50 Words or Less
The Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000 has standout looks and a myriad of cool details. Very comfortable. Good, not great, traction.
Introduction
In the world of shoes, collaborations are nothing new. In golf shoes, however, they’re a bit more rare, especially when they combine one of the hottest apparel brands with a shoe maker that we typically don’t see on the course. That makes the Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000 a definite conversation starter and a shoe I was very excited to review.
Looks
Sometimes shoe collabs seem like collaborations in name only – they bear no indication of any teamwork between the brands. That’s not the case with the Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000. This is a classic Saucony silhouette that’s loaded with Greyson touches.
On the Saucony side, the Shadow 5000 is one of their more popular models, coming in tons of different colorways. It’s a classic, retro-style running shoe with Saucony’s logo – inspired by the Saucony Creek – along both sides.
Greyson’s touches are all over this shoe, but in tasteful ways. There are several logos, but they’re small – the wolf and “G” on the upper heel – or tone-on-tone like the “Greyson” on the lower heel. “Wolf” and “Pack” on the soles are nice hidden touches.
What stands out most about their version of the Shadow 5000 is the use of different textures. The houndstooth print on the upper sets the Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000 apart from any other golf shoe you can name. Saucony also includes two pairs of laces – blue and black – so you can style the shoes to your taste.
Comfort
Despite having a brief (and thoroughly unremarkable) running career, I had never worn Saucony shoes prior to this review, so I had no expectations about the fit. The minute I slid them on, however, I understood why they have such a loyal following in the running community.
What struck me most is how solid and secure they felt around my entire foot. The sizing was excellent from the heel cup to the toe box. My foot felt supported and cushioned without feeling smothered. That feeling continued when I was in motion. Whether I was walking, jogging, or swinging, the Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000 felt like it was there with me without restricting my movement.
To promote comfort on and off the course, the Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000 golf shoes come with two different sockliners. Per Saucony, a “molded EVA insert [provides] greater support for on course while the SRS Sockliner options provides a soft underfoot for off course.” While I love having options, I didn’t find a substantial difference between the two sockliners. When I was A/B testing, I felt a small difference, but neither one stood out as being significantly better or worse, softer or firmer.
Performance
When I unboxed the Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000, I was very impressed by the look, but, if I’m being honest, I was skeptical of the performance. Saucony and Greyson states that this shoe has “a custom outsole designed for unparalleled traction,” but it’s far from the most aggressive spikeless sole I’ve seen.
Taking these shoes to the range, I found my assumptions about the traction were accurate. While this sole is definitely better than that of your average running shoe, it’s not on a level with aggressive spikeless designs like the G/FORE G/18 [review HERE]. I think a closer comparison would be the sole that TRUE Linkswear uses on shoes like their OG Cush [review HERE]. In good weather, the Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000 should provide adequate traction, but it’s not meant to keep you rooted in slippery conditions.
On that point, these shoes do not claim any level of waterproofing. There are perforations on the toe, and the cloth upper is likely to soak up water, not repel it. Save these for sunny days.
To end on the positive side, the Saucony heritage shines through in the comfort that these shoes provide when walking. I took them out of the box and spent eight straight hours walking and standing with no issues whatsoever. The shoe moves well while providing plenty of cushioning and support. If you’re a walking golfer, you should hope that this is not Saucony’s last foray into golf shoes.
Conclusion
For those that prioritize style on the course, the Greyson X Saucony Shadow 5000 golf shoes are a must-have. The numerous textures in this shoe make it a head turner, and they’re so comfortable you may start wearing them everywhere. If you do want to rock these, make sure to act fast as they are selling out quickly.
Visit Saucony HERE
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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2 Comments
That’s a great way of saying, “It’s a comfortable shoe with great intentions but not ready for sloppy golf.” To me, it has a great look of a winter shoe without a winter design – waterproofing, warmth, traction.
“sloppy golf” for sure…. how about a little of that plain old “spring golf”.
By the time you got to the 2nd hole you’d be calling in plastic bags….
You can tell the golf manufacturers are running out of ideas.