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True Linkswear has never constrained itself by any rules, written or otherwise, for what a shoe must be. That, I suspect, is why I still can’t decide, after a month of wearing the True Ascent PNWProof shoes, if they’re golf shoes or not.
True cooked up a versatile and functional shoe instead of one with a narrow focus, and I put them to the test to find out exactly where these shoes perform best.
Regardless of what you use them for, here’s everything you need to know about the new True Ascent PNWProof shoes.
SHOP TRUE
Price: $199
Waterproof: Yes (1 year warranty)
Profile: Spikeless Golf / All Day Wear
Colors: 3 (black, white, cream)
Sizing: Runs slightly small
Technically, yes: these are golf shoes. And why not? They’re incredibly comfortable, waterproof, built for people on the move, and have a versatile spikeless outsole.
After a month of trekking everything but the golf course in them, here’s what I’ve determined: they’re the best golf shoes for people who don’t like golf shoes. They’re also ideal for anyone who wants a comfortable, waterproof shoe for everyday wear, and that’s actually where I plan to get the most use from them for the life of the shoe.
Unlike the other golf shoes we rate and review, we did not test the Ascent on the golf course. These stand out more for what they bring off the course than their performance on the course. If you’re searching for the best shoe strictly for its performance on the golf course, this isn’t what you’re looking for. It’s what these shoes do off the course that will determine if they earn a spot in your rotation.
To test these shoes, I wore them virtually daily in typical wet and cold late-fall conditions, evaluating comfort, waterproofing, and traction. I also logged several hours hitting golf shots indoors in these shoes to speak to their stability during a golf swing.
After all this, I rated them for comfort, waterproofing, traction, style and value.
Learn more about our full golf shoe scoring process.
There’s a segment of golf shoes that have been flirting with running shoe style over the last five years or so, and the True Ascent PNWProof finally bridges that gap once and for all.
I doubt anybody outside of a pro shop would see these and say “yep, that’s a golf shoe.” I also don’t think anybody would pin them as waterproof based on looks alone. The soft-sided build gives it a breathable look. And while they are breathable, the waterproof construction is more apparent to the touch than the eye.
The True Ascent PWNProof shoes arrived at my doorstep in mid-November, and it was perfect timing. With weather in full transition mode, I got to try them in the exact environment they were made for: wet, cold, soggy, outdoor conditions.
“Testing” them wasn’t hard. They naturally became my go-to sneakers for everything from walking the dog in the rain to family trips to Costco.
Of all the things True did well with these shoes, I think they executed the comfort the best. The soft upper is what you would expect from a running shoe, and they are quite comfortable on the feet as well. They’re great for active lifestyles, and with the added waterproofing, you don’t have to compromise comfort for protection.
I got these in my standard size, 10.5, and never thought twice about the fit with daily wear. However, the biggest grievance customers reported in reviews collected by True, is that the sizing on these shoes runs small. If you’re between sizes, consider sizing up a half-size.
Waterproofing is where the True Ascent PNWProof shoes really flex their versatility. Think about it. Most sneakers and active shoes aren’t waterproof. If you’re a golfer who prefers running shoes or cross trainers over golf shoes on the course, you’re probably sacrificing protection in this area.
Not with the Ascent PNWProof.
Regardless of which use you’re more interested in, or if it’s that very versatility that has you drawn to the Ascent, you get reliable waterproofing in a comfortable and supportive shoe.
The waterproof warranty is one year. When it comes to golf-specific shoes, we like to see two years, but considering this is a trainer, a golf shoe, and an all-day shoe in one, it’s already crushing most of its peers with its waterproof warranty.
The waterproof outer also adds to the life of the Ascent. After four weeks of wear, I gave them a quick wipe-down, and thanks to that protective layer, they still look great. Good as new? Not quite. They are white shoes and we’re in peak fall weather afterall, but all things considered, I’m pleasantly surprised.
From a pure golf perspective, the Ascent’s outsole is third-tier. It’s not a spiked profile (Tier 1), and it doesn’t boast the aggressive spikeless tread you’d find on a performance-first spikeless golf shoe (Tier 2).
That’s by design. True is betting you want a comfortable, waterproof shoe whether you’re playing golf this week or you don’t even own a set of clubs.
Within the all-day golf shoe category, the tread is near the top of the spectrum. Add in waterproofing, which most all-day golf shoes don’t offer, and the Ascent is a frontrunner in the class.
That said, while the shoe’s DNA clearly has golf in its blood and it’s built for wet conditions, this wouldn’t be my first choice for a wet day on the golf course. No all-day golf shoe would be. A wet hiking trail? For sure. A dry day on the course? Absolutely. But I want more traction than the Ascent can offer for a wet day on the course. I’m reaching for a spiked or aggressive spikeless alternative.
While I didn’t test these on a golf course, I did spend hours hitting golf shots in these shoes, albeit indoors in a simulator. My verdict? They offer all the stability you need for a golf swing.
From afar, the Ascent looks mostly like a solid-colored, breathable athletic shoe with some subtle trim. From closer up, you can see the attention to detail and nod to the Pacific Northwest that True incorporated.
From the rain-drop-looking texture on the heel, to the monochromatic “PNWPROOF” script, the level of detail baked into these shoes goes beyond what you would expect from a typical pair of trainers.
The style-factor is boosted by the fact that these are easy to keep clean, even the white pair. They look good much longer, and despite handling much harsher elements, than most shoes in this class.
The Ascent is a good shoe at a fair price.
The one-year waterproof warranty adds to the overall value, but also hints that if you plan on wearing these on and off the course in all weather conditions (afterall, that’s what they’re made for) there may be a somewhat limited shelf life.
Technically, the True Ascent PNWProof is a waterproof golf shoe. But if you’re shopping for a waterproof golf shoe, this isn’t the shoe you pick.
The Ascent is the shoe you pick if you want something other than a traditional golf shoe that you can wear most days on the course. It’s the shoe you pick when you want a waterproof, athletic shoe that you can wear for virtually any outdoor activity, whether it’s golf or something else. It’s the shoe you pick for maximum comfort without compromising performance.
And if that’s what you’re shopping for, I can’t think of another shoe I’ve tested that even comes close.
