When the original Ashworth Cardiff shoe came out in 2012, it was one of the first street shoes on the market that you could see yourself wearing off the course and for a long time I did.
It was made from a heavier and longer lasting leather than most of the other shoes at the time and in the Cardiff ADC version this has continued. This is a good thing as they last longer and it is easy to keep them looking good with a bit of polish here and there.
The only downside is that in warmer climates your feet do get quite hot as there is not as much breathability as other shoes, so make sure you try with as light a sock as possible. There are also versions of the ADC with a more breathable mesh upper available if you play more in the heat than the usual British climate.
The other reason you should ensure to try before you buy is that the Cardiff ADC features a wider design than before with an enhanced forefoot that allows the toes to spread out more and this makes them even more comfortable than before.
This also makes the heel feel a little wider than before. As Ashworth are owned by Adidas and their shoes are usually on the narrower side, this wider fit will feel different if you are used to previous Ashworth and Adidas shoes. However for those of you with chunkier plates, then the ADC maybe the shoe you have been waiting for.
The ADC stands for All Day Cushioning and the shoe certainly lives up to this label. Compared to the previous model that had a similar sole to the Adidas Adicross, the ADC features a variety of different sized 'lugs' that look like the radiation warning symbol.
However far from going nuclear, these provide a great reaction with the ground in firm or soft conditions. The 'Turf Release' section on the outsoles of the forefoot joined in with the rest of the sole in repelling a build up of grass in soft damp conditions.
These soft conditions are where I think certain street shoes have an advantage over spiked golf shoes as they are less likely to clog up and so maintain your stance height and grip. This of course only works if they have some form of water repellency and the more robust leather of the Cardiff ADC keeps you feet dry in moist conditions, although a genuine rainstorm may be too much for them.
Whether on the course or off it the comfort from the Ashworth ADC shoe was excellent and with a wide choice of styles and colours that offer understated style without shouting "I am a golf shoe!"
I particularly like the choice of two lace colours that comes with each shoe as that can completely transform how it looks, so you almost get 2 shoes in one.
Overall I feel the Cardiff ADC is a worthy successor to the original. The heavier leather, whilst a bit hotter to wear, does not stretch as much as lighter street shoes and therefore the upper stability of the shoe is maintained for longer. If you like a wider fit with a casual look to glide between home and golf course then these golf shoes are the perfect fit.