Payntr 004 - may have found my unicorn walking shoe

[JLP_GOLF]

I'd like to preface this review with a caveat - everything i'm about to say is completely unvalidated by on course experience.  That being said, i don't think i've ever been more excited about trying on a pair of shoes indoors as i have with these.  

 

Shoe - Payntr 004 WIDE (spiked)

 

Background on me - I walk 100% of my rounds and have struggled over the last two years to find a spiked walker's shoe.  Unforunately, I will not move to spikeless, which tend to be more comfortable shoes in general for walking.  I've tried almost everything spiked and just can't find a shoe that fits my wider foot well enough or doesnt give me achilles blisters.  I had some decent success with the TW20's but was looking for a new spike shoe.  I've tried all premier versions, hyper flex carbon, zg 21 and 23, all nike spiked models, puma articulates, any many others.  The next hyper flex carbon shoes promise and appears to be a good walkers shoe but Payntr 004 looks like it will blow it out of the water

 

Comfort - right out of the box these are instantly comfortable and feel like running shoes with spikes and stability.  There will be zero break in i can tell.  Plush leather, not to firm, not too soft.  Just right

Traction - looks like these things will have insane grip.  Aggressive tread pattern

Heel lock -  honestly, these are half a size too big and i MIGHT keep them because heel lock is so good that i dont slide or move around at all.  Never seen this before - usually big shoes move a lot but i might keep this size because extra room is nice in case of swelling.  When i read these had anti blister technology/guarantee, i thought it was marketing BS.  But i can tell these are not going to blister at all and can't wait to find out

Sizing - Little bit tricky so want to add this for reference.  I got an 11 wide in these.  I am 10m in the hyper flex carbon, 10.5 in tarlow and usually 11m in all other brands (nike/adidas/etc).  I think the 10.5W would be my ideal size but thinking of keeping the 11W because the heel lock is so good and i really want to play in them

 

Walking my first round this weekend in them and will update the thread with a full review.  High hopes!

 

[hammergolf]

29 minutes ago, JLP_GOLF said:

I'd like to preface this review with a caveat - everything i'm about to say is completely unvalidated by on course experience.  That being said, i don't think i've ever been more excited about trying on a pair of shoes indoors as i have with these.  

 

Shoe - Payntr 004 WIDE (spiked)

 

Background on me - I walk 100% of my rounds and have struggled over the last two years to find a spiked walker's shoe.  Unforunately, I will not move to spikeless, which tend to be more comfortable shoes in general for walking.  I've tried almost everything spiked and just can't find a shoe that fits my wider foot well enough or doesnt give me achilles blisters.  I had some decent success with the TW20's but was looking for a new spike shoe.  I've tried all premier versions, hyper flex carbon, zg 21 and 23, all nike spiked models, puma articulates, any many others.  The next hyper flex carbon shoes promise and appears to be a good walkers shoe but Payntr 004 looks like it will blow it out of the water

 

Comfort - right out of the box these are instantly comfortable and feel like running shoes with spikes and stability.  There will be zero break in i can tell.  Plush leather, not to firm, not too soft.  Just right

Traction - looks like these things will have insane grip.  Aggressive tread pattern

Heel lock -  honestly, these are half a size too big and i MIGHT keep them because heel lock is so good that i dont slide or move around at all.  Never seen this before - usually big shoes move a lot but i might keep this size because extra room is nice in case of swelling.  When i read these had anti blister technology/guarantee, i thought it was marketing BS.  But i can tell these are not going to blister at all and can't wait to find out

Sizing - Little bit tricky so want to add this for reference.  I got an 11 wide in these.  I am 10m in the hyper flex carbon, 10.5 in tarlow and usually 11m in all other brands (nike/adidas/etc).  I think the 10.5W would be my ideal size but thinking of keeping the 11W because the heel lock is so good and i really want to play in them

 

Walking my first round this weekend in them and will update the thread with a full review.  High hopes!

 

Interested in hearing how they are on the course. They look like they have a nice wide toe box. Are they wider than the Tarlow?

[MattM97]

Finally a wide review on Payntr shoes especially the spiked one. 

 

I do have a question on width, how wide are they compared to Footjoys? 

[JLP_GOLF]

I have a wide foot but not absurdly wide.  In the hyper flex, I fit better in the medium width and same with the tarlow and packard.  Wide in the premier is good in the forefoot but heel provides too much slippage.  The payntrs in wide are perfect for my foot.  The toe box isn't the roomiest I have ever had but it's certainly not cramped and the materials are so soft that it doesn't feel resitrictive at all.  this really does feel like the perfect shoe for a walker.

