Testing Rory McIlroy’s golf shoe: Nike Victory Tour 4 Review
Published:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- Exceptional comfort out of the box with improved midsole and collar design.
- Nine-spike sole gives excellent traction.
- Great durability.
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Cons
- Not the most exciting visually.
What we say...
Nike’s premium golf shoe returns with subtle upgrades and plenty of tech under the hood. But does the Victory Tour 4 improve on the previous model – and how does it stack up against the best golf shoes?
The Nike Victory Tour 3 was my go-to golf shoe last year, so I was curious to see what had changed with its successor – the unsurprisingly named Nike Victory Tour 4. This is the model worn by Rory McIlroy, among others, and it’s Nike’s premium golf shoe.
Having now clocked dozens of rounds in them over the space of several months, here’s my verdict on how the new version compares to its predecessor – and, more importantly, how it stacks up against the best golf shoes on the market.
Pros
- Exceptional comfort out of the box with improved midsole and collar design.
- Nine-spike sole gives excellent traction.
- Great durability.
Cons
- Not the most exciting visually.
Comfort: 4.5/5
The Nike Victory Tour 4 isn’t one of those shoes that needs breaking in gently. Straight out of the box, I walked 18 holes on a long course and had zero issues – no rubbing, no hotspots, no discomfort.
They hit that Goldilocks zone: not too rigid, not too soft. They’re cushioned enough to walk 36 holes comfortably, but stable enough that you never feel like you’re wobbling mid-swing. They’re slightly firmer than some of the softer, spongier golf shoes on the market, but I prefer that – I don’t want to feel like I’m walking on marshmallows.
Nike say they tweaked the fit and frame based on athlete feedback. The difference from the Victory Tour 3 is subtle, but the shape does feel slightly more dialled-in – especially around the ankle and midfoot.
The internal foam-padded collar gives it a sneaker-like feel around the ankle.
The Dynamic Fit system, inspired by a seatbelt harness, really locks your foot down when you tighten the laces. It hugs the midfoot more evenly than traditional lacing systems. The support is there, but it never feels overbearing – and the leather upper is soft enough to stay comfortable all round.
They’re not the lightest shoe out there, but I’ve never felt like they were heavy either.
Performance: 5/5
While this isn’t a radical upgrade over the previous model, the tweaks Nike has made do improve performance.
I never had traction issues with the previous version, but grip has been enhanced by increasing the number of spikes from seven to nine, and the wider heel section provides a really stable base. Even in damp or hilly conditions, I felt planted. It’s one of the most secure shoes I’ve worn.
Speaking of damp, the Nike Victory Tour 4 is 100% waterproof and kept my feet dry even in heavy rain.
The ‘Flyplate’ – a carbon fiber plate embedded in the sole – is designed to flex as you walk but stiffen while you swing. You don’t notice it working, but I guess that’s kind of the point. It adds structure and support without being intrusive.
The tongue also now stays in place better than before. On the old model, it had an annoying habit of drifting sideways, but that has been fixed here.
Durability: 4.5/5
After months of use in mixed conditions, the shoes still look as good as new. My Victory Tour 3s lasted over 100 rounds before showing any real signs of wear – mainly tiny scuffs and slight separation between the leather upper and sole – and are still perfectly wearable despite those. There’s nothing in the build of the Victory Tour 4 that makes me think they won’t match or beat that lifespan.
Style & Design: 4/5
Looks-wise, they’re a bit… safe. Not ultra-sporty and athletic, not full-out casual, and not traditional – just somewhere in between. They look decent, but nothing about them screams “premium”. In the all-black colourway especially, a couple of people even mistook them for one of Nike’s budget models – and, to be fair, it’s hard to argue with that at a glance. The design doesn’t really justify the price tag on looks alone.
That said, the black is perfect for winter – easy to clean and much better at hiding mud and scuffs than lighter shades. And in other colourways – like the limited-edition ones Rory McIlroy wore during his Masters triumph – they do have a bit more presence.
If you like simple style over anything more adventurous, the Nike Victory Tour 4 will suit your eye.
If you like clean and simple design over anything more adventurous, the Nike Victory Tour 4 will suit your eye. But, for the price, a little more visual distinction wouldn’t hurt.
Technology & Features: 4/5
The Nike Victory Tour 4 is packed with clever tech, even if it doesn’t shout about it visually.
One of the standout features is the ‘Flyplate’ – a carbon fiber plate built into the sole that flexes when you walk but stiffens during your swing. It’s not something you feel actively working, but that’s the point – it adds structure and stability without ever being intrusive.
The ‘Cushlon’ (not a typo) midsole offers a firmer, more responsive underfoot feel compared to squishier shoes. Personally, I prefer that – it’s soft enough for comfort but doesn’t feel like you’re walking on marshmallows. Add in a foam-padded internal collar, and you get sneaker-like comfort around the ankle.
Nike also introduced a ‘Dynamic Fit’ system, inspired by a seatbelt harness, which gives you a really secure fit when you tighten the laces. Unlike some shoes where the laces only affect the top section, here you feel the whole shoe snug up as you tighten them – especially through the midfoot.
Grip has been improved too, with the spike count increased from seven to nine per shoe for better traction across different lies and conditions.
Final Verdict: 22/25
Understated looks, standout performance. The Nike Victory Tour 4 quietly nails the essentials: comfort, grip, and stability. If you value comfort and performance over standout style, this might be the best Nike golf shoe ever made.
