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Product Review: Nike Golf Belts

January 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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The 2012 PGA Merchandise Show is less than a week away, and the eyes of the golf world will be on Orlando, Florida’s Orange County Convention Center to see what new products the golf equipment, footwear, apparel and accessory industries have to offer for 2012. Last year I had the good fortune to spend some time in the Spirit Leatherworks booth, the official licensing partner for Nike Golf and Tiger Woods accessory collections. Nicole Leatherbury from Spirit gave me a tour of their booth, and left me with two belt samples, and mailed me two more after the show. I’ve worn these Nike Golf belts faithfully all year, and here I share with you what I think of them.

LASER ICON RED ENAMEL BUCKLE WITH BLACK BELT
When Nicole first showed me this belt, I wasn’t quite sure it was for me. I’m more of a conservative accessory guy — black and brown belts are the norm for me — and the bold red swoosh on the buckle seemed a little flashy. But after I wore it a few times, I really started to like this belt. The 1.25″ soft Nappa black leather belt has some really cool design details — the red stitching and golf ball dimple pattern are great accents, and the buckle has tiny nike shoes molded into the back that hold the post and belt attachment clip. The belt is very sturdy, comfortable, and obviously very stylish. This progressive belt design has made this conservative belt guy a convert.

SIGNATURE SWOOSH WHITE BELT
This belt also challenged my conservative style — I don’t consider myself young or hip enough to be wearing a white belt. Again, after wearing this belt a few times, I changed my mind about white belts. The 1.5″ white belt is sturdy and comfortable, and the swoosh design cut out of the brushed metal makes for a very stylish design. Several Nike athletes can be seen wearing this classic Nike belt design on tour, as it complements a wide variety of apparel and footwear combinations. I may not be young and hip enough to be wearing this belt, but I like it so much I’m wearing it anyway.

PERFORATED REVERSIBLE BLACK/BROWN BELT
When a box arrived at my door from Spirit Leatherwear, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect after their initial selections for me at the PGA Show. But Nicole did a great job in selecting two belt designs for me that are just my style. The Perforated Reversible Black/Brown belt is an awesome design that gets much use with my wardrobe. The heavy-duty brushed metal swivel buckle makes switching from one color to the other a breeze (the buckle swivels at the base where it meets the belt). The 1.25″ soft, perforated Nappa leather belt is comfortable and breathes well on hot summer days — which we have plenty of here in Phoenix. This belt is also very durable, I’ve worn it several times a week for a year and it shows minimal signs of wear. All in all this is a great belt design that I wear often.

NIKE CASUAL BROWN BELT
The second belt that was in the box was the Nike Casual belt in brown with brass buckle and rivets. This casual belt looks great both on the course and off. The 1.5″ oil-tanned leather belt has brass rivets at the tab by the buckle and at the tip, and the tab has a debossed swoosh on it. The brass buckle has a small, tasteful swoosh on it, and the brass looks great with the brown leather (the belt also comes in black with brushed metal buckle and rivets). The leather belt is not as thick as the other three, so it’s a little more flexible than the others, but it’s plenty durable and has stood up to a year’s use with minimal signs of wear. This belt looks great with jeans as well as golf pants, and it will continue to be an integral accessory in my wardrobe.

I’m really impressed with the belts and accessories Spirit Leatherworks continues to produce for Nike Golf. They offer a wide variety of designs that range from formal to casual, and styles that will please both progressive and conservative tastes. I personally can’t wait to see what Spirit has come up with for 2012 that they will be unveiling at this year’s PGA Merchandise Show.

Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.

 

LASER ICON RED ENAMEL BUCKLE WITH BLACK BELT:


SIGNATURE SWOOSH WHITE BELT:


PERFORATED REVERSIBLE BLACK/BROWN BELT:


NIKE CASUAL BROWN BELT:


Filed Under: Accessories, Apparel, Belts, Footwear & Apparel, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Product Reviews

Product Review: Nike Golf Air Range Shoes

September 26, 2011 By 1 Comment
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With the proliferation of athletic and street-style golf shoes hitting the market late this year, more attention is being paid to casual golf shoe designs. For years Nike Golf has had several athletic golf shoe designs in its lineup, and I have owned several of these including the Air Max Edge and last year’s Air Rate. This year Nike Golf added a new athletic shoe to their footwear line — the Nike Air Range.

Every spring I pick up a new pair of warm weather golf shoes for summer play here in Phoenix, as I prefer lighter, more breathable shoes for those hot summer rounds (in winter, I wear a standard pair of Nike leather golf shoes). Earlier this year Nike Golf sent me a pair of Air Ranges in the White/Blue colorway to test and review, and I also bought a pair in the Dark Gray colorway. I’ve put them through thorough testing in many rounds over the past six months, and below I share my findings with you.

INITIAL IMPRESSSION
Out of the box these shoes are very comfortable, and they have a definite athletic feel to them. They are very light, and the predominantly mesh upper is very breathable just like a running or training shoe. The sole has the same integrated spike pattern as the Air Rate, and the same Nike Air unit in the heel. I found the fit to be true (the Air Rate was a bit narrow for me), and the shoe was comfortable straight out of the box. The Air Range feels basically like a running or training shoe with a sole pattern that incorporates golf spikes.

