Nike Air Max 1 '86 OG G Golf Shoes Review

Nike Air Max 1 '86 OG G Key Features:

• Visible Max Air: The four-window design allows you to see the inbuilt air pocket beneath the heel 
• Synthetic upper: Water-resistant material provides protection from the elements
• Updated traction pattern: gives you improved on-course stability

Inspired by Nike's iconic Air Max 1, which was first released in 1986, The 86 OG G has been tooled up to get it ready for the golf course. 

The instantly recognisable silhouette has been a popular choice on Tour, with Tommy Fleetwood, Tony Finau, and Rory McIlroy all having worn it on occasion. 

These shoes are ideal for golfers who want to instantly transition from the course to the pub. They are arguably the best-looking cross-over shoes we have ever seen.

While looks are obviously important, can these shoes perform as admirably on the course as they would on the dance floor? 

To find out, we took them down to the London Club for a test drive. 

Let's get into it. 

Nike Air Max 1 '86 OG G Looks:

If you're a sneakerhead, then there probably isn't a better-looking pair of golf shoes on the market right now than the 86 OG. 

Oozing streetwear style, these shoes are absolute stunners. 

The black-on-white colourway looks fantastic with a variety of outfits, while the gum sole peeking out the front adds a splash of colour to bring the whole design together. 

There is a reason the Air Max 1 has been such a popular shoe since it first hit shelves in 1986: its design is timeless. 

People were wearing these shoes in '86, and they will likely still be wearing them in 50 years' time. 

The simple but elegant silhouette features a variety of mesh panels and a thick speckled midsole that gives the shoes their recognisable shape. 

A large window into the heel of the shoes also displays Nike's iconic air bubble, which not only provides visual appeal but also aids on-course comfort. 

Subtle Nike branding on the heel and tongue also complements the large white Nike tick that takes centre stage on the inner and outer foot. 

All in all, these shoes are very difficult to fault from a looks perspective. The classic design is one of our firm favourites from 2024, and will likely still be our favourite in 30 years time. 

Nike Air Max 1 '86 OG G Comfort and Performance:

Despite the trainer-like design of these golf shoes, we have to say we weren't blown away by the out-of-the-box comfort. 

While the shoes fit true to size, we found them to be quite narrow and quite tight on the top of the foot where the laces are. 

Compared to the Nike Air Pegasus, these shoes also feel quite a bit stiffer, and the sole offers less bounce than we were expecting. 

The Air bubble appears to offer a good level of comfort, although once you slip these shoes on, you might be slightly disappointed by the lack of cushioning you feel underfoot. 

We are pleased to report that the stiffness felt in the collar and forefoot did relax during the round; however, when compared to the likes of the ECCO LT1, these shoes are decidedly less comfy.

One area of the shoes that impressed us, though, was the level of arch and outer foot support offered. 

These shoes are ideal for those who occasionally find themselves flat-footed. The abundance of arch support gives the shoes a very athletic fit, which in turn prevented us from getting fatigued in our feet towards the end of the round. 

In terms of traction, these shoes are suitable without being spectacular. 

The array of traction points on the sole allowed us to feel solid on relatively soft ground, but had we had to traverse hills or slick patches of mud; they would have undoubtedly been called into question. 

Due to the relatively thick heel on these shoes and the narrow profile of the sole, we did question our stability at times. 

If you're really swinging hard, you might want a shoe with a slightly wider base, like the FootJoy Pro/SLX, which can offer a greater level of stability. 

All in all, these shoes performed well, but it has to be said that if you are looking for a spikeless shoe based purely on performance, these are not going to be the front runner. 

Should you buy the Nike Air Max 1 '86 OG G Golf Shoes?

If you're looking for a really cool-looking pair of golf shoes that you can easily wear to any kind of social situation after your round, then the Air Max 1 86 OGs are a great option.

However, if you are looking for spikeless golf shoes specifically designed to provide on-course performance, traction and comfort, then you may want to look elsewhere, as these shoes undoubtedly lean more towards form than function. 

Don't get us wrong—these shoes are more than up to the task of getting you through a round of golf, but we would be doing you a disservice if we tried to claim they were as good for golf as, say, the FootJoy Pro/SLX Carbon or the ECCO LT1.

If you love the look of these shoes, though, we can't blame you. They are beautiful and definitely rank right at the top of our list for best-looking golf shoes in 2024. 

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