# Spiked vs Spikeless Golf Shoes: What Our Pros Wear By Fayrway Pros · Published 27 August 2026 **The short version** Spiked golf shoes grip best in wet, hilly and soft conditions while spikeless shoes are lighter, more comfortable and more versatile, so the right choice comes down to your weather and courses. - Choose spiked for winter, links and maximum wet-weather traction - Choose spikeless for summer, all-day comfort and off-course wear - Many golfers keep both and switch by season Spiked shoes give you the most grip in the wet, on hills and in soft ground, so they are the safer pick for winter golf and links terrain. Spikeless shoes are lighter, more comfortable to walk in and go straight from the car to the clubhouse, which suits dry summer rounds and golfers who value all-day comfort. For a grippy spiked all-rounder our pros reach for the [adidas Tech Response 3.0](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C62DXLMV/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21); for versatile spikeless the [Callaway GTX Waterproof](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C8ZLJ9Y4/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21). The spiked versus spikeless debate is really a grip versus comfort trade-off, and the right answer depends on when and where you play. Below we compare the two types head to head, explain how they actually differ underfoot, and pick the best in-stock pairs on Amazon for each side so you can buy with confidence. ### At a glance: spiked vs spikeless golf shoes | Attribute | Spiked | Spikeless | | --- | --- | --- | | Grip in the wet and on hills | Best in class | Good, not great | | Comfort and walkability | Slightly stiffer | Lighter and softer | | Best season | Autumn, winter, wet links | Spring, summer, dry parkland | | Off-course and clubhouse use | Clatters on hard floors | Wear them anywhere | | Upkeep | Replace worn cleats now and then | Fit and forget until the sole wears | ### How do spiked and spikeless golf shoes actually differ? The difference is all in the sole. Spiked shoes have removable cleats, usually soft plastic these days, that bite into the turf and give you the most anchored, slip-free stance when the ground is wet, steep or loose. Spikeless shoes use a moulded outsole with dozens of small nubs, lugs or dimples that grip through sheer surface area rather than by digging in. In practice, spiked shoes win on outright traction and give you a firmer base to swing against on soft ground. Spikeless shoes win on comfort, weight and versatility, and modern ones grip far better than the flat-soled trainers of a decade ago. Neither is objectively better: it comes down to your weather, your courses and how much you value walking comfort. ### When should you choose spiked golf shoes? Choose spiked if you play through the British winter, walk hilly or links courses, or simply want the most secure footing on every shot. The cleats dig in when the fairways are saturated and the greens are steep, which is exactly when a slip costs you a shot. If most of your golf happens between October and March, spiked shoes are the sensible default. They are also the pick if you have a fast, aggressive swing and want maximum resistance against the ground. The only real downside is that cleats clatter on hard clubhouse floors and wear down over time, though replacing them is a five-minute job. ### When should you choose spikeless golf shoes? Choose spikeless if comfort and versatility matter most to you, or if you mainly play in spring and summer on firmer ground. They are lighter, softer underfoot straight out of the box and let you walk from the car park to the first tee to the clubhouse without changing shoes. Many golfers also wear them casually, which makes them better value if you want one pair for golf and general use. The trade-off is grip in the worst conditions. On a soaked winter links a spikeless sole can slide where a cleated one holds, so if you play year round you may want a spiked pair for the wet months and spikeless for the dry. ### Which do our pros actually wear? Most of our pros keep both and switch by season: spiked from autumn through spring, spikeless in the height of summer and for quick nine-hole knocks. The picks below are the best value in-stock options on Amazon right now for each type, all from names you will recognise. If you want to see the wider range our pros stock, browse the [Fayrway golf shoes range](https://fayrway.co.uk/collections/shoes). ### Our picks #### adidas Tech Response 3.0 A grippy, waterproof-ready spiked shoe from a brand that knows golf footwear. The removable cleats give you dependable traction in the wet, and this wide-fit version suits fuller feet. The best spiked all-rounder for the money. **Best spiked all-rounder: adidas Tech Response 3.0** - Removable cleats for wet-weather grip - Wide fit for fuller feet - Trusted adidas golf build Price: £48.75. