Sometimes the best gear discoveries happen when you least expect them.
In my case, it was at 2am in Nova Scotia, staring at a baggage carousel that had delivered neither my dad nor our golf bags.
You’d think I would have learned my lesson by now. I’ve made it a habit to travel wearing a pair of golf shoes – usually my TRUE All Day Knits – specifically for situations like this. It saved me when I played Aronimink and Merion back-to-back a couple of years ago when my bag decided to take a detour.
But this time? All my golf shoes were packed in my Sunday Coaster travel bag. I guess that’s what happens when you have a travel bag with enough room for multiple pairs of shoes – you get a little too confident.
Fast forward to showing up at the Links at Brunello outside Halifax for a 9am tee time running on maybe 3 hours of sleep, needing to rent clubs, buy balls, and yes – find shoes that fit.
They didn’t have many options in size 12, but one pair immediately caught my eye: the Adidas MC80.
At $180 retail (and potentially less since they’ve been around for a couple years), I figured worst-case scenario, I’d have a backup pair of shoes in my rotation.
Best case? I’d discover something special.
Spoiler alert: it ended up being closer to the latter.
Truly living up to the name "Modern Classic" the MC80 is one of my favorite pairs of Adidas golf shoes to date, and are worth picking up if you like the style.
First Impressions: Classic Meets Modern
The MC80, which stands for “Modern Classic,” absolutely nails the retro aesthetic.
Think of it as Adidas’s answer to shoes like the G/FORE Gallivanter or the Payntr Eighty Seven SC. It’s that perfect blend of throwback styling with contemporary performance.
The red, white, and blue colorway I ended up with is patriotic without being over the top (though there are other colorways available if that’s not your thing). The broguing detail is what really sells the “classic golf shoe” look; it’s got that country club vibe without feeling stuffy or old-fashioned.
The leather upper feels premium and well-constructed. This is clearly a quality shoe, and it shows in the materials and build.
But here’s the thing about that classic leather construction: it’s not going to feel like slipping into a pair of sneakers right out of the box.
The leather around the heel is relatively thick and firm – especially compared to something like the G/FORE MG4+ 02 that I also wore on this trip, which has tons of padding back there. This is typical for a more traditional leather golf shoe, but I was initially concerned about potential rubbing or hot spots.
The good news? That didn’t happen.
The rest of the leather upper is surprisingly soft, and the overall construction gives off serious high-end vibes.
On the Course: Better With Every Round
Here’s where I was pleasantly surprised.
That first round at the Links at Brunello, the shoes were… fine. Comfortable enough, but I could definitely feel that they needed some break-in time. Again, that firmer leather around the heel was noticeable, though not problematic.
By the second round? They were getting noticeably more comfortable.
After two full 18-hole rounds, they felt pretty well broken in. Walking 18 holes was no problem at all, and the comfort level was exactly where I wanted it to be.
In terms of performance, traction, and stability are solid without being exceptional. I’d call them about average for a spikeless shoe in this category – certainly good enough that it wouldn’t keep me from buying them, but they’re not going to blow you away if you’re coming from something with more aggressive tread or actual spikes.
I did find them to be slightly less stable than some other shoes I’ve worn in this classic-styled category, but we’re talking marginal differences here. On firm ground and typical course conditions, they performed admirably.
The key thing is this: they never once made me feel like I was compromising on performance just to look good. And for a shoe I was forced to buy in an emergency situation, that’s saying something.
The Downsides
Let’s be real: if you’re looking for instant, out-of-the-box comfort like you’d get from the TRUE Lux Hybrid or G/FORE MG4x2, this isn’t that shoe.
The MC80 needs a round or two to really break in, and if you have sensitive feet or are prone to blisters, you might want to wear them around the house or practice facility first.
The traction and stability, while perfectly adequate, aren’t going to compete with more performance-focused spikeless shoes or anything with replaceable spikes.
And if you’re not into the classic, retro styling? Then obviously this shoe isn’t for you. It’s unapologetically traditional in its aesthetic, and while I love that, I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
So Should You Buy Them?
At $180 retail, the Adidas MC80 feels like an excellent value for a shoe of this quality.
And since they’ve been on the market for a couple of years now, you can likely find them on sale for even less, which makes them an even better proposition.
Here’s my take: if you’re into classic golf shoe styling and you like what Adidas is doing with the MC80 aesthetic, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy them. They’re genuinely one of the best-looking shoes on the market right now, and the performance backs up the style.
They’re not trying to be the most comfortable shoe you’ve ever worn (go with TRUE for that), or the most stable/high-traction option out there. But they nail the brief of being a modern take on a classic golf shoe that you can actually play serious golf in.
For me, what started as an emergency purchase has turned into a shoe I’m genuinely happy to have in my rotation. They look great, they’re comfortable once broken in, and they perform well enough that I never think twice about wearing them for a competitive round.
If you can find them on sale? Even better. But honestly, at $180 full retail, they’re still a solid buy if the style speaks to you.
And if these aren’t your jam? One of these pairs probably will be.
Truly living up to the name "Modern Classic" the MC80 is one of my favorite pairs of Adidas golf shoes to date, and are worth picking up if you like the style.
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