VISUAL DESIGN
With casual golf shoes gaining greater acceptance (and fewer sideways glances) on the course, the Air Range fits right in with this new trend in golf footwear. A smart visual design features a mesh upper with synthetic leather accents. The 2011 line features three colorways — White/Blue/Black, White/Black/Red and Gray/Dark Gray, and a fourth colorway is being added for 2012 (Black, White/Yellow). The design is that of an athletic shoe all the way.

TECHNOLOGY
One feature of the Air Range surprised me — its 2-year Limited Waterproof Warranty. At first glance it looks like the mesh would be porous, and I’m not sure how Nike achieved the waterproofing but I can attest to it because in my first round wearing these I stepped in a puddle and the water did not seep through. As mentioned above the mesh breathes well and my feet feel cool and dry while wearing these. Like the Air Rate, the sole features a molded spike pattern, with two spikes at the ball of the foot and two at the outer heel. The rest of the sole has molded ridges that provide plenty of traction. The heel features the Nike Air unit that is visible at the back of the heel, and the Nike Power Channel runs in a zig-zag from the toe to the heel.

COMFORT
The athletic design, mesh upper and Nike Air technology in the heel all make this a very comfortable golf shoe. They feel great right out of the box, and on the course the shoes are very light on my feet, to the point that I don’t feel like I’m wearing golf shoes. The breathable mesh kept my feet cool and dry in the blistering Phoenix heat. I wore my Air Ranges for every round this summer, alternating between the white and dark gray pairs, and I can attest to the coolness and comfort these shoes provide.

FIT
The Air Range fit true to size for me. I mention this because certain pairs of Nike Golf shoes have felt narrow to me — the Air Rate and my old SP-5’s are examples of this. It seems like in more recent designs the fit has been a little wider and more true to size (I noticed the true-to-size fit in the Lunar Control also). As always I recommend trying these on before buying to make sure the size is right for you.

PERFORMANCE
From the name one would expect that shoe is designed for the practice tee and casual play, but this shoe is ideal for serious play on the course. The molded spike pattern on the sole provides more than enough traction on full shots. The shoe gives plenty of support at mid-foot, and it’s very stable on full swings. The lightness and comfort of this shoe is a bonus when walking the course.

SUMMARY
Nike Golf has created another great athletic golf shoe design in the Air Range. It is a light, breathable, waterproof golf shoe that is very comfortable, stylish, performs well on the course and is perfect for warm weather. Now that more casual shoe designs are gaining notice in the golf footwear marketplace, perhaps the Air Range will get the attention it deserves. If you are in the market for a comfortable athletic golf shoe, I highly recommend trying the Air Range.

Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.

Filed Under: Air Range, Footwear, Footwear & Apparel, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, ngnation.com, Nike Golf

Product Review: Nike 2011 Lunar Control Golf Shoes

June 23, 2011 By 2 Comments
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I should preface this review with a brief story. I originally wanted to write a review the day I got my pair of Lunar Controls. From the moment I opened the box I knew I was going to be experiencing something new in the golf world. I was excited, and anxious. I took pictures on my phone and emailed them to my parents and girlfriend. They didn’t get why I was so thrilled, but I knew. I posted it to the twitterverse, excited that I could be one of the first to share my thoughts with fellow golfers. But there were two important things that occurred when my shoes arrived from Nike Golf, and perhaps one had a significant and necessary impact on the other. It was a cold, blustery winter when my shoes came. There was still snow on the ground and it seemed like winter would never end. I had no golf trips planned, and I had just returned from a week of playing golf in Tucson the month before. Sitting inside my apartment, looking at New York City, with not an outdoor driving range open made me realize something – I was going to write the most detailed review I could, testing these Lunar Controls out in a variety of conditions and temperatures and making sure that it was different from any review out there. I didn’t give myself a deadline, and I figured I would know when the time was right. In the months of testing, a number of reviews came out, some were great and detailed, others were short and to the point, but one thing was common between all of them. They all looked unworn.

So here I am now, in June with more than 20 rounds under my belt. These Lunar Controls have been with me from Florida up to New York, in the snow, rain, and heat and I’m ready to write my review.

 

Technology

I thought I would begin with the obvious, and perhaps the most important. By now you’ve seen a number of Lunar Controls, between the four original models (White/Metallic Pewter/Black, Black/Black/Metallic Silver, White/Volt/Black/Metallic Silver, and White/Varsity Red/Black), and the limited edition Major editions, you’ve seen that the Lunar Control was the first golf shoe to incorporate Nike’s Flywire technology. As a quick refresher to the technology, Flywire is a very strong thread that is both used to minimize weight and maximize support. For the ultra technical, it’s called Vectran, and it’s super thin, super strong, and first originated in other scientific uses outside of apparel. Nike first introduced Flywire in running technology to give support on the inside and outside of the foot but keep shoes super light to increase speed. After incorporating the technology into basketball, it finally made its way into the golf line. The result of the Flywire, mixed with the TPU saddle, is a 50% weight reduction as well as full waterproof functionality. If you rub your fingers alongside the saddle, you’ll be able to feel the wires embedded in there. In my experience, I have not seen a better saddle. It’s like taking a bunch of light straps and securing your foot to the base. Nike has built that capability into the shoe and managed to reduce weight – it’s really impressive.