[MattM97]

2 hours ago, JLP_GOLF said:

I have a wide foot but not absurdly wide.  In the hyper flex, I fit better in the medium width and same with the tarlow and packard.  Wide in the premier is good in the forefoot but heel provides too much slippage.  The payntrs in wide are perfect for my foot.  The toe box isn't the roomiest I have ever had but it's certainly not cramped and the materials are so soft that it doesn't feel resitrictive at all.  this really does feel like the perfect shoe for a walker.

 

Good to know my forefoot is freaking wide so a lot of narrow shoes cause my feet to go numb on the side and be sore for a day or two, really want to avoid that best I can.

 

I'm wanting an athletic spike to walk more but I also want it to be rigid so I'm between buying the FJ Tour Alpha or these. I do have 2 pairs of Premiers so maybe I'll add a pair of these or both but definitely waiting for your reviews.

[JLP_GOLF]

Quick update - on course review will have to wait a week or two as i just can't convince myself to keep these in a bigger size.  Probably have 1 inch of space off my big toe and don't want to risk it.  I also want to see if they make the grey version in wide as the white will be very hard to keep clean.  For what it's worth i walked 3 miles on my treadmill in them out of sheert curiosity and they were an abosolute joy.  100% confident this is going to be my only walking shoe in the future

[MattM97]

3 hours ago, JLP_GOLF said:

Quick update - on course review will have to wait a week or two as i just can't convince myself to keep these in a bigger size.  Probably have 1 inch of space off my big toe and don't want to risk it.  I also want to see if they make the grey version in wide as the white will be very hard to keep clean.  For what it's worth i walked 3 miles on my treadmill in them out of sheert curiosity and they were an abosolute joy.  100% confident this is going to be my only walking shoe in the future

 

Good to hear, will be paying attention to this thread when you finally use them on course. 

[RMGC_NV]

Am I understanding this right, you are a medium width in Footjoy, but need wide in the Payntr? So the Payntr's are more of a "wide light" compared to the industry standard wide in Footjoy?

[JLP_GOLF]

3 hours ago, RMGC_NV said:

Am I understanding this right, you are a medium width in Footjoy, but need wide in the Payntr? So the Payntr's are more of a "wide light" compared to the industry standard wide in Footjoy?

great question! im not sure if i "need" a wide in payntyr but i ordered one because i read reviews that claimed they were narrow.  Yes, im a medium in FJ.  I'm thinking about ordered the Payntr in medium too for comparsion as the grey colorway appears to be available in Medium but not wide.  I'd prefer the grey opposed to white to keep clean so ideally i fit in medium 

[Mike_Honcho]

On 4/17/2023 at 9:53 AM, RMGC_NV said:

Am I understanding this right, you are a medium width in Footjoy, but need wide in the Payntr? So the Payntr's are more of a "wide light" compared to the industry standard wide in Footjoy?

 

funny you say that because i have Pro SL's in wide and they are not nearly wide enough.

[RacineBoxer]

9 hours ago, Mike_Honcho said:

 

funny you say that because i have Pro SL's in wide and they are not nearly wide enough.

 

I have no idea what the previous poster was getting at with the "industry standard" comment but have you been measured on a brannock? I'm in-between D and E width but so close to E that I just consider myself an E. I struggle with almost all (standard) Nike's. I ordered the Pro SL in wide and have no issues with the width. If you are 2E or 3E Footjoy makes a lot of their shoes in extra wide as well. I did find the Pro SL's a hair long.

[Socrates]

On 4/14/2023 at 3:17 PM, JLP_GOLF said:

I'd like to preface this review with a caveat - everything i'm about to say is completely unvalidated by on course experience.  That being said, i don't think i've ever been more excited about trying on a pair of shoes indoors as i have with these.  

 

Shoe - Payntr 004 WIDE (spiked)

 

Background on me - I walk 100% of my rounds and have struggled over the last two years to find a spiked walker's shoe.  Unforunately, I will not move to spikeless, which tend to be more comfortable shoes in general for walking.  I've tried almost everything spiked and just can't find a shoe that fits my wider foot well enough or doesnt give me achilles blisters.  I had some decent success with the TW20's but was looking for a new spike shoe.  I've tried all premier versions, hyper flex carbon, zg 21 and 23, all nike spiked models, puma articulates, any many others.  The next hyper flex carbon shoes promise and appears to be a good walkers shoe but Payntr 004 looks like it will blow it out of the water

 

