Introducing the new Mizuno 2011 R Performance Golf Shoe

I received a brand new pair of white Mizuno R golf shoes to wear for this season and I thought I’d share my initial impressions here on the blog. I won’t call it a review as I’m not sure when I will actually get out on the course with these shoes so in the mean time I will try and provide as much info as possible.

I’ve been wearing Mizuno shoes exclusively since I began golfing a few years ago and the reason is they are always well designed, well made, super comfortable and perform great. The R model is always Mizuno’s most technology packed shoe and one look at the new R doesn’t make you think otherwise. When I opened the box I was glad to see that the R actually comes with a nice shoe pouch and as always a wrench for configuring or changing the shoe’s spikes. There are instructions detailing the shoes many technologies and features.  It looks like something a storm trooper would be wearing out of star wars and the first thing you notice is the lack of shoe laces.  Yes the R shoe uses a new clasp/clamping system rather than a player having shoe laces to fumble with or retie during a round.

This is probably the newest and most interesting feature so I will go into it first. The clasp works rather easy. A little red button in the center of the clasp allows for the notched belt to be released when pressed. This opens up the shoe as you see in the top picture on the right.  To tighten the shoe, all you do is ratchet, if thats the right word for it, the clasp as it clamps down on the notches one by one.  This actually provides a very snug fit. My one concern is the entire clasp system is made of plastic albeit very good quality. Time will tell how it wears but functionally it works very well.

Gone on the shoe is the old parachute tab which helped you tighten the laces as it obviously is no longer needed. One difference I immediately noticed with this clasp versus laces is that you cannot make the shoe opening as large as it could be if it were a shoe with laces. So its a tighter squeeze to get in the shoe opening however this could change as the shoe gets worked in.

As with all Mizuno shoes, the fit is superb and very very comfortable. Clamping down gives that nice snug feeling and you can feel the heavier weight of the R (vs older stability style and light style shoes) which for some players is a good thing as the additional weight increases stability during a swing. The shoe is very well made and the stitching is all very high quality. Mizuno shoes always feature a very breathable yet water resistant design and the R is no different. The shoe screams quality and simply looks very high tech. That snug fit is thanks to what Mizuno calls Biolock, its a design that allows the shoe’s shell to mold to your foot for that perfect fit.

Adding to the comfort of the shoe is the LR2 insole. Compared to the original LR insole the new LR2 (which was also used in last years stability style and MP shoe) gives even more support to the heel, inner arch and outer edge of the foot. It also adds what Mizuno calls an Arch Hammock at the bottom of the insole for additional support and sability. This was not on the original LR. Walking with the Mizuno shoes is great as comfort is as important to Mizuno as performance is and it really shows.

The new R also implements Mizuno’s Wave sole . The wave sole creates even distribution of weight gives you not only spring but height especially with the new R which seems higher on the heel side. This promotes the player to put more weight towards the balls of the feel and not sit back on the heels. The added height is a plus especially for us shorter players who want more length. One smart move by Mizuno was concealing the Wave in the new R unlike older models where the Wave was actually open and exposed.  The amount of sand, grass and gunk caught in the open Wave required more maintenance and cleaning. As you can see from the images above, the R on the right has a closed heel so no more sand to blow out of your Wave.

The sole has a lot of grip to say the least. Besides the use of the very good IG3 Spikes, which are fully configurable to aid a draw or fade, the shoe features a lot of tread and hard built in “spikes” on its urethane sole. Unlike older stability style models, these extra nubs or built in spikes go around the entire edge of the sole  and fill up a lot of empty space in the center of the sole for additional grip.

Once again Mizuno has come out with another great shoe which is why they lead the Japanese market when it comes to golf shoes year in and year out. My older stability style and light style shoes are getting older so I welcome the new pair of R’s into the stable with very high expectations but just putting them on and holding them in my hand reminds me of how satisfied I’ve been with Mizuno golf shoes.

Pros:
– Clasp system means no loosening of laces and quick and snug fit.
– Heavier weight equals more stability
– Closed heel means unexposed Wave and this means less dirt in the sole
– Added height from the sole is a bonus
– Extra width is ultra comfortable
– Cutting edge, not only in looks but actual features

Cons:
– Durability of clasp system is undetermined
– Smaller opening when inserting foot into shoe
– Heavier weight might not be liked by those who prefer feather light shoes
– Price and availability

I put price and availability as cons above because the fact is these shoes are not cheap. However, even with their higher price they are in very huge demand. Mizuno has sold out of their first shipment (I barely got mine) and TSG has already filled all their pre orders. It is highly suggested if you want a pair of these R’s which have a second batch scheduled for April to preorder a pair now and reserve them.  First impressions were good enough for me that I just pre ordered a second pair in black. (^_^)

Check out the Mizuno R golf shoe in the TSG Pro Shop!

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