2009 PGA Merchandise Show - Cleatskins

Well, it has been a few weeks since the 2009 PGA Merchandise show, but I have been testing a few products out on the range and the courses and wanted to chime in on how the products were holding up and working out.

One of the new products I ran into on the show floor was Cleatskins. They are just coming out into the golf market with a product that looks like a set of galoshes or overshoes that you would put over your own shoes to keep them from getting wet. In Cleatskins situation, the overshoes are designed to fit over your golf shoes to protect the soft spikes from wear and clubhouse surfaces from wear from your soft spikes. At first glance, I was a bit curious to why one would buy such an item, but upon further review and after talking to the Cleatskins folks it all started to come together.

Cleatskins are perfect for the public course golfer. You can put the Cleatskins on over your golf shoes at home, put your golf shoes on in the comfort of your home (rather than standing at your car trunk or sitting on a golf cart seat), and drive to the course with your golf shoes on without any fear of damaging your home or auto floors. When you arrive at the course you simple grab your golf bag out of the trunk and walk up to the pro shop. No balancing act at the trunk as you change from your street shoes into your golf shoes and, more importantly, no wear on your Scorpion Stingers from the parking lot. Once you get to the range, practice green, or your cart; simple slip off the Cleatskins and throw them in your bag or cart basket.



Once your round is completed, simply take your Cleatskins and put them back on over your golf shoes, walk back to your car without damaging your Stingers on the pavement in the parking lot, put your bag in your car, and drive home without having to change your shoes.

Cleatskins come in different sizes and colors as well as styles for both men and women.



About a week ago, I received a pair of Cleatskins to test out and review and have been pretty happy with them so far. Last Saturday was my first experience using the Cleatskins when I drove up to Timacuan Golf and Country Club. I was running a bit lit late on Saturday morning so I grabbed the Cleatskins and struggled a bit to put them on my Etonics for the first time. Once I learned to roll the heel open, slide the toe in, and roll the heel section back over the heel of the shoe, the process went a lot smoother on the second shoe. I put my golf shoes on in the comfort of my home and put a pair of Crocs in the trunk in the event I had issues later on with the Cleatskin/Etonic combo. Walking around the house, garage, and driving the car felt normal with the Cleatskins. While I knew I was wearing my golf shoes, the grip from the Cleatskin tread was excellent on carpet, cement, pavement, and even on my Honda's pedals. The traction is very similar to tennis shoes.

Upon arrival at the course, it was nice to be able to just grab my bag out of the trunk and go. A course attendant had driven up to my car in a cart as I was opening my trunk and I did not have to waste his time waiting for me to change my shoes. I handed him my golf bag, locked the car, and sat down in the cart for a ride to the pro shop. After paying for the round, I ran into Eracer on the practice green and we headed out to the range. I had gotten so used having the Cleatskins on, I almost forgot to take them off. :laugh: Even walking across the wet range grass, I still had the same amount of traction that I would have gotten wearing tennis shoes or similar rubber soled shoes. Getting the Cleatskins off was fast and easy, and after I put them into the basket on the back of the cart I forgot about them until the round was over.

After sinking a long putt from off the fringe on 18 (for a bogey, of course), we took the cart back to the parking lot and I grabbed the Cleatskins out of the basket and went to put them on. The left one went on with a bit of a struggle, but I could not get the right one on without having to first remove the shoe. Granted, I am not what you would call "small" and have some flexibility issues, so someone a bit more fit than I probably could have gotten it done without having to remove the shoe. Also, the Cleatskins are a really tight fit to provide that level of comfort and prevent slippage around the shoe when walking around in them. After I had the Cleatskins installed, went into the grill room for lunch, walked back out to the car, and drove home to Orlando. Since it was valentines day, I stopped off at a local store close to home to buy a few gifts for the wife to surprise her when she got home from work and the Cleatskins over my golf shoes handled the sealed parking lot and the tile floor in the store with the same great traction and comfort I had been experiencing all day in the Cleatskins.

Overall, I was very happy with my first day in the Cleatskins. They provided great traction and comfort on every surface I encountered, and made the transition from street to course back to street fairly simple. I decided to leave my Cleatskins on my shoes until the next time I go to the course or range to see if I can maybe stretch them out a bit to make them a little easier to put on post round. I will update you on my progress with the Cleatskins as I get more opportunities to test them out.

If you want to learn a little bit more about Cleatskins, you can visit their website at www.cleatskins.com

Interesting concept. Something that may interest me as well because my golf shoes are likely the best and most comfortable shoes I own and would likely never even considering spending the same on a pair of shoes to wear into the clubhouse after a round. Seems for when I go to the course, it would give me really nice comfortable shoes to wear into the club, restaurant or Bar after a round

Quick question in what you mention about the snug fit. What size shoe do you wear and did you get the one they recommend for that size? What size Cleatskin? I ask because I wear a 13/13.5 Ecco or 13, which is the last size on the XL. Seems if yours at in the middle or bottom of the size chart, I may be able to get away with an XXL with more ease.

How much?

Sounds like something I might like.

I am a 10 1/2 wide. I beleive I have the Large size, I just sent them my shoe size and color choice and they sent me out the demos. The width may be the cause of the tighter fit, but we will see how they go after sitting on the shoes for a few days.

I do not know if they had released/finalized their retail pricing as of yet, but if I recall correctly they are going to be in the mid $30's. We are talking with the folks at Cleatskins so there could be some future opportunities through ST if things work out.

Thanks!!!
The do have M and W models. The large runs 9-11, so you are at the top as well. At least tells me they wouldn't be more snug than yours

They list them as $36.95 on the site.

I like the concept, so long as they were easy to get on and off.

I have a feeling this is just going to cause more wear and tear on my golf shoes(which cost a lot more than my street shoes) so it would have to save me a lot of time before it would be worth it for me to utilize this product.

I didnt even realize you had them at Timacuan.

They are pretty stealthy if you get a color that goes along with your shoe color. I got the black ones as they go well with my black shoes, white shoes, and my brown shoes. Is some cases, I think they improve on the astetic value of the shoes they are on. If you look at the pictures in the first post you can see what I mean. The red ones in the sample photos really improve the look of the Eccos they were on with matching red accents IMHO.

Seems like just another wasted effort to make a buck, Nice try tho'.

Not sure about these, I have driven plenty of times to the course wearing my golf shoes & the soft spikes do not in anyway damage anything. I have even worn them when I take the motorcycle to the course & once again no issues.

To me they sound like an answer to a question nobody has ever needed to ask.

There is a Skip button dead center directly below on the flash. White text with a double arrow. Funny because that is also the first thing I look for in a page.

Although I am starting to agree that the price is kinda steep.

Was kinda hoping he may work something out with you for us to get them cheap.

Man im dumb, made a thread bout these too, hahahahaha. Thought i was all quick makin it too, sheesh. Yea i might look into these as well, as i think my golf shoes are extremely comfortable, would just wear em there and back.

I'll be sure to run out and get a pair of those.