G/FORE G/18 Review: I Was Kinda Surprised by These…

At this point, it’s fair to say that G/FORE has won me over with their golf shoes.

For years, they felt too in your face for my personal style. And still, there are a lot of G/FORE stlyes that are just too bold for me.

But some of the products that have a little more restraint? They’re just the right balance of flair, fit, and comfort to have become one of my favorite brands in golf.

And when one of your favorite brands launches an entirely new shoe?

That’s something to get excited about.

G/FORE has just released the new G/18 golf shoe.

At $250, they aren’t cheap, and they provide something different than other G/FORE models.

So should you buy it? How does it compare to brand staples like the MG4+ and Gallivanter?

We’re going to cover all that in more in this G/FORE G/18 shoe review.

First Impressions of the G/18

Something I love about G/FORE is they do a better job than most brands of totally differentiating each shoe model.

This starts with the box.

Every box is different, and is done in a way that fits with the style of the shoe.

Considering G/FORE golf shoes are among the more expensive shoes out there, regardless of which ones you choose, this small attention to detail goes a long way.

Out of the box, this continues.

The G/18 feels like a high-end shoe, and the construction is up there with the best I’ve seen on a shoe.

The shoes are bigger than I expected them to be, and definitely have a bit of a fashion-forward vibe.

I best comparison point within the G/FORE range is going to be the MG4+, which is one of the best all-around shoes on the market. They’re super comfortable, waterproof, and have decent styling.

At first glance, the G/18 looks to be just as waterproof, havs bolder styling, and maybe even better traction.

But we’ll get to that in a second.

There are some great visual touches like the “Play” and “Nice” that are emblazoned across the right and left toe box.

The raised G/FORE logo on the back of the shoe also looks really nice and is one more element that makes these shoes feel worthy of their price point.

Overall, my first impression of these was very positive. They look cool, have many of the G/FORE hallmarks you’ve come to expect (Hello, massaging nubs!), and are well-built.

But are they comfortable? Do they hold up for competitive rounds despite being spikeless?

Let’s find out.

They Perform as Good as they Look

Putting on the shoes one of the first things I noticed is the fit feels slightly roomier than the MG4+, and significantly more so than the leather Gallivanters, or even the crossover Gallivan2r shoes.

You particularly notice it in the toe box. So if you have wider feet, or like to have a little extra room, these are a pair to consider. Even with that space, they seem to fit true to size, as my size 12s fit great.

The massage-rubbed insoles are as comfortable as ever. Seriously, it may seem weird if you’ve never worn them – but they’re fantastic.

The soles are super beefy for a spikeless shoe.

The most notable feature you notice is that the spiky textured sole wraps all the way around to the toe box. It’s a cool design element that also adds extra durability to that part of the shoe. It’s vaguely reminiscent of Adidas Code Chaos models.

I’ve now walked two rounds in the G/18, and they’re wonderfully comfortable. They haven’t needed any time to break in, and feel sporty while still providing plenty of support and traction.

I’ve never felt like the MG4+ was lacking in either of those departments, but I feel like the G/18 goes one step above. Obviously not quite Gallivanter G/Lock status, but very good.

Downsides of the G/18

I honestly don’t really have many complaints about this shoe.

If I were nitpicking the clear gum material used on part of the sole will be tough to clean and will start to yellow pretty quickly. But it’s the bottom of a golf shoe – so I don’t think most people will take issue with this.

Styling won’t be for everyone, and at $250, the price won’t be either.

But if you’re ok with those things? Then there’s a lot to love with the G/18.

So Should You Buy Them?

The Ecco Biom C4 had been my pick for “best overall golf shoe” for years. And it’s still among my favorites. It’s certainly the most comfortable pair of golf shoes I’ve ever owned.

But I’d be lying if I said they are overly attractive.

I’ve personally been gravitating to G/FORE, Payntr, or TRUE for most of my rounds these days – with G/FORE taking the bulk of them.

As I think some of those brands add just enough fashion to function to make them more appealing to me all around.

And the G/18 shoes are among the best at marrying all of those elements

If you’re looking for an “all day” golf shoe – this isn’t it. Go for the TRUE Lux Hybrid or G/FORE MG4x2 for that.

But if you want a unique, attractive, and comfortable golf shoe that doesn’t sacrifice on performance? The G/18 is one of the best out there. Between this and the MG4+, I’d personally lean toward the G/18, as I like the styling better.

But the good news? There’s no wrong answer. Every shoe I’ve mentioned in this review is worthy of a purchase, and if you do decide to invest in the G/18 I think you’ll be very happy.

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A comfortable, fashion forward golf shoe that performs.

9.3 Fantastic

Despite the high price tag, these shoes are incredibly well built, comfortable, and perform admirably. It's one of the best new shoes to be released this year, and is among the best shoes we've tested.

The Good

1. Excellent build quality
2. Better traction and stability than many spikeless shoes
3. Fashion forward styling

The Bad

1. Styling won't be for everyone
2. Expensive, at $250 retail

• Presentation 10
• Performance 9
• Price 8
• Personal Affinity 10