"Long Term" Footjoy Traditions Feedback?

[Abh159]

I'm looking at getting a pair in the next month or two, but I'm wondering how these hold up "long term". I use the ("") because I realize long term is pretty subjective. I love the look of them, but since they are the more affordable option compared to the Premiers I'm just wanting to make sure they will at least last a year or two.

 

For those of you that have had the Traditions for at least a season... How are they doing now? 

 

Should I go with the Traditions, or are the Premieres well worth the $60 extra? 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Abh159

[Judge440]

I have them all.  I currently prefer the Traditions over the Premiers.  No issues with any of them in regard to quality over time (one season).  I prefer the Traditions because they feel lighter on my feet and feel more cushioned around the back of the heel.  Both great shoes IMO.  

[jas904]

I prefer Premiers over the Traditions. I average 140 rounds per year, walking 90%. Towards the end of the year with the Traditions, I felt the foam was pretty compressed and they no longer offered much support. I have switched to Premiers and just bought my third pair. I have over one year on the first two pairs and they are fine to this day. The Traditions are lighter but I don’t feel fatigued with the Premiers. For me, the extra money for the Premiers are worth it because they last longer. 

[RobS]

The Premier's will last longer.  They are built sturdier for sure but as a result, are heavier.  If you take a cart on the regular, that's no big deal.  If you walk, however, you might appreciate the light weight of the Traditions.  Of significant importance is the fit.  Most people will find a noticeable difference in the fit.   I personally like the construction of the Premier but the fit of the Tradition.  I get a slight amount of heel slip in the Premier and it's a little tight/narrow in the forefoot where the Tradition really locks in my heel and gives me a little more room in the toe box.  In the end, I would pick based on fit comfort.  As far as cost goes, I think it averages out over time of use.  In other words, 3 pairs or $400 dollars of Traditions will probably last as long as 2 pairs or $400 of Premiers.  On a side note, the traction of the Traditions is very good with the soft spikes but the traction of the Premiers with the soft spikes and versatrax or whatever they call the sole is incredible.

[LUMA]

If you want something to go the distance, just go with the premiers. $40 more... just go for it.

 

I was in Icons for as long as I can remember and I loved them. When the premier came out, it felt like a lighter and more comfortable version of the Icon. They do run slightly larger and more narrow vs the Icon, so that's something to keep in mind.

[5nowflake]

I’ve had my traditions since April and they have been excellent. Light, comfortable from the off with no break in period. 
 

however; I don’t think they will prove to be the most durable, just starting to notice a bit of wear on the insides. 
 

i never really considered the premier because the fit wasn’t as good for me - comment above was my experience too. Feet like a duck! 
 

 I’d say the traditions are a trainer shoe made to look like a traditional shoe, they are a bit flimsy compared to a proper brogue, but you won’t get any blisters. 
 

currently weighing up whether to get a black pair for winter. 
 

difficult decisions, shoes dictate your whole golfing wardrobe….

[BCULAW]

I am in my second pair of Traditions. I walk nearly all of my rounds and put several hundred miles on the first pair - mostly in early morning, dew soaked fairways. Loved them. Not the most durable, but the most comfortable, best walking shoe I have owned. Stylish, too.

 

I moved into a pair of Premieres last Christmas. Nice shoes, but heavier and stiffer. Not nearly as good for walking for me. The leather around the ankles is very rigid and actually caused me some fairly significant blisters walking on the canyon courses in SoCal. I recently got back into a new pair of Traditions and am much happier. 

[KMeloney]

Reviving an old thread, since I just picked up some Traditions (but haven't worn them yet)...

 

I've seen some review pics where the leather of the Traditions has looked really cracked. Did you folks "treat" your Traditions with a leather conditioner or anything before wearing them on the course? Also, do you treat them with anything after playing?

 

Just wondering if the cracking is a real prevalent problem, or just the result of lots of use without much care for them.

