Adidas are not a brand who are afraid of making noise in the industry, and this was evidenced when they first introduced their Codechaos shoe a few years ago.
The spikeless performance shoes sit somewhere between the tour performance of the Tour360, and the more casual lifestyle benefits of the S2G, alongside the Adipower 26 that I tested earlier this year.
I took the latest Codechaos 27 out onto the course to see how it performed.
Who Are They Aimed At?
You probably won’t see many tour players in these, with the likes of Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Ludvig Åberg preferring the higher performance levels of the Tour360 or Adizero ZG. Instead, the Codechaos 27 feels aimed at club golfers who take their game seriously but still want to look good doing it, with a bolder, more trainer-like design that should appeal to younger golfers in particular.
The Tech
As you’d expect from an Adidas shoe, it’s packed full of technology to help support you on the golf course.
New for the Codechaos line is Axislock, a dual-injected, one-piece technology which sits in the midsole and cradles the heel. It’s built to offer golfers more stability, support and balance both during the swing and whilst walking, without sacrificing any comfort.
The Twistskin upper is a two-layer waterproof design, offering better protection from the elements through a lightweight and adaptive fit that’s designed to leave the feet feeling fresh and protected throughout the round.
The updated Twistgrip outsole increases overall coverage by 120% compared to the Codechaos 25, with four different lug shapes designed to give golfers optimal grip in both wet and dry conditions.
Elsewhere, a full-length Boost midsole combines with Axislock and Twistgrip to provide comfort and cushioning whether you’re walking, riding or practicing.
The laced version I tested comes in at £120, with a BOA model also available for those who prefer it.
Looks
These are great looking shoes. I liked the smaller footprint down by the ball, which wasn’t distracting in the slightest.
Adidas’ use of the three stripes felt very similar to their recent running shoe designs, which have really taken the world by storm lately, even setting the marathon world record. The synthetic upper looks nice and premium too, with a slightly brushed finish that adds a bit of class.
I did like the mesh upper of the previous Codechaos shoes a little more, if I’m honest, as it tied in a bit more neatly with the rest of Adidas’ range like the Adizero ZG, Tour360 and Adipower 26. Still, the colourway I tested (white/blue/yellow) struck a nice balance of being loud enough to be interesting without tipping over into garish, and the red and yellow touches on the sole are a really nice detail.
I also really liked the slightly lengthened section around the heel, which reminded me of some of those fast, modern running shoe designs.
Comfort
Straight out of the box these were excellent, and that continued right through the round. They were supportive right around the foot, with a great level of fit and no gaps or points where the shoe felt different from one area to the next. I almost forgot I had them on after a while, which is always a good sign.
The Boost cushioning works really well here too. You still get enough feedback from the ground as you’re walking and swinging, without it feeling harsh underfoot. The shoes come with a sockliner which helps deliver that locked-in feel, and there’s a thick tongue and laces too, something that’s sometimes overlooked with golf shoes but which makes a genuine difference.
As you may already know, Adidas shoes do tend to fit a little on the smaller and narrower side. I wore a UK size 9, which fit me perfectly, although I do have fairly narrow feet myself so it’s worth bearing in mind if you have wider feet.
It wasn’t the most breathable shoe I’ve tested, and the mesh upper of the previous Codechaos was a little better in this respect, although I was testing on a very warm day so that’s probably understandable.
Performance
I tested in good, dry summer conditions, so there were no issues at all with slipping, and traction was good throughout, even if I did find that debris could get stuck in the lugs fairly easily.
I didn’t notice the stability in a particularly obvious way, but that’s probably a good thing, as my foot didn’t feel like it was moving around at all during the swing.
The shoes weigh in at 350g, which is similar to the FootJoy Pro/SL or UA Drive Pro Clone SL, and I found it really easy to walk 18 holes in them.
Being spikeless also means they’re pretty versatile. You could comfortably use these for the majority of rounds during the year outside of wet winter conditions, and they’re just as easy to wear for a drink or food in the bar afterwards, or a session on the range.
Verdict
Overall this is a good shoe. I liked the Codechaos 25 and I’m still using them to this day, and I think I’ll end up doing the same with this new model.
It’s a nice combination of a trainer-like look and feel, with enough traction and stability that you can still be confident in your performance. At £120 I think they represent pretty good value too, especially as they should see you through the whole summer, and there are a couple of more “sensible” colourways available if you want something a little more versatile to wear across more months of the year.
It’s also worth noting that this feels like a real return to form after the Adipower 26, which I tested earlier this year and wasn’t a huge fan of. I’d recommend the Codechaos 27 over that shoe without much hesitation.
Would I Use Them?
Yes, and I expect I’ll be reaching for these alongside my Codechaos 25s. The comfort, traction and value are all there, though I’ll be keeping an eye on how that upper holds up over time given the early signs of creasing at the forefoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do the Adidas Codechaos 27 golf shoes cost?
The laced version of the Codechaos 27 has an RRP of £120, with a BOA model also available at a higher price point for golfers who prefer a dial-in fit over traditional laces.
Are the Codechaos 27 golf shoes waterproof?
Yes. They feature Adidas’ Twistskin upper, a two-layer waterproof construction designed to protect the foot from the elements while remaining lightweight and breathable in drier conditions.
Are the Codechaos 27 spiked or spikeless?
The Codechaos 27 is a spikeless golf shoe, using an updated Twistgrip outsole with four different lug shapes to provide grip in both wet and dry conditions.
Do the Adidas Codechaos 27 shoes run true to size?
Adidas golf shoes typically run slightly small and narrow compared to other brands, so it’s worth considering going up half a size, particularly if you have wider feet. They were true to size for our reviewer, who has narrower feet.
How do the Codechaos 27 compare to the Codechaos 25?
The Codechaos 27 moves away from the mesh upper of the Codechaos 25 in favour of a synthetic upper with a brushed finish, and adds Adidas’ new Axislock heel technology alongside a redesigned Twistgrip outsole with 120% more coverage than before.
