I'm always on the hunt for alternative brands that golfers should know about. In the footwear category, it's hard for golfers to venture too far outside of the major brands that take up most of the marketing bandwidth.

In this review, I'll be highlighting newcomer Tomo Golf. They recently introduced a spikeless golf shoe that is designed to be worn on and off the course. Tomo is tapping into a growing trend with its design, which is anything but traditional. After wearing the shoe for a few months there are several things I like, and a few features that I think golfers should be aware of.

The Good Stuff

The Tomo Volume 1 bills itself as lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and a shoe that can fit into all parts of your life. I was first taken by their design, which is very similar to Allbirds (a massively successful casual brand). It's simple, and when you first see the shoe, you don't think golf. I'm becoming a fan of this category as my TRUE Linkswear Knits have become a go-to during the spring and summer months.

I think golfers who don't want a traditional looking shoe are going to dig these. For testing purposes, I only could get the sand color, which was my second preference behind the Stone (which was sold out at the time).

Aside from the looks, I think my favorite feature is the sole. You get a very comfortable walk, and I believe it is their strongest feature. Tomo also did an excellent job of providing enough traction with the sole that golfers who are used to a spikeless design will be satisfied.

Additionally, they are very lightweight and breathable, so you don't feel like you're walking around with a heavy clunker. There's plenty of air circulation. At $95, Tomo shoes won't break the bank, and I think the extra value is that you can wear them in your everyday life. Even if you don't wear them for golf, they're a nice casual shoe for the warmer months.

Things You Should Be Aware Of

My biggest complaint about the Tomo shoes is their sizing. Typically, I am a size 10 in most brands, and if anything I usually find most shoes too tight (I have wider feet). I found their size 10 to be way too big, lengthwise. Surprisingly, the site says they are true to size and recommends sizing up if you are in between.

I'd recommend the opposite based on the pair I had. If I had a 9.5, it would likely have solved some slight issues I had with my foot slipping in the heel area. According to their site, they do accept exchanges or returns if you are not happy with your sizing. Alas, this is always the risk with direct-to-consumer brands, and I don't think it's an issue specific to them. Plenty of other golf companies have different sizing issues.

Another thing you should be aware of is that these shoes will not provide much support in terms of your swing, which should not come as a surprise based on how they look. While the soles are very comfortable and do a good job with traction, the material of the shoe is very lightweight so I would not expect much stability out of these during your swing. For some players, that's not such a big problem, but for others, it can be a deal breaker.

I will use these shoes more while I practice and in casual situations rather than a typical round of golf.

Wrapping It Up

If you're looking for a lightweight, comfortable, casual-styled golf shoe, Tomo is a good choice. They might not fit every golfer's needs on the course, but I really like the design and see them also as a casual shoe. This category is getting more popular, and I think they can fit in nicely.

Aside from the sizing issue I had, I think they did an excellent job with the design and comfort features. Also, I think you get a lot of value at $95 since they can be worn on and off the course.

You can learn more about Tomo Golf on their website.