Best Disc Golf Shoes
Updated How we research
Salomon Men’s Speedcross GTX, Waterproof Trail Running Shoes - Black/Black/Quiet Shade - 11 Medium
Salomon Speedcross GTX for men: a waterproof Gore-Tex trail shoe with an aggressive Contagrip TA lug sole, anti-debris mesh upper and Quicklace closure. Built for mud, wet ground and loose gravel.
Merrell Men's Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe, New Granite, 10
Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof low hiking shoe for men, with a waterproof membrane, pig suede leather and mesh upper, Merrell Air Cushion heel and a Vibram TC5+ outsole. A sturdy all-day course shoe.
Footing is the base of every throw, and disc golf asks shoes to do things running shoes were never built for: plant hard on a lateral run-up, hold on wet grass, and survive miles of walking through brush. Traction pattern, lateral support, and water resistance are where models differ. Toe protection matters on rooty courses, and breathable uppers make summer rounds bearable but soak through in morning dew. We weighed grip on wet and loose ground, lateral stability during a run-up, and how the upper holds up to repeated wet rounds. Trail runners suit dry courses and players who want low weight, waterproof hikers suit wet seasons and long walks, and stiffer supportive models suit heavier players or anyone whose plant foot slides sideways during a full-power drive.
The short version
We compared 8 picks. Our scores range from 7.4 to 8.4 out of 10.
- Best overall:Salomon Men’s Speedcross GTX, Waterproof Trail Running Shoes - Black/Black/Quiet Shade - 11 Medium. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.4/10.
- Also great value:Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot. Value score of 9/10, overall 7.4/10.
- Solid build:Merrell Men's Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe, New Granite, 10. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.1/10.
- Feature-rich:Salomon Men’s XA PRO 3D Gore-Tex Waterproof Trail Running Shoes - Black/Black/Magnet - 10. Features score of 8/10, overall 7.8/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Salomon Men’s Speedcross GTX, Waterproof Trail Running Shoes - Black/Black/Quiet Shade - 11 Medium8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Merrell Men's Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe, New Granite, 108.1/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Salomon Men’s XA PRO 3D Gore-Tex Waterproof Trail Running Shoes - Black/Black/Magnet - 107.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.ALTRA Men's Olympus 6 Trail Running Shoe, Gray/Orange, 10.57.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.KEEN Men's Targhee 3 Low Height Waterproof Hiking Shoes7.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Merrell Men's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot, Boulder, 10.57.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Hoka Women's Speedgoat 7 Sneaker, Black/White, 57.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 8.Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot7.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Salomon Speedcross GTX for men: a waterproof Gore-Tex trail shoe with an aggressive Contagrip TA lug sole, anti-debris mesh upper and Quicklace closure. Built for mud, wet ground and loose gravel.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Contagrip TA sole has an aggressive lug design that the listing says digs into mud, wet ground or soft snow
- + Gore-Tex membrane is described as waterproof, windproof and breathable, which keeps feet dry in rain
- + Quicklace single-pull closure and Sensifit construction give a secure foothold, with a ripstop fabric upper
- - This listing is one size and color (11 Medium, black), so other sizes need a different listing
- - Premium pricing, and the listing gives no detail on shoe weight or how the lugs suit hard tee pads
#2Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof low hiking shoe for men, with a waterproof membrane, pig suede leather and mesh upper, Merrell Air Cushion heel and a Vibram TC5+ outsole. A sturdy all-day course shoe.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Waterproof membrane is described as sealing out water while letting moisture escape
- + Vibram TC5+ outsole is described as providing traction for outdoor multi-sport activities
- + Merrell Air Cushion in the heel and a Super Rebound Compound midsole are there to absorb shock
- - This listing is one size and color (10, New Granite), so other sizes need a different listing
- - The listing does not state the shoe weight, which matters to players who want a light shoe for run-ups
#3Salomon XA PRO 3D Gore-Tex for men: a waterproof trail shoe with a 3D Advanced Chassis for stability, a Contagrip rubber outsole and a reinforced toe cap. Suits wet, uneven courses.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Gore-Tex membrane is described as waterproof, windproof and breathable, a fit for dew-soaked morning rounds
- + 3D Advanced Chassis between midsole and outsole is built for motion control and underfoot stability
- + All-terrain Contagrip rubber outsole and a reinforced toe cap are made for mixed terrain and loose gravel
- - This listing is one size and color (10, Black/Black/Magnet), so other sizes need a different listing
- - A premium price for a disc golf shoe, and the listing does not state the shoe weight
#4Altra Men's Olympus 6 trail running shoe with a roomy FootShape toe box and Vibram Megagrip outsole, a cushioned trail option for long rounds on wet or dry ground.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Vibram Megagrip sticky rubber outsole is listed for grip on both wet and dry surfaces, useful on damp fairways.
