Saturday, December 21, 2024
FootJoy FJ Ladies Summer Series Review
Best Feature:
Affordable, comfortable shoe available in various styles/fits
Worst Feature:
Mesh isn't ideal when grass is damp or in sand trap
Best Uses:
Golfing with girlfriends on warm, dry summer days
Pricing:
$80 (warranty: 90-day quality, 30-day comfort)
Overview
Considering FootJoy has manufactured the leading golf shoe on the PGA tour for the past 55 years, it's hard to imagine shopping anywhere else for the latest in golf footwear. Since opening in 1857, FootJoy has created innovative and unique golf shoes to fit different levels of performance, personality and (maybe most importantly) weather. Come rain or shine, FootJoy offers specialized shoes that will keep your feet cool and dry since nothing ruins a day of golf faster than the sharp sting of a blister. It is with this in mind that FootJoy created the Summer Series for Ladies. The line is perfectly designed for warm, beautiful summer days when you need a shoe that is more durable than a sandal but still lighter than a regular golf shoe. While not as technologically advanced as some of FootJoy's other shoes, the Summer Series won't break the bank and still provides most of what you can expect from a footwear giant like FootJoy superior comfort, breathability and performance. The Summer Series comes in seven styles with slight different features and fits. Three of the styles are spikeless with mesh uppers, one has mesh uppers with spikes, and the remaining three have leather uppers with spikes. This review will provide an overview of all seven styles in the hope that it will help you make a more informed purchasing decision.
You can buy the FJ Summer Series on FootJoy.com or other online retailers for about $90 (with mesh uppers) or $105 (with leather uppers).
Product Report Card Grade
We give the FootJoy Ladies Summer Series a B+ because they are great, affordable golf shoes for playing on warm, dry days. While FootJoy made a great basic, golf shoe for the price, we had to deduct a few points because you can really only wear them in certain conditions. The mesh isn't ideal when grass is dewy, and, if you find yourself in a sand trap, you could be playing the rest of the round with sand between your toes.
Date Reviewed
March 2013
April 2013
April 2013
Pros
Relatively inexpensive; mesh styles are very lightweight; many styles have multiple width options; fashionable; reportedly very comfortable and only need minimal break-in time
High quality construction materials; Tour-caliber performance; waterproof; very comfortable and break-in time is reportedly minimal; removable fit bed allows for use of custom inserts or orthotics; great traditional style with many options for customization; wide range of sizes and widths with the option to purchase 2 different size shoes if your feet are different sizes
Waterproof; break-in time is reportedly minimal; classic but stylish shoe with great options for customization; good customer service and very responsive to complaints; wide range of sizes and widths with the option to purchase 2 different size shoes if your feet are different sizes; removable fit bed allows for use of custom inserts or orthotics
Cons
Only really good for warm days when the ground is very dry; sand gets through mesh very easily which can be uncomfortable; no customization options
Expensive; FootJoy says the Icons run true to size, but some reviewers felt they were narrower than the DryJoys, so you may want to get fitted
Relatively expensive; some complaints that sizes were off, so you should definitely get yourself fitted before purchasing; some complaints that construction materials didn't hold up well against normal wear and tear; some complaints that the cleats seem to capture more grass, leaves, trigs, etc. than other shoes
Price (MSRP)
$90 - $105
$260 or about $300 for MyJoys
$180 or about $220 for MyJoys
Warranty
90-day quality warranty, 30-day comfort warranty
2-year waterproof warranty, 90-day quality warranty and a 30-day comfort warranty
2-year waterproof warranty, 90-day quality warranty, 30-day comfort warranty
Uppers
4 of the Summer Series' styles have mesh uppers that enhance the shoes' breathability and that also stretch to give the feeling of a custom fit (#98951, #98975, #98968, #98854). The remaining 3 styles feature full grain leather uppers that provide excellent comfort, durability and breathability, as well as some water resistance (#98944, #98899, #98842).
The Icons are designed with premium full grain leather uppers and rich calfskin detailing. The uppers are completely waterproof and resistant to stretching, but they also still allow air to circulate throughout the inside to keep your feet cool and dry.
The DryJoys have full leather uppers made with ECL™ or "Extreme Comfort Leather", which is FootJoy's proprietary waterproofing system developed with Pittards® of England. ECL™ Advanced Waterproof Leather is membrane-free and is also 30% softer than the company's previous generations of performance leather.
Waterproof?
Styles with leather uppers are water-resistant
Yes
Yes
Lining
All 7 styles of the Summer Series are lined with an athletic textile, which enhances the comfort and breathability of the shoe and also prevents the foot from slipping around.
For a comfortable, secure fit, the inside of the Icon shoe is lined in a breathable leather, the tongue and collar are lined with memory foam and the heel counter is covered in a soft, slip-resistant microfiber.
The DryJoys are lined in leather, which helps to prevent slippage, as well as increase the overall comfort and breathability of the shoe.
Insole/Midsole Technology
All 7 styles of the Summer Series have an EVA Fit Bed®, which provides lightweight, molded cushioning under your foot.
The Icons have a dual-density PU Fit-Bed that is designed to imitate the foot's natural shape in order to provide more cushioned support, comfort and a better overall fit. Underneath the PU Fit Bed is the ABS Insole Board, which is a pre-molded board that is exceptionally flexible in the forefoot but gets firmer towards the heel. This design makes walking comfortable while still providing support and additional stability in the hitting platform.
