Over the past few years, a hot new shoe brand has taken the golf footwear world by storm: Payntr. Hearing rumors of plush comfort paired with high-level stability and versatility, I’d been intrigued to find out for myself if these shoes live up to their reputation as one of the best all-around footwear options in the game.
As one of the most extensively covered shoe brands on WiscoGolfAddict, Contributing Writer Troy Giljohann has already explored the ecosystem of Payntr, including their spiked and spikeless options, providing an in-depth look at the range of options offered by this dynamic brand. Note, all original photography in this article was captured by Troy.
So, when the opportunity came knocking to review a pair of Payntr shoes, I was all in.
The X002’s
This spikeless option appealed to me as someone who values comfort and versatility more than stability. While the X002 F version is no longer listed on Payntr’s website, you can read all about the X002 LE’s to get a sense of their general specs.
Arriving at the beginning of another long Wisconsin winter, I had to wait several months to fully test the X002’s on turf. It was a shame, as the sleek, white leather look made me yearn to get back on the course with a rejuvenated hop in my step.
I couldn’t have picked a better spot to try them out, though, sporting my shiny new kicks at the Cabot Citrus Farms Media Day in January. We played 39 holes that day, most of them in a cart, and it proved to be a manageable day to break in new shoes. To make matters even better, the comfort of my Payntrs surpassed their lofty reputation as the advanced technology and design underlying the X002’s provided best-in-class cushioning. I felt like I was gliding down the fairways, with an athletic feel providing me the confidence to fully harness the power of the ground in my swing.
The cutting-edge materials and design of Payntr’s shoes allow for an athletic swing and great traction without sacrificing comfort. Their signature Dual Density PMX Foam™️ Midsole and Full-Grain Leather Upper combine to yield great cushioning that makes walking the course feel like a piece of cake.
Perhaps the area of performance I’ve been most impressed with in my Payntr’s has been traction. As a lifelong spikeless shoe wearer, ample traction has always been a struggle to find. Not so with my X002’s, as I’ve had better traction in them than any shoe I can remember. The TPU Outsole of the shoe provides exceptional grab and stability through impact, enabling a more athletic turn through the ball with added power.
Usually comfort comes at the cost of performance. For me in particular, I’ve tended to perform poorly in heavier shoes. The X002’s have a heavier feel than most I’ve worn recently, so I came in a bit apprehensive about how they’d perform. However, the superior traction combined with a graphite propulsion plate has allowed me to use the ground as a weapon, generating more power while still having enough flexibility to make my normal pivot move.
These shoes are also highly water-resistant with a Neverwet™️ superhydrophobic solution. While I only have a handful of rounds under my belt in Payntrs, several of them have come in muddy, early spring Wisconsin conditions and my feet have emerged bone dry in every round.
The icing on the cake for Payntr is exceptional style: white leather paired with the distinguished X-shaped logo is a look that screams high-end golfer with exquisite taste. I have never been a shoe buff, but I’ve already gotten many compliments on the look of my Payntrs.
The one drawback I’ve encountered with the X002’s has been width. As I’ve written before, I have very wide feet that usually require EE sizing. Payntr shoes only come in a more common C/D wide option, and while the flexible materials expand outward to accommodate moderately wide feet, I’ve still felt constrained at the sides of my feet at times. While this may prompt me to only wear my X002’s every so often this season in favor of wider everyday shoes, my width problem is quite extreme and should not bother the average person.
The Trainer X001’s
Meanwhile, Troy has also been testing a new offering from Payntr, the Trainer X001’s. These shoes fill an often overlooked role in your golf game: training. The look and feel of the Trainer X001’s is similar to that of a golf shoe but they are specifically designed to enhance the aspects of your gym workouts. The Trainer X001’s are modeled around the Payntr X001 F golf shoes, one of their original offerings. What makes that noteworthy is the seamless transition this provides from gym to course.
The same engineering care went into Trainers as the rest of the Payntr golf lineup. The Trainer X001’s feature what I would consider Payntr’s biggest differentiator, their carbon propulsion plate technology. This sole plate in the Trainer X001’s matches their golf counterparts, making their performance in the gym feel the same as out on the course.
Unboxing the Trainer X001’s felt just like opening up a fresh pair of golf shoes but there were some immediate differences. First, the soles are comprised of a high traction rubber perfect for gripping tile, treadmill and other gym surfaces. This makes the shoe sit lower to the ground than the spikeless X001 F. Second, the weight of the Trainer X001’s is noticeably less than a typical pair of golf shoes. I was really impressed with how “airy” they felt when holding them but they still felt familiar and solid on my feet.
At the Gym
Lacing up the Trainer X001’s and heading to the gym confused my mind at first. Looking down at my feet my brain immediately said, “where is the first tee box?” Getting over my urge to head to the course I set out for the gym. People at the gym will not think these are golf shoes you are wearing. The overall look of the Trainer X001’s is sporty enough to blend right in.
I tested the Trainers in three different scenarios. First, I chose a workout cardio class to see how the shoes would perform with sudden movements. The rubber soles had great traction as I pivoted, lunged and jogged. I also didn’t have a problem with my feet getting too warm. Second, I took the Trainers on the treadmill for a quick two-mile run. As I got about a mile into the run I noticed the impact support was as good as purpose built running shoes. I wouldn’t use the Trainer X001’s as my everyday running shoe, but in a pinch they would certainly work. Finally, I did a quick weight lifting session. As I squatted in the Trainers I could tell this is where the similarities to golf shoes pay off. I could feel my leg muscles working in different ways than wearing a normal shoe. I think this is going to benefit me long-term when it comes to playing.
After wearing my Trainer X001’s all week to work out, slipping on my X001 F’s at the course felt so natural. I found that my feet and body were able to more easily translate what I had worked on in the gym to the course.
At the Simulator
I often find myself questioning what type of shoe to wear when playing at a simulator, having to choose between a spikeless golf shoe and a normal tennis one. The Trainer X001’s solved this issue for me this past winter. These are the perfect shoes to wear while practicing indoors. The look and setup at address will feel familiar to your eyes and you won’t have to worry about awkward grips or twists due to spikes catching the carpet. The rubber soles again provided great grip even on carpet and the familiarity of rotation and posture in the shoes contributed to a much more realistic feeling of playing.
Closing Thoughts
Payntr has been an exceptional footwear brand ever since its inception in 2020, and it continues to push the boundaries with innovative new shoe offerings each year. The Trainer X001’s and X002 F’s have helped Troy and me improve our golf games in the early going this season, and I am thrilled about how they look on my feet, as well.
High-quality golf shoes are foundational to improved performance, and if you’re looking for an option that can take your golf game to the next level, Payntr is an excellent brand worth considering.