- + FootShape fit gives a roomy toe box, which the listing says lets toes move freely over a long round.
- + GaiterTrap tab allows a strapless gaiter to keep trail debris out of the shoe.
- - Not the same brand as the Hoka it replaces, and the wide toe box may feel loose for narrow feet.
- - The listing shows no waterproof membrane, so it is a trail runner rather than a rain shoe.
#5KEEN Men's Targhee 3 low waterproof hiking shoe with a KEEN.DRY membrane, leather and mesh upper and all-terrain rubber outsole for muddy, wet courses.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane is listed to keep water out while letting vapor escape on wet days.
- + KEEN All-Terrain rubber with 4mm multi-direction lugs is listed for grip on mud and rocky ground.
- + Removable footbed with arch support, a heel cradle and a toe guard are listed for stability and wear.
- - Leather and mesh hiking build with a support shank is heavier in concept than a trail running shoe.
- - Priced around $170, a high cost for a walking shoe used for a casual round.
#6Merrell Moab 3 Mid waterproof hiking boot in Boulder, size 10.5 per the listing. A mid-cut boot for wet, muddy courses where ankle support and dry feet matter more than weight.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Waterproof membrane seals out water while letting moisture escape, which suits wet fairways and early-morning dew.
- + Pigskin leather and mesh upper with a bellows tongue and protective toe cap keeps debris and roots off the foot.
- + Kinetic Fit ADVANCED removable insole and a heel Air Cushion add shock absorption and stability on long rounds.
- - A mid-height hiking boot is heavier and warmer than trail runners, so it can feel bulky on hot days or long walks.
- - The listing is for size 10.5 only in this color, so check your size and the other sizes offered before ordering.
#7Hoka Women's Speedgoat 7 trail shoe with a new SCF midsole, lay-flat gusseted tongue and woven textile upper, a current update of the Speedgoat line for uneven fairways.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Listing describes a midsole tuned for energy return, which suits long rounds with a lot of walking.
- + Lay-flat tongue with dual gusset helps keep dirt and grass out of the shoe on rough ground.
- + Lightweight recycled woven textile upper and a heel pull tab make it easy to put on and wear.
- - Priced in the premium band at about $165, well above most trail shoes on this list.
- - The listing does not mention a waterproof membrane, so wet mornings may soak through.
#8Columbia's Men's Newton Ridge Plus II waterproof hiking boot, a budget-friendly boot for wet, rugged courses.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Waterproof construction handles mud and wet grass well
- + Budget-friendly price compared with many premium hiking boots
- + Supportive boot structure helps on steep, uneven terrain
- - Boot weight and stiffness can slow down run-up footwork
- - Break-in period may be needed before comfortable long rounds
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- This listing is one size and color (11 Medium, black), so other sizes need a different listing (Salomon Men’s Speedcross GTX, Waterproof...)
- This listing is one size and color (10, New Granite), so other sizes need a different listing (Merrell Men's Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe,...)
- This listing is one size and color (10, Black/Black/Magnet), so other sizes need a different listing (Salomon Men’s XA PRO 3D Gore-Tex Waterproof...)
- Not the same brand as the Hoka it replaces, and the wide toe box may feel loose for narrow feet. (ALTRA Men's Olympus 6 Trail Running Shoe,...)
- Leather and mesh hiking build with a support shank is heavier in concept than a trail running shoe. (KEEN Men's Targhee 3 Low Height Waterproof...)
- A mid-height hiking boot is heavier and warmer than trail runners, so it can feel bulky on hot days or long walks. (Merrell Men's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among disc golf shoes?
Salomon Men’s Speedcross GTX, Waterproof Trail Running Shoes - Black/Black/Quiet Shade - 11 Medium is our top overall pick. Salomon Speedcross GTX for men: a waterproof Gore-Tex trail shoe with an aggressive Contagrip TA lug sole, anti-debris mesh upper and Quicklace closure. Built for mud, wet ground and loose gravel. It earns our score of 8.4/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Merrell Men's Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe, New Granite, 10 is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof low hiking shoe for men, with a waterproof membrane, pig suede leather and mesh upper, Merrell Air Cushion heel and a Vibram TC5+ outsole. A sturdy all-day course shoe.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Disc Golf Nest independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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