Sun Day Red Pioneer Cypress Golf Shoe
A luxurious and high-performing golf shoe fit to don the feet of arguably the game’s greatest player. You don’t have to have won 15 majors to wear these, but they might well help you play some of your best golf along the way, and have you looking your best, too.
ProsLuxurious detailingTwo insoles to choose fromExcellent, low-profile spiked outsoleConsA little heavier than some other spiked shoes
FootJoy Premiere Series Packard LX Golf Shoe
A stunning golf shoe from every angle with premium added details that will make you feel like a million dollars walking onto the first tee. The added details on this latest version have cemented FootJoy’s position at the top when it comes to designing and crafting this type of golf shoe.
ProsStunning looks with impeccable added detailUnderfoot cushioning and ankle padding improved on the last modelMore lightweight than similarly styled competitor modelsConsWill take a few rounds to soften up
Golf shoes are one of the most under-rated pieces of equipment in a golfer’s armoury. Good shoes may not make you play better and lower your scores, but unsuitable shoes can certainly have the opposite effect. You need comfort, performance and – let’s be honest – style is important to most of us too.
When it comes to the best golf shoes, two names currently turning heads are the Sun Day Red Pioneer Cypress and the FootJoy Premiere Series Packard LX. Both aim to deliver the perfect balance of comfort, performance, and style but they go about it in different ways. The Pioneer Cypress is the flagship model from Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red brand, blending modern athletic styling with cutting-edge technology. The Packard LX, meanwhile, builds on FootJoy’s heritage, offering classic craftsmanship with a luxury twist. In this article, we put them head-to-head to see which shoe takes the crown.
Technology
As well as being visually striking, the Pioneer Cypress is also one of the most technologically advanced golf shoes I’ve tested. With Tiger Woods’ injury history shaping its design, every detail serves a purpose. The 6mm heel-to-toe drop encourages better ground leverage throughout the swing, while a supple calfskin leather liner provides a luxurious, comfortable fit.
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The outsole stands out too thanks to a high-density TPU contact plate with a nine-spike layout that delivers outstanding traction in all conditions. Crucially, it’s a low-profile design, keeping you connected to the ground without the bulkiness found in some rival models.
Sun Day Red Pioneer Cypress golf shoe
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
The Packard LX features premium full‑grain waterproof leather enhanced with signature bison texturing and elegant nubuck saddle detailing, all engineered with FootJoy’s LifeShield waterproof protection backed by a 1–2 year warranty. Underfoot, a supportive EVA midsole teams with an OrthoLite® EcoPlush FitBed® to carpet every step in comfort and resilience.
Its standout VersaTrax+ outsole delivers multidirectional grip across all conditions and surfaces using multiple-durometer TPU traction elements and renewable Pulsar LP cleats. Additional touches such as lambskin linings and enhanced collar padding amplify fit and walking comfort.
Both of these shoes are among the very best when it comes to implementing technology, but we’ll give the slightest of edges to the FootJoy on this, not least because they’ve been doing it longer!
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
Looks
With a $250 price tag, you’d expect premium quality but it’s the craftsmanship and attention to detail of the Pioneer Cypress that truly elevate these shoes above the competition. From the precise stitching and supple full-grain leather to the embossed heel logo, branded outsole and subtle perforations in the soft upper, every element has been carefully considered. The result is a shoe that not only looks and feels luxurious but even carries that unmistakable new-leather scent, reinforcing the sense that it’s worth every cent of your investment.
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
As for the FootJoy, I was genuinely blown away the moment I unboxed the Packard LX. Having tested plenty from FootJoy’s Premiere Series, I thought I knew what to expect, but the level of detail here sets this model apart from most. Crafted from premium full-grain leather, the shoe now incorporates striking new touches: a nubuck leather panel through the midsection and what FootJoy calls bison texturing. These additions enhance an already elegant silhouette, giving the shoe an even more refined and luxurious look. The textured finish on the toe, in particular, adds a premium edge that makes the Packard LX stand out.
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
When it comes to choosing one over the other based solely on appearance I’d lean towards the FootJoy simply because in my review I described it as “the best looking golf shoe I’ve ever seen”. But looks are subjective and, for me, both of these shoes tick all the boxes visually so I guess it just comes down to whether you prefer the slightly more modern look of the Sun Day Red or the classical FootJoy design.
Fit/comfort
Tiger’s well-documented injuries mean he has very exacting requirements when it comes to his golf shoe and how it fits around the foot. To help with this the shoe uses a supple calf skin leather in the liner to create a comfortable and luxurious fit. The fit is true to size, too, though if you have a wider foot, going up half a size is a good idea.
The Pioneer Cypress also comes with two insoles, (or footbeds as shoe manufacturers like to call them). One is a standard smooth footbed that you see on 99 percent of golf shoes, but it also comes with a nubbed insole that massages your foot as you walk along. I’ve only ever seen this on G/FORE shoes before, and it’s a nice addition that you’ll likely want to use once you’ve got used to the initially strange sensation underfoot.
When it comes to the FootJoy, I’m not going to pretend this is the softest, most cushioned golf shoe on the market because it isn’t. However, this shoe will soften up after a few rounds of golf – you’ve just got to trust the process. The comfort around the heel and ankle, something that was perhaps a little firm on the previous Premiere Series, has been softened up too, while the padding around the ankle area is something I appreciated. The Ortholite EcoPlush Fitbed (the insole of the shoe) is excellent, too, offering a good amount of cushioning underfoot.
Both are very comfortable shoes, especially in terms of spiked golf shoes, but the Sun Day Red maybe just edges this one slightly.
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
Grip/Stability
The outsole of the Pioneer Cypress is one of the more impressive spiked outsoles I’ve tested in recent times. It uses a high-density TPU contact plate with a nine-spike configuration and it delivers superb traction in all conditions, even when it’s pouring down. Despite the impressive grip, it’s a low-profile outsole that doesn’t make you feel like you’re too far off the ground.
Similarly, the outsole of the Packard LX really stands out too. Although it’s spiked, its low-profile design is so subtle that many mistook it for a spikeless shoe. For me, it strikes the ideal balance of keeping you close to the ground without giving that “on stilts” feeling, while still delivering all the grip benefits of a spiked sole. The configuration provides multidirectional traction throughout the swing and plenty of stability underfoot when walking the course, even in wet conditions.
Nothing to choose between them when it comes to traction.
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
Waterproofing
The Pioneer Cypress features a premium full‑grain waterproof leather upper, designed to provide reliable protection against wet conditions without sacrificing style or durability. These shoes are built to keep your feet dry, even if you’re playing in damp or outright wet conditions.
As for the FootJoy, these shoes have been treated with LifeSheild waterproof technology that should keep this material looking as fresh as possible for a long time. These are an expensive pair of shoes made with premium materials, so they will need to be taken good car of to keep in good condition.
Again, nothing to separate the two here, but be sure to read our guide on the best waterproof golf shoes for more options as well.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Sun Day Red Pioneer Cypress if…
– You want to wear the same shoes as the GOAT
– You appreciate clean, modern aesthetics
– You want immediate comfort straight out of the box
Choose the FootJoy Premiere Series Packard LX if…
– You prefer the classic, traditional FootJoy look
– You’re happy to wait for the shoe to soften up after a few rounds
– You want a waterproof warranty