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C62DXLMV/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) #### Callaway Golf Shoes A recognisable, keenly priced spiked option that covers the basics well: solid cleated traction, a comfortable fit and Callaway build quality. The value pick if you want cleats without spending a fortune. **Best value spiked: Callaway Golf Shoes** - Cleated sole for secure footing - Comfortable everyday fit - Trusted Callaway quality Price: £63.41. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0859VW2MF/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) #### Callaway GTX Waterproof Spikeless A spikeless shoe with a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, so you get the comfort and go-anywhere versatility of spikeless without giving up dry feet on a damp morning. The best spikeless pick for British weather. **Best spikeless waterproof: Callaway GTX Waterproof Spikeless** - GORE-TEX waterproof membrane - Spikeless comfort and versatility - Wear on and off the course Price: £79.95. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C8ZLJ9Y4/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) #### PUMA Ignite Elevate A lightweight spikeless shoe built for all-day comfort, with PUMA's cushioned midsole and a low-profile grippy outsole. The pick if walkability and a trainer-like feel top your list for summer rounds. **Best spikeless comfort: PUMA Ignite Elevate** - Cushioned midsole for all-day comfort - Lightweight spikeless design - Grippy low-profile outsole Price: £56.99. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B5NBQFTY/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) Want the full rundown across every type and budget? Read our [best golf shoes 2026 buying guide](https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/best-golf-shoes-2026) for the complete list. ### Frequently asked questions #### Are spiked or spikeless golf shoes better? Neither is better overall, it depends on your golf. Spiked shoes give the most grip in wet, hilly and soft conditions, so they suit winter and links play. Spikeless shoes are lighter, more comfortable and more versatile, which suits dry summer rounds and golfers who value all-day walking comfort. #### Do spikeless golf shoes grip well enough in the wet? Modern spikeless shoes grip far better than old flat-soled trainers and cope fine with light rain and firm ground. On a soaked winter links or a steep, greasy slope, though, a spiked sole still holds where spikeless can slide. For year-round golf in Britain, many players keep a spiked pair for the wet months. #### Can you wear spikeless golf shoes off the course? Yes, that is one of their main appeals. Because the outsole has no protruding cleats, spikeless shoes are comfortable on pavements, clubhouse floors and in the car, so you can wear one pair from home to the first tee and back. Spiked shoes clatter and wear faster on hard surfaces. #### How long do the cleats on spiked golf shoes last? Soft plastic cleats typically last a season or two of regular play before they wear down and lose grip. Replacing them is cheap and takes a few minutes with the supplied key, so a good pair of spiked shoes lasts for years even as the cleats are swapped out. Check them each spring. #### Which is better for beginners, spiked or spikeless? Spikeless is often the friendlier start because it is comfortable, versatile and doubles as casual footwear, so you get more use from one pair. If you take up golf in autumn or play a wet, hilly course, though, a spiked shoe gives more forgiving grip while you learn to balance through the swing. #### Are golf shoes waterproof, spiked or spikeless? Both types come in waterproof versions, so waterproofing is separate from the sole choice. Look for a stated waterproof membrane such as GORE-TEX if you play in the rain. Cheaper shoes may be only water resistant, which keeps out dew and light showers but not a proper downpour or long wet grass. ### Ready to choose? If you play year round in British weather, start with a spiked pair like the adidas Tech Response 3.0 and add spikeless for summer. If comfort and versatility matter most, a waterproof spikeless shoe such as the Callaway GTX does nearly everything. For the complete picture, see our [best golf shoes 2026 guide](https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/best-golf-shoes-2026). --- Canonical version: https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/spiked-vs-spikeless-golf-shoes Fayrway, golf gear curated by pros: https://fayrway.co.uk. Some links in this article are Amazon affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.