The True Linkswear Ascents stood up to the elements at Chambers Bay.
Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Welcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series about golf items — apparel, gear, accessories and more — that we’ve recently taken out for a spin. We’re here to give our honest, no-frills takes on the latest and greatest golf or golf-adjacent items. So, scroll down to read about what we love about golf’s newest (or new to us) products.
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When it comes to golf footwear, there’s one thing I take very seriously and that’s protection from the elements.
Even in the desert sometimes, golf courses can be wet places and the quickest way to ruin a good day on the course is a pair of wet socks, especially on a chilly day.
I lived in Bend, Oregon, for two years and while that’s on the dry side of the Cascades, I occasionally got the idea of the elements that can be in play in the Pacific Northwest.
So when I made a trip to Seattle to play Chambers Bay last fall, in November, I knew I needed a pair of shoes that would keep my day from being soggy.
Turns out the new Ascents were really PNW Proof.
Here’s my review of the shoe, looking at five factors: stability, traction, comfort/fit, style and most importantly for these purposes, elements.
Elements
While I was lucky to draw a beautiful fall day with temperatures in the high 50s and mostly sunny skies, the golf course was still pretty wet in spots.
There was no time, however, when I thought I wore the wrong shoes, as my feet stayed completely dry for the whole five-hour round. Impressive, given there were several low areas of the golf course where we had to move golf balls because there was temporary water.
I haven’t worn the shoes while it’s actually raining yet, but with as much water as there was on the course, I’m confident that these shoes are truly PNWProof (and they’re backed by a 1-year waterproof warranty).
Comfort/Fit
The Ascent PNWProofs really have an advantage, being built off a running shoe platform that really looks a lot more like a trail running shoe than a golf shoe. Because of that, these shoes slide on and off with ease and you can keep them on your feet for hours.
Walking Chambers Bay meant putting in over 21,000 steps and going up and down hills. Despite that, it’s not like I was rushing back to the car to change shoes. I felt like I could go for 36 easily.
I wore a size 11, which is the same size I am in most other pairs of shoes.
Stability
As with many golf shoes built on a running shoe base, the Ascents have a good bit of material on the outsole and I could feel my heel moving just slightly vertically as I walked. But that doesn’t really bother me and adds to the comfort. Lateral stability is what I care about the most and I’ve never had a problem.
Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Traction
I don’t ever wear spiked shoes anymore, but I’m still amazed at how much traction I can get from lugs that seem so minimal.
The traction pattern on the bottom actually looks more like a hiking shoe, and I bet these would even work well on the trail, too.
Style
The shoes are offered in black, white and yellowish “Rainer” colorways, which won’t necessarily be the centerpiece of your ensemble, but they won’t detract from it either.
I think the style of these shoes really fits the functional vibe of a pair of shoes great for a second 18, a quick 9 or a range session.
TRUE Ascent PNWProof
Designed to handle the elements with a 1-year waterproof guarantee, the Ascent PNWProof is an all-weather shoe that combines ultra-flexible comfort, breathable construction, and trail-inspired traction for versatility on and off the course. Featuring the Wanderlux supercritical midsole foam, and a TRUE comfort collar, it delivers cushioning, support, and durability without compromise—engineered for golfers and adventurers alike.
Jack Hirsh is the Associate Equipment Editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as head coach. Jack also still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.
