Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip In Golf Shoe Review
If you’re a traditionalist who believes golfers should never change their shoes in the parking lot, look the other way.
For everyone else, Skechers has a brand-new golf shoe that helps make getting from the parking lot to the first tee a breeze. I tested the new Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip In golf shoes for convenience, comfort and performance, and here’s my complete review.
The Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip In Final Verdict
The Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip Ins are awesome golf shoes for walking, especially during peak golf season. They’re lightweight and super flexible around the top of the foot, making them extremely comfortable, yet the stiffer heel and sole provide the entire shoe with more structure and support.
Despite being fully waterproof, the breathability is ideal, even on hot days. If you want a shoe you can slip on in the parking lot, and wear through the 19th hole, or even all the way home, check these out.
Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip In Specs and Features
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Material: Synthetic upper, padded tongue and collar
Waterproof Warranty: 1 year
Spikes: Skechers GRIPFLEX spikeless outsole
Colors: Black, White, Gray
The most noticeable feature of the Elite 5 Slip In is the Twist-Fit dial, which tightens the shoe and replaces traditional shoelaces, making these easy to slip on and off. The appeal of these shoes, however, goes way beyond the simple convenience.
Skechers added its exclusive Heel Pillow for a strong hold in the back of the shoe, coupled with a flexible and comfortable synthetic upper. The Arch Fit insole helps make these easy to walk 18 holes in.
The Elite 5 Slip Ins are spikeless, and Skechers uses its GRIPFLEX outsole for traction, which I found to be completely effective. Like the heel, the sole of the shoe has more structure and stability, giving the complete package a really inviting blend of comfort and support.
Skechers Elite 5 Slip In Complete Review
I took the Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip Ins straight out of the box to the first tee. Yes, they slip on and off with ease, but still fit snugly on your feet. The Twist-Fit dial on the side of the shoe lets you tighten the shoe, but I didn’t even need to adjust them out of the box.
The shoes are waterproof, but they’re not the heavy, bulky waterproof golf shoes you might think of. The upper is on the thinner side and is quite flexible around the foot, which provides excellent comfort. The heel and sole are both much stiffer, and give the entire shoe sturdy structure and support.
After testing out the Elite 5 Slip Ins, I love them all the way around. I particularly like them for walking those hot, mid-summer rounds. They’re lightweight, breathable, and comfortable for walking 18 holes in hot temps. At the same time, the spikeless sole offers all the traction you need, and the waterproof body is more than enough to keep your feet dry if you hit some rain showers, trek through morning dew, or find some wet spots on the course.
If you like to play till dark after work on weekday evenings, or just prefer the convenience of a slip-in golf shoe, you cannot go wrong with the Skechers Elite 5 Slip Ins.
Look & Style: 5/5
The Skechers Elite 5 Slip Ins come in three colorways: black with white accents, grey with lime green accents, and white. All three designs are subtle and clean. You won’t find any large logos or over-the-top patterns, which is one of the reasons they appeal to me.
The Twist-Fit knob on the side of the shoe is really the only element that stands out from an aesthetic perspective, and I commend Skechers for keeping the design simple and understated.
Traction & Turf Interaction: 4/5
In the lightweight and spikeless golf shoe class, the Skechers Elite 5 Slip Ins offer the best traction and turf interaction you could expect. However, lightweight, spikeless golf shoes are inherently less effective than spiked shoes in this department, so I gave them a score of 4 out of 5.
I walked 18 holes on a mostly dry course, with a spattering of your typical spring wet spots, and I found the traction to be perfect for the conditions.
It’s unlikely that you’d lose your footing in normal golf course conditions (including some light rain, dew, sprinklers, etc.) wearing these shoes, but if you regularly play in sloppy, wet, hilly and muddy conditions, spiked golf shoes are your best bet.
Waterproof: 4/5
Again, I didn’t put the waterproofing to the extreme test, as I did with the Skechers GO GOLF Pro 5 Hyper, but I had to trek through my fair share of puddles throughout the course, and as expected, the waterproofing held up perfectly.
Skechers offers a one-year waterproof warranty with the Elite 5 Slip Ins, which is good, but it’s not the brand’s or the industry’s top-of-the-line waterproof guarantee. The Pro 5 Hyper that I tested earlier this spring includes a two-year waterproof warranty and today’s best waterproof golf shoes offer up to a three-year warranty.
Comfort & Sizing: 5/5
From a sizing perspective, these fit perfectly. I’ve worn size 10.5 shoes my entire adult life, and the sizing with the Elite 5 Slip Ins is right on the button.
One of the most impressive features is the comfort these shoes offer. I knew they would feel good on my feet from testing Skechers shoes in the past, and I knew they would be good for walking, but I was still pleasantly surprised with just how good they were. As I mentioned, I took them straight from the box to the first tee and walked my round. Even without breaking them in before that, they felt great.
The heel, which is one of the stiffer areas of the shoe, may need a little time to break in before these reach peak comfort, but even straight out of the box I give these a 5 out of 5 for comfort. I’m very impressed with how Skechers successfully paired the stiff heel and sole for support with the softer upper for comfort and breathability.
Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip In Pros & Cons
For most golfers in most conditions, the Skechers Elite 5 Slip Ins are the ideal golf shoe. Whether you’re walking or riding, they’ll keep your feet comfortable. However, for those extremely wet and muddy shoulder season rounds, opt for a heavier-duty, spiked shoe.
Pros:
- Lightweight and breathable, excellent for walking in peak golf season conditions
- Convenience of a slip on
- Clean, understated style of a running shoe
- Easy to wear to and from the course, and at the 19th hole
Cons:
- Waterproof warranty is just one year
- Probably not ideal for the wettest/muddies rounds of the year
Who Should Slip Into the GO GOLF Elite 5?
Given the comfort, convenience, breathability and structure of the Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Slip Ins, I recommend these shoes for golfers looking for a go-to shoe for the majority of the golf season.
They’re great for walking because they’re lightweight and extremely comfortable, and the convenience of the slip-in makes them awesome for busy golfers who like to sneak in some weeknight twilight golf.