Not many golf shoes offer this value for money: adidas MC80 Golf Shoe Review
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- Very soft leather
- Lightweight
- Great value for money
- Well made
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Cons
- Garish sole won't be to everyone's tastes
What we say...
There’s a lot to like about the adidas MC80 golf shoes, including the price, but there are one or two things you should consider before buying them…
Like the kid who turns up with a briefcase on the first day of school, the MC80 golf shoe stands apart from the rest of the crowd. Where adidas golf shoes are typically sporty, modern-looking affairs, the MC80 offers a far more traditional style. There’s still a fruity flash of color on the sole of certain colorways (the MC stands for ‘modern classic’), but I’d place the MC80 as an alternative to brogue styles like the FootJoy Premiere or G/FORE Gallivanter rather than the trainer-based golf shoes adidas tend to focus on these days.
There is one big difference between the MC80 and the best golf shoes of a similar style, though, and that’s the price. The adidas MC80 has an RRP of £140 but you’ll often find it for under £100, whereas the FootJoy Premiere, G/FORE Gallivanter, and similar rival models are considerably more expensive. Is the cheaper price of the MC80 reflected in what you get from the shoe, or does its price make it one of the best spikeless golf shoes available? Let’s find out…
Pros
- Very soft leather
- Lightweight
- Great value for money
- Well made
Cons
- Garish sole won't be to everyone's tastes
Comfort
The full-grain leather upper is very soft and supple. The upper of some smart brogue-style golf shoes can feel quite stiff for the first few wears, but that certainly isn’t the case with the MC80.
I found the MC80 came up slightly on the large side, which caused some rubbing on the heel. Shoe sizing across brands is notoriously inconsistent but, even within the adidas stable, different shoes seem to fit quite differently so I would recommend trying them on before you buy – or at least ordering a few sizes from somewhere that offers free returns so you can try them on at home and send back the ones that don’t fit perfectly.
Once you get the right size, you’ll find a very comfortable and lightweight golf shoe with a fairly relaxed fit. The soft upper and wide shape combine to allow your feet to move freely, while the Boost insole offers plenty of cushioning underfoot.
Grip and stability
For a spikeless shoe, the grip offered by the MC80 is very good. It’s not the first shoe I’d reach for on a particularly wet and potentially slippery day, but it will be fine for any normal conditions.
The front section of the shoe is very flexible, while a ‘Torsion bar’ under the midfoot enhances rigidity and stability.
There’s room for your foot to move freely during your swing, but not the disconcertingly unstructured feel you get from the most relaxed fitting spikeless shoes.
Looks and colors
I like smart, classic-looking golf shoes. I’m also partial to a more adventurous, sporty-looking shoe. I just feel the MC80, with its funky sole, sits in between – and not entirely in a good way. If I want modern flashes and bright colors, I’ll go for that kind of shoe. If I want a clean and traditional look, I want the shoe to be just that. It’s only my opinion, and maybe I’m being boring, but adding a lairy sole to a classic shoe feels like those guys who wear a smart suit but then add a wacky tie or socks. That said, some people will love the MC80’s mix of classic looks and quirkiness, and there are other colorways with less outlandish soles if you like the shape but share my views on the sole.
The leather is so soft it will crease over time, but as long as you keep them clean to avoid dark lines appearing across the top, I don’t think that detracts from the looks at all.
Also consider
You could go for the FootJoy Premiere, G/FORE Galivanter, or any other shoe of that style, but I’d say the MC80’s closest competitor is actually the Puma Avant. It’s a similar design and, like the MC80, very competitively priced. I have found that adidas shoes tend to last better than Puma, though.
About the author
Rob McGarr – Contributing Editor
Rob has been a writer and editor for over 15 years, covering all manner of subjects for leading magazines and websites.
He has previously been Features Editor of Today’s Golfer magazine and Digital Editor of todays-golfer.com, and held roles at FHM, Men’s Running, Golf World, and MAN Magazine.
You can follow him on YouTube where – depending on what day of the week it is – he’ll either be trying his best to get his handicap down to scratch or shoving his clubs in a cupboard, never to be seen again.
Rob is a member at Royal North Devon, England’s oldest golf course, where he plays off a three-handicap.
