What’s up disc golfers? Welcome to 2022! It’s been a heck of a couple years trying to struggle through the Covid Pandemic. But if you’re reading this, you’re still with us. That’s awesome news. Why? Well, because now you can continue to play disc golf and you can continue playing like a pro. All you need is the right gear to continue playing. With that being said, it’s time to talk about shoes. Disc golf shoes, that is.
With this post, I’m going to try to accomplish three things:
- Inspire you to want to play more disc golf
- Show you why you have to have good disc golf shoes and…
- Convince you to buy a new pair of disc golf shoes. C’mon, you deserve it.
Good shoes matter – here’s why
The way we play: as disc golfers, we play hard. Now disc golf isn’t a forceful sport like football or basketball, but most of us that are competitive lay it all on the line. We spin, jump, turn, squat, kneel, and torque our bodies in every which way just for the joy of sinking a tiny piece of circular plastic into a large metal basket with chains. We need shoes that can measure up. We need shoes that can take the punishment that we’re about to dish out on them. The seven shoes that I’ve picked this year can handle it all. These shoes are made to last.
The terrain: the terrain that we play on is often unpredictable. One course might go from an open field to the woods and back again. Some courses at the beach feature heavy sand and tree roots. Others may be super rocky or desert-like. It just depends on where you’re at but you have to have good shoes that can keep up with whatever type of surface you decide to play on. If you compete, you might play on every kind of surface and terrain possible. That’s just disc golf. And the shoes you pick should be able to help you crush each and every course you play on. Because if your shoes can’t hold up, that could affect your play and we can’t have that.
The length of the course: as disc golfers, we normally walk/hike a good distance each and every round. Normal courses are usually pretty long. They’re shorter than ball golf courses, but will still run you about 1.5-2 miles of walking and/or hiking. Even if you’re just walking, you need shoes that are going to be able to handle the terrain AND be comfortable for the entire round. There’s nothing worse than uncomfortable shoes for two to three plus hours.
The shoes on this list check off all three of those boxes. The following seven shoes can handle the way we play, can handle the terrain, and can provide a high level of comfortability. Alright, so let’s check out the list.
7 Best Disc Golf Shoes of 2022
1. Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX Disc Golf Shoe
The Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX is a top of the line disc golf shoe that many players use on the course. It runs a little pricey at over $100 dollars up to around $130 dollars, but this is a very high quality shoe. In my opinion, it’s one of the best disc golf shoes on the market right now.
Until the last shoe on this list comes out, if you play disc golf, you need to try out a pair of these because they are awesome.
Here’s what Adidas says about their disc golf shoe: “Move swiftly across alpine terrain in these trail shoes. A low-cut, durable upper with speed lacing supports your feet on uneven ground, while a Continental™ Rubber outsole sticks to wet and dry surfaces. A breathable, waterproof membrane keeps your feet dry every step of the way.”
If you’d like to grab the Swift R2 GTX, you can get a pair here on Amazon.
2. Merrell Moab 2 Vent Waterproof Hiking Shoe
The Moab 2 Vent Waterproof Hiking Shoe is a really awesome shoe for trails and other unpredictable terrain. This is more of a hiking shoe than anything else, but it is designed to be a shoe that can handle a lot of different movements and activities. That makes it perfect for disc golf. Merrell always makes a great shoe and the Moab 2 Vent is no exception. As for the price, it comes in at a cool $100.00. The price may fluctuate some but it usually stays around $100-120 dollars.
It’s a very comfortable shoe that I’ve personally used. I have a pair of Merrells for both my full-time job and my disc golf rounds. They just make a great sport hiking shoe. I’ll definitely always have a pair of Merrells in my closet.
Here’s what Merrell has to say about the Moab 2 Vent: “Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator hiking shoes offer ventilation, out-of-the-box comfort, durable leather, supportive footbeds and Vibram® traction. Wear them and see why Moab stands for Mother-Of-All-Boots.”
You can grab a pair of these awesome shoes here on Amazon.
3. Asics Gel-Kahana 8 Trail Running Shoe
The Gel-Kahana 8 is an interesting shoe. I bought this shoe because I really liked the blue and lime green design. The reviews were also pretty good so I thought I would give it a chance. After getting a pair and testing them out, both on and off the course, I was kind of in the middle on how I felt about them. They’re a really good looking shoe and they’re super comfortable, but they’re a bit bulky and heavier than most trail shoes that I’ve tried. Now this wasn’t a huge problem. So I’ve kept them and wear them every once in awhile. They’re a pretty decent pair of shoes.
Here’s what ASICS says about the Gel-Kahana 8: “Go wherever the trail takes you in the durable and rugged GEL-Kahana® 8 shoe. Feel the energetic bounceback of the SpevaFoam™ Midsole and rearfoot GEL® cushioning as you connect with the ground and push past the outdoor elements. Reversed lugs on the outsole deliver enhanced traction that’s essential for the path less followed.”
If you’d like to grab the Gel-Kahana 8, you can get a pair here on Amazon.
