The Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 trades some traction for an Arch Fit Slip-In platform built for all-day comfort. Here's what independent testing found, and who the tradeoff actually suits.
The Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 makes a clear trade: an Arch Fit Slip-In platform built for all-day comfort and a waterproof upper, set against a spikeless outsole that independent testing rates a step behind traction-first rivals at higher swing speeds. Aggregated findings from MyGolfSpy and Golf Monthly, read alongside the manufacturer's own spec sheet, point to a shoe that earns its keep for a specific kind of golfer rather than every kind.
The Elite 5 runs on Skechers' Arch Fit Slip-In platform, a laceless, hands-free design built around the company's molded arch support. MyGolfSpy's coverage describes the shoe as punching above its price tag on comfort, a notable claim in a category where slip-in construction often trades support for convenience. Golf Monthly goes further, recommending the Elite 5 specifically for golfers managing foot or back pain, a use case where a well-cushioned, low-maintenance shoe does more work than a stiffer, spiked alternative.
The fit itself is the one recurring complaint. MyGolfSpy flags a snug toe box that runs narrow for some golfers, common enough in slip-in construction generally that it's worth checking before buying rather than assuming a true-to-size fit. Skechers offers a wide-foot option for golfers who find the standard last too tight, which is the practical fix if the narrow toe box is a dealbreaker rather than a minor adjustment period.
The outsole is Skechers' GRIPFLEX spikeless TPU design, built for grip without traditional metal or plastic spikes. MyGolfSpy's independent coverage is the most useful data point here, and it's not uniformly positive: traction drops off at higher swing speeds compared to spiked or more traction-forward spikeless designs, and the elevated lugs on the outsole introduce a slight ankle-stability tilt that faster, more aggressive swingers are more likely to notice than a smoother, moderate-speed player. I lean on comfort data more than traction data when I'm sizing up a spikeless shoe like this one, which is a bias worth naming, since a golfer with a genuinely fast swing should weight MyGolfSpy's stability note more heavily than I would.
For golfers who play regularly in wet conditions, footing and grip matter as much as waterproofing itself. Our guide to playing golf in the rain covers how wet-weather traction and club selection change together, and pairs naturally with the grip side of the equation covered in our Best Golf Gloves 2026 picks, since a shoe handling the footing and a glove handling the grip solve two halves of the same wet-round problem.
The waterproof upper is confirmed directly on the current product listing, which lines up with the shoe's positioning as an all-weather option built to handle a wet fairway without changing socks at the turn. The manufacturer backs the shoe with a waterproof guarantee, though the exact term varies between this listing and at least one other Elite 5 sub-variant, so we're not stating a specific number of years here until that's pinned down more precisely.
On durability, there's a real gap worth naming plainly: no independent long-term test of the Elite 5 exists yet, so any claim about how the outsole or upper holds up over a full season of play should be treated as unverified rather than assumed. It's also worth knowing that Skechers has since released the GO GOLF Elite 6 alongside the Elite 5, not as its replacement, so the Elite 5 remains a current, supported model in the lineup rather than an outgoing one being phased out.
Pros:
Cons:
Against the FootJoy Pro/SL, a traction-forward spikeless shoe built around more aggressive lug geometry, the Elite 5 gives up some grip at speed in exchange for a softer, more cushioned all-day feel. A golfer who values stability on a faster swing is better served by the Pro/SL; a golfer who spends more time walking than swinging hard gets more out of the Elite 5's comfort focus.
Against the adidas Solarmotion, a closer comfort-tier peer, the two shoes compete on similar ground. The Elite 5's Arch Fit platform and MyGolfSpy's above-its-price-tag comfort rating give it a slight edge for golfers walking full rounds, while the traction and stability gap versus more aggressive outsoles remains the deciding factor for faster swingers on either shoe.
The Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 is a mid-tier, comfort-first pick: a waterproof, well-cushioned shoe that earns real praise from independent reviewers for all-day wearability, with a snug fit and a traction tradeoff that faster swingers should weigh before buying. For a golfer who wants a spiked or more aggressively lugged shoe built around grip first, the FootJoy Pro/SL is the better match. For a golfer who wants comfort, waterproofing, and a hands-free slip-in fit, and doesn't need maximum traction at a fast swing speed, the Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 delivers on exactly what it sets out to do.
The GO GOLF Elite 5's waterproof upper is confirmed directly on the current product listing. The manufacturer backs it with a waterproof guarantee, though the exact term varies between this listing and at least one other Elite 5 sub-variant, so treat any specific warranty length you see elsewhere as unconfirmed until you check the listing you're buying from.
Independent testing from MyGolfSpy describes a snug toe box that runs narrow for some golfers. Skechers offers a wide-foot option for anyone who finds the standard fit too tight, which is worth checking before you order if narrow shoes have been an issue for you in the past.
It depends on the shoe and the swing. On the Elite 5 specifically, MyGolfSpy's independent coverage found reduced traction at higher swing speeds compared to spiked or more traction-forward spikeless designs, along with a slight ankle-stability tilt from the elevated outsole lugs. A moderate-speed, comfort-focused golfer is less likely to notice the gap than a golfer with a genuinely fast swing.
Skechers released the GO GOLF Elite 6 alongside the Elite 5 rather than as a direct replacement, so both are current models running in parallel rather than one superseding the other. If you're deciding between the two, confirm the Elite 6's specific updates directly with Skechers rather than assuming it simply improves on every spec covered here.
Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences what I cover or recommend. I link to gear I'd buy myself.
Data-backed reviews and advice that works. No brand spin.
