SQAIRZ vs. Nike

Golfers have more shoe options than ever, from brands that live and breathe the sport to global names recognized far beyond the fairway. SQAIRZ and Nike fall into those two camps. One is a newer brand with a singular focus on designing shoes to improve how golfers connect with the ground. The other is an established sports giant with decades of brand power, famous for cutting massive checks to keep its swoosh on Tour stars.

 Both have visibility on the course, but they get there in very different ways—and the gap between how they perform has become a talking point among golfers, reviewers, and industry testers alike.

The Nike Problem

Nike entered golf in the 1980s, but its breakout moment came in 1996 when a $40 million Tiger Woods endorsement deal made the swoosh impossible to miss on Tour. The next two decades were fueled by mega sponsorships—Rory McIlroy’s reported $200 million deal in 2013, Brooks Koepka, Nelly Korda, Scottie Scheffler. Nike bought its way into the golf conversation. What it didn’t do was build a legacy of golf-specific innovation to match that visibility.

Nike stopped making clubs and balls in 2016, retreating to just footwear and apparel. Since then, the shoe side has leaned heavily on sneaker crossovers—Air Jordans, Air Max, Roshe G—where style drives the sale. Performance tech, especially the kind you can measure in swing speed or dispersion, has been conspicuously absent.

Independent testing has made this painfully clear. In MyGolfSpy’s 2025 rankings, Nike’s Infinity Tour (spiked) and Infinity G (spikeless) landed near the bottom. Testers cited weak stability, underwhelming traction, and comfort that fades fast on the back nine. The “Tour” name didn’t translate to Tour-level performance and they lacked the lockdown needed for faster swings, and aggressive players risked slipping or losing footing mid-swing.

Recurring Issues Nike Can’t Shake

 

1. Traction Trouble

• Slippery in wet conditions, especially spikeless models like Air Max 1G, Roshe G, Jordan 1 Low G.

• Even “performance” models have needed retrofits (Infinity Tour Next% added more spikes after complaints about grip).

• Multiple reviewers warn against using certain Nike models in the rain entirely.

2. Stability Gaps

• Flexible uppers and narrow bases don’t keep feet planted during aggressive swings.

• Testers note foot movement inside the shoe—wasted energy, reduced control.

3. Cramped Toe Boxes

• Nike sticks to its narrow sneaker fit, squeezing toes together and creating fatigue.

• Golfers with wider feet report foot pain or numbness after walking 18.

4. Durability Drama

• Forum archives and Reddit threads are littered with stories of soles peeling after a single season—sometimes just weeks.

• A long-running “glue issue” is so well-known that one golfer called it “20 years of the same problem.”

5. Waterproof… Until It’s Not

• Knit, mesh, and suede materials might look good but soak through in damp grass.

• Even leather models have been trashed by golfers for letting in water at the tongue or seams.

6. Marketing Over Mechanics

• Nike doesn’t publish independent data or make specific performance claims.

• Sales are driven by logo recognition, Tour player exposure, and sneaker-culture hype.

What Real Golfers Are Saying About SQAIRZ

The contrast in feedback is stark. When golfers switch from Nike to SQAIRZ, the same themes repeat: better balance, better grip, better comfort over a full round, and shoes that actually last.

Jeremy S. (5★)
“Best golf shoes I’ve ever worn!!! I’ve had several Adidas, Nike, and FootJoy, and nothing compares. Comfort and stability were off the charts. I just got rid of my Nike Victory Tour 2 Zoom Air golf shoes and plan to buy another pair of SQAIRZ for Father’s Day.”

Reinaldo M. (5★)
“On my third pair. Sold every other brand I owned—Nike included—because SQAIRZ beats them in performance, comfort, and quality. Planted and comfortable the whole round. Even the laces grip better.”

George S. (5★)
“Needed a wider toe box because standard golf shoes (FJ, Nike, etc.) caused foot issues. Grip improved instantly. Perfect fit, soft to walk in, no slide in the shoe.”

Wayne S. (5★)
“Recently received my third pair of SQAIRZ and decided to share my opinion. Always enjoyed multiple pairs of Nike and FootJoy… now it’s just SQAIRZ. The quality is second to none and it shows right down to the no-slip laces.”

Wria T. (5★)
“I wear an 11.5 in FootJoy and Ecco—same in SQAIRZ with extra room in the toe box. No side-to-side slide. Perfect with my arch insert. I’ll order another pair.”

Head-to-Head Snapshot

Why the LT Series Keeps Coming Out on Top

• Lighter than previous SQAIRZ models sitting at 424g, without losing structure or grip.

• Engineered from the ground up for better balance and energy transfer.

• Clinically proven to increase swing speed, driving distance, and tighten dispersion.

• Comfort that lasts through 18, 27, or even 36 holes.

• Built to last multiple seasons without sole separation or early wear.

The Takeaway

Nike’s golf shoes dominate in marketing spend, Tour player visibility, and sneaker appeal. But in traction, stability, durability, comfort, and measurable performance, the reviews and test results show they’re playing a different game and it’s not the one that lowers your scores. And if a brand that spent hundreds of millions for Tiger Woods couldn’t hold onto him, what does that say about the shoes left behind?

The LT Series is designed for golfers who expect their shoes to work as hard as the rest of their gear. When stability, ground connection, and all-weather grip matter more than matching your streetwear, the difference becomes obvious.

After all, It’s The Shoes.
Shop the SQAIRZ LT Series – Built for golfers who want more than a logo.