There’s a reason we don’t play in loafers. Golf requires a stable platform not only for the swing, but also for all the walking we do uphill and down. Short of wearing high tops, most golfers rely on shoes that lace up over the instep to get a firm fit.
FootJoy is taking lacing a step further, however, with its new ReelFit shoes that feature the Boa lacing system that tightens up over the instep and around the ankle.
It’s a high-tech solution that lets you dial in the support you’re looking for. What’s more, the laces will never break. Here’s the scoop…
The Boa Lacing System
The laces on the ReelFit shoes are a thin, multi-strand stainless steel cable that’s coated with a polymer to make it slippery.
The cable crosses the instep in three places, much like conventional laces, but then wraps around the ankle inside the shoe’s collar to finish up at a reel on the back of the heel that’s controlled with a dial. Turning the dial clockwise tightens the laces.
According to FootJoy, the system presents advantages over conventional laces in that they don’t stretch or loosen while you’re playing. Because the cable guides over the instep are made of a smooth polymer material, the cables can move slightly as your foot flexes so the fit remains constant. This results in fewer pressure points and, overall, a better fitting shoe.
Twisting the knob on the back of the shoe tightens and loosens the smooth stainless steel “laces.”
The Boa lacing system has been used primarily in sports boots (skiing, hockey, wakeboard, equestrian), and FootJoy’s ReelFit marks the first time the company has licensed their technology for use in a golf shoe.
Construction Details
The shoes are fashioned from Pittards waterproof full grain leather. The midsole is made of a highly cushioned EVA material for comfort.
The gel collar is made from what FootJoy calls “Dryz IntelliTemp” gel. As the lacing system pulls your foot into the heel of the shoe, the gel collar is meant to mold to the shape of your ankle to give both support and comfort. The material also is supposed to pull heat away from your foot and keep your feet cooler.
The outsole, or bottom of the shoe, is chock full of trademarked design features. Three different “TPU” materials of varying density are positioned to ensure durability, stability, and flexibility.
FootJoy’s “OptiFlex” technology shows up again in this new model. That’s the yellow thermoplastic flex channel under the ball of the foot to deliver more flexibility and walking comfort.
The OptiFlex technology, similar to that used in the GF:II, makes walking even more comfortable.
The spikes are Softspikes’ Pulsar cleats using the “FastTwist” system FootJoy favors.
Styling
For all the technology and innovation in this shoe, I’m a little surprised FootJoy chose a traditional saddle style. Whether golfers will go along with the “high tech/traditional” blend remains to be seen. The shoes, like most FootJoy shoes, use a waterproof Pittards full grain leather. The midsole features a dash of blue. A large FootJoy “gear” logo is stuck on the side of the shoe.
As introduced, the shoe will come in three flavors… brown and white, black and white, and all black.
Pricing
The only clue to the suggested retail price for these shoes comes in the fine print of a contest FootJoy is running now through October 12. It’s a weekly drawing that will give away two pairs a week. You have to enter every week for each weekly drawing.
In the terms and conditions it states the shoes have an “approximate” retail value of $225 (likely $199 in stores). If so, that puts these shoes in line with FootJoy’s GF:II and other high-end shoes from Adidas, Callaway, Ecco, and others. The contest rules also reveal FootJoy expects these to start shipping around October 15.
In the End…
FootJoy has long been the acknowledged leader in golf shoes. It’s good to see they are working hard to maintain that position as they come up with new innovations like this.
For me, while comfort is foremost in a golf shoe, I do need some styling to make me happy. I’m not sure this look, at this price, will do it for me. But hey, the latest and greatest for you may not be the look, but the fit.
I think these look slick. Tradition meets The Matrix or something. I can’t wait to give the shoes a try. The lack of laces – and no velcro in sight – could be a godsend.
I Like the technology, but like Jack I’m not sure if I like the look. Looks like you’re walking around with spurs on. Comfort is important to say the least but there are a lot of comfortable shoes on the market that don’t look like they have a growth on them.
They look good, let’s hope there as comfortable as they say they are.
I am REALY looking forward to seeing and trying this new shoe. After loosing the use of my right arm in 1992 I have had to ask both friends and strangers to help me out by tying my shoes. I am hoping this BOA lacing system will free me to once again get my golf shoes ‘just the way I like them’ and let me feel like any other golfer who has the simple ability to tie their own shoes! Footjoy has always been my shoe and I am not suprised that they have HOPEFULLY come through for me. 😉
As someone that has personally tried them on already, these shoes are awesome. The customized fit using the BOA lacing system is second to none. The disk on the back is not obtrusive and doesn’t look strange. Hey, a lot of people wear sandals to play golf!
I have running shoes with the Boa lacing system. The shoes are made by North Face. Best shoes in the world, hands down. They are designed for long distance runs — no pressure points…
😀 Just bought a pair. They are very comfortable and I don’t have to worry about laces. Good technology and for me they are stylish. From Texas and the “spur” is very handy for taking the shoes on and off. Only time will tell how the golfing public takes to this boa method.
🙄
I bought these shoes a year ago…close to 250 bucks with tax..
after about 10 rounds…the boa system stopped working, would tighten but wouldn’t loosen unless I used my superhuman strength to pry the foot opening open…but this got to be a pain after every round…and this week both cables snapped during one of these pry open attempts…so, all told even though the technology is cool, it stopped working after fewer than a dozen rounds. granted, my situation could be an anomaly but in the future I think I’m opting for low tech laces…when they malfunction they can be easily fixed by someone, who doesn’t have an engineering degree. 😆
Don’t pry them open. . .
I’ve had my FJ Reelfits for two seasons now. After playing over 150 rounds of golf they’re still the most comfortable and dry golf shoe I’ve ever owned.
However, the BOA lacing system jammed up on the left shoe a few weeks ago. I took them home and sprayed a liberal amount of WD40 lubricant into the holes the wire laces run through — problem solved. A can of WD40 usually comes with that little red squirt tube, which is perfect for squirting lubricant into the small lace holes. They now release just like new.