Everyone's foot shape is different, which is why there are so many makes of golf shoe and also why FootJoy have 9 different shoe lasts for men and 8 for women.
As regular readers will know, I have been on a quest to find a shoe that worked with my foot and my orthotics and thanks to the FootJoy Fitting session the FootJoy DryJoys Tour seemed to fit like the proverbial glove. So what have they been like?
There is a choice of 6 standard colours, plus a myriad of options available through the MyJoys customisation website. If you go with the standard colourways they are a combination of classic saddle patterns with a few twists that look modern and contemporary.
I am a bit of a BOA laceless addict so I went for that option as I love the fact that it holds your heel firmly in place. It is a different shape of tongue to the laced version, which holds the forefoot a little more.
The upper is a Pittards 'Extreme Comfort Leather' that is treated to be waterproof without using a membrane. Certainly so far it has kept out all the moisture a British summer can throw at it, so let's see if it can keep that up through the winter too.
The upper broke in very easily over 3 to 4 rounds and is now in that lovely position of being soft, yet robust enough to maintain its stability for many rounds to come.
Compared to other FootJoys I have tried, I would have to say the sole is on the heavier side, but unlike similar shoes the cushioning is very good. This is due to the TPU Integrated EVA Midsole which is the black sections visiable through the silver sole.
This is soft enough that you can push it with your fingers and therefore as you walk along it works with the rest of the sole to cushion your foot very well.
Turn the shoe over and the comprehensive spike pattern on the sole features 9 spikes on each foot with generous Optiflex channels to help your foot move as you walk and swing the club.
The black and gold Softspike Cyclone cleats are comfortable and I really liked the additional spikes that are moulded into the sole between the cleats. These provide extra grip and also balance the sole when you are walking on firm links courses so that you don't feel that you are walking on 9 stilts.
Some of you will remember the super stable FootJoy XPS-1 golf shoe, which has now been retired to be a MyJoys only order. It included what I called 'outriggers' on the sole that improved stabilty and on the DryJoys Tour there are mini versions on the heel and either side of the forefoot that do the same job.
They are tastefully designed with some clear circles that you can see at address, but they look good, as well as improving the performance of the shoe. Combined these with the fibreglass composite support bridge in the midfoot and I don't think you could roll over on your ankles even if you wanted to.
Given that FootJoy have been making a DryJoys model for over 20 years now, it's hard to find fault with this excellent golf shoe. It is one of their more robust designs and you get the feeling that it is built to last, but that does increase the weight. The stability is excellent and the TPU in the midsole makes a significant contribution to the comfort.
If the weight is too much then the FootJoy DryJoys Casual offers a lighter, spikeless alternative, but if you prefer a spiked shoe that will stick to your feet like a faithful black lab, then the DryJoys Tour will keep you on the right course.