Reader test: Skechers Elite 5 Slip ‘In golf shoes
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Four amateur golfers and Today’s Golfer readers put Skechers Elite 5 Slip ‘In golf shoes to the test to find out if they’re as good as the brand claim.
Skechers make some of the best golf shoes, combining comfort and style with traction and support. The new Slip ‘In shoes continue that trend while also making the shoe ridiculous easy to get on. As the name suggests, there’s no need to bend down or grab a shoe horn because the heel has been designed so that your foot slips in and then stays in.
And there are no laces, either, because Elite 5 Slip ‘In use the BOA twist tightening system to ensure they stay secure.
Matt Fitzpatrick won the US Open wearing Skechers golf shoes and he’s hoping they’ll help him gain his first points for Europe in the Ryder Cup in Rome. He says Skechers are the best golf shoes he’s ever worn.
But it’s easy for a player to say a shoe is great when they’re being paid to wear them so we enlisted the help of four Today’s Golfer readers to put the Slip ‘In to the test across the course of several rounds at their home courses.
Paul Thorpe, Sarah Pyke, Steve Patterson, and Adrian Mitchell were all supplied one pair of Slip ‘In in their size to ensure the ideal fit, with color the only difference between the models.
Slip in comfort with great support and traction
Part of Skechers innovative Slip 'In range of sneakers and golf shoes, the Go Golf Elite 5 are a fun, modern style of shoe to take to the course. I was skeptical to start with about the idea of slip-in shoes but they are easy to get on and require no bending down – until you have to use a Twist Fit to tighten the shoe.
Although Twist Fit goes against the no-bending down idea, it is a great tool and along with the Heel Pillow, it provides a secure fit for your foot when walking the course.
The shoe was super comfortable straight out of the box with no blisters in sight after the first round. At a glance, the Go Golf Slip 'In don't look waterproof but they are. They wouldn't be out of place being worn off the golf course, either, making them perfect for a golfer who wants a comfortable and practical shoe.
Ideal for golfers who may suffer with back or mobility issues.
Pros
- Easy to get on
- Arch fit comfort
- Great traction
- Good to wear on and off the course
Cons
- Not truly hands-free
| Sizes | 6-13 |
| Sole | Spikeless |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| BOA | Yes |
- Key Features
- Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins™ for an easy fit
- Exclusive Heel Pillow™ holds your foot securely in place
- Twist Fit™ dial closure for an adjustable precise fit
- Patented Skechers Arch Fit® insole system with podiatrist-certified arch support
- Podiatrist-designed shape developed with 20 years of data and 120,000 unweighted foot scans
- Removable insole helps mold to your foot to reduce shock and increase weight dispersion
- Design Details
- Skechers GRIPFLEX spikeless TPU outsole for superior traction and flexibility
- Waterproof protection with a one year warranty
- Synthetic upper
- Padded collar and tongue
- Skechers GO GOLF® logo detail
So what did our readers think of the new Skechers golf shoes?
What was your first impression of the Slip In technology?
Paul: I was definitely sceptical of the technology and look before trying them.
Sarah: Really interesting! I loved the design and shape of the heel, you could see straight away it was going to be easy to put on.
Steve: The very noticeable design feature of a kick back heel top with excellent padding and reinforced heel section.
Adrian: I was a little concerned the heel structure would be too hard. But as soon as I “slipped in” I was surprised by the comfort and fit.
How do you feel Slip In technology will benefit you?
Paul: The technology was great and assisted me putting the shoes on while I had a troublesome back.
Sarah: They make it easier to get my golf shoes on, and I feel they’ll last a long time as the heel structure feels very solid.
Steve: Firstly, ease in putting them on. For older golfers with mobility and/or balance issues, this would be a huge benefit.
Adrian: I found the shoes easy to slip on despite having wide feet, and it will save time – plus there are no laces to come undone or get wet!
How was the performance? Did they feel comfortable straight out of the box?
Paul: Traction, stability and comfort were all super; very comfortable straight out of the box.
Sarah: Great! They were comfortable, very stable when I hit the ball and they clearly supported my feet well. The heels especially felt incredibly supportive.
Steve: I have always liked the arched fit of Skechers as I have a high instep. These felt very stable and my foot was very well supported throughout the swing.
Adrian: I was very impressed. I felt they would support my golf and they were very comfortable right from first round wearing them.
