Cheap shoes/Expensive shoes

Imurg

Imurg

The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
38,476
Location
Aylesbury Bucks
Visit site
Is a pair of £150 shoes really any better than a pair of £50 shoes?

Mine need replacing soon and I've been looking at the cost of some of these and it got me thinking :-

Lets take Footjoy.

A pair of Classics - £160 in an E-bay shop
A pair of AQL's - £45 in an E-bay shop

Are you going to get 4 times the wear from the Classics? Are they 4 times more waterproof? Are they 4 times more comfy?

Answer to the 1st two is No. The third is a matter of debate.

Every manufacturer has expensive and "cheap" shoes.

Are the expensive ones really any better?
 
Myself and Vig both wore brand new AQL's straight from the box at the Belfry, they were so comfatable and my feet stayed bone dry in rather wet conditions.

I paid £45 from AG, I am so glad I never payed anymore for a 'better' pair.
 
I would imagine the maufacture process and materials used would be of a better quality in expensive shoes.

I tend to buy expensive, only for the reason is that they do a lot of miles, and I still tend to think, you get what you pay for. Not always the case, but mostly.
 
It's strictly personal preference I think. I could have the dearest shoe on but if I looked down and thought I looked like a t**t in them then subconsiously I would be worried about that rather than my game. Similarly if they were uncomfortable, whatever the price or how they looked, that would detract from my game also.

Style & comfort are personal and that is why there are soooo many shoes on the market.
 
I'm in the market for some new shoes with a budget of £50 so what Tony is saying about the AQl's, I don't think i have any other choice. :D
 
The expensive ones are on the whole better in my experience. You do get what you pay for in terms of comfort, stability and materials used / time taken to manufacture. That said I think the difference between one brands premium shoe and another brands premium shoe is minimal even if one charge £35 + more. I don't think I would ever really buy a pair of non-premium shoes even if they were 'premium' a couple of years ago- you have to be confident in the fact that they were more expensive for a reason.

I'm like this for football as well, only leather ever touches my feet. Not any of this plastic rubbish (which admittedly does appear in some premium boots- for shame of the manufacturer) I would rather buy last seasons style premium real K leather version for say £50 than this years 'as worn by X' replica boot for the same price. You can tell the difference.

It is the same with golf in my book- why would pros wear premium shoes if they were identical to non-premium ones. And I know some tour pros would because sponsors dictate, but have a look at what shoes your club pro has on next time you are in the shop / having a lesson! They won't be Greenjoys...
 
Juniour the new AQL's have just come out £60 they are I think but didnt think they were worth £15 more than what AG were knocking last years model out for! Excellent shoe!
 
My friend plays on the European Tour and has always worm Fj without question as he knows how they perform and the comfort level.

Nike approached him/his management team a few years back wanting to pay him to wear their shoes he declined despite not having a shoe deal prefering to keep wearing what he knows wont hurt him and cause problems with his career!

Guess what I'm trying to say is stick to what you are comfortable with, if thats a dearer pair of shoes or a cheaper pair then so be it, its only you who is going to suffer on the course!!!!
 
Trouble is they never have my size. In anything.

So I end up having to hunt high and low for them. Going to get some AQL's when I find them.
 
I have classics (4 pairs) and dry joys (2 pairs). Whilst I ove my classics, they only come out in the sun, as I want to keep them in good condition, and they should last for years.

For every day use, and if I could only afford one pair, I would go for dryjoys every time. The best shoe by far for the money. Especially if you buy last years model at sale prices.
 
All depends on your budget though Eagle.
Click to expand...

It doesn't though! That is the point I was trying to make, you are better off buying last seasons premium shoes than this years £60 middle of the range shoe. For example I bought the 2008 reelfits for £59 when I could have instead opted for this years AQLs at that price. It is worth sacrificing having a new design product in order to gain one of superior quality that is perhaps a little outdated- that is my opinion on the matter anyway.
 
I see, I thought that you were saying that you should by the more expensive over the cheaper pair. My apologies.
 
No worries mate, that's fair enough as I was somewhat advocating that as well so can see why you slightly misunderstood. Personally I would save up for the more expensive shoes, but you are absolutely right middle of the range shoes are essential for those on a budget if they wish to have new style shoes.
 
