I’ve been testing out the new Nike Air Rate golf shoes for a bit. Unknowingly I picked a perfect time to do my review of these babies. Read on to find out why.
Nike Air Rate Golf Shoes - Click image to see more
Nike Air RateConstruction
I have a new pair of training shoes I use when I work out, Nike Air somethings… They’re so light I can hardly believe they’re on my feet. They conform to my feet so well it is like they become one with them. That is exactly the feeling I’ve gotten with my new Nike Air Rate golf shoes. These things are so light I feel like I weigh less with them on than with them off.
Air Rate's Mesh - click to enlarge
The upper of the shoe is one piece of synthetic leather which has a very cool looking mesh pattern. The mesh is precisely carved out of the upper with a laser. The pattern serves more of a purpose than just looking cool. The mesh makes the shoe lighter and provides a ventilation system. I hadn’t read the specs on the shoes before I wore them, and the ventilation was the first thing I noticed. It is about 100 degrees here now, and when a light breeze kicks up I can feel the wind blowing through my shoes. This feels so good, especially for someone who rarely wears shoes and socks because my feet get so hot.
The sole of the Air Rate is a super light “Phylite” material with an “air unit” in the heel. Unlike standard golf shoes which have a leather or hard sole, the Air Rates don’t beat up my feet, my knees and my back. The padding in the sole and air in the heel makes walking the course more doable for me, and more enjoyable. I’m able to play golf and not think about the fact that my knees or feet hurt.
Looks
If you are into the traditional golf dress shoe look, these may not be your cup o’ tea. But I really like the look of my Air Rate golf shoes. They’re a little rebellious and a little higher tech looking.
On The Course
The comfort of these babies is off the charts good. Despite the fact that they’re tightly conforming with the shape of my feet, they still feel soft and deliver very low impact when walking the course. Getting beat up by the hard ground is one of the things that sucks about walking, and the Air Rates reduce that greatly.
Despite the fact that these golf shoes don’t have traditional screw in or click in spikes, I have fabulous traction. I hated switching from metal spikes to soft spikes years ago because I slipped all the time. Thanks to the Air Rate’s “Integrated Traction” I have yet to slip once in dozens of holes, hundreds of shots.
As mentioned, perhaps the best part of these shoes is the ventilation. With mid summer temps here around 100 degrees, my feet are as cool as they could be on the course.
Not Waterproof
The benefit of the ventilation is great, but it is obvious that these shoes are not waterproof. If you are playing in the rain, or plan on stepping into some standing water you may want to use a standard set of waterproof golf shoes. Obviously water can get into the shoe through the ventilation mesh.
Colors
The Air Rate comes in two colors: Khaki/White (pictured in this article) and Gridiron/Wolf which is a dark gray with yellow in the mesh.
Nike Air Rate Golf Shoes - click for more
Conclusion
The $110 retail Nike Air Rate golf shoes are excellent, comfortable and very light weight golf shoes. There’s a lot of talk in club shafts and club weighting these days using the “super-light” buzz term. If golf shoes can be classified as super-light, the shoes would be the Nike Air Rates. The ventilation of the shoe is fantastic and refreshing. The comfort level is very high.
The best part of these shoes is the fact that the light weight, ventilation and comfort of doesn’t compromise the performance. In fact, they enhance it.
Nike 20XI-S Golf Ball in play today - Click for more images
I’ve already had one test round under my belt last week with the Nike 20XI-S golf ball, the spinnier version of the new 20XI series. That round was extremely tough though as the course had just opened following being covered with snow. The course was playing massively long, no roll at all. Mud ball central. Holes which I normally would have 7-9 iron approaches were hybrids, and some I couldn’t even get home.
So today will be my 2nd test round with the 20XI-S and should give me a great idea how this ball performs. Stay tuned.
20XI-X Golf Ball Review
I already reviewed the 20XI-S’s sister ball about two weeks ago. To my knowledge, I’m the first to post a review the Nike 20XI-X golf ball so check it out.
Normally I like to get more holes under my belt with a golf ball before I review it. But by the first round I’ll almost always have reached my primary conclusions anyway. I’m speeding up the review process on the Nike 20XI-X golf ball because I can, and I want to beat everyone else to the scoop.
20XI-X Overview
The 20XI-X is one of two new balls Nike is releasing soon. The 20XI-X or what I call the “X” version, is the longer, distance ball. The 20XI-S (“S” version) is the spin/control version.
During Masters week next week my pals at Nike are releasing “Masters Green” limited editions of the Lunar Control golf shoe and also the new 20XI golf balls. Check them out below.
Limited edition Masters package - Lunar Control and 20XI golf balls - click for more images of these cool products
More images below (click read more if you can’t see them)…
Nike and DuPont have teamed up to produce a new golf ball, the 20XI. Rather than going with a rubber core, they’ve developed a new thermoplastic resin core. The technology in this ball allows for it to go farther, yet spin more around the greens. In other words, what everyone wants in a golf ball.
Here’s a short video on the new Nike 20XI golf ball featuring Tiger Woods, Michelle Wie, Stewart Cink, Paul Casey, Suzanne Pettersen, Justin Leonard and Nike designer Rock Ishii.
Press Release Below – If you can’t see it, click the read more link (more…)
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
