WE TRIED IT: Duca Del Cosma JL1 Golf Shoes

WHAT WE TRIED

THE TESTERS

Hello, I’m Chris, a golf-obsessed member of the MyGolfSpy group. Because the Director of Enterprise Improvement, I usually work as a conduit between our employees and golf firms. I additionally spend a good bit of time in my sizzling tub amassing ideas on gear or different golf matters. And, like lots of you, I grew up in the course of the period when “it’s gotta be the footwear” meant one thing.

Hello, I’m Harry and I’m an expert golf product tester. (Sure, they exist.) I take a look at a variety of issues at MyGolfSpy and play professionally once I’m not checking and evaluating specs on gloves, rangefinders, luggage, ball retrievers, and so forth.

You possibly can name me the Director of Product Testing right here at MGS. You too can simply name me Harry. That’s fantastic, too.

WHY ARE WE TRYING IT?

Duca Del Cosma is a frontrunner in Italian golf shoe design. Based in 2004 by Baldovino Mattiazzo and Antje Elle, the target of Duca Del Cosma is to provide golf footwear that’s equal components trendy and useful. Duca is working to interrupt into the U.S. market dominated by manufacturers corresponding to FootJoy, adidas and NIKE. Duca’s European aesthetic may not be for everybody however they do have some nice types.

Duca Del Cosma has the help of execs like Joost Luiten and Erik Flores. Let’s dive into the model and if it might compete with the massive boys.

WHAT ARE DUCA DEL COSMA GOLF SHOES?

With Duca’s fashion selection, you’ve got “loud and proud”, the extra conventional fashion and the on a regular basis informal shoe look that may be worn on and off the course. The time period craftsmanship is overused. On this case, it applies. True to its Italian heritage, every pair is a chance to showcase designs “which might be impressed by an Italian way of life” and “unmatched consideration to element.” Their JL1 are a particular version shoe co-designed by Luiten, a six-time winner on the European Tour.

This special-edition shoe will set you again $229, akin to the adidas Tour360 22. Different Duca Del Cosma fashions vary from $180 to $250.

The JL1 shoes offer an Airplay XI spikeless outsole, mixed with five-millimeter square-shaped nubs throughout the outsole to assist stability and optimum grip. Once you get to the heel part, it’s raised barely which Duca claims improves your stance and prevents foot fatigue.

The boys’s spikeless golf shoe is waterproof. The inside has a breathable ARNEFLEX® insert sole reminiscence foam with OnSteam® recyclable microfiber with heel help comprised of recycled cork.

TESTING THE DUCA DEL COSMA JL1 GOLF SHOES

Harry: Having examined a couple of pairs of Duca Del Cosma up to now, they left an excessive amount of to the creativeness. When trying on the JL1, the fashion may nonetheless be too loud for golfers. This was the case for me. However regardless of, I’m about efficiency.

Chris: I applaud Duca’s need to be totally different with out being so “on the market” that the designs are off-putting. For those who’re a fan of plain, white traditional wingtips, Duca may not resonate with you. Nevertheless, for those who don’t thoughts drawing a bit extra consideration to your toes, Duca presents a glance that’s aggressive however not outlandish.

Harry: In earlier fashions, my foot slid back and forth due to the insole being silky clean. That has been modified within the JL1 which is a large enchancment. You’re feeling extra linked to the bottom with out your toes transferring round.

Chris: Zero complaints in regards to the match. It’s what it’s best to count on from a high-end shoe.

Harry: With efficiency being my essential precedence in a golf shoe, let’s speak about traction. There’s a debate happening within the business on which sort of shoe gives one of the best traction. Spiked or spikeless? I really feel spikeless footwear can present nice traction however provided that the correct supplies, nub design and orientation, top and distribution of the nubs are right. Sadly, the JL1 doesn’t fairly hit the mark and let me inform you why. The midsole solely covers a 3rd of what might keep in touch with the bottom. This results in decreased floor pressure and potential lack of traction.

Chris: Each golfer needs efficiency. However the actual query is how a lot efficiency is enough? We’re simply beginning to have the ability to actually quantify the connection between issues like spike designs and floor forces (and finally rating). In my a number of rounds of testing, I didn’t discover any points with traction or stability. That stated, I performed in primarily dry situations and the footwear have been brand-spankin’ new.

