These days it seems that the price of just about everything is going up and up, and golf equipment certainly fits into that category. It's not just clubs either - golf shoes are definitely part of this trend with a pair of spikeless shoes regularly carrying price tags of £150 and over.
Luckily there are still some brands out there who are catering for those who don't have such a large budget. Stuburt is one of those, with their new Hybrid collection for 2023 boasting five options which are all comfortably less than £100.
I got my hands on a pair of the PCT Classics, which are said to be a modern take on a traditional golf silhouette.
The Tech
The PCT Classic is the most expensive model in the new range, at an RRP of £89.99, and comes with a couple of different technologies which Stuburt actually claim makes them 'multi-use' options that you can use both on and off the golf course.
It has a full waterproof membrane along with perforated leather uppers, providing comfort, breathability and protection in a range of different conditions.
The two main technologies in this shoe are the Sole-Lock and the Sock-Fit systems. The Sole-Lock is designed to provide traction and support, while the Sock-Fit ensures a comfortable fit.
The shoes also feature a subtle print detail on the upper, with a colour contrast to the midsole and a vertical logo label on the tongue.
Stuburt PCT Classic Golf Shoe Review
Looks
Taking these shoes out of the box for the first time, the shape and styling reminded me a little bit of a budget version of the FootJoy Pro|SL. These are widely regarded as one of, if not the best, spikeless golf shoes on the market, so it's not a bad comparison to make!
There are three colourways available - White, Grey and Black, which was the model I tested. They aren't exactly exciting in terms of styling but they definitely look smart and this should also make them easier to pair up with the rest of your outfits too.
Stuburt do say that they are made from leather, although when opening the box I'd definitely say that you could smell there was plenty of plastic/rubber within the shoe too, which probably goes some way to explaining how Stuburt can keep the price down.
The overall quality of the finish is probably not quite at the level that you might get from FootJoy or Ecco, but that's understandable given the price and I was actually pretty impressed with the overall look.
Comfort
The Sock-Fit technology was a great feature, offering a really comfortable option. I did find that the shoe itself was a bit on the wide side, so individuals with narrow feet may not experience the snug fit they would expect.
I know not everyone is a fan of these but I like the fit they provide and it should stop any pinching or rubbing from the tongue of the shoe.
I found that the sole was quite flat which made me feel close to the ground, but also meant that there wasn't quite as much cushioning as expecting. They weren't uncomfortable but it wasn't a plush ride for your feet and I could definitely feel the undulations or any material on the ground under my feet as I was walking and swinging.
Over the last year or so we've tested the likes of the Ecco BIOM H4 (/equipment-reviews/ecco-biom-h4-2023-golf-shoe-review-5386.aspx) and FootJoy Pro|SL and I think the extra money you pay does seem to provide you with more comfort.
Performance
For me the idea of a spikeless shoe is that it's supposed to provide traction and stability like a normal spiked option, but be more lightweight and versatile for use on and off the golf course.
I definitely found that the PCT Classic was lightweight and easy to walk in throughout my 18 holes of testing. Stuburt suggest that the Sock-Fit provides more breathability and my feet definitely still felt fresh at the end of the round, even on a pretty warm day when the temperature was over 20 degrees.
Throughout the course of 18 holes I hit shots from a variety of different lies and stances and found the traction to be excellent. The sole has been designed with different shaped lugs and this works to give you the right levels of grip exactly where you need it, and this allowed me to feel confident on every swing.
Although they're a spikeless shoe I think they'd be pretty versatile for use for most months of the year, although there is some mesh fabric on the upper which may take a bit of cleaning if it got muddy.
The all-black colourway that I tested the shoe in makes it ideal for use in more adverse conditions, and the fact that the shoes are waterproof also adds to the versatility too, as well as making them even better value for money if you can use them for more months in the year.
Stuburt PCT Classic Golf Shoe Verdict
This was my first time testing Stuburt shoes and found that they were an excellent option for the budget-conscious golfer. If you've got less than £100 to spend on a pair of spikeless shoes then you can't really go wrong.
They didn't have quite the same premium feel and quality as some of the bigger footwear brands in the industry but will more than do the job, and for those golfers who remember Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell wearing Stuburt shoes on the way to major success in the early 2010s, the PCT Classic could be a nice way to roll back the years.
Stuburt claim that these can be used for a range of activities not just limited to the golf course, and whilst I do think they'd be fine for walking, I can't really see many people choosing to do so.
Would I Use Them?
Luckily my job allows me to get the pick of plenty of different golf shoes without having to pay the extra money for them so I'll happily stick with the likes of Ecco and FootJoy for now.
Who Are They Aimed At?
Any one who is on a budget or tends to go through golf shoes quite quickly and doesn't want to have to spend £150+. The simple design make them easy go-to and the performance is good for use on the range and on the course. The design will probably suit the slightly older golfer although the simplistic look should have a wide appeal.
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