ECCO golf shoes are designed with the utmost attention to how your feet relate to your golf swing and are constructed to provide outstanding support and comfort. Different golf shoes incorporate different technologies, but all of them balance your need for performance with your desire for comfort.

ECCO scanned the feet of 2,500 athletes and used the data to develop an anatomically ideal golf shoe. Their golf shoes come in many versions and this guide will help you find the one that is right for you, such as the ECCO Men's Biom Cool Pro Gore-Tex Spikeless Golf Shoe.

What to know before you buy ECCO golf shoes

ECCO golf shoes improve your overall performance by providing greater balance and stability. They also reduce lower-back strain and foot stress. Beyond those basics, here are several things to consider when you are buying a golf shoe.

Golf shoes: Soft spikes or spikeless? 

Golf shoe spikes were made of metal for many years, but the damage they caused to the golf course led to the development of soft spikes. Flexible and made of synthetic materials, they provide excellent traction. The downside is that the sole of the golf shoe must be more rigid to provide a place to anchor the spikes. Better players choose golf shoes with soft spikes.

Spikeless golf shoes provide the traction you need in a golf swing with strategically placed nubs and ridges on the underneath of the sole. Although they provide slightly less traction, they are more comfortable on and off the course.

Golf shoe closure systems

Many of ECCO’s golf shoes utilize laces, just like regular athletic shoes. Others seek to provide greater stability by use of a micro-adjusting dial that quickly tightens or loosens steel wires for a secure, custom fit. This technology, known as the BOA Fit System, provides smooth, even closure and no pressure points so you can tune your golf shoes with an effortless precision that will help to make you more accurate, efficient and comfortable.

Waterproof or water-repellent golf shoes

ECCO golf shoes labeled as waterproof are made with Gore-Tex, a trademarked fabric membrane that blocks moisture but allows air to freely pass through. If you frequently play in wet conditions, choose a waterproof ECCO shoe. If you encounter no more than dew on the grass when you play golf, ECCO’s HYDROMAX water-repellent technology will provide sufficient protection.

Wearing golf shoes on and off the course

If you like to socialize after a round of golf, you may want to consider shoes that are comfortable on and off the course. These are always spikeless and tend to be more stylish and look less like clunky athletic shoes.

ECCO golf shoe features

What are Ecco golf shoes made of?

Most ECCO golf shoes are made of premium leather for maximum comfort and durability. Many have Ortholite insoles for extra cushioning. Because insoles are the part of a golf shoe that wear out the quickest, they should be replaceable. Removable insoles allow you to wash them to eliminate sweat and odors. When looking for waterproof golf shoes, always look for the GORE-TEX label that tells you air can circulate inside your shoes for comfort while your feet are protected from the elements.

Golf shoe traction systems

ECCO’s Dynamic Traction System

This is a hybrid outsole design that provides more than 800 traction angles for excellent grip in all playing conditions. Its low profile brings the golfer closer to the ground for greater stability, ground feel, traction and swing power.

SPYDR-GRIP

The naturally placed pivot points provide a strong foundation, from backswing to follow-through, for long-lasting comfort and support where you need it.

TRI-FI-GRIP

Golf shoes with this technology have one zone for stability, another for durability and a third for rotation.

Golf shoe styles and colors

ECCO has so many styles and designs to choose from that it’s easy to find a pair that look good on your feet.

ECCO golf shoe cost 

ECCO golf shoes cost anywhere from roughly $125-$250. They cost a bit more than budget brands because they are made from higher-quality materials.

ECCO golf shoe FAQ

I play a lot of golf. Is one pair of golf shoes enough?

A. Golfers who own more than one pair like to rotate the shoes they play in to give the "resting" shoes a chance to completely dry out between rounds.

Do I have to wear golf shoes to play golf?

A. No, but if you don't wear a shoe that is designed to be stable throughout the golf swing without slipping and sliding, you will be in danger of slipping, especially on slopes, and likely won't enjoy the game nearly as much.

Which ECCO golf shoes should I get?

Best of the best ECCO golf shoes

ECCO Men's Biom Cool Pro Gore-Tex Spikeless Golf Shoe: available at Dick's Sporting Goods and Amazon

Our take: This breathable shoe with Gore-Tex construction is 100% waterproof.

What we like: Tri-Fi-Grip is engineered with three different flexibility zones — one for stability, another for durability and the third for rotation. ECCO YAK leather uppers are extremely strong and lightweight for breathability and durability. BIOM natural motion technology brings the player closer to the ground for added stability during the swing.

What we dislike: This is a very expensive shoe.

Best bang for your buck ECCO golf shoes

ECCO Men's Street Premiere Golf Shoe: available at Macy's and Amazon

Our take: This street-inspired spikeless golf shoe is 100% leather.

What we like: This shoe has a textile and microfiber lining and a thermoplastic polyurethane outsole that is lightweight and heat-resistant. Molded traction bars provide great support throughout the golf swing. The cambrelle insole is removable.

What we dislike: Sometimes the sizing runs a little large.

Honorable mention ECCO golf shoes

ECCO Men's Biom G2 Soft Spike Golf Shoe: available at Amazon

Our take: Tour-proven grip with Slim-Lok replaceable spikes for great traction.

What we like: This shoe is made from 100% soft, breathable and strong yak leather. Its thin ultra-premium midsole prevents unwanted foot movement during the swing. Uppers are treated with Hydromax and an anti-stain formula for superb protection from the elements.

What we dislike: Although soft spikes provide superior traction, they do wear out and need to be replaced from time to time.

David Allan Van is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.