Comfort - right out of the box these are instantly comfortable and feel like running shoes with spikes and stability.  There will be zero break in i can tell.  Plush leather, not to firm, not too soft.  Just right

Traction - looks like these things will have insane grip.  Aggressive tread pattern

Heel lock -  honestly, these are half a size too big and i MIGHT keep them because heel lock is so good that i dont slide or move around at all.  Never seen this before - usually big shoes move a lot but i might keep this size because extra room is nice in case of swelling.  When i read these had anti blister technology/guarantee, i thought it was marketing BS.  But i can tell these are not going to blister at all and can't wait to find out

Sizing - Little bit tricky so want to add this for reference.  I got an 11 wide in these.  I am 10m in the hyper flex carbon, 10.5 in tarlow and usually 11m in all other brands (nike/adidas/etc).  I think the 10.5W would be my ideal size but thinking of keeping the 11W because the heel lock is so good and i really want to play in them

 

Walking my first round this weekend in them and will update the thread with a full review.  High hopes!

 

Look forward to the reviews after a few rounds are in.  These would be a mail-order item for me and it's always a guess on sizing.  I'm currently using the Sqairz Speed and this is the 1st shoe where the heel didn't blow out in a couple of months.  Great shoe, but there always is something out there that might be better.

[JLP_GOLF]

OK new order came in today.  Got 10.5 medium in grey/navy and 10.5 wide in white/navy.  Surprisingly enough i think i can squeeze by in the medium and won't require the wides which is good news because i much prefer the grey.  Easier to keep clean and looks sharper.  Any narrower and I would need the wide but these will break in as they are leather.  Going to take them our for a stroll soon, will post

[Socrates]

1 hour ago, JLP_GOLF said:

OK new order came in today.  Got 10.5 medium in grey/navy and 10.5 wide in white/navy.  Surprisingly enough i think i can squeeze by in the medium and won't require the wides which is good news because i much prefer the grey.  Easier to keep clean and looks sharper.  Any narrower and I would need the wide but these will break in as they are leather.  Going to take them our for a stroll soon, will post

I always found that if I "squeeze" into a slightly narrower width, the shoes break down at the seam.  Plus never quite as comfortable.  But that's me.

[ThinkingPlus]

Ordered a pair last week.  Ordered 9 M, but they are out of stock so it got switched to 9 W (my approval).  Will be interesting to see how they fit. Was hoping to get them before I left for a tournament Saturday morning, but not sure they will make it. Wanted the option to try them on the course and maybe do an in store return at PGA SS if they don't fit.  Will report back.

[Jetsguy1792]

Anyone have a chance to compare the Luxe and regular versions. I’m conflicted and don’t have a place to compare them 

[cGolfCDriven]

I walk most of my rounds and I like the footjoy alpha tour. I’ve noticed in other shoes that the crease that is formed where my toe/foot bends when walking will wear out, but hasn’t happened with these yet. 

[JLP_GOLF]

2 hours ago, cGolfCDriven said:

I walk most of my rounds and I like the footjoy alpha tour. I’ve noticed in other shoes that the crease that is formed where my toe/foot bends when walking will wear out, but hasn’t happened with these yet. 

no achilles blisters with alpha?  tried them on in store and feel like a problem area

[cGolfCDriven]

I wore a mid ankle sock the first few times while I broke them in. Since then it doesn’t matter what sock I wear. I can wear no show socks with it and am fine. 

[ThinkingPlus]

On 4/24/2023 at 11:50 AM, ThinkingPlus said:

Ordered a pair last week.  Ordered 9 M, but they are out of stock so it got switched to 9 W (my approval).  Will be interesting to see how they fit. Was hoping to get them before I left for a tournament Saturday morning, but not sure they will make it. Wanted the option to try them on the course and maybe do an in store return at PGA SS if they don't fit.  Will report back.

Got the shoes yesterday. The wides fit fine. In fact, I don't think the regular width would have worked as well. IMO the shoes have a slightly narrow toe box and tend towards low volume.

 

The upper and tongue material is very soft.  Reminds me a little of Eccos. Soles feel sort of like flat plates with compliant foam between. Very comfortable around the house and an unusual feel. I expect them to be equally comfy on course. Will be interesting to see how stable they are during a swing.

[speedmaster11]

10 hours ago, ThinkingPlus said:

Got the shoes yesterday. The wides fit fine. In fact, I don't think the regular width would have worked as well. IMO the shoes have a slightly narrow toe box and tend towards low volume.