The other technology they’ve incorporated is the Lunarlon base. Lunarlon has been used in running shoes as well, including my favorite running shoe from 2010, the LunarElite+2. In comparison to the latest golf shoes I’ve been using and their support, I have not seen much of a difference however. Up until now, I thought the 2008 SP-8 TW would be the most comfortable golf shoe I ever wore, and that used a caged Air Unit. So did the Zoom Elite which I loved. When I moved onto the Zoom Trophy, which used a Zoom Unit, I also thought it was comfortable. The Lunarlon insofar maintains the comfort, but it doesn’t appear to be much softer. I think the real benefit is that it is probably lighter than previous bases.

What is a big improvement to me however, is the new sole. I don’t know if there’s an actual name for it, but what I found to be noticeably different was that when wearing the Lunar Control I had more stability and I could really plant my weight and shift weight with ease. It was like sticking to the ground and then quickly moving off like a sprinter. I wondered why this occurred and then pulled out my old shoes. I compared the bottom to the Zoom Trophy and the original Zoom Elite. I noticed that the Lunar Control replaced the black square edged base spikes with rounded, rubbery spikes. They also seemed longer. I think it really helped in feeling close to the ground. Nike has definitely made a big improvement with this seemingly small change. And maybe the Lunarlon in the heel allowed me to feel the difference. Here’s a comparison of the two:

 Lastly, the other important trait that often gets overlooked in reviews is that the shoe is waterproof. I was skeptical of wearing these at a rainy round at Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough, NJ in fear of damaging them, but they really are waterproof. I really don’t know what else to say about it. The upper, while fully leather, is made of Sadessa waterproof leather. Now I don’t know how they did it, but it literally repels water and there is a 2-year warranty for it.

Performance

The performance shoe is really what set the Lunar Control apart from its competitors. The stability it provides when swinging can truly be a benefit to your golf game. When I take my back swing, I load up weight on my back (right) foot and turn around it. Therefore, I want to feel planted into the ground.

 

But the good thing is that the shoe allows you to release quickly as well. The inertia generated by my swing transfers weight to my entire left side and really kept me on balance in my follow through.

 

Also, as I mentioned before I really wanted to give these shoes a true test. So, while a little embarrassing, I ran 50 yard dashes in these shoes to try out how comfortable and “athletic” they were. The goal was to see if the athletic feel of the Lunar Control and its take on a classic saddle shoe meshed well. And I can firmly say that if you wanted to run the course in these shoes you could and it would feel nearly as natural as your running sneakers. Here’s the picture to show that I actually ran sprints. And yes, I was carrying my Vr wedge with me.

 

Fit and Look

Nike’s golf shoes, for some reason, have always fit a half size smaller than their normal shoes. And I think this is true for the Lunar Control. As for fit, well, there is no breaking-in phase for this shoe. The new sockliner is something that they have incorporated in their higher end shoes for some time and it is definitely comfortable. I walked 9 holes in 95 degree heat at Fort Lauderdale Country Club in these and had no trouble at all. And that was only my second round in them. I also wore these the first time I broke 80.

One thing to consider though, is that on the white/volt version the black saddle extends through the laces area. The reason I am bring this up is because sometimes when I look down at putts I don’t want to be distracted by anything but my putter and my ball. The black sometimes caught my eye. Maybe it was because I have been wearing all white shoes for a while, but it did make me think. I’ve compared the top view of my Zoom Trophy to my Lunar Control to help demonstrate what I mean. Fortunately, if this is an issue for you, the other two white versions of the Lunar Control do not have the black color in the lace area.

 

As for overall look, there’s a reason why nearly all of Nike’s Athletes wear the Lunar Control on Tour. It’s stylish and comfortable and looks great with a number of outfits. For me personally, as I turn 30, I am walking along the line of young and sporty, and classic and not too flashy. The Lunar Control hit that middle area for me, especially with its neon color, which is on bottom of the shoe, as well as on the flywire and on a small swoosh on the tongue. I think for my dad, he would be fine in the all black or the white/grey version. Although when I showed him my volt version, he did ask if they were for him!

 Conclusion

I can stand by this conclusion and this recommendation because I have tested the Lunar Control in more conditions than any published review out there. I got them wet, muddy, and put them through heat and cold. I walked and ran in them. And my conclusion is that the Lunar Control dethroned my SP-8 TW golf shoes as the best looking, best performing, and most comfortable I have ever worn. I’ve been through a number of golf shoes in between, and I am happy to say that this is the one.

Stats: The Shoe
Model: Nike Lunar Control
Style: 418471
Color: 171 White/Metallic Silver-Volt-Black
Retail: $150

Stats: The Tester
Name: NGN Alan
Age: 29
Handicap: 12
Rounds in Lunar Control: 11
Equipment: Nike Vr Wedge 58.06
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Photographer: Jen Savage

Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.

