J. Lindeberg Fairway Brogue Golf Sneaker Review

J. Lindeberg Fairway Brogue Golf Sneaker Key Features:

• Full grain leather upper
• EVA midsole and rubber outsole
• Ortholite insole

VIEW DEAL

J. Lindeberg is reasonably new to the shoe game, but the Swedish brand certainly knows a thing or two about golf styling, having been a standout performer in the apparel sector for some time now.

Following the success of the Vent 500, which hit shelves this year, JL has decided to introduce a more traditional silhouette with the Fairway Brogue. 

Heading down the classic route, JL has delivered somewhat of a hybrid brogue, featuring all of the bells and whistles of a modern golf shoe with a more refined overall visual and muted branding.

Boasting a full-grain leather upper, EVA midsole and Ortholite insole, these shoes feature many of the premium features we've seen from some of the best golf shoes of 2024.

But how did they perform on the course? We took them down to Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate to find out.

Let's get into it.

J. Lindeberg Fairway Brogue Looks

The classic brogue is a timeless design that has been seen on fairways for decades. Piggybacking off that tradition, J. Lindeberg hasn't changed a great deal and stuck with a proven formula. 

Personally I'm not a huge fan of brogue golf shoes as I think they look overly fancy, but there is undoubtedly a large number of golfers who still appreciate the more traditional shape.

JL branding has been kept very discreet compared to the Vent 500, and I have to commend the use of a metal badge to display the logo, as it delivers an extra premium touch that I think is needed when paying close to £200 for a shoe. 

In terms of shoe shape, J. Lindeberg has gone for quite a bit of width in the toe box, and that not only adds good composition to the overall design but as I will get into shortly, also aids comfort considerably. 

There is little else to say in the looks department if I'm honest, the design is safe, but it's a classic and it hits the right notes for those who favour a more traditional design. 

J. Lindeberg Fairway Brogue Performance and Comfort

I wasn't overly impressed by the performance or comfort of the J. Lindeberg Vent 500, and unfortunately I had similar issues with the Fairway Brogue. 

Despite the additional padding around the heel of the shoe, I got blisters on both my feet right on my achilles tendon after only nine holes. 

In days gone by that used to be standard for any full leather golf shoe straight out of the box, but having tested many this year, I can confirm it's not an issue faced by many other big players in the shoe game anymore.

Another area I thought these shoes slightly underwhelmed was with the level of cushioning and comfort in the midsole. Very little energy return is offered, and the walking experience is quite stiff compared to the likes of Ecco Street 720 or the PUMA Avant. 

It's fair to say that JL are fairly new to the shoe game, but it certainly seems like there are some improvements that need to be made in order to justify the pretty hefty £200 price tag. 

Another area where I believe some changes need to be made is in the traction offered on the outsole. 

As soon as I unboxed the shoes I noticed the traction elements were not particularly pronounced, and my fears were realised when playing on slightly wet ground, my back foot slipped out form under me on more than once occasion.

It should be highlighted that the conditions were wet underfoot, but even still, I think there is room for improvement on the outsole. 

Despite my general disappointment with the Fairway Brogue, there were some areas that did impress me. The quality of the leather is top notch, and the space afforded in the toe box was also excellent. As someone with wider feet, the extra room was a big plus. 

Should you buy a pair of J. Lindeberg Fairway Brogue Golf Shoes?

I would personally never tell someone not to buy something, but I would certainly guide anyone reading this to go and try on the J. Lindeberg Fairway Brogues before purchasing them.

Everyone's feet are different, and despite not personally finding them particularly comfortable, there will undoubtedly be golfers out there who love the slightly more rigid feel on offer.

The shoes also come in black for those who are looking for a more toned down colour.