If there were a Mount Rushmore for golf shoe designers, Kelly Kikuta of adidas might occupy all four spots. He designed last year’s Codechaos 25, but I personally think that his newest design is his best yet.
And it may be adidas’ best spikeless golf shoe of all time. In fact, I’m going to say it… It may be the best spikeless golf shoe of ALL TIME. Period. It’s the adidas Adizero ZG Spikeless.
I knew the minute I saw the pedometer attached to the shoelaces that the adidas Adizero ZG was different. Within two days of testing, I put over 16,000 steps on the Adizero ZG. Early season, cart-path-only conditions definitely helped put them to the test.
They endured dry, rainy, and snowy conditions due to the finicky weather that Utah is famous for at this time of year. I’m pleased to let you know that the conditions didn’t affect their performance.
This shoe is the real deal.
Let’s dive in.
adidas Adizero ZG Spikeless
Price: $180
Sizing: True to size
Traction
The adidas Adizero ZG features rubberized traction with multiple shapes assisting with total traction control. [A]didas touts the “SPIKEMORE outsole” as the main feature, with so-called “adaptive traction” that “[reacts] to what the golfer needs based on lie and terrain.”
Conveniently enough, Utah gave the Adizero ZG two unique trials during testing.
Trial One: Dry Conditions
The adidas Adizero ZG has unmatched traction. In some cases, they almost felt TOO grippy. There were times when I was trying to move my feet, but the rubberized grip kept me planted where I was. The Adizero ZG is very well-suited for dry conditions.
Trial Two: Rainy Conditions
Rain didn’t affect the traction. It’s normal to experience some slippage when the rain starts pouring down, but I can’t remember a single instance where I slipped during my swing.
I’m confident the traction provided will work for any golfer and any swing.
I’ll close out the traction section with a quick Jay-Z variation: “I got 99 problems, but [traction] ain’t one.”
Fit
I wear an 11.5, and the adidas Adizero ZG fits like a true 11.5.
If heel slippage is your Achilles’ heel (pun intended), be aware that you may experience some with the Adizero ZG. I noticed some slight heel slippage, but this was reduced when I ran the laces through the top loop.
I was impressed with how good they felt on my feet, and I personally found the fit to be exceptional (once I adjusted the lacing). I’ve advised you to size up or down before with other shoes, but order your normal size with the Adizero ZG.
Cushion
You get a nice, cushioned treat with the adidas Adizero ZG: Lightstrike in the heel and Lightstrike Pro in the forefoot.
If you’re not familiar with adidas cushioning, read our article breaking down the various types here.
With over 16,000 steps worth of testing, I feel qualified to tell you about my experience with the Adizero ZG’s midsole. If you took the specialized traction off the bottom, you could wear the Adizero ZG anywhere. The comfort I experienced was nothing short of amazing.
Even at the end of a five-mile round, my feet felt like they were walking on clouds. I was legitimately blown away by how good I felt after that amount of time and distance on-feet.
Whether you walk or ride, the cushion offered with the adidas Adizero ZG is top-notch.
Support
[A]didas unveiled its new “dynamic stability system” aimed at providing additional torsional support.The purpose of the torsion plate is to reduce fatigue and keep full power through your swing by providing more confident, supported footing.
With many miles in the adidas Adizero ZG, I can say that fatigue was not only minimized but all but taken away. If you can walk a course for four hours with hardly any foot fatigue, you’re wearing a good golf shoe.
The power aspect was clear as well. The mix of solid traction and the dynamic torsion plate kept power at the level I typically see with my golf swing, and I was impressed with how much value the setup added.
Price
$180 is a steal for the adidas Adizero ZG.
The price point may seem high if you’re used to simpler spikeless models, but I am convinced that this is the best-performing golf shoe that your money can buy.
If you’re brand new to golf, I’d save your pennies and opt for a cheaper spikeless option. You can save quite a bit of money without forfeiting too much performance.
But if you’re a mid-handicapper like I am and looking for something to elevate your game, the Adizero ZG is calling your name.
And if you’re an experienced golfer looking for a confident ride, the Adizero ZG is calling your name even louder.
adidas Adizero ZG Spikeless Summary
Now that you’ve reached the end, I’ll say it again: The adidas Adizero ZG may be the best golf shoe of all time.
I felt like a kid opening Christmas gifts when I noticed that we were getting Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro. The dual cushion provides an exceptional experience that can give you the confidence to walk or ride with the Adizero ZG on-foot.
The traction was phenomenal, and I enjoyed testing in the crazy conditions that Utah threw at me the last few weeks. I legitimately couldn’t believe how good the traction was. You could probably play solid golf on an ice skating rink in the Adizero ZG (…okay, maybe that’s a little too far, but you get the gist of it).
Although my testing schedule is rigorous and there is inherently a limit to how many rounds I can put on one shoe, I’m confident the Adizero ZG is durable and long-lasting.
The Codechaos 25 was a phenomenal shoe. But the Adizero ZG is its even better big brother, and adding it to your bag is a great choice.
How the Author Golfs
Tyler Allred (19 handicap): Golfs 2-3 times a week spending the bulk of his time playing actual rounds. Mostly pushes himself to improve every part of his game, but also enjoys a casual round of golf every now and then.
Disclosure
While adidas did send a pair of the Adizero ZG Spikeless to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