Filed Under: Apparel, Footwear, Footwear & Apparel, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, Lunar Control, ngnation.com, Wedges

Product Review: Nike 2011 Lunar Control Golf Shoes

February 8, 2011 By 3 Comments
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Since the start of the 2011 PGA Tour season, Nike athletes have been seen sporting a very cool new offering from the Nike Golf footwear collection. The hottest shoe among Nike athletes on the PGA Tour this season is the new Nike Lunar Control. Already in 2011 four Nike athletes have won while wearing the Lunar Control — Charl Schwartzel, John Cook, Jhonattan Vegas and Paul Casey. In fact Paul Casey was instrumental in the development of the Lunar Control, and you can read about his involvement with the project here.

The Lunar Control brings the best of Nike’s most current shoe technologies to Nike Golf’s footwear collection, making them available to the recreational golfer in this new, breakthrough shoe design. Several weeks ago Nike Golf sent me a pair of the Lunar Control shoes to test and review, and I share my findings with you here.

INITIAL IMPRESSSION
The model I tested was the Black/Silver/Black colorway, and the first thing I noticed out of the box is how light the Lunar Control is. The shoe is solidly constructed, but it is very lightweight. It is a traditional design with progressive details, a nice mix of conservative and modern materials and styling in one great looking shoe. The first time I tried them on I was impressed by how comfortable they are right out of the box, and I couldn’t wait to get out on the course and test them under playing conditions.

TECHNOLOGY
The Lunar Control incorporates two of Nike’s most current cutting-edge shoe technologies: Lunarlon and Flywire. Nike’s patented Lunarlon foam cushioning system, seen in Nike’s running shoe collection, allows the shoe to have a lower profile (be closer to the ground), and still give maximum comfort. Nike’s Flywire technology, inspired by the engineering benefits of a suspension bridge and seen in Nike’s Basketball, Football, Soccer and Running categories, is incorporated into the saddle and secures the foot to the footbed of the shoe while keeping the shoe light in weight. The combination of these two technologies effectively anchors the player to the ground and creates a solid base for the golf swing. The sole combines molded traction elements with removable/replaceable Tri-LOK Scorpion Stinger spikes.

VISUAL DESIGN
The Lunar Control incorporates both traditional and modern design elements. The shoe is constructed of premium full-grain waterproof leather and comes with a 2-year waterproof warranty. The overall look is clean and sophisticated, but the exposed Flywire fibers in the saddle are a progressive touch. The silver and black Lunarlon foam cushioning system and the clear sole material add to the modern appeal of this shoe. Overall the Lunar Control is a great mix of traditional and contemporary shoe design.

COMFORT
Right out of the box these shoes were very comfortable for me. The support is great and the cushioning is superior. The Lunarlon foam definitely does its job, cushioning every step and making this a great shoe to walk a golf course in. They were very comfortable in my first round wearing them and required no breaking in.

FIT
The Lunar Control was true to size for me and fit perfectly. In my first round on the course they molded to my feet quickly, and after a few holes I tightened the laces just a bit, then didn’t have to give another thought to how these shoes fit.

PERFORMANCE
This shoe really performs on the course — the best way I can describe the Lunar Control is it feels very stable. The Lunarlon foam and Flywire combine to create a solid, comfortable playing platform. Standing over the ball my feet felt securely in touch with the ground under my feet, and I felt like I had a great foundation for my golf swing. They feel great through the entire round, and make walking the course (or the walk from the cart to the ball) a pleasure.

SUMMARY
The Lunar Control is sure to be one of Nike Golf’s top-selling shoes for 2011, and it’s definitely my shoe of choice for the upcoming golf season. The combination of Nike’s cutting-edge shoe technologies has resulted in an extremely comfortable, great performing golf shoe. If you are looking for a new pair of golf shoes for the 2011 golf season, I strongly urge you to give the Lunar Control a test drive, you’ll be glad you did.

Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.

Read about the inspiration behind the Lunar Control on Nike Golf’s “Minds Behind The Oven” blog >>

Learn more about the Lunar Control at nikegolf.com >>

Read Nike Golf’s press release about the Lunar Control >>

Filed Under: Footwear, Footwear & Apparel, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, Lunar Control, ngnation.com, Nike Golf

Product Review: 2011 Nike Zoom Trophy Golf Shoes

January 18, 2011 By 1 Comment
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I received a beautiful pair of Nike Zoom Trophy golf shoes in November but the snow storms that rocked the Northeast kept them in the box for almost two months. Just over a week ago, however, I was in sunny Arizona, playing five rounds in five days and testing the Zoom Trophy shoes in desert conditions.

Here are my findings:

INITIAL IMPRESSSION

The first thing I noticed out of the box is how supple the leather looks. Compared to the matte leather on my SP-8 TW Tours, the Zoom Trophy has an upper that has more of a pebbled, full-grain look. The Zoom Trophy shoes also have a very classic look. From the top view, there are no distracting lines and the all-white color means it goes well with virtually anything.  Lastly, the Zoom Trophy has a modern saddle which is a newer take on the traditional saddle golf shoe.

