luck to them if the product works. I can’t do really wide toe boxes any more as my big toes get bruised moving around too much.
I invested in True Linkswear by buying 3 pairs this summer and experimented with Athalonz – another shoe claiming extra yardage. We will see.
But good luck – people often judge a golf shoe a lot by its looks – so SQAIRZ starts with a disadvantage even if they offer added performance.
They are not THAT wide! The toe is just squared off instead of typically rounded.
As far as looks, not everyone has the same tastes so anyone is welcome to think they look ugly or terrible. I’ve always bought shoes in the past based on looks, price or color and didn’t realize until I got my first pair of Sqairz what I was missing in my game. I’m old so I think wearing a baseball cap backwards looks terrible. To each his own.
Don’t buy them? I’m not sure what most of this have to do with the shoes but they are expensive and aren’t for everyone.
The comfort and tech certainly make them feel worth it. With carts being eliminated for the next few months at my home course, these will get tested with quite a bit of walking shortly!
There are plenty of models of golf shoes that sell for $200 or more these days. Typically one can find a discount code that takes $20 off the cost of Sqairz. And @carl Lazar you have it bass ackwards about recommended sizing.
@annsguy the additional width of the shoe helps provide more balance and stability and the sole traction is outstanding but just putting the shoes on won;t add distance. Those features enable one, should on choose, to perhaps swing a little bit faster being confident that one is not going to "slip" while putting in that extra effort. That is where any added distance will come from.
I’ve been playing golf for over 60 years and have worn all manner of golf shoes going back to metal spikes and I think these are the best I’ve ever worn for a variety of reasons.
View attachment 8977233
Just curious, did you get the shoes customized through Squirz or somewhere else?
I just watched this. He kills it every time.. haha.
Faldo used to endorse a product that you stood on a board and it showed you how your feet should be facing. He also said it would not off strokes.
Amazes me how a six time major champion endorses products that are ****. Faldo are you that hard up for money.
Get real!
They are quite stable and comfortable, I know what you mean on the weight, and when I first got them all I did was ride in them, but I’ve walked in them since and I didn’t feel fatigue after walking, maybe because they’re so stable my feet aren’t working as hard, just a guess.