I’ve spent some time now with two of True Linkswear’s 2012 models, the Tours and the Stealths. The short version is that they took an already great shoe line-up and made it even better. Click continue for the long version.
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of True Linkswear. They’ve by far the most comfortable golf shoes I’ve ever used. The only downside was that due to the “barefoot” design, they looked a little unique compared to most golf shoes. True basically spent the last year taking all of the feedback they received and using it to create an awesome line-up for 2012.
A couple of months ago, True Linkswear sent over a pair of the 2012 True Tours for me to check out. I was intrigued. The two biggest changes that jumped out at me were the styling changes and new outsole.
From a styling perspective, you occasionally heard people say that they felt like they were wearing clown shoes when trying on the 2011 Trues. I disagreed, but I think it will be very hard for anybody to make that statement about the 2012 models. True has slimmed down the overall width of the toe box. It’s not much narrower, but they’ve managed to shape it in a way that retains the barefoot comfort of the 2011 models while looking more like a traditional golf shoe.
They also switched to from a TPU outsole to a rubber outsole with a new tread pattern. The new tread pattern seems fine to me. I haven’t noticed a difference in performance compared to the 2011 models. The nice thing about the rubber however is that it no longer squeaks on concrete or hardwood floors. This was probably my biggest annoyance with the 2011 models and they’ve done a great job of fixing it for 2012.
True sent me the black pair of True Tours pictured above. The Tours come with 2 sets of laces. I think the grey laces look really slick and go well with the shoe. From a comfort perspective, I would put the 2012 Tours just about on par with the 2011 Stealths.
I will note that the sizing is slightly different for the new models. The 2011′s fit a little bit small for me (I had to go up 1/2 size). I don’t have to do that with the 2012′s. They fit right on the money. The nice thing is that the shoes are now carried in many golf shops around the country so you can probably go try them on in person to make sure you get the right fit.
I liked the Tours so much that I wanted a second pair. I decided to purchase a pair of white/mud Stealths. One True Linkswear employee told me that the Tours were great but that the Stealths were “like putting your feet in a tub of butter”.
The update outsole on the 2012 True Linkswear Stealths
I thought that was a pretty weird analogy, but after getting them, I think it’s correct. With the 2012 Stealths, they took everything about the 2011 models and kicked it up a notch. The leather is ridiculously nice. They’ve replaced the mesh liner with a super supple leather liner. It really is the softest and most comfortable golf shoe that I’ve ever worn. And with the updated 2012 styling, they really do look as nice, if not nicer than anything on the market.
The 2012 Tours retail for $150 and the Stealths go for $200. They’re both great shoes, but I would encourage anybody considering the Tours to at least think very hard about the Stealths. Yes, they’re $50 more, but in my opinion, they’re more than worth the difference.
True also listened to feedback that they needed to introduce a more budget friendly shoe and released the $100 PHX model. I haven’t tried the PHX model personally, but I have played around with them a bit in the store. They’re definitely not as flexible as the Tours or Stealths and they lose the 2-year waterproof guarantee that the other two models carry. But at $99, they will reach a segment of the golf population that isn’t going to spend $150-$200 on a pair of shoes regardless of how great they are.
All in all, I think that True has released a great lineup for 2012. My opinion hasn’t changed from 2011 that the True Tours and Stealths are the best golf shoes on the market today. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2013.
]]> https://72strokes.com/2012/06/review-2012-true-linkswear-tour-stealth/feed/ 0 20120601_golf_stuff_1287 20120412_true_tours_2012_1306 20120601_golf_stuff_1291 The update outsole on the 2012 True Linkswear Stealths Share
TRUE Linkswear has completely revamped their shoe line-up for 2012. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the brand and the new shoes look great. They feature a redesigned rubber outsole (the previous outsole was TPU) for improved traction/performance and slimmer profiles without sacrificing toe-box width.
Additionally, TRUE is releasing a new shoe, the Phx at the $99 price point, and will be releasing a $99 women’s shoe, the Isis, in May.
