TRUE Linkswear Ascent Golf Shoe Review

50 Words or Less

The TRUE Linkswear Ascent PNWProof golf shoes are built to keep you comfortable no matter the weather.  Massive amount of cushioning.  Lightweight.  Fully waterproof.

Introduction

The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the best golf in the United States.  From Bandon Dunes to Chambers Bay and many more, it’s a dream destination for many golfers.  It’s also home to some extreme weather – beautiful days in February and unplayable ones in June.  TRUE Linkswear built their new Ascent PNWProof golf shoes for the latter.  I tested the TRUE Linkswear Ascent in cool, sloppy conditions to see how it delivers on its weatherproof promise.

Looks

At a glance, the TRUE Linkswear Ascent is a clean, simple athletic shoe.  A second look reveals that there’s a lot going on visually.  The small “TRUE” on the outside of the shoe is actually tucked inside a large “T”.  This “T” is done in the same subtly reflective material that makes up the rain of ovals across the entire shoe.  On the other side of the shoe, this same material touts the Ascent’s “PNWPROOF” status.

The TRUE Linkswear Ascent is available in three colorways: Rain Cloud (white/grey), Rainer (white/beige/faded lime), and Storm Cloud (black, seen here).  Something that really stands out in the Storm Cloud colorway is how thick the Wanderlux cushioning is.

Comfort

If you didn’t clock the Wanderlux Superfoam with your eyes, your feet will tell you all about it the moment you slide into the TRUE Linkswear Ascent.  This is the cushiest TRUE that I’ve ever worn.  There’s a substantial stack height – much more than I’m used to with TRUE – that feels extra squishy under the heel.  If you like that “walking on a cloud” feeling, you will love the Ascent.

In terms of fit, the TRUE Linkswear Ascent has a “Natural Toe Box”.  This is the most narrow style that TRUE makes, but it’s still wide enough to not crush your toes.  With both the stack height and toe box, the Ascent is different from other TRUEs but roughly average for shoes overall.  The rest of the fit is a balance of comfort and stability.  It feels mobile and athletic with just enough support and structure.

Performance

One of my favorite things about TRUE Linkswear is that every one of their shoes is built to fill a particular need or serve a specific golfer.  After spending a few weeks with them, I’ve found that the TRUE Linkswear Ascent is a go-everywhere, do-anything shoe that’s built for all conditions.  I’ve been thinking of it as a hybrid of TRUE’s popular Knit Four [review HERE] and their recently released OG3 High [review HERE].  These are shoes you’ll want to wear daily, and you won’t have to think twice about sporting them in any weather.

The waterproofing is the signature feature, so we’ll start there.  Thanks to a waterproof laminated upper, the Ascent PNWProof keeps your feet dry in morning dew or a downpour.  TRUE backs that up with a 1-year waterproof guarantee.  I’ve been wearing these in the rain, walking in soaked grass, and I’ve stayed dry the entire time.

Turning to the sole, TRUE states that the Ascent has “trail-inspired traction.”  This tread is less aggressive than what we see in the OG3 High and some of TRUE’s other recent spikeless offerings.  I found that this sole provided adequate traction in normal conditions, but it’s not going to keep you rooted when it’s wet or you’re swinging from your heels.  This speaks to the Ascent’s role as an every day shoe more than a competitive golf shoe.  If you want a TRUE with the traction of replaceable spikes, check out the Lux Player HERE.

Picking back up on the theme of “These are different than most TRUEs,” let’s talk about the heel drop.  The TRUE Linkswear Ascent has a 6 mm heel drop which is fairly low by normal standards but as high as almost any TRUE.  When combined with the thick cushioning (stack height), this makes the Ascent feel sky high compared to natural motion TRUEs like the OG Cush [review HERE].  While I love the cushioning of the Ascent for walking around, I prefer the ground connection I get from “lower” TRUE shoes when I’m playing golf.

Finally, the TRUE Linkswear Ascent golf shoes weigh in at a light 12.2 ounces.  This is about the sweet spot for TRUE.  The Ascent isn’t as feathery as the Knit, but they’re much lighter than the spiked models.  Overall, these are quite light, and the weight is well distributed, making it easier to enjoy the walk.

Conclusion

If you want to stay on the course in all weather – but aren’t ready to go for the golf boot – check out the TRUE Linkswear Ascent.  These shoes have excellent weatherproofing without adding a ton of weight.  They’re also some of the best cushioned golf shoes I’ve tested, which will keep your feet very happy.

Buy the TRUE Linkswear Ascent Golf Shoes HERE

Matt Saternus
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