True Linkswear All Day Ripstop Review

Opening the reusable shoe bag (yeah, they ditched the cardboard box), I was immediately struck by how un-golf-shoe-like these things looked. The ripstop polyester upper has this modern, almost athletic aesthetic that reminded me more of trail running shoes than anything I'd seen on the golf course. The wide toe box was immediately noticeable; we're talking legitimately wide, not just "marketing speak" wide. TRUE designed these with a natural toe box that comfortably accommodates up to EE width, which is a godsend for those of us with wider feet.

The colorway I tested was a subtle gray with black accents, though TRUE offers several options. What really caught my attention was how light they felt in my hand. After years of lugging around traditional golf shoes that feel like ankle weights by the back nine, picking up the All Day Ripstop was genuinely surprising. (I actually weighed them, 11.2 ounces for a size 10.5, which is lighter than my everyday sneakers.)

Let's address the elephant in the room: these shoes are made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop. When I initially heard "recycled materials," I immediately thought "compromise." Would they fall apart after a few rounds? Would they look cheap? Would my playing partners roast me for wearing eco-friendly footwear?

The ripstop material is surprisingly sturdy. After dozens of rounds, including several where I trudged through wet rough searching for errant tee shots, the upper still looks nearly new. The material has this subtle texture that actually repels water better than some of my "waterproof" golf shoes. During a particularly soggy round last month, my feet stayed dry while my buddy in his $300 tour-level shoes was squishing by the turn.

What really sold me on the upper design was the breathability. The ripstop fabric, combined with strategic ventilation zones, keeps air flowing even on humid summer days. I've worn these for walking rounds in 90-degree heat, and while my feet undeniably got warm, they never felt swampy like they do in traditional leather shoes. The minimalist design means there's less material to trap heat, and the wide toe box gives your feet room to breathe naturally.

The aesthetic has grown on me, too. These don't scream "golf shoe," which means I can wear them off the course without looking like I got lost on the way to the country club. I've worn them to the driving range, grabbed lunch afterward, and run errands without changing shoes. Try doing that in a pair of traditional spiked golf shoes.

This is where things get interesting. TRUE lined these shoes with temperature-regulating premium wool. Yes, wool. In a golf shoe. My initial reaction was confusion. Wouldn't wool be hot in summer? But this isn't your grandmother's itchy wool sweater material.

The wool liner is genuinely impressive in its flexibility. In cold morning rounds, it provides just enough insulation to keep your feet comfortable without making them sweat. As the day warms up, the wool's natural temperature-regulating properties kick in. It wicks moisture away from your skin and maintains a comfortable microclimate inside the shoe. I've tested these from 40-degree October mornings to 95-degree July afternoons, and the wool liner handles both extremes better than any synthetic liner I've experienced.

The anti-microbial properties are no joke either. After three months of regular use (including some questionable decisions to not wear socks to the range), these shoes don't have that funk that typically develops in golf shoes. The wool naturally resists odor-causing bacteria, which means you can toss these in your trunk and not worry about them stinking up your car.

The liner also contributes to the out-of-the-box comfort. Unlike most golf shoes that require a painful break-in period, the All Day Ripstop felt comfortable from round one. The soft footbed combined with the wool liner creates this plush feeling that made my usual end-of-round foot fatigue noticeably less severe. I've walked 36 holes in a day with these (don't ask why), and while my legs were shot, my feet felt surprisingly good.

The outsole is where TRUE had to prove these weren't just comfortable walking shoes masquerading as golf footwear. The All Day V2 sole features a non-slip rubber tread pattern that's been "tour tested and approved," according to their marketing. Marketing speak aside, does it actually work?

In dry conditions, the traction is more than adequate. The rubber compound grips well during the swing, providing a stable base without feeling stuck to the ground. I never felt like I was slipping during my follow-through, even on some questionable tee box surfaces at my local muni. The tread pattern is designed to shed grass and debris, which mostly works, though you'll still need to knock your shoes clean occasionally.

Wet conditions are where I expected these to struggle, but they held up better than anticipated. The rubber compound maintains decent grip on wet grass, though you won't get the same locked-in feeling as aggressive spikes. For most amateur golfers walking normal courses, the traction is perfectly sufficient. If you're playing competitively in Scotland or regularly dealing with severe slopes, you might want something more aggressive.

The sole has what TRUE calls a "transitional drop" of about 6mm, which puts it between a completely flat minimalist shoe and a traditional golf shoe. This creates a natural walking motion while still providing enough heel cushioning for comfort. The firmness of the outsole is interesting; it's soft enough for walking comfort but firm enough to provide a stable platform during the swing. After years of either sacrificing comfort for performance or vice versa, finding a sole that does both reasonably well is invigorating.

This might seem like a small thing, but being able to throw these shoes in the washing machine is huge. How many golf shoes have you ruined trying to clean them with different sprays and brushes? How many have you retired early because they got too grungy to wear in public?

After a particularly muddy round (I'm talking visible dirt clumps and grass stains), I tentatively threw the All Day Ripstops in my washing machine on cold with regular detergent. Twenty-five minutes later, they came out looking nearly new. I let them air dry overnight, and they were ready for the next round. No special treatments, no expensive cleaning products, no sending them off to be professionally cleaned.

I've washed them four times now with no degradation in performance or appearance. The ripstop material doesn't pill or fade, the wool liner doesn't shrink or mat down, and the sole maintains its grip. For someone who plays year-round in varying conditions, this feature alone might justify the purchase. My wife is undoubtedly happy that my golf shoes no longer live permanently in the garage.

Absolutely, while the True Linkswear All Day Ripstop is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:

Pros:

• Exceptional versatility, comfortable for walking rounds and suitable for off-course wear

• Machine-washable construction saves time and extends shoe life considerably.

• Temperature-regulating wool liner provides year-round comfort without odor issues.

Cons: 

• Traction in wet conditions is adequate but not exceptional compared to spiked alternatives.

• Minimalist aesthetic might not appeal to traditional golf shoe buyers.

• Runs small, you'll likely need to size up, which can complicate online ordering.