Harry: One other aside of the only the place I’ve points with is what I name “sizzling spots.” Within the heel sole part, the place you load your weight on the backswing, the JL1 has a bar with branding that trigger you to slide barely in damp situations. The opposite “sizzling spot” is on the balls of your toes. That is extremely necessary when loading and transitioning to your lead facet. The shoe has one other model brand which takes up practically half the floor space and causes you to lose traction in any situation.

Chris: I get the significance of branding however Harry’s proper. The actual property on the only is greatest used for traction and never advertising. I’m not towards discovering a technique to enhance model recognition but it surely shouldn’t come on the expense of one thing as crucial because the golfer’s solely connection level to the bottom.

Harry: A part of the shoe that falls underneath efficiency is interior consolation. What I imply by interior consolation is the reminiscence foam insole and tongue padding. This mix permits your foot to really feel hugged from above and under so that you’ve acquired that going for ya. Which is sweet.

Chris: The JL1 is sort of a pig in a blanket wrapped in a Snuggie. Furthermore, what Harry calls “interior consolation,” I would modify to “preliminary consolation.” The primary level of consolation evaluation for any client is the second he/she slips on the shoe and laces it up for the primary time. In that regard, the JL1 is greater than as much as the duty.

WEARING THE JL1 GOLF SHOES

Harry: I’ve been carrying these Italian stallions for a couple of days across the workplace and on the course and listed below are my takeaways. After the preliminary stiffness of the leather-based, the shoe molded to my foot properly. Not as shortly as different footwear available on the market however nonetheless not dangerous.

Chris: I don’t thoughts a shoe that takes a little bit of time to interrupt in as long as that’s what I’m anticipating. I wouldn’t counsel taking the JL1 proper out of the field and strolling 18 holes but it surely’s not practically as stiff or inflexible as leather-based footwear from a few a long time in the past.

Harry: The midsole of the shoe may be very agency just like the older footwear you used to put on. Nevertheless, the JL1 is made from rubber so it does bounce again far more than the previous midsole. Just a bit too agency for my liking, sadly. The shoe can be heavier than your regular golf shoe which may result in fatigue when strolling the course. I actually did like the soundness. The mixture of the reminiscence foam and rubber cork insole partnered with the inflexible higher permits your foot to stay locked in for longer. One other space the place I really feel Duca acquired it proper is the heel/Achilles part. I are inclined to get blisters on the heel in most footwear. Nevertheless, the Duca Del Cosma JL1 didn’t give me blisters.

Chris: Each golf shoe is an instance of restricted sources. That means, that if a shoe goes to be exceptionally light-weight, it in all probability gained’t be as steady as some golfers may like. Conversely, a heavier, sturdier golf shoe may not supply the identical degree of consolation or breathability however it’ll seemingly do a greater job of anchoring the golfer to the bottom. To a level, it’s a sport of choose your poison. Primarily based on Duca’s model ethos, it goals to provide golfers one thing greater than footwear that work solely on the course. The price of versatility, on this case, is maybe sole sturdiness. Tbd on that. Lately I’ve shied away from footwear just like the Duca Del Cosma JL1. I’m not totally sure why that’s the case but it surely’s seemingly a byproduct of two components. The primary pair of Duca Del Cosma footwear I attempted on have been too stiff and heavy. And I purchased the mistaken dimension. That final half is 100% on me. That apart, the JL1 is far improved with none deadly flaws.

TAKEAWAY

Harry: There’s little doubt the JL1 is made with precision and craftsmanship however to be sincere, the fashion/coloration mixtures may not resonate with the massive {golfing} public within the U.S. The camo and orange may be Joost Luiten’s favourite mixture however while you’re making an attempt to promote a product that resonates with the general public, it’s a misfire for my part. The shoe has some nice attributes however they don’t outweigh the areas of enchancment wanted. Plus for $220, the shoe jad higher be good and, sadly, the Duca Del Cosma JL1 falls quick for me.

Chris: With any product, it’s necessary to think about the goal purchaser. With the Duca Del Cosma JL1, I don’t assume it’s for the golfer who buys a brand new pair of golf footwear every season or two and solely buys a brand new pair when the earlier one is worn out. That apart, many golfers personal a number of pairs of golf footwear. And every pair seemingly serves a unique goal. Whereas I’m unsure the camo and orange suffices as “workplace informal,” I do know loads of golfers that may take a $200 threat on a single pair of footwear that meets in the midst of life-style, enterprise and sport. And with the Duca Del Cosma JL1, I believe golfers will respect the match, consolation and magnificence, even when the only design leaves room for enchancment.