adidas Men's Tech Response 3.0 Golf Shoes
adidas Men's Tech Response 3.0 Golf Shoes Review: The Budget King of Golf Footwear
Overall Score: 8.2/10 | Price: $44-65 | ASIN: B007M8575G | Category: Golf Shoes
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 8.8/10 |
| Value | 9.5/10 |
| Traction | 7.8/10 |
| Durability | 6.5/10 |
| Waterproofing | 5.5/10 |
| Style | 7.8/10 |
| Fit | 7.2/10 |
| Support | 7.5/10 |
| Weight | 9.0/10 |
| Breathability | 8.5/10 |
The Verdict
The adidas Tech Response 3.0 is the #1 best-selling golf shoe on Amazon for a reason — and also not the best golf shoe you can buy for some very specific reasons. After analyzing nearly 2,850 reviews across Amazon, Zappos, Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Reddit, GolfWRX, and expert review sites, the picture is remarkably consistent: this is an incredibly comfortable, absurdly affordable golf shoe that will probably not survive more than one season of heavy use and will absolutely not keep your feet dry in wet conditions.
For the weekend golfer who plays 1-3 times per month in dry to mild conditions, it's nearly impossible to beat the value proposition. For the serious golfer who walks multiple rounds per week or plays in any kind of moisture, there are better options even at a slightly higher price point.
What People Love
Comfort is King (96% positive among 1,399 comfort mentions)
The most consistent praise across every single source is comfort. Amazon's AI-generated review summary flags 1,399 mentions of comfort with 1,335 being positive — a 96% positive rate that's genuinely impressive.
"These are so comfortable I cannot take them off. They fit exactly as any other style sneaker would in my size. Absolutely phenomenal for the price!" — Amazon verified buyer
"This is the most comfortable golf shoe I've ever had. I've been wearing FootJoy Saddle shoes forever, and the best feature was that I could take them off at the end of a round. The Adidas Tech Response fit like running shoes." — Zappos reviewer
The Bounce midsole plus padded tongue and collar deliver what multiple reviewers describe as "sneaker-like" comfort. Golfers who walk 18 holes repeatedly call out the lack of fatigue — a common problem with budget golf shoes.
"I walk 4-5 rounds a week and these are the most comfortable shoe I've worn for that. Lighter than my old FootJoys and way cheaper." — Amazon verified buyer
Value That's Almost Unfair (98% positive among 833 value mentions)
At $44-65 depending on size and color, the Tech Response 3.0 sits at roughly 1/3 to 1/4 the price of premium golf shoes. Amazon shows 833 mentions of value with 817 positive — a 98% satisfaction rate.
"At 1/3 the price of your usual golf shoe these are not a purchase that you need to overthink." — Amazon verified buyer
"Are they as good as $200 Tour360s? No. But they're 1/4 the price and 80% as good." — Amazon verified buyer
Many buyers openly admit to treating these as "disposable" shoes — buying a fresh pair each spring rather than trying to get multiple seasons out of a premium shoe. At this price point, that's a perfectly valid strategy.
Lightweight and Breathable (97% positive)
With 365 mentions of weight on Amazon and 355 positive, the lightness of these shoes is a major selling point. Multiple reviewers compare them to "feathers" and appreciate how breathable the mesh-synthetic upper is, especially in summer heat.
"Incredibly breathable. My feet stay cool even in 95 degree Texas heat." — Amazon verified buyer
"Excellent shoes for USD 40. They are light and very well ventilated." — Amazon verified buyer
Good Traction (Spiked Version)
The six-cleat spiked version gets solid marks for traction. The spikes are replaceable (standard PINS system), and multiple reviewers note the grip is competitive with shoes costing 3-4x more.
"Traction is on par with tour level shoes. I really feel sturdy and confident when addressing a ball on any lie." — Amazon verified buyer
Style (97% positive among 470 mentions)
The clean, athletic styling draws consistent praise. Available in Core Black/White, Grey/White, and White/Silver colorways, the shoe looks good with any golf attire.
"They're more stylish than the ones he had before and he says they're comfy. Other pairs I considered were $100+ so I feel like these are a great deal." — Amazon verified buyer
What People Hate
Waterproofing Is Essentially Non-Existent
This is the #1 complaint and the shoe's biggest weakness. Despite some listings and marketing materials referencing "water-resistant" or "waterproof" uppers, the real-world consensus is damning.
"Played one round in morning dew and my socks were soaked by hole 3. These are absolutely not waterproof despite what the listing implies." — Amazon verified buyer (25 helpful votes)
"Yes they leak. However I'm super impressed with the comfort and stability of this shoe." — Amazon verified buyer
MyGolfSpy's analysis is blunt: "There's also no mention of waterproof protection" in their testing. Multiple Zappos and Adidas Global reviewers echo this — the shoe works in dry conditions but will soak through in any meaningful moisture.
Bottom line: If you play in morning dew, rain, or soggy conditions with any regularity, this is NOT the shoe for you.
Durability Concerns
The second most common complaint is durability. The outsole tread wears down faster than expected, especially for walkers, and the Bounce midsole can compress and lose cushioning over a season.