Full release after the break:
]]> https://72strokes.com/2012/01/true-linkswear-launches-2012-lineup/feed/ 0 TRUE Linkswear 2012 ShareMONDAY 9 , JANUARY 2012
TRUE linkswear 2012 New Product Launch
Hello TRUE friends!
We are very excited to present you with our Spring 2012 Product Line.
We have a new style in the TRUE phx, and updates have been made to the TRUE tour and TRUE stealth.
The TRUE phx is ready to ship immediately, while the tour and stealth are on pre-order for shipment by January 30th.
Please visit our updated and improved website to learn more – www.truelinkswear.com
Quick summary of updates:
- We have moved to the TRUE Ergo-Traction 2.0 outsole which is made of Rubber, instead of TPU, and has a new traction pattern that delivers improved stability, performance, aesthetics and comfort
- The TRUE tour ($149) and TRUE stealth ($199) have improved leathers and design updates, like slimmer profiles without changing the toe box width, based on product testing and customer feedback (thank you!) along with 2 year waterproof guarantees
- TRUE phx ($99) launch – a great everyday shoe to go with shorts and jeans!
- TRUE isis ($99) – we will be launching our women’s shoe around 5/1 – sorry for the delay
As always, we have some Limited Edition TRUEs up our sleeve. Stay tuned!
Hope you all enjoy many a great walk in 2012.
All the best,
Rob
President – TRUE linkswear
True Linkswear has just released their final limited edition shoe of the year. It’s a version of their brown Stealth model with a cream sole. I think they’re really nice looking. But if you want to buy a pair, you’d better hurry since they only made 100 of them.
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The week prior to my trip to Ballyneal, I received a nice present in the mailbox from the folks at TRUE Linkswear: a pair of the new black TRUE Stealths.
After walking in them for 5 rounds at Ballyneal, and several more since getting home, I’ve come to the conclusion that TRUE did what I thought was impossible: improve on the already amazing TRUE Tours.
The design for the TRUE Stealths came about due to the direct input of Ryan Moore. They’ve basically taken the extremely well received TRUE Tours and made a few tweaks (if you’re not already familiar with them, check out my review of the TRUE Tours).
The first think you’ll probably notice is that the Stealth’s sport a cap-toe design instead of a saddle like the Tours. Personally, I think it’s a nicer look that gives you more off-course flexibility.
Second, they used a higher quality leather upper. You can tell when handling or wearing the shoe that the leather feels more “substantial”. It definitely feels more in line with the price tag. I’ll also just throw out there that when I first pulled my $250 Adidas Adipures out of the box, all I could smell was glue. When I pulled the Stealths out of the box, they smelled like leather.
Better leather - still flexible
The third significant change is that they tweaked the last (the form/shape that they use to create the shoe). On the Tours, the toe-box actually curls up just a little bit near the end of the shoe. This has the effect of making them feel just a bit smaller than they actually are. The Stealths have a completely flat last, which effectively makes them fit about 1/4 size larger than the Tours.
Additionally, the shape of the last is just a tiny bit narrower in the toe box. They still don’t look like regular golf shoes, but they don’t stand out quite as much as the Tours. For me, the fit of the Stealths surpasses the Tours, which I didn’t think was possible. The only negative I’ve heard is that the Stealths don’t accommodate super wide feet (EEE’s) as well as the Tours.
Other than that, the Stealths are very similar to the TRUE Tours. They still embody the same “barefoot” approach to golf shoes. They feature the same outsole, the same waterproofing, and the same slipper-like comfort and flexibility.
In my opinion, these are the best golf shoes on the market. At $200, they’re not cheap, but with the improvements they’ve made over the TRUE Tours, I think they compare very favorably with high end Adidas or Nike shoes, which run in the same price range. They’re available in either Brown or Black, and for the time being, only on TRUE’s website.
And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for some really cool new stuff coming from TRUE Linkswear as we get into 2012. From talking with their President, Rob Rigg, about some of their plans, I think people are going to be very impressed with what they’ve got coming down the pipeline.