Personally I would rather pay the extra for a better model which is why I went for the Dryjoy PODS lasts year (and a couple of Myjoys). I think if you look on the FJ website thequality of the build is higher and I do believe quality will out. I have a pair of dryjoys that are nearly 6 years old and only now is the leather cracking and only where my foot bends. Admittedly I clean them well and let them dry when wet etc but I feel I got my moneys worth. I have AQL (or aqualites before the rebrand) that have barely scraped a season.

I know that dryjoys etc fit me perfectly out of the box each and every time so I know that I'm getting value for money in terms of comfort from day one. Adidas and Nike have always taken ME time to break in (others say differently) and sizing has been an issue.

In simple terms I think pay a little bit more if you can afford. it. If not like others have said buy last years top models. My local range has dryjoy PODS at £65 and that will come down further once the 09 range come out.
 
I bought a pair of FJ "drydogs" (I think they were) about 5 years ago, cost me somewhere around £70.00. They were absolutely superb, fitted like a glove, totally waterproof and even 5 years down the line they looked like new with a bit of polish on them. Unfortunately, I left them in the locker room after a game in September last year, by the time I had realised they were missing, they had been nicked.
I had to buy a pair in a hurry so nipped up to the local club and paid £60.00 for a pair of AQL's.
Once more, these fitted straight out the box, no blisters, no aches and pains....superb shoes by FJ again!
I was so impressed that when the Missus asked me what I wanted for Christmas I said that I wouldn't mind another pair of AQL's for the Summer (white ones) which we managed to get hold of for £45.00 at another pro shop locally. They really do feel superb on, and I can't wait to wear them properly once the weather improves.
When I first started playing, FJ's seemed too expensive for me so I tried a few pairs of cheap makes. You get what you pay for.
I would recommend FJ's to anybody, and you don't have to spend a fortune nowadays to benefit from their expertise.
 
As someone who recently treat himself to a pair of Classics Dry Premier, I thought I'd add my halfpenneth.

I have a pair of black Dryjoys which Ive had for perhaps 10yrs. Admittedly, they didnt get much use for a few seasons as I moved to some Nike's, but they are still in excellent condition, really good.

The Nike's I got cheap from Florida, 2 pairs, and they were pretty good too, and have lasted about 3/4yrs before looking pretty scuffed, so are going out.

Early 08 I got some Adidas Tour 360 Ltd's, and they are super comfy, look fab, and were great out of the box, so no complaints.

However, I couldnt resist wearing my Black Classics for 12holes last weekend, as it was reasonably dry, and they had been looking at me since I got back from Florida in Oct.
Black smooth calfskin with Black Croc Saddle......... Mmmmmmmm

The difference is unveleivable, it really is. They give you such a superb platform to play from if that's the right term , so supportive.
Sure, I think they will take a few rounds to properly wear in, but I like that, and it re-assures me that they are built to last.

It wasnt particularly cold last saturday, but the Classics felt like they were centrally heated, and supremely comfortable for a 1st time on.

A good friend of mine, who used to be an assistant Pro, has 2 pairs from his Pro days, and quite simply says that looked after, Classics will last for years, and I have to say on 1st impressions, I can see why.

Worth £120-160 ?? I'd say so. Time will tell, but I dont think I'm going to be dissapointed.

If you look after shoes, do it,
If you dont, Dont.

 
Just out of interset, how much would a pair of "myjoys" set me back?
I got my current shoes, which are NIKE, from sportsworld and they've been fine for about 6 months but have just started to let my feet get wet! :mad: They were only £35 though, so not too bad. I also didn't have to "wear them in" and suffer loads of blisters, which was a bonus!
 
When it is seriously hot, classics are like an oven on your feet. They are heavy too. I still love (all) mine though.

Never buy classic tours, they are junk, stick with the leather soled version, classic dry premieres, if you go down this route.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Footjoy wide fit shoes
Replies
8
Views
469
kp17
kp17
W
Shoes v insoles
Replies
10
Views
1K
Bdill93
Bdill93
Y
Gfore gallivan2R shoes
Replies
2
Views
463
Orikoru
Orikoru
N
'Interesting' white golf shoes
2 3
Replies
41
Views
3K
Bazz
Bazz
Crazyface
Golf Shoes
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
Crazyface
Crazyface
Top