FootJoy Hyperflex: The AmateurGolf.com Review
10 Jul 2015
by Rusty Cage
see also: Equipment Reviews
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HYPERFLEX delivers lightweight support and cushioning
so you can play at your highest level
As the undisputed number one shoemaker in
golf, FootJoy has every reason to rest on their
laurels. However, this iconic brand has shown
no signs of complacency. If anything, FootJoy
has proven that they’re willing to take risks
such as releasing the visually-striking, and very
non-FootJoy-like Hyperflex.
Perhaps for some other companies in the
golf industry, the Hyperflex would
be just another cool shoe. But this is FootJoy, a
brand that’s been in business nearly as long as
golf has been played in the United States.
FootJoy has a signature style and the Hyperflex
clearly follows a different script. It’s fresher, it’s
hipper and it resonates with golfers who might
otherwise look past FootJoy in favor of brands
that have always catered to a younger
demographic.
Compelling as all that is, FootJoy’s big
push to freshen up their image wouldn’t
amount to much if the Hyperflex wasn’t a very
good tour shoe that’s on par with their other
flagship products.
Inspired by the architectural design of the
Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge in Boston,
Massachusetts, the shoe upper on the
Hyperflex is reinforced with a high-performance
mesh pattern called FlexGrid that provides
tremendous support without being rigid. It also
gives the shoe a very technical look that sets it
apart from any other golf shoe in the
marketplace.
 |
| FootJoy's
FlexGrid upper is lightweight and
durable |
As someone who has worn a pair of
Hyperflex shoes the past six months, I can
honestly say that FlexGrid isn’t just a clever
way to make the shoe standout on the course.
The material wraps around the foot like a
second skin offering the wearer a level of
stability during the golf swing. As durable as it
is, FlexGrid is extremely lightweight. As a
matter of fact, the entire shoe weighs
noticeably less than the two pairs of FJ Sport
shoes that I own. Overall, the Hyperflex is
simply a more comfortable shoe.
Of course comfort isn’t the only criteria by
which to judge a pair of golf shoes. You also
have to consider stability and traction.
Remarkably, I can’t ever recall purchasing a
FootJoy product that has failed to deliver
outstanding turf interaction. The Hyperflex
aren’t just another great pair of shoes that
maintain FootJoy’s haughty standard - they
exceed it.
FootJoy paired the innovative upper and a
very comfortable midsole with a thin TPU
outsole equipped with “Tornado” cleats by
SoftSpikes. The sole itself is divided into two
traction pods - one positioned precisely where
you put pressure on the ball of your foot, the
other towards the heel. The pods help spread
the weight evenly across the base of the shoe.
With the help of a set of aggressively designed
cleats, the Hyperflex outsole can handle a
variety of course conditions. This makes the
Hyperflex a vastly superior all-weather golf
shoe.
 |
| The
Hyperflex is paired with Tornado cleats by
SoftSpikes |
About the only thing negatively I can say
about the traction support is that the shoe
refuses to give an inch laterally. I suppose this
feature can be spun into a huge positive by
FootJoy - the Hyperflex can actually help you
maintain your weight on the instep of your foot
as you make your backswing. But personally, I
don’t like to feel that “locked in”.
I also find the design of the midsole a
little questionable. As I already mentioned
briefly, the FineTunedFoam midsole constructed
from a softer and lighter EVA blend does
contribute to a more comfortable walk around
the golf course. When compared to the kinds of
cleated golf shoes that were available only a
few years ago, the Hyperflex is a major
upgrade. But then again, several competing
brands unveiled some truly innovative EVA-
alternatives this year that makes me feel that
FTF 2.0 is lagging just slightly behind. It’s also
a little puzzling why FootJoy would design such
a chunky midsole when most footwear brands
are engineering golf shoes (cleated or
otherwise) to bring your foot in closer proximity
to the ground. This is not to say that the design
of the midsole is a deal-breaker for me.
Instead, it feels like a lost opportunity to create
something that’s nearly perfect in both comfort
and performance.
Overall the Hyperflex is a very well-
designed, traditional (in function only) golf
shoe. That I’m not over the moon with it is
merely a reflection of the sort of high standards
I expect from any tour shoe ($190 MSRP)
bearing the “FJ” emblem. It comes in five
distinct styles including a bold navy / electric
green combo that is sure to turn heads. The
Hyperflex is also offered in a BOA precision fit
model that doesn’t require lacing.
I can’t imagine that the cutting-edge
styling and technical advancements of the
Hyperflex will be enough to lure a Dry Joys or
FJ Icon enthusiast to add a pair of these into
their shoe rotation. But then again, FootJoy has
never had to worry about staying relevant with
its core customers. It’s all about convincing the
next generation to lace up a pair, and the
Hyperflex is a bold step in the right direction.