Royal Albartross, ‘maker of the world’s most luxurious golf shoes’ has launched a new range of street-style, spikeless shoes – all designed to the same exacting standards as its traditional models.
Available from retailers in May – and for May delivery on the website now – the range of contemporary spikeless shoes, for men (ladies’ versions will be available January 2015), retains the design attributes that established the UK brand as the luxury golf shoe of choice, as worn by the likes of model Jodie Kidd, actor Dougray Scott, Aussie cricket legend Shane Warne and TV sports presenter Dan Walker.
Alex Bartholomew, the designer and founder of the brand, explained: “We had received a number of enquiries from existing Royal Albartross customers, both individuals and retailers, with regards to a ‘street-style’ version of our shoe.
“Further market research indicated that there would indeed be a demand for street-sole shoes with the trademark Royal Albartross attention to detail. Many of the brands out there offering similar shoes appear to regard their product as only one step up from disposable – but we’ve steered away from that to keep our familiar technical and design traits, with superior comfort soft leathers, to again offer an upmarket British-designed, Italian-made golf shoe.
“The shoes look and feel amazing and retailers have really gone for them in a big way. We believe we’ve created the ideal, casual, affordable and stylish spikeless golf shoe. And, so far, they have been very well received by everybody who’s seen them.”
In a first for Royal Albartross, the brand has partnered with sole-specialist Vibram – renowned for its fivefingers® running shoes – for the development of a golf-specific insole design, with proven traction and stability, with gel heel and arch support. The full-grain Italian calf leather uppers have a waterproof treatment and an interior waterproof membrane to keep feet dry in the wettest conditions.
The shoes retail at £199, inclusive of VAT, and are available in the UK through the pro shops at StokePark and Wentworth, and also through specialist on-line fashion retailer Trendy Golf.
The new lines will also be available through many outlets in the USA, Mexico, Australia and South Africa, where Royal Albartross is proving increasingly popular, particularly with celebrities.
Royal Albartross www.albartross.com