New Balance Fresh Foam Contend V2 Golf Shoe Review: comfy walking shoe with a sizing catch

I’ve been using the New Balance Fresh Foam Contend V2 golf shoes for a few rounds now, plus a few days of just walking the dog to see how they feel off the course. I picked the Black Multi version in size 10 UK, which is my usual size in most trainers. My main goal was simple: find a golf shoe that feels like a running shoe, not a stiff brick, because I walk most of my rounds and my feet usually feel wrecked by the 15th hole.

Right out of the box, these feel more like everyday sneakers than classic golf shoes. The Fresh Foam midsole and the chunky rubber outsole give off a trainer vibe, not a dressy golf look. If you’re used to leather FootJoy style shoes, these are a different world. I was curious if that comfort would hold up over 18 holes or if it would turn into that soft, unstable feeling you sometimes get with very cushioned shoes.

On the course, they’re clearly built for walking. The cushioning is thick from heel to toe, and the spikeless sole grips pretty well on normal, dry fairways. I walked two full rounds and a range session in them. No hot spots, no blisters, and my heels felt supported. So on the comfort side, they deliver. But there are a few things that bugged me, especially around sizing and the whole waterproof story.

Overall, I’d call them a comfortable, trainer-style golf shoe that’s good for walking, but they’re not perfect. Sizing is weird, the look is very casual, and the waterproof claims feel a bit confusing when you compare the spec sheet to some user reviews. If you just want something comfy and you’re ready to play around with sizes, they’re worth a look. If you want a precise fit and classic leather feel, I’d look elsewhere.

In terms of value, I’d place these in the “good but not mind-blowing” category. You’re paying for comfort and a known sports brand, not for premium leather or high-end tour-level tech. For the price these usually go for online, getting a very cushioned, waterproof, brand-name golf shoe with a 2-year waterproof claim is pretty decent. If you walk a lot and your feet often hurt after a round, the comfort alone can justify the spend.

Where the value drops a bit is the sizing hassle. Several users (and me included) found they run small and narrow. If you have to order two sizes, return one, and maybe go for a wide fit, that’s extra time and sometimes extra shipping cost. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s annoying. If New Balance had just made the sizing a bit more standard, this would be a much easier recommendation.

Compared to other golf shoes I’ve used in a similar price bracket, these win clearly on cushioning and walking comfort, but lose a bit on traditional looks and that locked-in, firm performance feel. If you mostly ride in a cart and care more about a sharp look and maximum stability, your money might be better spent on a leather, spiked model. If you mostly walk and you want your golf shoes to feel like running shoes, then these are pretty solid value.

So overall, I’d say the value for money is good if your priorities are comfort, brand reliability, and basic waterproofing. If you’re chasing high-end performance feel or a very precise fit out of the box, you might feel you could have used the same budget on something more structured or tried on in-store to avoid the sizing headache.

Design-wise, this shoe sits clearly in the “athletic sneaker” camp. The Black Multi colorway is mostly black mesh with some colored details on the sole and logos. On the foot, they look like a pair of running shoes that happens to have a golf sole. If you play at a club where people still wear dress shoes and pressed trousers, these might look a bit too casual. At my local course, where half the people are in joggers and hoodies, they fit right in.

The spikeless outsole has multiple colored pods and a pattern that tries to balance grip and flexibility. There are no replaceable spikes, so what you see is what you get for the life of the shoe. Traction is decent on dry fairways and mats. On slightly wet rough, I had one or two slips on aggressive swings, but nothing dramatic. If you play in muddy conditions a lot, I’d personally go for a more aggressive sole. For regular parkland courses and range sessions, these are fine.

One thing I noticed is the toe box shape. It’s not super pointy, but it’s not very roomy either. Combined with the thicker cushioning, the shoe looks a bit bulky around the midfoot and heel while the front stays relatively narrow. It’s not ugly, but it’s more practical than stylish. If you’re used to New Balance running shoes, the overall look will feel familiar: big midsole, sporty upper, big logo on the side.

