Another win for the HOVR family? Our Under Armour Drive Fade Golf Shoes Review
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- Decent performance for the price point
- Simple and inoffensive styling
- Excellent traction
- Waterproof guarantee
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Cons
- Synthetic upper and tongue leave a bit to be desired
What we say...
Today’s Golfer steps into the Drive Fade to see how it performs on the course and give our verdict on whether it lives up to UA’s growing reputation as a golf footwear specialist.
Under Armour isn’t shy in coming forward with new releases having thrust out the HOVR Tour, Charged Draw, Phantom, and Drive Pro to the market in recent times. Also amongst those loafers is the spikeless Drive Fade, incorporating the same pioneering and innovative technologies that UA fans have become accustomed to. The brand is fast becoming one of the most trusted brands on the market when it comes to making the best golf shoes for every type of golfer.
Today UA feels like a household name in golf footwear, but it was only in 2016 that the brand launched into the market on the heels of Jordan Spieth following his Masters victory in 2015. Less than a decade on and the American sports apparel giants have brought us a wide range of spiked and spikeless models, biomechanically optimized to help golfers add another competitive edge to their game.
Perhaps one of UA’s biggest selling points is that the brand has been able to bring its tech-packed pioneering products to the market at very competitive price points with golfers often able to get their feet on in a new pair of UA shoes for around the £100/$120 mark. And that’s exactly where the Drive Fade has been positioned, which will appeal to many, but does this represent great value for your money?
Pros
- Decent performance for the price point
- Simple and inoffensive styling
- Excellent traction
- Waterproof guarantee
Cons
- Synthetic upper and tongue leave a bit to be desired
What the brand says
The Drive Fade standout feature is their highly durable HOVR™ proprietary midsole system, engineered to offer the ultimate blend of comfort and performance providing outstanding cushioning whilst giving you incredible levels of bounce and energy return. UA’s Rotational Resistance outsole provides lightweight lockdown traction, enhancing stability and grip throughout your swing. The shoes are highly breathable and additionally boast a waterproof guarantee, ensuring your feet stay dry and comfortable in wet conditions. The Drive Fade has been designed to offer support and performance throughout the golf season, making them a reliable choice for golfers seeking comfort and traction.
First impressions
Unboxing the Drive Fade SL I was somewhat underwhelmed with the design, which despite being non-offensive, are a little boring (although I do have colleagues who quite like them). If you want a traditional look with a touch of modern styling then I think you will probably be quite happy. I’m not a huge fan of white golf shoes so if pushed I’d probably go for this shoe in one of the black or grey options available.
The shoe feels a touch tacky dare I say. I’d stop short of saying cheap, but this is a more affordable mass-produced shoe from a powerhouse brand and the synthetic upper definitely feels less premium to me. There is some nice detailing on closer inspection but no one will be bending down in a hurry to check these out. I prefer the look of the Drive Pro and Phantom from the UA range.
On course performance
Comfort
The HOVR™ foam cushioning system delivers a high level of underfoot comfort, particularly in the heel which is effective for shock absorption across the thousands of steps you take during a round of golf. I found the tongue to be a bit uncomfortable and overly cumbersome, a noticeable distraction with every step, and the roof was too rigid for my liking when flexing. Support and cushioning around the heel cage is excellent though. A bit of a mixed bag to be honest on the comfort front.
Traction
I believe this to be the shoe’s strength. The multi-directional lugs on the sole do a stellar job of securing your stance and I felt firmly attached to the turf throughout my whole round and walking on damp tarmac around the clubhouse and car park too. For the price I think it over-delivers on this front, especially comparing it to more premium spikeless models.
Practicality
The synthetic upper is easy to clean, aside from the fabric around the collar which might be trickier if you find yourself swinging through muddy underfoot conditions. The lacing system is adequate without offering anything out of the ordinary and the microfiber upper is 100% waterproof having been engineered with UA’s highly-regarded Storm Proof technology.
Off course versatility
For me, this shoe isn’t particularly versatile. It looks like a golf shoe and performs like a golf shoe. I’d suggest the grey option as the most appropriate choice if you want more hybrid use from this shoe but you’re unlikely to be pairing it with a casual outfit for hitting the town.
Final verdict
Many of my criticisms are perhaps a reflection of personal taste as opposed to anything severely lacking on UA’s part. You have to bear in mind that you tend to get what you pay for in golf, and while £100/$120 is not cheap, this is not a premium shoe. It lacks in style, versatility, and comfort compared to some of the other brands’ models, but does a fair job on the course.
If you’re still keen on the sound of the Drive Fade but want to consider some alternative models from other manufacturers you may want to check out the Ecco S-Three, FootJoy Pro SL, or Under Armour Drive Pro. You can read our best spikeless golf shoes guide for more inspiration too.
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About the author
Ross Tugwood
Senior Digital Writer
Ross Tugwood is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.
Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.
He has post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.