VISUAL DESIGN

With all the new models this year which incorporate technology and modern styling, the Zoom Trophy is one that maintains a good balance between old and new. With the new Zoom TW, Zoom Advance, Zoom Vapor II, Lunar Control and Zoom Elite II representing the more modern line, and the Tour Premium, Air Tour Classic, and Air Tour Saddle representing the more traditional line, the Zoom Trophy fits nicely right in the middle. The no frills look, especially in all-white or all-black gives this shoe one of the most simple and stylish designs in the entire footwear line. However, the white shoe is also available with a variety of saddle colors including green, orange, blue, and red. I chose the all-white colorway.

TECHNOLOGY

What makes the balance of style and technology great is that Nike has put the classic leather upper on its Power Platform seen on most of its golf shoes. The Power Platform is known for stabilizing the foot for better balance, smoother weight transfer, and more power through impact. In addition, the saddle acts as a lateral support system so your feet don’t move from side-to-side. I found this to be beneficial for long drives when I wanted more power transfer. The inside of the shoe includes a full-length contoured Poron sockliner that molded to my feet pretty well after five rounds. The Air Zoom unit in the heel also provided really good cushioning for uphill and downhill walking. Lastly, the shoes feature the stinger spikes which grip turf really well, but will leave some marks on soft greens when the spikes are still fresh.

COMFORT

One of the great achievements with the Zoom Trophy is that once I put them on, it felt like I had already broken them in. The feel that they immediately gave me was just like my SP-8 TW Tour, which until now was my all-time favorite Nike Golf shoe (and I’ve had many of them over the years). During my second round, I walked the North Course of The Gallery at Dove Mountain, which had me walking long distances between holes, as well as up and down long stretches of terrain. For only being the second time I wore these shoes, they really gave me the comfort I needed on this long course. I was truly impressed.

FIT

Not much feedback here. The Zoom Trophy fits true to size and is ready for the course right out of the box.

PERFORMANCE

I was very impressed with the performance of the Zoom Trophy. After playing five rounds in five consecutive days, my feet were feeling great. They felt so great that I could play tennis right after. I know some pros had some trouble with blisters after walking 36 holes at the Sony Open, but I truly think the Zoom Trophy would have held up to the test. After all, it worked for Anthony Kim.

SUMMARY

The Zoom Trophy is a classic shoe that performs. The full-grain leather gives it that premium look and when combined with the all the technology that Nike Golf is known for, the result is a shoe that looks and feels great. The Zoom Trophy is a great shoe for someone looking for performance with a subtle and sleek look.

Editor’s note: The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.

Filed Under: Footwear, Footwear & Apparel, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Zoom Trophy

Product Review: Nike 2010 Zoom Bandon Waterproof Shoes

October 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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ZoomBandon_Sole+SideContrary to popular belief it does rain sometimes here in Phoenix, and when it does waterproof footwear comes in handy just like anywhere else. It can come down pretty good during one of our monsoon thunderstorm downpours, and a good waterproof shoe can prevent your socks from getting soaked all the way through for the rest of the round.

Nike Golf recently released its 2010 Zoom Bandon waterproof shoes and I recently tested them for this review. Below I’m reviewing the shoe in two parts — PART 1: STYLE speaks to the fit, feel and features of the shoes. PART 2: PERFORMANCE features the results of my field test of the shoes in wet weather on the course. I summarize my findings and opinions of the product in the last paragraph.

PART 1: STYLE

Initial Impression
Taking these out of the box I couldn’t help but be impressed with the futuristic styling of these shoes. They are a ¾ style, like a basketball or football shoe, with a synthetic upper that not only feels great to the touch, but also screams “waterproof”. A full zipper on the front completes the clean look of these shoes. At first glance these shoes give the impression of being a serious (and stylish) foul weather golf shoe.

Style
I’m typically somewhat conservative with my footwear choices — black for golf shoes and usually a traditional design. But the design of these shoes grew on me quickly. The upper has a stylized grid pattern enclosed by a silver border, the same that’s featured on their 2010 Storm-Fit Elite Outerwear, contrasted with plain black areas outside of the pattern area. The outside of the sole has a red bar that relates to their VR equipment line, and the red is repeated on the small logo below the zipper, on the tongue and on the insole. When the zipper is closed the sleek appearance of these shoes is striking indeed.

Fit
My shoe size is a 13M (the size of the shoes I tested), and when I tried these on the first time I was wondering if they might run a little narrow. But by loosening the laces a bit (smart, huh?), slipping them on and wearing them just for a minute or two, the shoes immediately conformed to my foot shape. It didn’t take long to realize how comfortable these shoes are (see “Comfort” below), and the fit is secure without being tight. When zipped all the way to the top (to ensure their waterproof nature), the top opening is just a bit tighter than a regular shoe (with just a tongue at the top opening) but this is by no means uncomfortable or restrictive.