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I’ve talked about the TRUE Linkswear TRUE Tours shoes several times on this site. Back in September I previewed their debut shoe line-up. And at last month’s PGA Show, I gave everybody an update on their upcoming styles. But now, after having played several rounds and walked numerous miles in my pair of TRUE Tours, I’m finally ready to post my review.
As I mentioned in my post about the TRUE Linkswear booth at the PGA Show, Rob Rigg, TRUE Linkswear’s President, set me up with a pair of TRUE Tours. I wore them all around the show, probably walking 10 or more miles. There was clearly a lot of buzz in the air as a number of people stopped me to ask if I was wearing the new “Ryan Moore” shoes.
Ryan Moore is one of the co-founders and co-owners of TRUE Linkswear, but the shoe design itself is the brainchild of Sean Edison (CEO) and Rob Rigg. Sean was playing at a local course in the Dallas area when he met a golfer that was wearing Vibram Five Fingers on the course.
He recognized the potential to bridge a “barefoot” shoe like the Vibrams with traditional golf shoes, bringing the benefits of both to golfers. He showed an initial sketch to Rob and TRUE Linkswear was born.
Make no mistake about it, the TRUE Tours are a “barefoot” shoe. When you first try them on it almost feels like you’re leaning backwards on your heel. That’s because the TRUE Tours provide a flat surface for your feet (just like being barefoot) rather than pushing your heels up and shifting your weight forward to your toes like traditional golf shoes.
The TRUE Tours also feature a wider-than-normal toe box. This gives your toes room to flare out a bit, just like they would when barefoot. Additionally, the shoes feature a very thin and flexible outsole (2.5mm) without a traditional midsole.
When I said "flexible", I meant flexible.
The midsole is where traditional shoes provide “support”. As I’ve talked about before, there’s a strong case to be made that the “support” that many shoes provide is actually the cause of a number of the foot/knee/hip/back problems that people experience. By leaving out the traditional midsole, the TRUE Tours allow your feet to work as they’re designed. It also makes them extremely comfortable.
A couple of Nike reps that I played golf with in Orlando asked me if the lack of structure made my feet hurt. I just laughed and asked them if walking around barefoot made their feet hurt. The best way I can describe the TRUE Tours is to say that they feel like a pair of slippers with traction. They are extremely comfortable.
After walking around at the show, I knew the shoes felt great but I was concerned about traction and waterproofness. I’ve now played over half a dozen rounds in both wet and dry conditions and can vouch that the spike-less design provides excellent traction and my feet stayed completely dry. The other nice thing is that the tread design doesn’t seem to pick up a lot of grass and leaves (I was always getting leaves stuck to my feet with my Adipures).
The spike-less design also has the benefit of letting you wear the shoes before and after your round. Yes, you’ll wear out the tread faster, but it’s very convenient to be able to wear your shoes straight to the course and out and about after the round. This is also a killer feature for PGA professionals that are constantly walking back and forth between the pro-shop/range/course.
Are the TRUE Tours perfect? Well, I do have a few hang-ups. The first is the price. They retail for $159, placing them on the upper end of the golf shoe market. Why is it that as shoes become more “barefoot”, they seem to cost more money?
Right now, TRUE Linkswear is a new shoe brand. So hopefully as the demand for these shoes increases, they will be able to capture economies of scale, decrease their per-unit cost and pass that savings on to consumers. I do think they’re a good value at $159 but many people aren’t going to spend that much on a pair of shoes.
The second point is a bit of a minor quibble. The rubber used on the out-sole squeaks on hardwood floors. It’s not a big deal but it’s something that I’ve noticed when wearing my shoes out after a round of golf. And my final issue is more of a warning for people really hung up on keeping their shoes new looking. My TRUE Tours have a black sole, but I’m told that the white soled versions will eventually turn yellow-brown after a few rounds.
All in all, the TRUE Tours are one of the most comfortable and best performing golf shoes that I’ve ever worn. They’ve displaced my Adidas Adipures as my “go-to” golf shoe. And it’s apparent that I’m not alone in that opinion.