"The outsole tread was completely smooth after about 25 rounds. I walk and play 3x per week." — Amazon verified buyer
"The sole started separating from the upper after only about 15 rounds." — Amazon verified buyer
"Comfy for walking the course. They are a good price but spikes break easily and costly compared to the shoes price." — Amazon verified buyer
MyGolfSpy specifically called this out: "Testers and frequent walkers notice faster wear, especially in the outsole tread and heel cushioning."
For golfers playing 2-3 times per week, expect 25-50 rounds before the shoe is done. For monthly players, you'll get a full season easily.
Sizing and Width Issues (19% negative among 1,166 fit mentions)
With 222 negative mentions of fit out of 1,166 total, sizing is a notable pain point. The shoe tends to run narrow, and sizing can be inconsistent between colors and widths.
"Had to return these, they were cut short and narrow. I had to reorder and an 11 Wide fit well." — Amazon verified buyer
"I normally wear 10.5 in everything. These 10.5 were way too tight. Ordered 11 and they were too long. 11 wide finally worked but it shouldn't be this hard." — Amazon verified buyer
"Great looking shoes, just were a little too tight, the width was marked as WIDE, but didn't feel like it." — Zappos reviewer
Sizing tip: Approximately 87% of Zappos reviewers say the shoe is "true to size" and 84% say "true to width." If you have wider feet, strongly consider ordering the wide version. If you're between sizes, go up half a size.
Common Complaints Summary
Comparison to Competitors
vs. Skechers Go Golf (similar price range)
The Skechers offers arguably better comfort and cushioning longevity. The Tech Response wins on traction (spiked version) and style. Both are budget shoes with budget durability.
vs. Puma Fusion (slightly more expensive)
Reddit users who tried both note the Puma is slightly more comfortable but doesn't offer waterproofing either. The adidas wins on price and availability.
vs. FootJoy Flex (slightly more expensive at $70-85)
The FJ Flex offers better waterproofing and durability at a modest premium. For golfers who play in any moisture, the extra $20-30 is worth it.
vs. adidas Tour360 24 ($180+)
Not even close in terms of quality, durability, or waterproofing. But the Tech Response delivers roughly 80% of the comfort at 25% of the price, which is why many casual golfers prefer it.
MyGolfSpy's take: "The adidas Tech Response 3.0 wins the Amazon algorithm but that doesn't make it the best golf shoe for real golfers." They recommend the New Balance Brighton, Skechers Go Golf Elite 5, or FootJoy Fuel as better options at slightly higher prices.
Who It's Best For
Who Should Avoid It
Price Context
The adidas Tech Response 3.0 typically retails at:
Prices fluctuate significantly by size and colorway on Amazon, with some sizes available for as low as $35-40. The black and grey colorways tend to be slightly cheaper than white/silver.
Available in both regular and wide widths, and in a spikeless (SL 3) variant at a similar price point.
The Bottom Line
The adidas Tech Response 3.0 is the best golf shoe under $50 — and it's not even close. It's comfortable, lightweight, good-looking, and available in wide sizes. It's also not waterproof, not particularly durable, and has some sizing inconsistencies.
The key question is: what's your use case? If you play once or twice a month in fair weather, this shoe delivers 90% of what a $150 shoe does at 30% of the cost. If you play regularly in variable conditions, spend more money. The extra $30-50 for a FootJoy Flex or New Balance Brighton will save you frustration and wet socks.
With 2,350+ Amazon reviews averaging 4.5 stars and an Amazon #1 Best Seller badge, the market has spoken — the Tech Response 3.0 is the people's golf shoe. Just know what you're getting: an excellent fair-weather friend, not an all-conditions workhorse.
Research conducted February 2026 across 2,847 reviews from Amazon, Zappos, Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Reddit r/golf, GolfWRX, MyGolfSpy, Today's Golfer, and independent review sites.
📊 Review Sources (2847 reviews analyzed)
Sample Reviews
The shoes fit as expected, are comfortable and lightweight. The style goes with just about any golf attire and the traction provides great stability. They seem well made and I expect them to last several seasons.
Super comfortable, look good, and the spikes that it comes with are very durable.
I like these spikes. Good price, delivered on time and comfortable for 18 holes with good foot grip.
So far so good. These Adidas are much more comfortable than Nike Explorer 2. The material is much softer and flexible around your foot. These also have 6 traditional plastic spikes plus a bunch of small rubber knobs. Good traction when I hit a few balls in my back yard.
They look good but they're not waterproof, they stain easily and my feet hurt. Had to replace these before the season ended this year.
Product runs same. My husband loved the shoe but too small. Went to order half size up and the price went up $50 so ordered something else.
Comfy for walking the course. They are a good price but spikes break easily and costly compared to the shoes price.
These shoes are great except that they're very narrow. Other than that, no complaints.
Prices
✅ Pros
❌ Cons
⚠️ Watch Out For
- Not waterproof — soaks through in morning dew or light rain
- Spikes break/fall out — replacement cost can approach the shoe price
- Outsole wears fast — especially for frequent walkers