The fifth generation of Under Armour’s Spieth signature golf shoe, the Spieth 5 SL, claims to offer the comfort and feel of a spikeless model combined with all the traction and power of a spiked shoe.
Developed in conjunction with biomechanics expert Jean-Jacques Rivet, Under Armour has built its own proprietary traction technologies, firstly offering ‘rotational resistance’ in 2016, followed by ‘horizontal and vertical traction’ in 2019.
The latest model of the Spieth shoe adds what Under Armour is calling the ‘fourth dimension of traction’ – Interior Traction. This is achieved through the introduction of a new 3D-moulded footbed that features an additional wrap over the medial side and top of the foot. This wrap eliminates ‘gapping’ between your foot and the shoe from the inside to create a fit that is tailored to the golfer’s specific foot shape, reducing undesirable movement through internal traction.
Jake Haley, product manager for UA Golf Footwear, said: “By bringing a fourth dimension of traction to Spieth 5 SL, we are unlocking an entirely new world of product performance. This coupled, with our brand-new approach to spikeless outsole construction, has enabled us to truly maximise the capabilities of spikeless performance to the golfer.”
He added: “Data from our extensive testing with the world’s leading bio-mechanist JJ Rivet highlighted five areas of the foot that required activation to create the perfect fit – we call these the ‘Five Senses’. In Spieth 4 we were able to bring the shoe closer to the foot and engage four of the five senses of the foot. In Spieth 5 we now engage all five senses of the foot, meaning your foot is in total unison with the shoe throughout the swing.”
The new spikeless outsole design uses a durable and lightweight TPU with injected rubber spikes in specially targeted areas so players will feel no shortage of lockdown traction through the golf swing.
The outsole also features flex channels that also increase traction, stability and the ability to transfer power from the ground into the swing. This is most notable in the forefoot, where Under Armour re-designed its existing flex channels to decouple the big toe, allowing it to remain grounded longer into the swing and providing a major source of enhanced stability in the golf swing.
Comfort is provided by UA’s HOVR cushioning platform, giving golfers comfort and energy return for the swing, while keeping as low to the ground as possible.
The Spieth 5 SL has an RRP of £170/€200 and is available to buy now from UA.com.