TRUE Linkswear has been running through inventory on their website every time they get a new shipment. The PGA Tour Superstore has started stocking them at select locations and Golfsmith is now carrying them online and in select stores.
The upcoming TRUE Linkswear Stealth models
TRUE Linkswear isn’t resting on their laurels though. They’ll be releasing a white/brown saddle model in April along with 2 new Stealth models that provide a more low-key solid black or brown color design. They’re also working on a very limited edition Masters shoe that looks really great. Update: You can view my review of the Stealths here.
The TRUE Linkswear Masters Edition
If you’re in the market for new golf shoes and can swing the price tag, the TRUE Tours definitely deserve a hard look.
You can buy TRUE Linkswear shoes here from Golfsmith. If you do, it helps keep the lights on around here. Thanks. – Derek
]]> https://72strokes.com/2011/03/review-true-linkswear-true-tours/feed/ 10 20110301_truelinkswear_1037-2 true tech 20110301_truelinkswear_1040-2 When I said "flexible", I meant flexible. true-linkswear-shoe-with-red-tab TT_Black_White_2shoes 20110128_pga_show_0002 The upcoming TRUE Linkswear Stealth models 20110128_pga_show_0007 The TRUE Linkswear Masters Edition Share
[UPDATE]: You can check out my full review of the TRUE Tours here.
I’ve written about TRUE Linkswear several times on this blog, so it was a given that I needed to stop by their booth at the PGA Show. It might have been one of the busiest booths at the show relative to its size. In fact I joked that it looked like a bomb went off in there. And if you’re a new company at your first PGA Show that’s a good problem to have.
The booth was so busy that they had to stop sales on Thursday just to make sure they had some inventory left for the rest of the show. And I believe that by 2pm today they were basically sold out except for the demo models in their booth.
TRUE was showcasing not only their current lineup but some really slick looking upcoming models, including a very limited edition Masters shoe that TRUE fans will be dying to get a hold of.
This was what the carnage looked like when they shut down sales on Thursday afternoon.
These are the upcoming Stealth models that were designed with input from Ryan Moore. These are low key enough that you could easily wear them with a pair of slacks at the office. They’ll start shipping in April.
This is the upcoming brown saddle version of the TRUE Tours. My understanding is that these will be the next model released by TRUE.
This display was showcasing some of the various designs that TRUE has come up with. Some of these will make it to retail and others were done as examples of what could be done for a custom order.
This is the TRUE Tours Masters edition. This will be a very limited edition shoe. Only 100 are being produced. They will be sold on a first come first serve basis this April. If you’re not already on it, sign up for their e-mail list on the TRUE website. Based on the feedback at the show, when the e-mail goes out, I predict these will be sold out within an hour – maybe quicker.
This is the US Open design shoe. I’m not sure if there are any plans to bring this to retail this year – but they should.
These are two non-retail designs. The first is the model that Rob was wearing around the booth on Thursday. The 2nd is an Oregon Ducks colored model.
And of course no TRUE Linkswear booth at the PGA Show would be complete without a visit from Ryan Moore. Ryan actually spent quite a while at the booth today both helping the staff out and meeting with fans and customers. As one of the owners of the company, he clearly takes his involvement very seriously.
Rob was nice enough to notice that I wasn’t wearing a pair of TRUE’s at the show and graciously hooked me up with a slick looking black and white pair. I wore them both Thursday afternoon and all day Friday and all I can say is that they are extremely comfortable shoes. In fact, I’m probably going to have to pick up a pair of the Stealths to wear at the office (and the golf course too).
It was also apparent that there was a lot of buzz about TRUE at the show. I was stopped several times by people asking if I was wearing the new TRUE Linkswear shoes.
Look for a more detailed review of the shoes once I get a chance to play a few rounds in them.
