Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 Review: Comfort Over Traction

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.

• What it does best: Arch Fit Slip-In comfort and a waterproof upper that MyGolfSpy rates as punching above its price tag.
• Fit: a snug toe box that runs narrow for some golfers, with a wide-foot option available for anyone who finds the standard last tight.
• Traction tradeoff: the GRIPFLEX spikeless outsole gives up some grip at higher swing speeds and shows a slight ankle-stability tilt from its elevated lugs, versus spiked or traction-forward rivals.
• Best for: golfers prioritizing comfort and all-day wearability over maximum traction, including those managing foot or back pain.

Fit and comfort

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.

Traction and stability

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.

Waterproofing, warranty, and durability

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 and cons

Pros:

• Arch Fit Slip-In comfort that MyGolfSpy rates as punching above its price tag
• Waterproof upper confirmed on the current listing
• Recommended in independent coverage for golfers managing foot or back pain
• Wide-foot option available for golfers who find the standard fit too snug

Cons:

• Snug, narrow-running toe box out of the box per MyGolfSpy
• GRIPFLEX spikeless outsole trades some traction at higher swing speeds versus spiked or traction-forward rivals
• Slight ankle-stability tilt reported from the elevated outsole lugs
• No independent long-term durability data yet

How it compares

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.

Verdict

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Skechers golf shoes actually waterproof?

Do the Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 run narrow or wide?

Are spikeless golf shoes as good as spiked shoes for traction?

What's the difference between the Skechers GO GOLF Elite 5 and Elite 6?

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