Features and Details
Nike’s designers have loaded this shoe with features — the first is the overall design that incorporates a padded, waterproof, breathable liner (inner shoe) with laces, covered by the waterproof synthetic upper with full waterproof zipper at front. At the top of the zipper is a rubber tab that covers the zipper pull and keeps it in place. The sole features the Nike Power Channel and Traction At Contact (TAC) system, and the Nike Zoom Air unit in the heel of the shoe that is present in their other shoe designs. The sole pattern on the Zoom Bandon has been designed for ease of cleaning (see press release, and “Cleaning” below). The ¾ height of the shoe keeps water from coming in at the ankle, and the back of the shoe features a nylon loop for ease of pulling the shoe on. The Zoom Bandon has all the features you need to keep your feet dry during a soggy round of golf.

PART 2: PERFORMANCE (ON-COURSE FIELD TEST 12.7.09)

It finally rained here in Phoenix on December 7th, so I was able to field test the Nike Zoom Bandon shoes on the course. I headed to my local course Stonecreek Golf Club where GM Kevin Weber allowed me out on the course for the test, which was closed at the time due to the adverse. If you are ever in the Phoenix area, check out Stonecreek and play a round if you can – it’s a fun, interesting and challenging layout that’s guaranteed to please. And make sure to tell Kevin I sent you.

I had planned on walking the course to give the Zoom Bandon shoes the maximum test, so I headed to the first tee in a moderate, steady rain. A couple of practice swings and a smooth drive down the middle of the first fairway and I was on my way. Most of what I’ll write from here on about the on-course field test reiterates the results of the mock field test, so see Part 3 below for the specific details as I won’t repeat them here.

The first thing I noticed about the shoes is how I didn’t think about where I was stepping — I knew the shoes were waterproof so I didn’t even worry about stepping in puddles, or water coming through the laces like on regular golf shoes. The waterproof outer covering and zipper didn’t disappoint — after stepping in numerous puddles, including rushing water coming over one of the bridges from the flooded creek below, not a drop made its way inside. No leaks, my socks were completely dry.

These shoes are extremely comfortable, and the three-quarter height gives great ankle support. On Twitter I mentioned how I wish I had these shoes at the soggy U.S. Open at Bethpage — when I was in New York I actually looked for rubber “Totes” to put over my shoes, but couldn’t find any. These shoes remind me of that kind of protection, with a comfortable inner shoe layer (with laces for a secure fit) surrounded by a waterproof exterior with watertight zipper, all combined in one shoe.

After walking the course for several holes I really forgot that I was wearing a different kind of golf shoe. They feel as comfortable as normal golf shoes, with added ankle support and the added peace of mind of being 100% waterproof, so that I didn’t even give my footwear a second thought. At the end of the field test the shoes were as comfortable as when I started, just what I would expect from Nike footwear.

I’d go so far as to say these shoes were a pleasure to wear, and I look forward to our next rainy day so I can wear these on the course again. Although being Phoenix, that might be a while — so I may just wear them on a sunny day, they’re that comfortable.

PART 3: PERFORMANCE (MOCK FIELD TEST 10.20.09)*

* It hasn’t actually rained here in Phoenix since I’ve had the Zoom Bandon shoes, and there’s no rain in sight for the foreseeable future. So I got creative for the purposes of the field test portion of the review — I made my own “rain” (a.k.a. shower and sprinklers — strange I know, but effective for testing, see photos below) for an initial “mock” field test. I’ll be updating this review with an “official” field test when it actually does rain here in Phoenix and I can test these shoes during a round on the course.

Ease of Use
Putting the shoe on is as easy as putting on a regular pair of golf shoes, the only extra step is zipping up the full zipper on the front.

Comfort
I have two other pairs of Nike Golf shoes — The SP5 and Air Max Revive (both in black) — and these shoes are just as comfortable as those (which means VERY comfortable). The padding of the insole combined with the Zoom Air technology in the heel mean comfort in every step. The padded inner shoe liner and the flexible waterproof outer layer moved with my foot and were comfortable and not restrictive at all. Nike mentions that “this shoe allows golfers to play with ‘zero distractions’” (see press release), and I found that to be true in the field test, both when walking and especially when swinging the club.

Waterproofing
Not much to be said here — 100% waterproof, no leaks, even when subjected to my “puddle test”. Okay, that was actually me standing in my kids’ kiddie pool for about 5 minutes (see picture below), but that test yielded no leaks and my socks were completely dry afterwards. This was an important test for these shoes to me — I dislike nothing more than stepping in a puddle, having the water go over the top and through the laces, and I have a sopping wet sock for the rest of the round. This shoe will completely prevent that from happening (provide the puddle is no deeper than ankle deep).

Stability and Traction
I had no slipping when I took more than 50 practice swings in the wet grass (at the end of the test the grass was wet to the point that it puddled up to where the sole meets the upper). The spikes in combination with the sole pattern and secondary traction elements kept my front foot stable and in place, and my back foot from sliding laterally in my backswing and when I pushed off my back foot in the downswing. These shoes were completely stable and secure when swinging in the wet grass.

Cleaning
After my field test I gave the shoes a cleaning test two ways. The first was done when they were wet — the waterproof upper came clean quickly because the upper is smooth, and the design of the sole pattern made it easy to get grass and mud off the sole. For the second test I got them muddy again and then let them dry. The upper cleans easily with a wet towel, and with the aid of a little water the sole comes completely clean, or I was able to just bang the dirt off the sole. These shoes clean up more easily (especially the uppers) than traditional golf shoes.