]]> https://72strokes.com/2011/01/true-linkwear-i-think-a-bomb-went-off-in-here/feed/ 3 20110128_pga_show_0019 20110127_pga_merch_show_0072 20110128_pga_show_0002 The upcoming TRUE Linkswear Stealth models 20110128_pga_show_0003 20110128_pga_show_0013 20110128_pga_show_0007 The TRUE Linkswear Masters Edition 20110128_pga_show_0006 20110128_pga_show_0011 20110128_pga_show_0012 20110128_pga_show_0068 Share
We’re starting to get into the Christmas spirit here at 72strokes so I decided to pull together a holiday gift guide. I tried to make sure that a wide variety of price points were represented. So whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer or something a little bigger, I’ve got you covered. And if there’s something that you think I’ve left off the list, feel free to leave a comment.
In my opinion, this is the best GPS unit on the market. You can read my review here. They’ve lowered the price from $400 to $350, making this an even better deal. No, it’s not cheap, but you’ll get more use out of it than that new super jumbo titanium fusion driver. www.skygolf.com
If you live anywhere near Dallas, TX you’re a fool for buying that $300 off the rack Scotty Cameron putter. What you should be doing instead, is going over to Machine Putter’s fitting studio and having them make you a custom putter. You’ll get fit on a SAM Puttlab just like the tour pros and they’ll work with you to tweak any flaws in your putting stroke. I bought a putter from them earlier this year and it was the best money I’ve spent on my game in a long time. www.doglegright.com
I’ve written about these shoes a couple of times. These are quite possibly the most comfortable golf shoes on the market today. I can’t wait to get a pair in my hands. But hurry up. They’re so popular that they’re running low on some size/color combinations on their website and won’t be getting another shipment in until January. www.truelinkswear.com
This might be the ultimate gift for a cart-riding winter golfer. It sits in the cupholder and will keep you warm through your entire round. Combine it with a cart enclosure and you may even have to open the flaps up to cool down on a cold day. www.coleman.com
Golf is hard. Don’t make it harder by playing clubs that don’t fit. Most golf shops offer fitting services. My personal preference is to get fit outdoors with a launch monitor. I really like Ping’s nFlight fitting system although most manufacturers offer something similar these days. www.ping.com
Let’s face it, ball retrievers aren’t cool. But they are practical. At $4 per ball it doesn’t take long for a $30 retriever to pay for itself. The IGotcha retriever collapses down so that you can keep it in your bag hidden away until you actually need it. It provides an incredible amount of reach and it securely grabs a hold of your amphibiously minded golf balls. www.ProLineSports.biz
This is a pretty easy one. Every golfer needs golf balls. The ProV1 and ProV1X are the king of the hill. But there are plenty of other (often cheaper) alternatives out there like the Srixon Z-Star and the Bridgestone B-330 lines. I especially like the Z-Star Yellow balls. They’re definitely easier to see on the golf course at this time of year. www.srixon.com
Coolheads is a new company offering a combination driver headcover/cooler pocket for drinks. It keeps your driver protected on your way to the course and you beer cold while you’re playing golf. How cool is that? http://www.mycoolheads.com/
These are the best golf tees on the market. Supposedly they help you hit it farther. I don’t know about that, but I do know that they damn near indestructible. These tees just don’t break. One 50-pack of these tees will literally last you months out on the golf course. www.excelgolfproducts.com
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[UPDATE: You can read my full review of the TRUE Tours here.]
I finally got a chance to see the new TRUE Linkswear Tour shoes in person at the PGA Tour Superstore in Plano, TX. I didn’t buy a pair (yet) but I did wear them around a bit and I have to say that I’m pretty impressed.
The closest thing that I can compare them to are my Sanuk sandals. They have a similar wide toebox that feels and looks a bit unusual compared to more traditional shoes. But I’ve found that the wide toebox fits my foot much better and consequently is more comfortable to wear. They do fit more snugly than my Sanuks, which is a good thing for an athletic activity.
Currently, you can’t find the TRUE Tours at many stores, but the PGA Tour Superstores are starting to stock them at some locations. You can find a list of stocking stores on their website.
They had a pretty good supply of sizes/colors when I stopped by. Personally I don’t like buying shoes without trying on first and I think that many people feel the same way. Hopefully more people will have the opportunity to see them in person in the near future.
