G/FORE MG4+ O2 Golf Shoes Review: Comfort redefined

Key Features

• Waterproof TPU upper
• Choice of spikeless version or G/LOCK technlogy cleats with replaceable Tour Flex Pro Softspikes
• Removable and washable massaging insoles
• Locked in stability with external heel counter
• Responsive auxetic lattice midsole and sidewall
• Fully padded mesh interior lining
• Odour-inhibiting triple density foam cushion footbed

G/FORE has really been making a play over the last few years in our sport, releasing some of the most boldest, colourful and best golf shoes on the market. The brand has brought some much-needed fresh air to a cluttered market space of late, and thankfully stuck to its mantra earlier this year with the release of its MG4+ 02 golf shoes – a subtle, slightly sportier rework of the MG4+ model released a few years back. 

A number of brands in the industry have tried without luck to bring a playful, high fashion-inspired aesthetic to golf. G/FORE, however, seem to have hit on a unique cocktail of style and substance. Their shirts and shoes, laden as they tend to be with bright pops of neon colour, camo and skull and crossbones motifs, will never be for everyone. But those who do try their products tend to fall for their charms very quickly 

The backbone of the brand's success is its shoes, which broadly come in three veins: the classically-styled Gallivan2r, the sneaker-inspired G.112, and the more modern and sporty MG4+ – the update of which, dubbed the MG4+ O2 (yes, it's a mouthful), launched to the market ahead of this year's Masters. Both are renowned for their build quality and, most importantly, their comfort, with G/FORE known for pushing the boundaries of cushioning and luxury with touches like engineered foam midsoles and massaging inner soles.

Now, with the MG4+ O2 recently released in a spikeless variant, we thought it timely to revisit a shoe we previously loved and see how both perform out on the course. More importantly, given both are a £185 investment, we hoped to leave with a clearer picture of which one you should actually buy.

Looks and features

Much like its predecessor, the MG4+ O2 fits pretty squarely into that category of sport-styled golf shoes that don't present quite like a sneaker, but don't scream dedicated golf shoe either – similar to models like ECCO's BIOM H5 and Puma's Ignite Elevate. 

They're athletic in nature, built on a flat platform with a thick, comfortable looking midsole that's made of EVA foam and rendered with a textured auxetic lattice sidewall that looks inviting to step into and helps the foam compress more evenly underfoot. The TPU upper, meanwhile, is seamless and modern looking, offering the obvious dual benfit of making the G/FOREs effectively waterproof.. 

G/FORE were kind enough to send me a colourway of each shoe for testing. The spiked G/LOCK presented in a neutral grey and white that I'm personally not sold on, while the spikeless variant came in an extremely smart cream and navy combo that oozes class. Suffice it to say that I'm a much bigger fan of the latter, and as a whole I think the MG4+ O2 looks its best when presented in a primarily white or cream colour scheme.

Worn in the context of a golf outfit, the MG4+ O2s look good, and they present nicely with a golf shirt and a pair of technical chinos. Would I, as the typical litmus test for grading the looks of golf shoes goes, wear them down the pub? Probably not. The upper and midsole simply look a bit too techy for the MG4+ O2 to really pass as an out-and-out sneaker. 

It is worth noting, however, that I have found myself wearing the spikeless version to the gym and can confirm they blend in surprisingly well if, like me, you spend most of your life in activewear anyway.

Comfort & Performance

It's once you slip your foot into the MG4+ O2, however, that the experience G/FORE is trying to offer really comes into full colour. Much gets made of the brand's famed massaging inner soles, but as plenty of other reviewers, including our own Equipment editor, have previously noted, they really do work, providing a soft, knobbly sensation underneath you that keeps your feet feeling fresher as you walk. 

The engineered EVA foam is a testament to just how far cushioning technology has come in recent years as well, offering a level of springiness and responsiveness that I feel rivals a lot of modern running shoes. The platform as a whole might feel a little too raised and bouncy for golfers who prefer a super grounded feel in their shoes, but the combination of these two features, along with the padded mesh interior lining that hugs your foot throughout, makes for perhaps the most comfortable golf shoes on the market to walk 18 holes in.

The outsole of the G/FORE MG4+ designed to offer optimal stability throughout the golf swing, providing a solid foundation via the external heel counter, while the custom-designed insole enhances comfort and support underfoot. Both the spiked and spikeless version offer excellent traction – the latter doing so thanks to a unique, flexible sawtooth traction pattern that bites into the grass without locking you down too much in rotation. 

If you really value grip or play in torrential conditions the spiked option offers all the benefits you'd come to expect from a SoftSpikes-equipped platform, but for the average golfer, I'm comfortable saying the spikeless version delivers all the traction you're ever likely to need.

Given the outlay, it's worth mentioning too that the G/FOREs have proven exceptionally easy to look after. The TPU outsole wipes almost completely clean with a sponge or a damp paper towel, while the  midsole has a good job of resisting grass or mud staining even after playing multiple rounds in them. The textured auxetic sidewall does tend to gather a fair bit of dirt and mud in it throughout the round, but it cleans easily enough with an air gun or a brush.

Where, then, are the downsides? Given the glowing nature of this review so far, you might be surprised to read that I do actually have a couple of concerns, mostly pertaining to the way they fit. The G/FOREs felt very snug across the mid foot even with my fairly narrow feet – something that plenty of other testers have noted as well – while the TPU upper has very little give in the way that mesh or leather do.

This will be good news if you like a locked-down feel, and it's worth mentioning that both the toebox and ankle section of the shoes are roomy and comfortable – however the shoe's genuinely silly laces, which are neither particularly flexible or long enough to do up properly, making the shoes a pain to tie up. I've met at least one other player who simply has to wear them untied because his feet are wider than usual and, as a result and he simply can't do them up.  If you're not super keen on the fit out of the box, these aren't really shoes that'll break in much over time. As such, if you have particularly wide or flat feet, I'd recommend trying a pair on before committing to the spend.

Should you buy the G/FORE MG4+ O2 golf shoes?

The G/FOREs are priced pretty squarely in the premium sector currently occupied by brands like ECCO and FootJoy, while representing about a £50 mark-up compared to equivalent shoes from brands like Nike and Puma. Honestly I think the incremental boosts you get to comfort and practicality in the G/FOREs add up to be worth the extra outlay. 

The comfort of the MG4+ O2s really is otherworldly, while if you spring for a more minimal colourway, the looks are premium and clean enough to have a timeless quality that'll see you happily through many seasons of golf. The build quality is excellent, while the TPU upper means they're also supremely wearable throughout all four seasons, keeping mud and water at bay and wiping clean after having been dragged through even the worst conditions. 

Simply put, in terms of pure performance and comfort, these are one of the most complete golf shoes money can buy. We'd recommend proceeding with caution if you have a wider foot,, if you prefer the look of your golf shoes on the sportier side, we're comfortable saying the G/FOREs should be at the top of your list.