 

The upper and tongue material is very soft.  Reminds me a little of Eccos. Soles feel sort of like flat plates with compliant foam between. Very comfortable around the house and an unusual feel. I expect them to be equally comfy on course. Will be interesting to see how stable they are during a swing.

 Agree with you regarding the toe box, I went with a 9.5W looking for a wider toe box and found it still is not that wide. Debating whether to order a 10 and see if that helps with more space in the toe box.

[SilenceX]

On 4/30/2023 at 4:56 PM, speedmaster11 said:

 Agree with you regarding the toe box, I went with a 9.5W looking for a wider toe box and found it still is not that wide. Debating whether to order a 10 and see if that helps with more space in the toe box.

How do you find they compare in sizing to Eccos? 

[speedmaster11]

17 hours ago, SilenceX said:

How do you find they compare in sizing to Eccos? 

Haven't tried Ecco's before so can't say. I was comparing it to the True OG Feel which has a wider toe box, and this one is narrower. However, wider than what I have experienced in Nikes and Puma's

[taskerc]

I’m waiting, and waiting, and waiting for mine …. 

[SilenceX]

5 hours ago, speedmaster11 said:

Haven't tried Ecco's before so can't say. I was comparing it to the True OG Feel which has a wider toe box, and this one is narrower. However, wider than what I have experienced in Nikes and Puma's

What size do you wear in True OGs? Sorry, just trying to figure out what size to order myself right now in wide. 

[speedmaster11]

17 hours ago, SilenceX said:

What size do you wear in True OGs? Sorry, just trying to figure out what size to order myself right now in wide. 

Wearing a 9.5 in the True's, and ordered the same for Payntr.

 

I took both shoes and put them sole to sole, and the  004RS is about a half inch longer, width wise it is not quite as wide. I pulled the liners from both to compare and they are about the same size, but 004RS is more narrow compared to the True.

 

Slipped them on tonight with the laces loose like the way they shipped, and was swinging a club. Did notice after taking them off the edge of my left foot felt a bit sore, I am thinking it has to do with this being a much firmer shoe then what I am used to. Otherwise really like them.

Edited May 4, 2023 by speedmaster11

[SilenceX]

16 hours ago, speedmaster11 said:

Wearing a 9.5 in the True's, and ordered the same for Payntr.

 

I took both shoes and put them sole to sole, and the  004RS is about a half inch longer, width wise it is not quite as wide. I pulled the liners from both to compare and they are about the same size, but 004RS is more narrow compared to the True.

 

Slipped them on tonight with the laces loose like the way they shipped, and was swinging a club. Did notice after taking them off the edge of my left foot felt a bit sore, I am thinking it has to do with this being a much firmer shoe then what I am used to. Otherwise really like them.

Thanks for the detailed reply!

[JLP_GOLF]

Took these out today on the course.  I was forced to take a cart (walk 95% of my rounds) and was pretty disappointed with these, especially after how promising they were at first try on.  Heel slippage was a problem, so much so that my Achilles hurt post round.  I did get slight blisters and am confident if i walked these would have been brutal.  Back to the drawing board I guess

[Socrates]

13 hours ago, JLP_GOLF said:

Took these out today on the course.  I was forced to take a cart (walk 95% of my rounds) and was pretty disappointed with these, especially after how promising they were at first try on.  Heel slippage was a problem, so much so that my Achilles hurt post round.  I did get slight blisters and am confident if i walked these would have been brutal.  Back to the drawing board I guess

Yikes.  Not every shoe works for everyone.  Guess I'll stick with my Sqairz for now.

[ThinkingPlus]

So got some practice time and play time with the 004s. I went with the wide and it's a good thing. Regular width would likely have not fit. Not an overly wide shoe and somewhat low volume (mostly what I need is a high volume shoe to deal with a high arch).

 

Comfort is excellent. Upper is soft, but not sloppy. Lots of cushioning underfoot, but the carbon fiber insert provides excellent stability and prevents spike print through. I walked 18 yesterday with no issues. Heel cup is very open, but I had no rubbing at all. The course was very wet, but no leakage at all.

 

Performance has been good. Traction on the turf is good although I will swap in a more aggressive spike once the stock ones wear some. I would also have liked an extra spike or two in the heel area. Never slipped, but I worry with only 2 spikes despite the other nubs in the sole. Speaking of the sole, it is strangely soft, yet somewhat slick on hard surfaces when wet. The sole is compliant, but has a shiny, smooth plastic quality. Be careful on wet concrete.

 

So all in all a very good shoe. Assuming durability is good, I will buy these again in the future. Hoping for other colorways as well.