At $159, they’re not an inexpensive pair of golf shoes. But they seem to be well made and I could definitely see them working their way into my shoe bag in the near future.
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This past weekend, Oliver Wilson wore Vibram Five Fingers instead of traditional golf shoes at the Dubai World Championship. I’ve long been a fan of Vibram Five Fingers (although I really think they should be called Vibram Five Toes but whatever), and that is a big part of the reason for my excitement about the new True Linkswear shoes. My friends like to joke about my Five Fingers and call them “Spiderman” shoes, but Phil did go buy a pair a day after seeing mine…
The trend of minimalist shoes has really hit the mainstream. The book Born to Run, is absolutely great and may significantly change the way you look at the athletic shoe industry (if you buy it through the link, I get some beer money). Studies at Harvard have shown that there is definitely something behind the benefits of switching to barefoot or minimalist shoe when running. Five Fingers are also my go to shoes for any sport or activity around the water (ocean, lake, etc) and working out.
How does all of this translate to golf? Well, the movement is obviously very different than running. But that said, being barefoot or close to it really forces you to focus on balance and tempo when swinging. Sam Snead used to play tournaments barefoot and Martin Kaymer likes to practice wearing socks.
Obviously those guys could/can play, so how did it work out for Oliver Wilson? Well he shot a 68 on Saturday and finished 35th. So not a bad week. However even he seemed a little reluctant about the unusual look (especially on a golf course), calling them his “Gorilla shoes” (that’s actually a pretty accurate description).
I don’t expect to see many people out on the golf course wearing Five Fingers any time soon. The biggest drawback is that they aren’t waterproof. That’s not a big issue in Dubai, but is a problem in most other climates. That’s why I think a minimalist waterproof shoe like the True Linkswear is the best chance for “barefoot” golf to truly go mainstream. Hopefully I’ll be able to get my hands on a pair in the near future to review.
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[UPDATE: You can read my full review of the TRUE Tours here.]
TRUE linkswear is a new golf shoe company that will be releasing their first product line this fall. They’ve got a new shoe design that promises to be quite different from other golf shoes on the market. According to their website:
We believe that traditional golf shoes that try to “nail you to the ground” are severely over engineered with features that actually put you in a position to fail every time you swing a club. We want to change the way millions of golfers enjoy the game by giving them products that work naturally with their bodies and provide true technological benefits. No unnecessary features, added weight, false claims, or empty promises. Just the closest thing to a barefoot golfing experience as possible.
I’m very excited about these shoes. The mention of the word “barefoot” is was really caught my attention. I currently wear the Adidas Adipure, which is the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn. That said, the Adipure is still a traditional shoe that works to “support” and “protect” the foot, rather than letting it work as it was designed to naturally. Over the past 2 years, I’ve become a big proponent of barefoot or minimalist running. Here’s a link to a great video that explains the benefits.
Why wouldn’t the same reasoning apply to golf shoes? Traditional golf shoes definitely do “nail you to the ground”. In some cases, that may be a good thing. But in many instances, players could benefit from spending time hitting golf balls without shoes. I typically try to spend about 1 range session a month barefoot. Martin Kaymer occasionally practices just wearing socks. Sam Snead used to play in tournaments barefoot. I’m sure there are plenty of other examples. Swinging a golf club barefoot really forces you to swing with control and focus. When you’re not stuck to the ground, you can’t just flail away at the ball. You really have to focus on swinging “within yourself” and properly transferring your weight.
As you can see from this picture, there are no spikes or cleats on the bottom of these shoes. Obviously other manufacturers have released spikeless golf shoes before. However none of them have done so in a shoe design that is meant to get as close to barefoot as possible. The other benefit of the lack of spikes is that you can wear these shoes out to a meal or over to a friends house after a round of golf. Heck, if you really like them, these could become your “daily wear” shoes.
True Linkswear golf shoes are currently being worn on tour by Ryan Moore. They’re planning on opening up pre-orders in the next couple of weeks with delivery in October. The list price will be $159.
You can now buy a pair here. If you do, it helps keep the lights on around here.
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