ECCO S-LITE Golf Shoe
ECCO continues to release some of the finest footwear, period, and have broken some more ground with the new S-LITE golf shoe. The ECCO S-LITE features a few really unique features that I’ve not seen in their golf shoe line before! These are some of the boldest, lightest, and, of course, best performing pieces of golf equipment you can fit into your closet.
The Looks
Ok, for real, these look outrageous. While the ECCO S-LITE comes in the standard white, the mellow grey, and the understated navy blue. I of course had to go with the yellowest yellow shoe I’ve ever seen. The first couple times out in these shoes were with the DRH crew, and we’re so used to flashy style (we wish we were as cool as Rickie, OK?) that no one batted an eye. I then took them up to my home course for a small event and I got no less than a half dozen “those are awesome” or “what are THOSE!” comments from the crew. The S-LITEs got me all the attention on that first tee – at least until I took my first swing, but that’s not on the shoe… As always, ECCO pushes the boundaries of golf style.
When you look a little closer, you see some of the details ECCO is notable for. The majority of the shoe is diamond embossed Yak leather. It’s smooth, soft, and super breathable. I’m a particular fan of the molded heel that provides a little color contrast to go with the strong yellow color. You can opt for more subtle matching on the other models if you like. My opinion for golf threads is that you go out there and go bold, and the S-LITE makes that easy.
Comfort Level
Aside from good lookin’ gear, ECCO is known for being off the charts comfortable. The S-LITE shoes do just that, but they’re certainly a minimalist shoe. For me, they fit true to size (10.5 US) – I’m a size 44 in ECCOs, and each and every pair I own fit spot on. These are spikeless, which is usually my preference, and keep your feet particularly close to the turf. You’ll be able to get that “up close and personal” feel for the greens, that’s for sure.
ECCO got the perfect fit by using their FLUIDFORM process that mimics your real foot. You’d notice if they didn’t prioritize fit, because there’s just not a lot of material in these shoes. ECCO’s precision manufacturing equates to super light, super flexible golf shoes.
On-Course Performance
While most people can try to look as cool as me (heavy sarcasm there for my first time readers), what really matters is how the shoe holds up on the golf course. The weight of the ECCO S-LITE is so phenomenally light, you’ll definitely notice that you’re not carrying around bricks on your feet after marathoning 36 holes in one day.
During the middle and end of the summer, these have worked wonderfully on the tight, firm & fast turf here in the Midwest. Check out the pattern on the sole. The shoe grips and flexes (that’s the E-DTS LIGHT outsole) very naturally, which is perfect for finely manicured surfaces. I’ve not yet had to take them out in the heavy stuff, but in that case I’ll throw on my BIOM G3s so I can grip it and rip it.
Because the S-LITE is in the minimal category, you might think they’re not durable, but they’re holding up very well. I’ve had them out for over a dozen rounds, and there’s not even a scuff on these guys. I will say these might not be ideal for super muddy courses or the heaviest of weather days. I don’t really plan to try either as I don’t want to clean out that diamond embossing! They have held up great compared to other minimalist shoes I’ve had.
Final Thoughts – ECCO S-LITE
For me, finding the right mix of comfort, performance, and style matters in a golf shoe. The ECCO S-LITE gives me all three of those things. They’re a great mix of soft and supportive, without being too loose. They let you feel the ground like no other shoe I’ve tried, keeping you connected and stable throughout your golf swing. They also look freaking awesome. If you want to turn some heads and take six strokes off your handicap (you never know!), check out the ECCO S-LITEs!