SUMMARY
The bottom line is that Nike’s designers have come up with a winning design for the Zoom Bandon. The style is very modern, clean and appealing, even to this traditionalist. They are so comfortable that I would wear them for a round of golf even if it wasn’t raining. The extensive features and 100% waterproof guarantee make these the perfect choice for a rainy round or a trip to your favorite destination where the weather is not always favorable — Scotland, or the shoe’s namesake Bandon Dunes anyone? Now we just need some rain here in Phoenix so I can put these shoes into play.

Read the Nike Golf press release about the Zoom Bandon Shoes >>

Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.

Filed Under: Equipment, Footwear, Footwear & Apparel, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Zoom Bandon Shoes

Product Review: Nike 2010 Storm-Fit Elite Rain Suit

October 25, 2009 By 5 Comments
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Elite-Jacket+Pants_FRONTPhoenix (a.k.a. The Valley of the Sun) is known for having 300+ days of sunshine a year. But believe it or not it actually does rain here, especially during our summer monsoons in July and August, and also in the winter, seemingly always during Phoenix Open week at the end of January (they moved the date of the tournament next year to February most likely for this reason. No, not really.). So having a quality rain suit to stay dry on the course comes in handy, even here in Phoenix.

Nike Golf has recently come out with its 2010 Outerwear Collection and I recently tested the Storm-Fit Elite Full-Zip Jacket and Storm-Fit Elite Pants for this review. Below I’m reviewing this rain suit in two parts — PART 1: STYLE speaks to the fit, feel and features of the jacket and pants. PART 2: PERFORMANCE features the results of my field test of the rain suit on the course. I summarize my findings and opinions of the product in the last paragraph.

PART 1: STYLE

Initial Impression
When I unpacked the jacket and pants, my initial impression was that this was definitely not a typical rain suit. The fabric is more like that used in athletic apparel — it features breathable laminate technology and a four-way stretch material (per Nike Golf’s press release) that gives the jacket and pants their sporty quality. Immediately you can see the unique style, cutting edge design and attention to detail that Nike is known for.

Style
The all-black material with contrasting piping on the sides of the pant legs and jacket sleeves and body gives the rain suit a sharp look. There is a design (a ‘rubberized’ grid pattern) imprinted on the upper torso of the jacket that’s adds to the up-to-date style. The cut of both the jacket and pants is athletic, but not tight, giving the suit a slim overall profile.

Fit
My jacket and pants size for this rain suit is XL, and I was really happy with how true the sizing was. The jacket fit as I would expect (hope in most cases), with room for a sweater in winter but not too loose with just a golf shirt in summer. The XL pants have a sizing of 38/32, luckily for me my exact pants size. The pants feature a snap hem at bottom (nice, see ‘Features’ below) that allows for adjustability of the pant leg length — for me I snapped the hem up and it’s perfect for a 32” inseam, unsnapped It would fit a 34”-36” inseam. The pants were not loose and not tight, and the stretch material adds to the comfort of the sizing, as there’s “give” in the material. The neck, when zipped to the top, was not tight, but fit snug enough to keep the rain out. Of course fit will vary among different people, but I was really happy with how the suit fit overall, without being either bulky or too tight or restrictive.

Features and Details
This where this rain suit separates itself from other rain suits I’ve seen. Among the performance details Nike has incorporated are the fully sealed seams (see photos below) featuring “no-sew technology” (again from press release), and fully sealed zippers and zipper housings that contain the zipper pulls when they’re closed. The pants have a snap and a zipper at the front (not the norm for all rain pants) making them easier to put on, elastic at the back of the waist and a drawstring cord for adjustability. The pant legs have extra long 14” zippers at the bottom for easy shoe access, and as mentioned above a snap hem at the bottom of the pants legs makes for flexible sizing. The pants have an articulated knee that helps with mobility, like when squatting down (as you would when marking and replacing your ball on the green). The jacket zipper is protected top to bottom with a flap that keeps the rain from the zipper, and the zipper is fully sealed for double protection. Laser cut Velcro tabs at the bottom of the jacket sleeves and pant legs allow for adjustment of the sleeve and pant leg openings.

Smaller details did not go unnoticed – the jacket has a cord at the bottom to adjust at the waist, and the cord is held in place by a small elastic tab so it doesn’t hang out of the bottom of the jacket. The zipper pulls on the pants have nylon tabs with small rubber dots (and swoosh) to make it easier to grasp the tab when it’s wet. And the pulls on the jacket have a red line under the Nike swoosh reminiscent of their new VR line. All of these details speak to how thorough the Nike Golf designers are when designing their apparel.

PART 2: PERFORMANCE (ON-COURSE FIELD TEST 12.7.09)

My prayers for rain were finally answered on December 7th, when a strong winter storm blew through the Valley of the Sun. The storm brought an all-day soaking rain to Phoenix, and the opportunity for me to finally test the Nike Storm-Fit Elite jacket and pants out on the course. I headed to my local course Stonecreek Golf Club where GM Kevin Weber allowed me out on the course for the test, which was closed at the time due to the adverse conditions (not to mention the flooded creek that runs throughout the course). If you are ever in the Phoenix area, check out Stonecreek and play a round if you can – it’s a fun, interesting and challenging layout that’s guaranteed to please. And make sure to tell Kevin I sent you.