The DryJoys have a Comfort Plus PU Fit-Bed® that is designed to imitate the foot's natural shape in order to provide more cushioned support, comfort and an overall better fit. The midsole is made with EVA and TPU, which offers lightweight cushioning but prevents the foot from sinking into the shoe. Combined with a fiberglass composite support bridge, this design creates an exceptionally stable hitting platform.
Last
The 3 spikeless, mesh styles all have the LoPro Last design (#98951, #98975, #98968). The LoPro Last has an oblique toe character for sport comfort. It has a slightly shallow fit in the forefoot but has a standard fit in the heel and instep. Only the Summer Series BOA has the Natural Last design (#98842). The Natural Last has a full rounded toe character and a full fit across the forefoot. It has a standard instep and narrow heel. The 3 remaining styles with spikes in mesh and leather have a Contour Last fit. The Contour Last fit has a full rounded toe character, is slightly shallow across the forefoot and has a moderately full instep with a narrower fit in the heel. (#98944, #98899, #98854)
The Icons feature the ICON Laser Last design, which has a slightly square toe box and a slightly narrower heel. It has a standard fit across the front of your foot and your instep.
The DryJoys feature the Laser Plus Last design, which has a fully rounded toe bed and a slightly narrower heel. It has a standard fit across the front of your foot and your instep.
Outsole Technology
All 7 styles of the Summer Series have a DuraMax™ Rubber Outsole. DuraMax™ is a proprietary rubber compound that is exceptionally durable and provides the outsole with remarkable grip, traction, and performance.
The outsole of the Icon incorporates 3 different densities of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) to create a more stable platform, as well as increase flexibility and walking comfort. Additionally, it is designed with Dual OptiFlex™ Zones in the forefoot, which also use TPU to offer enhanced flexibility and walking comfort. Finally, to boost midfoot stability and support, the shank area of the outsole features a perforated alloy called a Torque Bar.
The DryJoys feature FootJoy's Tri-Density TPU Stability PODS™ Outsole. OptiFlex™ technology surround nine individual TPU Stability PODS and offer exceptional flexibility in order to maximize ground contact.
Turf Traction
The 4 Summer Series styles with spikes are designed with Pulsar cleats by Softspikes®. Pulsar cleats offer excellent traction but are still comfortable to walk in. With cleat webbing and radiused legs, they are also easy to clean and more durable.
The Icons have Stinger™ cleats by CHAMP®. Stinger™ cleats offer exceptional traction without damaging greens thanks to their spring-flex design.
The DryJoys have Cyclone™ cleats by Softspikes®. Cyclone™ cleats provide excellent traction but have a spring-flex design, so they won't damage the greens.
Style
There are 7 different styles/color combinations in the Summer Series line. The styles with mesh uppers have a sportier look, while the styles with leather uppers are between sporty and traditional.
The Icons are more traditional looking golf shoes and are available in 13 different styles and color combinations.
The DryJoys are more traditional looking golf shoes and are available in 8 different styles and color combinations.
Customization Ability?
No
Yes, the Icons can be customized as MyJoys and come in 7 different styles including FJ ICON Traditional, FJ ICON Shield Tip, FJ ICON Asymmetrical, FJ ICON Wave, FJ ICON Sport with BOA, FJ ICON Pyramid Saddle Laced and the FJ ICON Pyramid Saddle BOA.
Yes, the DryJoys Tour can be customized as MyJoys.
Sizes
The Summer Series comes in half sizes ranging from 5 to 12 and in a Narrow, Medium or Wide width. Not all of the styles are available in every size/width.
The Icon comes in half sizes ranging from 7 to 15 and in all widths ranging from Narrow to Extra Wide (3E). FootJoy also allows you to purchase 2 different sized shoes if your feet aren't the same size. Non-customized Icons won't come in every size, but alternative sizes are available in the MyJoys.
The DryJoys come in half sizes ranging from 7 to 15 and in all widths ranging from Narrow to Extra Wide (3E). FootJoy also allows you to purchase 2 different sized shoes if your feet aren't the same size. Non-customized DryJoys won't come in every size, but alternative sizes are available in the MyJoys.
Runs True to Size?
Yes
Yes (however, some reviewers did feel that they were narrower than DryJoys)
Yes (however, some reports that sizes were slightly off)
Tour
There are no PGA Tour players currently wearing the FJ Summer Series.
Icons are a popular choice among PGA Tour players such as Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Luke Donald, Bill Haas and KJ Choi.
The DryJoys Tour are worn by pros such as Zach Johnson, Ben Crane, Steve Stricker and Jonathan Byrd.
ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Relatively inexpensive
- Mesh styles are very lightweight
- Many styles have multiple width options
- Fashionable
- Reportedly very comfortable and only need minimal break-in time
Cons
- Only really good for warm days when the ground is very dry
- Leather is only water resistant to a certain point
- Sand gets through mesh very easily which can be uncomfortable
- No customization options
Key Features
Reputation
There are very few reviews of the FJ Summer Series online and none are consolidated in a helpful way. The reviews I did see were very positive, including but, given the line's differing styles, it is hard to provide a great in-depth assessment of the shoe's reputation. However, in my opinion, the Summer Series line is very stylish for ladies golf shoes, and, based on my research, it sounds like they are incredibly comfortable and perform well. The one thing I would suggest is getting fitted by a professional to see which of the FootJoy lasts is best for you. The shoes should run true to size, but I did see a complaint from someone whose heel kept slipping out of the shoe because they needed a narrower fit. In any case, getting fitted is always a good idea when buying apparel online, but, if you aren't able to get fitted in your area, FootJoy has amazing customer service and you can always return the shoes within 30 days. If you like playing in warm weather, the Summer Series shoe should be a great addition to your locker that won't completely blow your shopping budget.
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