Review: The adidasGOLF a3 Stripe Golf Shoe, by Jeffrey Reed

Just one look at the new a3 Stripe from adidasGOLF, and you know this is no ordinary golf shoe. With its sleek design and updated trademark trio of stripes, the a3 Stripe looks like it belongs on the track at Indianapolis, rather than on fairways and greens. So, I decided to give this shoe the ultimate test drive – a Fear Factor, if you will, for one of the newest models from adidasGOLF.

Evidently, fear is not a factor for the a3 Stripe. I wore the sharp-looking white/dark brown model as I walked Echo Valley Golf Club – one of the hilliest courses in Ontario – and it performed beautifully. As an athlete with physical challenges in my feet, legs and lower back, and a golfer who walks the course at least three times a week, I demand a durable shoe with ultimate support and comfort. Walking off the 18th green on this hot, humid day, my feet felt as comfortable and as dry as they did when I laced on the a3 Stripe before marching to the 1st tee.

Here’s what adidasGOLF says about their new entry in the highly-competitive golf shoe market: The a3 Stripe provides “ultimate cushioning, guidance and stability. The advanced a3 heel unit provides superior cushioning and stability while helping guide the foot’s natural motion, resulting in an extremely comfortable, high-performance golf shoe for demanding athletes.”

When I read the a3 Stripe profile, and after being impressed by the shoe’s style combination of athletic shoe and traditional golf shoe, I recognized that this could be a golf shoe I wanted for walking the hills at my home course. Not only did the a3 Stripe provide great stability from the ground-up – very important to the foundation of a good golf swing – but it also lived up to its bill as a comfortable, supportive shoe.

The outsoles of this lightweight shoe incorporate adiWear, a proprietary, high-quality rubber compound that promotes comfort and durability. It’s cool and dry inside, too, thanks to adidas ClimaProof. I was very impressed with the TRAXION Spike – the best spike I have ever worn on the golf course. It’s a wide, flexible spike for superior traction and decreased debris retention, with internal prongs for more points of contact. As soon as I put on these shoes, I noticed a greater increase in traction and stability. And even when the temperature peaked at 32 degrees, the a3 Stripe did not slip at the heel nor on the sole.

I’m purchasing additional pairs of the a3 Stripe – it’s also available in white/black and black/black in Canada, as well as in wide width. I highly recommend the a3 Stripe golf shoe, a perfect combination of style, support and comfort. It may even take a few strokes off your score, thanks to its offering of stability from heel to toe.

Wear the a3 Stripe, and from tee to green fear will not be a factor for you.