4. Saucony Excursion TR12 Trail Shoe
The Saucony Excursion TR12 is a new shoe that I’ve been considering getting for my disc golf rounds. I haven’t played with it, but the reviews online from current TR12 owners are pretty good and state all of the following:
- “They’re extremely comfortable.”
- “They fit and felt great immediately out of the box.”
- “They’re excellent running shoes that are comfortable, lightweight, and breathable.”
- “The price of around $60 dollars is pretty good for a good trail shoe.”
That all sounds pretty good. They’re definitely on my list to buy this year for the upcoming season. Not sure if I’m going to get them or not, but they seem to be good shoes.
Here’s what Saucony has to say about the Excursion TR12: “Rugged, durable, and good looking – the mesh upper with supportive overlays locks your foot into place, while the trail-tested outsole with triangular lug pattern will keep you from slipping.”
If you’re looking for a pair of the Excursion TR12s, you can get them here on Amazon.
5. Adidas Terrex AX3 Sport Hiking Shoe
I’ve got an older pair of the AX3 sport hiking shoes and I’ve got to say that they’re a really good shoe for the cost. I don’t use these a whole lot, but they’ve lasted a good while. They’re light, comfortable, and look good in dark grey. As for price, these shoes will run you about $60-70 dollars, so you’re getting a lot of value out of these high quality hiking shoes. I’ve liked the AX3s so far. I think you would, too.
Here’s what Adidas says about the AX3: “Tackle any terrain, in any conditions. This winterized and insulated version of one of our most popular hiking shoes, the AX3 Beta CW blends the performance of the AX3 and weather resistant features of some of our winter boots. Upgraded Continental® rubber outsole keeps you planted with unmatched grip, and the Climawarm® synthetic insulation keeps you warm in the coldest conditions.”
If you’d like a pair of the Adidas AX3s, you can get them here on Amazon.
6. Salomon Speedcross 5 Trail Running Shoe
The Salomon Speedcross 5 Trail Running Shoes are super weird looking…but I like how they look. I’ve got a friend who bought these shoes and he said they were the best pair of trail running/sport hiking shoes he’s ever owned hands down. Who knows? Maybe this will be the next pair I pick up. As for price, these shoes will normally run you anywhere from $130-150 dollars. Pricey but worth it.
Here’s what Salomon says about the Speedcross 5: “The latest version of the icon. Speed cross 5 gtx has a new gore-tex construction with a floating tongue that improves comfort and streamlines the overall look and feel of the shoe. It maintains the renown grip, outstanding cushioning, and precise fit that have made this shoe a favorite.”
If you’d like to grab the Speedcross 5, you can pick up a pair here on Amazon.
7. New Balance 410v7 Trail Running Shoe
I really like the look of the new New Balance 410v7 trail running shoes. And New Balance did well with the colors. Not much more to say other than these could be a great option for your game out on the disc golf course. The price varies from about $50-70 dollars, so overall I’d say that it’s a pretty good deal for these.
Here’s what New Balance has to say about the 410v7: “The New Balance MT410V7 helps you expand your running routes with an AT Tread outsole for reliable traction on both on and off-road terrain. These men’s trail running shoes have a soft midsole for underfoot comfort and durable overlays for lasting wear. The ripstop nylon material and understated silhouette add style and versatility.”
If you’d like to grab a pair of the 410v7 trail shoes, get them here on Amazon.
Coming soon! – The Idio Syncrasy Disc Golf Shoe
So I’m super excited about this shoe. It’s a first-of-its-kind, tailored shoe specifically designed in ever way for disc golf and disc golf only. As of the start of 2022, this shoe is still in the production stages and should be released around the Spring of 2022. I’ll try to keep this page updated for when the shoe actually comes out but for now, you can read more about the Syncrasy shoe here on their Kickstarter page.
Here’s what Idio says about their new disc golf shoe: “Disc golf has long been thought of as a peculiar pastime. Gone are the days of flinging plastic frisbees at markers set as temporary targets. Today’s players require precision, power, and finesse in order to edge out their competition. The Syncrasy is the first of its kind. A custom-tailored shoe to fit the needs of the sport. Because what we do is no longer a quirky hobby, it is our way of life.”
So that’s it
I’ve given you seven of the best disc golf shoes in the game. The shoes on this list are meant to be the absolute best on all types of terrain. But they’re also meant to be able to handle any kind of rigorous movement or situation thrown their way.
Yep, these shoes are the best of the best for 2022. And now you get to decide if you’d like a pair. Hopefully I helped you make a decision today. Whether you’re mind is made up, or unsure about which pair you like, just know that any of the choices on this list (or any trail hiking type shoe, really) will probably be fine for your rounds. Alright, let’s get out there and make 2022 awesome!
Related content
For more shoe options, check out the following posts below ⬇️:
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27 Best Disc Golf Shoes: Ranked by Price!
The 7 Best Cheap Disc Golf Shoes: Ranked by Price!
17 Best Disc Golf Shoes for Women in 2022
Don’t forget the book!
Before you go, don’t forget to check out the best beginner disc golf book on the planet, “The Disc Golf Player’s Manual.” This ebook is packed with over 200+ pages of the best tips, tricks, and advice for new players. It’s epic…so don’t miss out.