True Linkswear True Knit Golf Shoes Review

Let's talk about what makes these shoes genuinely different: the zero-drop platform. If you're not familiar with the term, it means there's no height difference between the heel and forefoot, mimicking how your foot naturally sits when barefoot. I've been intrigued by the barefoot movement in running for years, but I never thought it would translate to golf. Boy, was I wrong.

The initial thing you notice is how connected you feel to the ground during your swing. With traditional golf shoes that have raised heels, you're fundamentally standing on a slight incline. The TRUE Knits put you flat on the ground, and it completely alters your balance point. During my first round, I felt more stable through my backswing and had better ground feel through impact. It's subtle at first, but after a few holes, you realize you're not fighting against your shoes to maintain balance.

The 12.55mm EVA midsole provides just enough cushioning to keep you comfortable without disconnecting you from the ground. I've walked some hilly courses in these; we're talking 7,000+ yards with serious altitude changes, and my feet felt fresher after 18 holes than they do in my cushioned running shoes. There's something to be said for letting your feet work the way they're designed to work. My lower back, which usually starts barking around hole 14, has been noticeably quieter since making the switch.

What really sold me was taking these to the range for a two-hour practice session. With my old shoes, I'd start feeling foot fatigue after about 45 minutes of hitting balls. The TRUE Knits? I could have kept going. The natural foot position reduces stress on your entire kinetic chain, from your ankles up through your knees and hips.

Every golf shoe company talks about breathability, but most of them feel like wearing plastic bags on your feet come July. The TRUE Knits are different. That TRUEknit upper (90% polyester, 10% spandex blend) actually breathes, and I mean really breathes. During a particularly brutal round in 95-degree heat last August, I could literally feel air moving through the material with each step.

The four-way stretch knit isn't just marketing speak either. The material expands and contracts with your foot throughout your swing and walk. Your feet naturally swell during a round (especially in heat), and these shoes accommodate that without ever feeling loose or sloppy. I've played in mesh shoes before that breathed well but felt like I was wearing bedroom slippers by the back nine. The TRUE Knits maintain their structure while still allowing maximum airflow.

Here's something I didn't expect: the water and oil repellent coating actually works without compromising breathability. I've walked through morning dew plenty of times, and while these aren't waterproof (don't wear them in a downpour), they handle moisture better than any knit shoe has a right to. My socks stayed dry through typical morning conditions, and the shoes dried out quickly when they did get damp. The tri-blend material seems to wick moisture away rather than absorbing it.

The machine-washable aspect is genius, too. After a particularly muddy round, I tossed them in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle, and they came out looking brand new. Try doing that with your leather golf shoes. TRUE specifically designed these with recycled materials to be both sustainable and practical for regular maintenance.

I was highly skeptical of the spikeless design, especially coming from a guy who's worn traditional cleats for 20 years. The Cross-Life Tread pattern looked aggressive enough, but would it hold up on wet grass or during a full driver swing? After testing these in every condition short of snow, I can confidently say the gum rubber outsole grips better than most spiked shoes I've worn.

The tread pattern, which TRUE says is inspired by mountaineering boots, features multiple contact points that dig into the turf without tearing it up. I've slipped exactly once in these shoes, on a severely sloped lie with wet leaves, and that's a shot where I probably would have slipped in cleats too. During normal swings, even aggressive ones with the driver, the shoes plant and stay planted.

What impressed me most was how the traction performs off the course. I regularly wear these to the driving range, then grab lunch, run errands, and nobody knows I'm wearing golf shoes. The outsole doesn't click on hard surfaces like traditional spikes, and it provides excellent grip on wet pavement or slippery restaurant floors. This versatility has made them my go-to travel shoes; one pair for golf and casual wear saves precious suitcase space.

The rubber compound seems incredibly durable, too. After three months of regular wear (3-4 rounds per week plus casual use), the tread shows minimal wear. Compare that to some spikeless shoes where the nubs start wearing down after a dozen rounds, and you're looking at serious value.

The comfort foam heel lock system deserves its own recognition. If you've ever dealt with heel slippage in golf shoes, you know how annoying it can be. That little bit of movement throws off your balance and creates blisters. The TRUE Knits lock your heel in place without any pressure points or hot spots. It's firm enough to provide stability but soft enough that you forget it's there.

The lightweight construction is extraordinary; these weigh less than most running shoes. During a recent 36-hole charity tournament, I wore them for nearly 10 hours straight. My playing partners were swapping shoes at the turn, dealing with blisters and sore feet. I felt like I could have played another 18. The lack of a break-in period is real, too. I wore these straight from the box to the course, no blisters, no hot spots, no regrets.

What really sets these apart is how they accommodate different foot shapes. The knit upper stretches to fit anywhere from a D to EEE width. I have slightly wide feet (not quite wide enough for wide shoes but too wide for some regular widths), and these conform perfectly. My buddy, who wears EEE, tried them on and was shocked that a "regular" width shoe fit him comfortably. The material stretches where it needs to and stays snug where it should.

The sock-fit collar is a transformative aspect for easy on and off. No more sitting on the tailgate fighting with your shoes after a round. These slip on and off as easily as loafers but stay locked in place during play.

Let's address the elephant in the room – these don't look like traditional golf shoes. If your club has a strict dress code or you prefer the classic leather look, these might not be for you. But if you're open to something different, the minimalist aesthetic grows on you. They come in five colorways: Vintage White (my favorite), Black, Charcoal, Varsity Navy, and Grey Day. The red-ish knit option adds a bold choice for those wanting to make more of a statement on the course. Each has a clean, modern look that works both on and off the course.

I've worn the Charcoal pair with jeans and a polo to dinner, and nobody suspected they were golf shoes. The Vintage White looks sharp with shorts on the course and doesn't scream "golf shoe" when you're running errands afterward. The general design is understated but modern, think athletic lifestyle shoe rather than performance golf shoe.

The recycled materials are a nice touch, too. While I'm not someone who buys products solely for environmental reasons, it's good to know my purchase supports sustainable manufacturing. TRUE has managed to create an eco-friendly shoe without compromising performance or charging a premium for it.

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

Pros:

• Zero-drop platform improves balance and ground feel during swing

• Exceptional breathability keeps feet cool and dry in hot weather

• Versatile enough for all-day wear on and off the course

Cons: 

• Not waterproof – unsuitable for wet conditions or morning rounds with heavy dew

• Non-traditional appearance might not meet strict dress codes

• Limited arch support may not work for players with specific orthopedic needs