There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What We Tried:
The Oakley Edge Icon golf shoes. If you know me at all, I tend to go for stuff that’s flashy rather than functional. Let’s just say the Edge Icon is more Malbon than FootJoy.
Who Tried It:
Connor. Managing Editor and resident sneakerhead. From the first moment I saw the Oakley Edge Icon, I knew I had to have them. They’re so weird and funky that you can’t help but stare. Seriously, the looks I got from rocking these in a recent scramble was well worth it.
When I brought these home, my wife asked if we were going boating. Yes, they kind of look like water shoes. No, I didn’t tell her how much they cost.
Polarizing or Praiseworthy?
There are few, if any, golf shoes I’ve ever seen that are this … interesting? It’s hard to find an appropriate way to describe the Oakley Edge Icon. While I’m a big fan of the boisterous design, I understand I’m very much in the minority here.
If the Edge Icon had a Tinder dating profile, it would probably read something like “I’ve got a great personality and a sweet spirit.” In other words, this shoe is not for the “shallow” golfer who cares only about physical appearance.
That notion in and of itself begs the question: Is the Oakley Edge Icon spikeless golf shoe for anyone? Or is it too niche to exist?
I don’t’ think that its too niche. This was made clear when the shoe sold out in a matter of days. But is this something any real number of golfers would or should play?
Let me break it down.
Fashion Over Function (Kind Of)
It’s clear from the jump that the Oakley Edge Icon is meant to be, well, edgy. It’s marketed as a fashion-forward golf shoe that pays homage to Oakley styles of the past (the Y2K slip-on Oakley Flesh, to be exact).
I’m no fashionista but would consider the Edge Icon to be a very progressive design. Let’s just say you’d probably catch Jason Day or Tony Finau rocking this shoe before Justin Thomas or Tiger Woods.
Regardless of the polarizing style, it’s billed as a functional golf shoe. It must then be able to perform in some regard.
I spent ample time in the Oakley Edge Icon (much to the chagrin of my playing partners) and the best way I can describe its performance is this: much better than it looks.
No, the Edge Icon isn’t the best golf shoe I’ve ever worn. But it’s definitely not the worst. Had it been a part of our Most Wanted Spikeless Golf Shoe testing, I’m confident the Edge Icon would finish in the middle of the pack.
There were a few performance attributes that really stood out to me: two in a good way and two in a bad way.
Comfort
The Edge Icon is a fairly comfortable golf shoe. The comfort comes by way of a pretty standard foam midsole. The shoe is outfitted with a faux-leather upper and neoprene bootie construction, similar to that you’d find in a pair of water shoes.
It’s a firm ride overall, not too squishy but forgiving enough that walking is no problem.
Stability
Overall, the best attribute of the Oakley Edge Icon was its stability. Between the large pod-like sole and TPU plate in the mid-foot, the Edge Icon is a good balance of rigidity and flexibility. The midsole actually wraps up and around the foot, providing good lateral stability and coverage.
Traction
Traction was perhaps the biggest letdown in performance for the Oakley Edge Icon. The unique pod-design just didn’t lend itself well to traction. My thoughts are that there just isn’t enough surface area coming into contact with the ground because the pod-like sole is too rounded.
It’s suitable for dry weather but nothing more.
Fit
The biggest thing to be cognizant of is the fit. It’s a slip-on shoe, and cannot be made tighter or looser. So unless your foot is already a perfect fit, good luck. I found the fit very snug, almost too snug. Had I been wearing thicker socks, the neoprene bootie would have felt uncomfortable.
The Verdict
Let’s cut straight to point: The Oakley Edge Icon isn’t a performance golf shoe. It’s a casual golf shoe with a focus on fashion and an emphasis on futuristic design.
My take? I’m a fan. Not for its performance benefits but because it stands out among an ever-growing sea of boring, Plain Jane golf shoes.
I’m all for something different and the Oakley Edge Icon is anything but normal. Sign me up.
As for the everyday golfer? You won’t find gaudy performance numbers or world-class features. What you will find is a serviceable golf shoe that will turn more heads than anything else. If you want to see more golf shoes, check out our list of the Best Spikeless Golf Shoes of 2024.
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