10 years ago, FootJoy changed spikeless golf shoes forever with the release of the first Pro/SL shoe. Fast forward a decade and spikeless golf shoes can be seen everywhere: the course, the driving range, the pro shop, the 19th, the clubhouse, the car, the local supermarket, and even the office. The latter of which is where I draw the line – c’mon guys, let’s not get carried away…
Given the fact that Pro/SL itself has become one of the best-selling shoe brands in the market and a huge success story for FJ, the No.1 shoe in golf, you’d forgive them for being reluctant to make too many changes.
However this year, to commemorate their 10 year evolution, FootJoy have created a complete revolution of the powerhouse model. So much so, this new release is almost unrecognisable from previous iterations.
FootJoy are banging the custom fit drum with this new release, and I was lucky enough to pay a visit to Southport and be custom fitted on FJ FitLab using Volumental technology at Hillside Golf Club. I then spent some time analysing my ground interaction using 3D force plates before heading to out to some of the finest links the UK has to offer. Let’s get into it.
Who Are They Aimed At?
The Pro/SL found comfort in being the shoe that every golfer can wear with ease. The reason it’s been so successful is because of its mass appeal and a high level of performance on all fronts.
The ideology stays the same with the new model, the new 2026 Pro/SL will no doubt be the workhorse in the FootJoy line-up. If you’re a golfer looking for a spikeless shoe around the £150 mark that offer all the comfort, support and technology that you could wish for, FJ are always going to be the benchmark. If you’re someone who has found previous Pro/SL models a little on the heavy side, you may be pleasantly surprised here – more on that later.
PGA Tour player Sahith Theegala has been working with FJ for over two years on this shoe and he’s put it into play already, which just proves how technical this shoe is. He’s by no-means got the footwork of Scheffler but he certainly likes to use the turf to his advantage.
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The Tech
At the heart of the Pro/SL is the Z-TEC upper, a multi-layer construction that surrounds your foot with targeted support and flexibility. This helps harness and transfer energy more efficiently through the golf swing.
A new ARCTrax/SL outsole has been built specifically for golf with strategically placed cones and traction fins that are sound to maximise ground contact. The new outsole design also maximises force and stability while enhancing all-day walking comfort.
The new Pro/SL is 29% lighter than the prior generation. The StratoFOAM heel crash pad is said to absorb walking impact and cushions every step, while the 3D padded collar and breathable mesh lining provides wrap around comfort and fit. A slightly wider toe box has also been introduced to offer more room in the forefoot for better feel.
Other pieces of technology are as follows: Lightweight, firm EVA in forefoot for maximum stability, an updated last design provides athletic profile, underfoot comfort from an OrthoLite X25™ FitBed and a one-year waterproof warranty.
As you’d expect, jampacked. This is FootJoy after all.
FootJoy Pro/SL 2026 Golf Shoe Review
Looks
As mentioned, the design of this shoe has received a complete overhaul from previous generations – it looks totally different! Other than a few standout models over the years, FJ have always put substance over style when it comes to upper designs in my opinion, and this new model is no different.
The outsole has been lowered and widened in a bid to give the golfer better interaction with the ground, which gives the shoe a bigger and bulkier look both on the shelf and once on your feet. Some golfers my like this wider look and feel but I’ve always tended to prefer shoes with a slimmer look. The Volumental FitLab scan proved that I have narrow feet which may explain my tendency to opt for a narrow looking shoe – it’s all about preference.
Overall I wasn’t blown away by the design of the upper – it’s super-techy looking with even the words ‘Z-Tec Zonal Targeted Engineered Composite’ printed faintly on the side to remind you of the departure from a leather upper to synthetic.
There’s certainly nothing to dislike looks-wise here, but for me there’s nothing to love either. I very much doubt they’ll jump off the shelf amongst other shoe offerings, they just don’t have the sleek and classy design the previous Pro/SLs have managed to achieve. My favourite looking models were the 2022 and 2020 editions, whereas this year’s doesn’t look like a Pro/SL to me, instead it could easily be mistaken for a new model of the Fuel and HyperFlex.
Comfort
FootJoy are claiming that this is their most comfortable Pro/SL, and of lot of this is due to weight savings they have made. The 2026 model is 29% lighter than the previous, which is impressive, you can feel it as soon as you hold the shoe and put it on your feet. Considering the widening of the sole make the shoes appear ‘bigger’ FJ have done a nice job here. These significant weight savings also mean it is now lighter than the comparable Adizero ZG golf shoe.
Straight out of the box, they felt great – there was plenty of cushioning underneath the foot thanks to that OrthoLite X25 FitBed and the raised heel area also gave plenty of padding and support. Over 18 holes, I can safely say that comfort really wasn’t an issue at all. Anyone who’s played Hillside will know the back nine especially is some walk, and walking off the 18th green, my feet still felt comfy – there was no pain or rubbing to be had.
The only thing I’d suggest as a drawback is that over time (maybe about 7-8 holes if we’re being golf specific) I started to notice the firmness of the outsole underfoot.
This is great for traction but not so good if you’re looking at out and out comfort which is something FJ are claiming. Don’t get me wrong these things are comfy, but I’ve worn comfier.
Performance
As expected, this is where the Pro/SL really comes into its own – they provided so much grip! I’d go as far to say I found more traction and stability in these shoes than many spiked shoes I’ve tested over the years.
The new ARCTrax/SL outsole is an absolute winner on all fronts thanks to a move to blades (like the types you’d see on football boots) as opposed to nubs. FJ have worked with biomechanists to strategically place these blades in the right areas, and they really have nailed it. At a wet and greasy Hillside, I didn’t once feel any lack of grip and that even included negotiating some pretty steep dunes.
An aspect of the shoe that I also think added to the overall performance was the Z-Tec upper. This is a big move for FJ, away from leather in to synthetic especially given the success of Pro/SL. FJ claim that this was a necessary step to make as leather doesn’t have the same amount of rigidity as the Z-Tec so this new model just offers that little more stability and structure. This choice may divide opinion amongst golfers, but I have to say it again, performance-wise I was super impressed overall.
FootJoy Pro/SL 2026 Golf Shoe Verdict
This is another great performing shoe to add to the Pro/SL line-up that I’m sure will sell very well globally.
Personally, I’m not too enamoured by the looks or the styling, but let’s be honest FJ know more about what golfers like to wear on their feet than I do.
They’re super-comfy and the move to a wider fit, although I don’t think it looks great, certainly offers a strong base on which to build a solid golf swing from, which can’t be sniffed at.
I’ll end with this, at an RRP of £160 these shoes sit just above the £150 mark which I think a lot of golfers will find expensive, given the move to a non-leather upper. Only time will tell, but despite the performance benefits to be had, I still think there’s a lot of golfers that will question that price-tag without leather and FJ might have a job on their hands to convince them otherwise.
Would I Use Them?
In terms of performance yes, although I do think there are better looking spikeless shoes out there.