[Yanki01]

i've seen that too and thinking it's more of a defect than normal wear. at least i hope since i just got my first pair of traditions. 

[dropkicked]

I just ordered a pair of Traditions Bluchers, and I'll likely treat them with my normal routine of either ReviveX or NIKWAX.

[@_the_crook]

21 hours ago, KMeloney said:

Reviving an old thread, since I just picked up some Traditions (but haven't worn them yet)...

 

I've seen some review pics where the leather of the Traditions has looked really cracked. Did you folks "treat" your Traditions with a leather conditioner or anything before wearing them on the course? Also, do you treat them with anything after playing?

 

Just wondering if the cracking is a real prevalent problem, or just the result of lots of use without much care for them.

My first pair of Traditions developed cracks along the top where the shoe flexes. Fj Replaced them. I think a conditioning liquid might be somewhat useful. 

[dropkicked]

4 minutes ago, @_the_crook said:

My first pair of Traditions developed cracks along the top where the shoe flexes. Fj Replaced them. I think a conditioning liquid might be somewhat useful. 

How soon did this occur?

Did FJ, give any pushback on warranty?

 

I swap out shoes every year (tradition: no pun lol), so I really only need them to be solid for an entire season..

[@_the_crook]

3 hours ago, dropkicked said:

How soon did this occur?

Did FJ, give any pushback on warranty?

 

I swap out shoes every year (tradition: no pun lol), so I really only need them to be solid for an entire season..

cracks appeared about four months after purchase. I rotate shoes, so these were worn abut 4x a month. warranty claim was honored as I sent pics of the damage. they had me cut all the way through the uppers to destroy the pair and asked for 'after' photos.

I wonder if the 'synthetic' leather was a cause. I've heard that furniture made of that stuff is usually low quality and the coatings begin to peel.

 

maybe there aren't as many good brands as pre-pandemic.  I've had other Footjoys that were almost indestructible.

 

[@_the_crook]

16 hours ago, dropkicked said:

I just ordered a pair of Traditions Bluchers, and I'll likely treat them with my normal routine of either ReviveX or NIKWAX.

I've been using Nikwax waterproofing wax for a few years on all my golf shoes.

[KMeloney]

2 hours ago, @_the_crook said:

I've been using Nikwax waterproofing wax for a few years on all my golf shoes.

 

Does that also "condition" the leather, or just keep the leather waterproofed so it doesn't get soaked and then dried out (and then crack)?

[KMeloney]

2 hours ago, @_the_crook said:

cracks appeared about four months after purchase. I rotate shoes, so these were worn abut 4x a month. warranty claim was honored as I sent pics of the damage. they had me cut all the way through the uppers to destroy the pair and asked for 'after' photos.

I wonder if the 'synthetic' leather was a cause. I've heard that furniture made of that stuff is usually low quality and the coatings begin to peel.

 

maybe there aren't as many good brands as pre-pandemic.  I've had other Footjoys that were almost indestructible.

 

 

Would you say the cracking was a result of them getting really wet and then the leather drying out? Or did they just crack with [dry weather] use?

[@_the_crook]

3 hours ago, KMeloney said:

 

Would you say the cracking was a result of them getting really wet and then the leather drying out? Or did they just crack with [dry weather] use?

They were never soaked, just walking in the morning dew. It was a failure of the leather. I clean shoes after every round. My wet weather shoes are older Adidas, reserved for rainy days. 

[@_the_crook]

adding pics of the old pair,

 

[RacineBoxer]

I’m kind of surprised they replaced them for that. 

[RSLP]

I have two pairs that I only use for walking.  Pretty good shoes, if you want a more traditional shoe over the running shoe styles.  I have had them for at least one year. 

 

Premiers are a better shoe.  

[dropkicked]

On 3/1/2024 at 1:39 PM, @_the_crook said:

adding pics of the old pair,

 

Dam.. I guess I should be sending most of my shoes back each year..  I have these on almost all my shoes, but I don't really care for them much during the season and play from 5* - 35*C...