Tested by: Shayne Dowling

It's been quite some time since I had new golf shoes, in fact it was so long a go that a friend collapsed laughing when he saw my old trusty Etonics. “They are not even made any more,” he cried with laughter. So, I sheepishly bought myself some newfangled golf togs. I settled on the Under Armour Hovr™ Fade SLs. It was a complete footwear revelation for me. Not only could I immediately feel the difference in fit but my initial scepticism of the spikeless shoe quickly faded as my feet barely moved despite my wildest or most aggressive swings. Terrain never affected the purchase either, nor the wet – I was sold.

It’s amazing how light the shoes are, flexible for easy walking but are more than rigid enough to hold my feet firmly. Oh yes, the Hovr™ Fade SL is also a slightly broader shoe for my wide feet so it’s perfect for me (btw there are UA wide options – ed). Walking 18 holes and having no sole burn or sore feet is now such a pleasure. Previously I would default to a cart and frankly the money I have saved not taking one easily makes these shoes a great buy.

The shoe looks good, nice simple, clean lines with the usual Under Armour modern take on design. Hovr™ is Under Armour's proprietary foam cushioning technology that UA claims provides top-class cushioning as well as acting as a shock absorber. This will explain to a large extent why my feet love walking in the UA Hovr™ Fade SL shoes. We have just gone through a very wet winter in the Western Cape and not once did I have wet socks. The microfibre uppers managed to keep my feet dry without any problems and also cool and comfortable on the hottest of days. The spikeless outsole also gives you a little bit more flex when walking, again increasing comfort with no more hot spots.

If there is any adverse comment to be made, it would be that I have found some stretch on the upper, meaning tighter laces, some wrinkle and slight movement inside the shoe. I would like to compare the shoes to the more rigid spiked shoes that boast similar comfort technology and see how they compare – but that is for another day. My Hovr™ Fade SLs are now the benchmark for any shoes I happen to test going forward – watch this space.