Robert TheodorsonInitial Thoughts and Out of the Box
The first thing you’ll notice when strapping on TRUE linkswear’s newest offering, the Ascent PNWProof, for your initial outing is the flexible, but rubbery feel of these waterproof models that are inspired by Pacific Northwest (PNW) hiking and trekking conditions.
As the months of winter soon descend upon us, those who can still play golf in January and February will no doubt encounter courses that have been thrashed by freezing rain. Conditions, the likes of which, take days and sometimes weeks to clear until the next time the course can be considered somewhat dry. A few of us who are passionate about the game simply do not have that long to wait.
Notice the tread pattern on the underside of these shoes and how it compares to those you may have sported in the past. As you may have guessed, the pattern is designed to not allow for clumps of dirt, grass, or mud to stick properly to the bottom of the shoe for long.
One real problem I’ve had over the years (and you’ve probably experienced as well) is picking up unwanted clumps in the rough and tracking them all the way back to the parking lot. This of course, does not allow for a pleasant walk on the course nor taking the proper stances in any of your shots, putting included. The Ascent PNWProof shoes seek to eliminate that unfortunate part of the game.
In terms of looks, the shoes come in three models: Rain Cloud (White), Storm Black (Black Top, Grey Sole), and Rainer (White with Colourful Bright Accents).
I went with the Storm Black, as anyone knows, white golf shoes are nearly impossible to keep clean during the winter and spring months. The Storm Black paired well with black golf pants and looked stylish so long as the wearer colour-coordinates to a degree.
Staying Dry for a Full 18
I was “fortunate” enough to wear these on a wildly unkempt course that had just experienced a decent amount of rainfall the night before. Absolutely perfect conditions to try out a shoe that is advertised as waterproof and not the ever-popular, but ultimately disappointing water-resistant, which many companies brand their shoes in order to avoid misrepresentation.
TRUE linkswear’s website has this to say about the PNW model and its waterproofing: “Every detail of the Ascent PNWProof was built for adaptability – blending waterproof protection, responsive comfort, and natural movement for life on and off the course.”
The conditions were excellent for testing whether or not the accumulated dew and precipitation would eventually eat through the waterproofing over the course of the round. Despite the fact that this course featured no natural water hazards, there were plenty of sand traps that had devolved into mud pits over the course of the previous night; these too would be tested.
Playing behind a group that had apparently never heard the phrase ‘ready golf’, I had plenty of spare time to wade through the ankle-deep rough looking for lost golf balls while simultaneously basting my shoes with as much leftover rainwater as possible.
The result was always the same: dry socks, and on occasion an extra Taylormade TP5X in near mint condition. Slicing into the rough didn’t seem too bad when I walked away with a couple of top-tier ball models, all the while staying completely dry!
Out of the mud-filled bunker, I was surprised to find that the PNW’s unique tread pattern was ideal for quickly shaking off clumps. I was able to relieve the treads almost as quickly as I was able to shake off the sand accumulated in the groves of my sand wedge.
The Ascent PNWProof model also provides a good amount of cushion which made walking eighteen a breeze, even in less-than-ideal conditions. For those of us who ride a cart, I can’t imagine any type of pain, discomfort, or sweat build-up would occur throughout a round, as it certainly did not walking (with a 30-pound bag on my back) the entire course.
Conclusion – Are the Ascent PNWProofs Right for You?
If you plan on playing the next couple of months and/or live in an area where the rain is generally unpredictable, how much is staying dry and comfortable worth to you?
Not only are these shoes great at ensuring that you’re ready to take on the back nine as comfortably as you did the beginning of the round, but they’re also great for athleisure wear and can double as sport-style shoes when not on the course!
Worrying about comfort in rainy conditions is now a thing of the past. With the Ascent PNWProofs, I can book a round confidently even if course conditions look uninviting, but I’m still up for a good time!
