PUMA Helsinki Golf Shoe review: One of the most underrated golf sneakers around

A lot gets made of golf shoes that you can supposedly wear down the pub, but I think of all the sneaker-inspired golf shoes I've tested, PUMA's Helsinki golf shoe is the least distinguishable from a standard sneaker. 

Released last summer at the height of the PGA Tour, the announcement of the Helsinki, . got a little lost amidst the wave of collaborations and special collections PUMA was busy releasing at the time. However we think this is a bit of a shame, as having tested it now, it's one of our favourite casually-styled golf shoes we've tested in a long time.

Read on to find out exactly why this is, and whether the '70s-inspired Helsinki is the right fit for your game.

Looks and features

Modelled after a running shoe released all the way back in 1976, there's virtually nothing going on with the Helsinki golf shoe to suggest that it's a golf shoe at all. I'd have no qualms wearing these on a night out or walking to get a coffee, which isn't something I say about a lot of the 'casual' golf shoes I've tested thus far. 

The off-white and green colourway we were sent, which incidentally is on sale for just £42 at the time of writing, is the pick of the lot in our opinion.

PUMA have done well to harken back to the Helsinki's heritage, adding in details like a foam tongue and real suede leather vamps that harken back to the running shoes of old. These look great, but might start to show their age pretty quickly if regularly subjected to muddy conditions.

The main upper material is a breathable mesh treated with a waterproof coating that beads rain away nicely, making them a great choice for summer. The material isn't a great insulator though, meaning your feet will feel the cold if you take these out in icy temperatures.

Beneath the foot, a PROFOAM footbed delivers a little extra modern cushioning, while a wavy traction pattern, reminiscent of the running shoe, adds a little extra grip on the tee.

Performance & comfort

The issue with many golf shoes derived from classic sneaker models is that the cushioning often leaves a fair bit to be desired. PUMA have thankfully addressed this by incorporating its more modern PROFOAM EVA foam into the heel, adding a welcome dimension of comfort. They're definitely not the plushest golf shoes we've ever tested as the midsole is fairly thin, but in terms of delivering comfort while maintaining a slimmer silhouette on foot, these do a very good job.

The Helsinkis are designed very much to be a low-profile shoe, and as such the traction pattern on the outsole isn't super aggressive. The wavy pattern does its best to provide a extra lateral stability, but these are certainly on the lower-end of the grip spectrum compared to more aggressive spikeless golf shoes we've played with. This won't be an issue on dry courses, but once again, you'll probably want something a little more hardy and aggressive if you're playing in particularly gnarly conditions.

Should you buy the PUMA Helsinki golf shoes?

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PUMA Helsinki Golf Shoesfrom £43.00 at Puma

Shoes harkening back to the old-school runners of the '60s and '70s are having a bit of a moment right now, and the PUMA Helsinki golf shoe is perfectly equipped to jump on this trend while adding a little extra golfing substance into the bargain. 

They're very comfortable given the amount of foam the midsole allows for, have a great upper with lots of premium details, and blend so seamlessly into everyday wear that most people would have a hard time believing they're a golf shoe at all.

We probably wouldn't recommend the Helsinki if you can only afford to have a single pair of golf shoes around, as the lighter upper and less aggressive traction will start to show up if you regularly play in cold and rainy conditions. 

As a casually-styled option to have in your locker for breezy summer rounds, however, these are hard to beat – especially if you can nab a pair on sale.