I had planned on walking the course to give the outerwear the maximum test, so I headed to the first tee in a moderate, steady rain, keeping my umbrella in the bag. A couple of practice swings and a smooth drive down the middle of the first fairway and I was on my way. Most of what I’ll write from here on about the on-course field test reiterates the results of the mock field test, so see Part 3 below for the specific details as I won’t repeat them here.

I can’t say enough about how comfortable this rain suit is. The best way to say it is I really didn’t notice that I was wearing a rain suit — there’s no nylon swish-swish sound and the material flexed with me when I was walking and swinging the club. I felt confident in the waterproof material and didn’t give it an extra thought. The jacket is plenty long and completely covers the top of the pants, even with my arms fully extended over my head when stretching before the round, or fully extended during my swing. The jacket collar was comfortable zipped all the way to the top, and no aspect of the jacket or pants were distracting in any way while I was playing (not so with other rain suits I’ve used in the past).

The zippers were easy to use and conveniently placed — I mostly used the side jacket pockets to store my balls tees, etc. during the round, and when I got back to my car the pants pockets were easy to navigate through to my pocket underneath to get my car keys. And when I took the jacket and pants off at the car, there were no wet spots and no leakage — my clothes were 100% dry.

I’d go so far as to say this rain suit was a pleasure to wear, and I look forward to our next rainy day so I can have the course to myself again. Although being Phoenix, that might be a while.

PART 3: PERFORMANCE (MOCK FIELD TEST 10.20.09)*

* It hasn’t actually rained here in Phoenix since I’ve had this rain suit, and there’s no rain in sight for the foreseeable future. So I had to get creative for the purposes of the field test portion of the review — I had to make my own “rain” (a.k.a. shower and sprinklers — strange I know, but effective for testing, see photos below) for an initial “mock” field test. I’ll be updating this review with an “official” field test when it actually does rain here in Phoenix and I can test the jacket and pants on the course.

Ease of Use
I simulated how I would put on this rain suit on the course if it started raining mid-round – over my shoes and standing up. The wide leg openings and stretch material made it easy to get the pant legs over my shoes. A quick zip of the leg openings and the pants were on in under a minute. The jacket is a simple slip on and go.

Mobility
I took about 100 practice swings in the back yard, both in the “rain” and out, and the rain suit did not disappoint. I could really notice how the 4-way stretch material allows the rain suit move with you, not just by sliding over your clothes but by flexing and stretching. Neither jacket nor pants were binding at all during the swing, and the suit was perfectly comfortable when bending or squatting down. The best way I can describe it is I didn’t notice I was wearing a rain suit when I was swinging the club.

Waterproofing
The Storm-Fit Elite jacket and pants come with a 100% waterproof guarantee, and I won’t need to refer to that any time soon. Right away it’s apparent how water immediately beads up and runs off the special laminate material (see photos below). I gave all zippers a good direct dousing (with the shower head, again see photos), and not a drop made it through to the inside. Sprinkler spray from top and sides was repelled over a 20-minute test. The rain suit performed as advertised in my mock field test — I’ll do another test on the course when it actually rains and can test over a typical 4-hour round, but I don’t expect the results to be any different than they were here.

Breathability
When I tested the jacket and pants it was a balmy 93 degrees outside, and I noticed how I wasn’t getting overheated during the test. I have two other rain suits (a.k.a. sweat suits) that feel like a sauna when I wear them. Thanks again to the “breathable laminate technology”, I didn’t end up getting soaked from the inside out like I do with my other rain suits. This rain suit breathes very well and kept me cool in the heat.

Noise
You know that annoying nylon “zip-zip-zip” sound you get when you walk, swing, even move in a standard rain suit? I didn’t get any of that with the Storm-Fit Elite jacket and pants. It’s not completely silent when you swing or move, but the sound is very minor, much less than I hear with my other rain suits. It’s what you would hear if you were wearing a microfiber jacket (and pants), and the sound goes pretty much unnoticed unless you are listening for it.

SUMMARY

The bottom line on the Storm-Fit Elite jacket and pants is they make the best rain suit combination I’ve ever tried by far. The real standout is the 4-way stretch material that does not restrict the athletic moves in the golf swing. Its extensive features and modern design make the suit easy to use and stylish to wear. This rain suit will be on my body the next time we have wet weather here in Phoenix — and I’d go so far to say that it actually has me hoping for rain for a round of golf in the near future.

Read the Nike Golf press release about the Storm-Fit Elite Outerwear >>

Editor’s note: The product reviewed above was supplied by the manufacturer to the reviewer/author free of charge for reviewing purposes only. The reviewer/author was not paid for this review, and the opinions expressed in the review are strictly those of the reviewer/author.

Filed Under: Apparel, Equipment, Footwear & Apparel Product Reviews, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Rain Gear, Storm-Fit Elite Jacket, Storm-Fit Elite Pants