Under Armour made a hot start to the year with the release of the Drive Pro Clone shoe, which I thought was one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever tested. Now it’s the turn of the Halo Tour SL.
This is based on Under Armour’s Halo running shoe line, and helps them lean into the idea that they’re a brand for athletes, focusing on performance and bringing that to the world of golf.
Who Are They Aimed At?
Compared to the Drive Pro Clone, which was a performance golf shoe that you’re likely to see on the PGA Tour, the Halo Tour SL is a little more relaxed. It’s more of a lifestyle shoe, with some performance elements, designed with a blend of both style and substance.
They’re part of Under Armour’s mission to appeal to a slightly younger audience, especially those who may be coming to golf having played other sports in the past.
The Halo Tour SL is a perfect shoe for golfers who want on and off-course versatility, as you could easily wear them to the course, for the round and for a drink in the clubhouse afterwards.
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The Tech
Despite being part of the Halo line, the shoes still feature Under Armour’s HOVR foam cushioning in the midsole. This is something that we’ve seen for a few years now in their shoes, and it helps to both provide a soft easy walking experience, as well as offering energy return when you come to hit the ball.
The shoes aren’t leather, but feature a leather-looking microfibre upper which is designed to be more resistant to water than a typical running shoe. It’s also easier to keep clean, giving these shoes a bit more versatility for extended use throughout the year.
The spikeless outsole has a wrap-around effect and comes with different shaped lugs to try and offer you stability and allow you to use the ground to your advantage during the swing.
There’s a TPU heel clip, giving the foot an extra locked-in feel to add more stability.
Under Armour will also be offering a supplementary UA Halo Hybrid shoe, which offers a lighter and more versatile design for even more on and off-course usability.
Under Armour Halo Tour SL Golf Shoe Review
Looks
As you’d expect from an expansion of the Halo running shoe, the new Halo Tour SL takes plenty of the same design elements, particularly with the design and shaping of the midsole.
If you’re into running then you’ll probably know that chunky cushioned soles are becoming more and more popular these days, and Under Armour have carried this over into the golf shoe too. It’s the kind of thing you might also see from Puma as well.
Of course once you look underneath you can see that there’s a bit of a different story on the outsole, with a pretty defined traction design which does give you confidence that these are more than just a glorified trainer.
The Halo Tour SL has a very modern look, with chunky and oversized detailing. If you’re a traditionalist who likes the idea of a leather shoe such as the FJ Premiere, this may not be for you.
The white colourway I tested is a perfect summer shoe, whilst they also do a black with grey and white detailing that would be a little more versatile and looks very smart too.
In all honesty I’m not 100% sold on the looks, as the sole design in particular is just a little loud and bulky for me.
Under Armour are pretty well aware that they may be seen as a brand that is better suited to the older golfer, and their shoe lines don’t have the same level of nostalgia or history as the likes of Nike, Adidas or Puma can call upon. The introduction of shoes like this obviously show that they are working hard to appeal to a broader range of golfers.
Comfort
As someone who came to golf relatively late, having played other sports growing up, the idea of a golf shoe that takes aspects from other sports has always appealed to me.
In terms of pure comfort, I cannot really fault them. They felt just like wearing a pair of trainers, supportive in the right areas without ever feeling overly firm or tight.
The only real gripe I had was with the overall footprint. They just seemed a bit too bulky for me, even though they were still pretty lightweight. They are quite wide, and this, coupled with the chunky sole, is what seems to set them apart from a normal running trainer or lifestyle shoe.
I have used running shoes with chunky soles like this before, but they were obviously lighter and felt easier to move around in.
Having said that, the shoes did feel breathable and offered a good level of support across the foot, while the quality of the laces—something that can often be overlooked in modern-day golf shoes—was a plus for me as well.
The heel clip helped to keep my feet nice and secure throughout, and the sole design allows you to feel the contours of the ground while still feeling plush and soft underfoot.
Performance
I’ve tested these shoes a couple of times in the last few months, first on the golf course in Portugal, before playing 9 holes at my home course in Manchester (before the conditions got too muddy!) and a trip to an indoor golf simulator.
Firstly I’d say Under Armour have done a great job of getting the balance right when it comes to the traction in these shoes. They know that golfers are going to wear them at the range or to and from the golf course, so they’re not overly complicated or intrusive on the outsole, but they still provide plenty of grip and support even from a variety of lies.
The heel clip does a good job of keeping you locked in, and the shoe does feel pretty stable whilst walking and hitting off different lies.
The tongue and laced area is comfortable and supportive, whilst the shoe feels breathable overall which was a big plus when playing in pretty warm Portuguese weather.
When it comes to pure performance, there’s very little to fault as they deliver exactly what you’d expect from a spikeless, lifestyle-oriented model.
Under Armour Halo Tour SL Golf Shoe Verdict
Whilst Under Armour have worked hard to include all of the technologies that you might need to stay supported and comfortable during your round, the Halo Tour SL does look like a shoe that leans a little more towards aesthetics than performance, especially when compared to the Drive Pro Clone.
That’s not a criticism though, because there’s a big market for people who want golf gear that doesn’t look specifically like golf gear, and the shoe sits perfectly in this lane.
The performance was still really solid, and they’re ideal for on and off-course flexibility especially in the summer or on a golf trip. The shoe comes with an RRP of £120 which is pretty good value for money too, especially considering the levels of traction I experienced.
The looks won’t be for everyone, but if you like this style of shoe and want something versatile for the warmer months, they’re definitely worth a closer look.
Would I Use Them?
I enjoyed using the shoes but I did feel they were a bit chunky for my liking. If I was paying, I would probably save a little bit of cash and get something like an Adidas S2G Shoe which is a bit cheaper, and a bit less bulky.