In terms of small details, the stitching and glue lines on my pair are clean, no obvious defects. The tongue is lightly padded and stays in place, and the heel tab makes it easy to pull them on. Nothing fancy, but nothing sloppy either. Overall, the design is straightforward and sporty. It gets the job done, but if you want something that looks sharp with tailored golf trousers, this is not it.

Comfort is where these shoes actually shine, but only if you nail the sizing. Out of the box in my usual size 10 UK, they felt a bit snug in length and width. Not painful, but I could feel my toes close to the front. After seeing other reviews saying they run small and narrow, I’d say that’s accurate. If you have wide feet or you’re between sizes, I’d go at least half a size up, possibly a full size up, and consider the wide option if available.

Once on and laced properly, the cushioning is very noticeable. The Fresh Foam midsole plus the CUSH+ / Ortholite combo makes walking feel more like wearing running shoes than golf shoes. I walked 18 holes two days in a row and didn’t get the usual sore heels and burning under the forefoot that I get with stiffer shoes. The arch and heel support feel decent; I didn’t get any weird pressure points or collapsing feeling, and my knees felt a bit less beaten up afterwards compared to my older, firmer golf shoes.

The upper mesh is soft on the top of the foot, so there’s no digging from the laces, and the heel collar holds the foot well without rubbing. I didn’t need any break-in period; they were comfortable from the first round. That said, because they’re so cushioned, you do lose a bit of ground feel. If you like to really feel the turf under your feet during your swing, you might find them a bit too pillow-like. For me, the trade-off is fine: I’ll take comfort over precise ground feedback any day.

Overall, I’d say comfort is a strong point, but only if you’re willing to mess around with sizing. If you just order your usual size and hope for the best, there’s a good chance they’ll feel tight, especially in the length. Once you’re in the right size, they’re very easy to wear for long walking rounds.

The materials are pretty much what you’d expect from a modern athletic shoe: mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole, and a cushioned insole. The upper is a waterproof performance mesh with New Balance’s FantomFit support. In practice, that means thin overlays and internal supports instead of thick leather panels. The good part is that the shoe feels light and breathable compared to full leather. The downside is it doesn’t feel as structured or premium in the hand.

The Fresh Foam midsole is the main feature. It’s soft and compresses easily underfoot, especially in the heel. Combined with the CUSH+ and Ortholite insole, you’re standing on a lot of foam. If you’re heavier or you like a firm platform for your swing, you might find it a bit too squishy. I’m average build, and for walking it feels nice, but during a hard swing you do feel that give under the heel. Not unstable, but definitely softer than a typical leather golf shoe with a denser midsole.

The rubber outsole feels durable enough. The lugs are not very tall, so they shouldn’t wear down crazy fast if you walk on concrete from the car park to the course, but I wouldn’t use these as everyday street shoes unless you’re fine reducing their lifespan. The rubber is not super sticky like some trail shoes, but it’s grippy enough for what it’s designed for: fairways, rough and range mats.

Inside, the mesh lining and Ortholite insole do a good job of managing sweat. I played a warm afternoon round and my feet weren’t soaked when I took them off. The build quality overall is solid for the price: no loose threads, no peeling glue after a few uses. It’s not luxury, it’s functional sports shoe materials that make sense for long walking rounds.

I haven’t had them for a full season yet, so I can’t pretend I know exactly how they’ll look after a year, but there are some early signs. After a few rounds and some casual wear, the outsole lugs show light wear but nothing worrying. The rubber seems firm enough that it shouldn’t disappear in a few months, as long as you’re mostly on grass and not walking miles on pavement in them.

The mesh upper is usually the weak point on this type of shoe. So far, no fraying or tearing, and the overlays are still firmly attached. The toe area, which often creases and cracks in leather shoes, just shows normal flex marks in the mesh. That’s the upside of fabric instead of leather: no cracking, but if it fails, it usually rips. At this stage, everything still looks tight. The stitching around the heel and lacing area is also holding up fine.

