I was first introduced to Royal Albartross golf shoes in 2015 at the PGA Show. At the time, my wife and I were just starting the company and were eager to write and publish articles for just about anyone who would give us the time of day. I met Royal Albartross Founder and Designer Alex Bartholomew at the PGA Show that year. The company was trying to gain a foothold into the US market and we discussed writing and publishing an article to create awareness in both the company and their high end golf footwear. She sent me a pair of shoes directly form the UK which I still have to this day and they look brand new.
In 2014, Royal Albartross beat out 28 other golf shoes from such notable companies as Adidas, Puma, Nike, FootJoy and ECCO to earn the MyGolfSpy.com award for “best overall” shoe in both the spikeless and traditional categories. Several well-known professional golfers and celebrities have been seen wearing Royal Albartross footwear including David Leadbetter, Darren Clark, Major League pitcher Clay Buggholz, Ian Wright.
When Royal Albartross was founded, there goal was simple: Create the world’s finest golf shoe that incorporates the best and most technologically advanced design using the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. In crafting their products, Royal Albartross works with talented Italian craftsmen who continue to use manufacturing techniques passed down from generation to generation. By using only the best leather available and high quality components, Royal Albartross is able to bring to market a golf shoe that is second to none in look, feel and functionality. These shoes are British-designed and always handmade.
It takes over eight weeks and more than 70 hours of painstaking craftsmanship before a Royal Albartross golf shoe is ready to be worn. More than 250 tasks including stitching the leather, molding and compressing the upper onto the last and attaching the cleated sole are performed on each shoe.
Over the years the company’s product line has continued to evolve., although my Club Crew shoes are still available. After all, a true classic never goes out of style. These were the company’s first attempt at a spikeless shoe and remain one of the most comfortable pair I own. Recently, I received a pair of their Cutler shoes in blue. They are still handmade in Italy and retain the same level of comfort. Cutler features a petrol blue tumbled and textured calf leather upper with tanned cognac leather over the heel. A pull tab on the top of the tongue helps you get them on. Inside you’ll find a soft, breathable leather lining and an anatomically-shaped inlay sole with lightweight foam cushioning that delivers that comfort I was talking about, The lightweight VIBRAM Pro Golf Outsole keeps your feet solidly connected to the ground regardless of weather conditions and isn’t noticeable or noisy when worn outside of the golf course. The Cutler Shoe is available in US sizes 8 – 13 and in Blue, White or Grey.
Ladies will be delighted with Royal Albartross’ Grace Shoe, a loafer style shoe with a lot of comfort and class. They offer a grey/white upper with decorative detailing along the side and a slip-on loafer design with a stylish tassel. The Grace features a low heal and the same breathable leather lining, inlay sole and cushioning foam as the Men’s Cutler shoe. They also have the VIBRAM Pro Golf Outsole. The Women’s Grace shoe is available in US sizes 3 – 8 and in either Grey/White or Black/White. It’s a shoe your friends will like almost as much as you do.
Royal Albartross shoes were only recently introduced to the US market and probably because of their price point haven’t gained a lot of notoriety quite yet. They are a pleasant respite in this “disposable” world we live in, so if you’re in the market for a pair of high quality stylish golf shoes that will easily last you into the next decade (I realize it is 2020) then look into a pair of Royal Albartross golf shoes. They are available for both men and women and deliver the style, performance and quality you’re looking for in a golf shoe. To view the entire collection, go to www.us.albartross.com.