Have you seen any differences to your game since wearing the Slip ‘In by Skechers?
Paul: I wouldn’t say the shoes made no difference to my play or technique.
Sarah: I feel the grip on the soles really helped my tee shots. I tend to slip a little as I transfer my weight through the ball, but these reduced that significantly.
Steve: No, and I am not sure any golf shoe would give you that! But more importantly, they did feel instantly comfortable… like a good pair of slippers!
Adrian: I felt confident and could try and concentrate on my swing and the shot; I didn’t have to worry about my feet slipping. The insole support is fantastic, too.
Are there any particular features that you like or stand out about the shoe?
Paul: Stand–out features for me were out-of-the-box comfort, ease of use and traction. Plus, your feet feel secure thanks to the Twist Fit dial on the side.
Sarah: I love the Twist Fit feature; it ensures you get the most comfortable, supportive fit possible as it helps to mould the shoe to your foot shape.
Steve: The heel section padding is exceptional; I’ve never had a golf shoe with so much comfort in the heel. A really well-built shoe which offers excellent comfort.
Adrian: The ease that you can slip into these and the Twist Fit mechanism ensures they are tight enough to stay on and feel very comfortable, and grippy.
How do you feel Skechers comfort and technology assists you when playing?
Paul: Comfort and stability are my two prime requirements in a golf shoe, and I found both these were excellent in wet and dry conditions.
Sarah: They protected certain parts of my foot where other shoes usually wouldn’t. For example, the heel is very padded, which is a spot that often rubs.
Steve: Traction was first-class; the grip pattern is excellent. I also prefer the Twist Fit dial to laces, which can loosen during a round and cause your foot to roll.
Adrian: It is like playing golf in your slippers! I felt confident and could try and concentrate on the shot in hand.
How did you find traction from the Skechers both during your swing and while walking?
Paul: They are stable, grip well during the swing and are extremely comfortable for walking.
Sarah: They felt great traction-wise; the design of the sole offers great grip and stability when walking on slopes or uneven ground, too.
Steve: Above all for me is comfort and stability, which I felt instantly when I first put these on. The Twist Fit dial gives a constant and even tension across the foot, which never changes.
Adrian: I suffer with heel pain after several hours of standing or walking and I am pleased to confirm that these shoes alleviated most of that pain.
Will you continue to wear your Skechers shoes and would you recommend them?
Paul: I was impressed with the Elite 5 Slip ‘In and will continue to wear them.
Sarah: Yes, I will definitely continue to wear them, and would highly recommend them to anyone who likes non-traditional laceless shoes.
Steve: I will! If anyone is looking for a good value golf shoe with top-end performance, these shoes should not be overlooked.
Adrian: I will definitely continue to wear them and I would recommend these to anyone.
At £145, do you think the Slip ‘In shoes are good value?
Paul: Good value compared to the other brands of shoe I have.
Sarah: For the amount of technology included in the shoe, I think they are the right price.
Steve: Yes, I do think this is a good value shoe and worth the money.
Adrian: I think that the Elite 5 Slip ‘In are very good value and compare favorably with other quality golf shoes.
Find out even more about the Slip ‘In in our guide to the best Skechers golf shoes.
READ NEXT
– Best Spikeless Golf Shoes
– Best Waterproof Golf Shoes
About the Author
Chris Jones – Today’s Golfer Editor
Chris worked in newspapers, and for Bird Watching and MCN before joining Today’s Golfer in 2005. He became the editor of Golf World in 2007, building its audience and enhancing its reputation throughout Europe, and also edited Golf Illustrated, a luxury coffee table magazine, before returning to edit Today’s Golfer in 2013.
In the years since, Chris has taken Today’s Golfer to new levels of success, maintaining its place at the top of Britain’s golf magazine sales and increasing market share over its rivals. In 2020 he oversaw the merging of the magazine with Golf World, placing particular emphasis on the revered Top 100 Courses and Resorts rankings.
Playing off a 12-handicap, Chris is a classic amateur golfer, capable of both the sublime and the ridiculous. A long-hitter, he prefers the bomb and gouge method to the shorter fairway finder.
He plays a mixed bag of clubs, including Callaway woods, and TaylorMade irons.
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Four Today's Golfer readers test the Skechers Go Golf Elite 5 Slip 'In shoes.
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Four Today's Golfer readers test the Skechers Go Golf Elite 5 Slip 'In shoes.