The insole has compressed slightly where my heel sits, which is normal. It’s still comfortable, but if you’re heavy or play a lot, you might feel the cushion soften over time. The Fresh Foam midsole will likely pack down a bit too after many rounds, but given how cushioned it starts, I’m not too worried. Even if it loses some bounce, it should still be more comfortable than a hard, thin midsole.

Given the decent build quality and the 2-year waterproof warranty claim, I’d say durability is pretty solid for the price. Just don’t treat them like everyday beaters if you want them to last several seasons. Use them mainly on the course, let them dry properly between rounds, and avoid leaving them soaked in your trunk. Do that, and I don’t see any obvious reason they wouldn’t hold up for at least a couple of seasons of regular play.

On the course, these feel clearly optimized for walking comfort first, performance second. For normal swings from the fairway and tee, the grip is good enough. On dry ground, I had no real issues, even with driver swings. The spikeless rubber pattern does a solid job of keeping you planted. On slightly damp grass, I noticed a bit of slipping if I really went after the ball, especially on sidehill lies. Nothing crazy, but if you’re used to shoes with full spikes, you’ll feel the difference.

Stability-wise, the wide sole base helps, but the soft midsole means you get a bit of compression when you load into your trail foot. Personally, I didn’t feel like it messed with my swing, but if you’re picky about a very firm base, this might bother you. Compared to my older, stiffer leather golf shoes, I’d say these feel less locked-in but a lot friendlier on the joints over 18 holes. My back and knees appreciated the softer ride, even if the swing platform felt a bit less sharp.

As for the waterproofing, this is where things get a bit mixed. The shoe is sold with a 2-year waterproof warranty, but one user review says they’re not waterproof. In my testing, I walked on wet morning grass with light dew. My feet stayed dry for the round, no obvious leakage. I haven’t tested them in heavy rain or soaked rough yet. My impression is: fine for dew and light wet, but I wouldn’t trust mesh-based shoes as much as full leather in a downpour, warranty or not.

In daily use, they also work fine as general walking shoes, but I’d still keep them mostly for golf if you want the sole to last. Overall, performance is decent: good enough grip for most conditions, very good comfort for walking, but not the best choice if you regularly play in heavy rain or super muddy conditions and need maximum traction and structure.

On paper, the New Balance Fresh Foam Contend V2 is sold as “the ultimate walking shoe” for golf, not as a tour-level performance shoe. You get a spikeless rubber outsole, a Fresh Foam midsole with a 10 mm drop, and a waterproof mesh upper. There’s also a CUSH+ and Ortholite insole on top of that, so it’s basically cushioning stacked on cushioning. If you like a firm, low-to-the-ground feel, this is not that. If you like a soft step, this is more your thing.

The shoe is technically a low-top with a fairly chunky heel. It comes as a standard lace-up with fabric straps for the laces, nothing fancy like BOA or quick laces. Mine came in a basic New Balance box, nothing special, but the shoes were well packed with paper inside to keep the shape. No extra insoles or accessories, just the pair of shoes. The model number on mine lines up with what’s listed (MG406BM), so no surprises there.

The brand mentions a 2-year waterproof warranty, which is a strong claim for a mesh upper. That’s part of why I picked them: I wanted something I could wear in damp morning conditions without ending up with wet socks by hole 6. The outsole is described as having "pressure mapping colors" to highlight key zones. In practice, that just means different colored rubber pods under the forefoot and heel. It’s not tech you really feel; it’s more of a design cue.

Overall, the product description matches what you get: a very cushioned, trainer-style golf shoe built around comfort and walking, with a waterproof promise on top. Just don’t expect a premium leather finish or a super structured fit. It’s more like putting a golf sole on a running shoe than a traditional golf shoe design.