Payntr Eighty Seven SC Golf Shoe
Payntr — Payntr Eighty Seven SC Golf Shoe · By Troy · Jan 13, 2026
Jason Day's collaboration with Payntr delivers what might be the most comfortable spiked golf shoe on the market — a genuine disruptor from a brand you should be paying attention to.
The Big Picture
Payntr isn't a name most golfers know yet. The brand cut its teeth in cricket footwear before pivoting to golf, and the Eighty Seven SC — a collaboration with former World No. 1 Jason Day — is its statement piece. Named after Day's birth year and lucky number, the "87" is embedded throughout the design, including 87 perforations in the upper for breathability. It's worn by Day and Justin Rose on Tour, and it's the shoe that's making the established brands nervous.
Outsole with spiked cleats and gold X logo on grass after use
The technology list is aggressive for a relatively young golf brand: a Clarino Trivela microfiber upper (lightweight synthetic that mimics premium leather), a full-length Carbitex GearFlex carbon fiber propulsion plate in the sole, PMX Nitro+ nitrogen-infused foam in both the midsole and footbed, an Ariaprene bootie tongue for foot lockdown, a WATERPROOF+ breathable membrane with sealed bottom gasket, and a TPU outsole with Fast Twist spike system. The 360° WRAP Fit Technology distributes support around the entire foot rather than relying solely on lacing pressure.
At $220, the Eighty Seven SC sits firmly in the premium tier alongside the Nike Victory Tour 4 ($200), FJ Premiere Series ($200), and Ecco Biom H5 ($199). It's a significant investment, but the technology package is genuinely competitive with — and in some areas ahead of — every shoe in that bracket.
Look & Design
The Eighty Seven SC is arguably the best-looking spiked golf shoe available right now. The soft white Clarino upper paired with subtle gold accents creates a clean, premium aesthetic that reads as modern and tour-level without being flashy. The slim, athletic silhouette avoids the chunky proportions that plague many spiked shoes, and the clean lacing system contributes to an uncluttered profile. Whether you're wearing shorts, trousers, or joggers, this shoe elevates the outfit.
The design language sits in a sweet spot between classic tour shoe and contemporary athletic — it doesn't look like your father's golf shoe, but it also doesn't scream sneaker culture. It's the kind of shoe that gets compliments on the course without trying too hard. The low-profile heel design enhances the sleek proportions and contributes to a closer ground connection than taller-heeled alternatives.
One honest note: the soft Clarino upper creases quickly. Within a few rounds, visible flex lines develop behind the toe box. This is purely cosmetic — the material remains resilient and structurally sound — but if you're particular about your shoes looking box-fresh, it's worth knowing. The Clarino is easy to wipe clean, which helps, but it won't maintain that pristine-from-the-box appearance the way a firmer leather or synthetic would.
Comfort & Fit
This is where the Eighty Seven SC separates itself from every spiked shoe in our catalog. The PMX Nitro+ nitrogen-infused foam in the midsole delivers a cushioning sensation that's simultaneously soft and responsive — you feel supported without feeling disconnected from the ground. The dual-density PMX insole adds another layer of comfort and breathability on top. The combination is genuinely remarkable: this is a spiked golf shoe that feels as soft underfoot as most spikeless alternatives, without any of the stability compromise that usually accompanies that softness.
The Ariaprene bootie tongue wraps the foot in a secure, sock-like embrace that eliminates the tongue drift and pressure points common in traditionally constructed shoes. Combined with the 360° WRAP Fit Technology, the overall sensation is of a shoe that hugs your foot evenly from every direction. It's locked in without being tight, secure without being restrictive. The internal fit creates confidence during the swing — your foot isn't going anywhere — while remaining comfortable enough for 36-hole days without fatigue.
Out of the box, zero break-in required. First round, 18 holes walking, no hotspots, no rubbing, no discomfort. This is consistent across virtually every tester I'm aware of — the shoe is immediately comfortable.
Sizing note: The toe box runs narrow. Multiple golfers with wider feet report needing to go up a half size, though doing so can introduce heel looseness. If you're between sizes or have a wider foot, try them on before committing. Golfers accustomed to the generous toe boxes of TRUE Linkswear or Ecco shoes will notice the difference.
Performance
Traction & Stability
The spiked TPU outsole paired with softer rubber traction nubs between the spike positions creates an excellent grip profile. The Fast Twist spike system provides the traditional spiked-shoe confidence on wet turf, slopes, and uneven lies, while the rubber elements maintain traction on hard surfaces like cart paths and tee boxes where spikes alone can feel unstable. Whether swinging from dry fairways, wet rough, or walking up steep slopes, the stability is outstanding.
The full-length Carbitex GearFlex carbon fiber propulsion plate is the most distinctive technology in the shoe. Designed to help golfers harness ground reaction forces during the swing, it adds torsional rigidity through the midfoot while allowing natural flex through the forefoot during the walk. In practice, you feel planted and stable during the swing without the stiffness that some carbon-plated shoes introduce during walking. The plate also contributes a subtle energy return during the walking stride — your feet feel fresher at 18 than they would in a shoe without it.
The low-profile heel design, while contributing to the shoe's sleek aesthetics, also enhances ground feel and reduces the "standing on a platform" sensation that taller-heeled performance shoes can create. It took a round or two to adjust to the lower heel position, but once calibrated, the ground connection is excellent.
Waterproofing & Durability
The WATERPROOF+ membrane with sealed bottom gasket keeps feet dry in all conditions. The breathable construction means the shoe doesn't trap heat the way some fully waterproof shoes do — feet stay cool and dry even in warm weather, which is a meaningful advantage for summer golf where waterproof shoes can become sweat traps.
Durability is strong where it matters: the PMX Nitro+ midsole and TPU outsole show no breakdown through repeated wear, and the overall construction feels built to last multiple seasons. The Clarino upper, despite the cosmetic creasing, remains resilient and easy to maintain. One minor annoyance: the internal sock liner collects grass and debris, requiring extra cleaning attention after rounds. It's not a structural issue, but it's an extra maintenance step.
Verdict
The Payntr Eighty Seven SC is a genuine surprise — a shoe from a brand most golfers haven't heard of that competes directly with, and in several areas surpasses, the established premium offerings from FootJoy, Nike, and Ecco. The PMX Nitro+ cushioning system sets a new standard for comfort in a spiked shoe. The traction and stability are elite. The carbon fiber propulsion plate adds measurable performance benefit. The waterproofing works without sacrificing breathability. And the design is simply beautiful.
At $220, it's the most expensive shoe in our catalog, and the narrow toe box will be a dealbreaker for wider-footed golfers. The upper creasing is cosmetic but real, and the sock liner maintenance is a minor irritant. These are small imperfections in an otherwise exceptional package.
For context: the FJ HyperFlex (9.0) edges it on pure stability testing data, and the FJ Pro/SLX (9.0) offers better off-course versatility in a spikeless design. But neither shoe matches the Eighty Seven SC's combination of cushioning, aesthetics, and on-course performance. If comfort is your primary criterion in a spiked shoe, nothing I've tested comes close.
This is the shoe that made me understand why Jason Day switched brands. It's the real deal.
