disc golf shoes

Support Disc Golf Innovation: Preorder Idio’s V2 Footwear

November 7, 2025November 7, 2025 by frisbeebrain, posted in DaLearning Curve, DeLaBlahg, disc golf, disc golf gifts, disc golf product reviews, frisbee golf, Jack Tupp, product reviews

What’s up, disc golf people! Today you have the opportunity to directly influence the future of our gear. I’m talking about shoes; about Idio Sports and their mission of pushing the boundaries of what disc golf footwear can be (thanks, Craig Kitchens!)

I’d like you to consider pre-ordering the next generation of their specialized footwear, the Syncrasy V2 and the Brawler V2 (Hi-Top) right now. Here’s why:

Idio is the only company making shoes truly from the ground up for our sport. And right now, they need the kind of community, grassroots support that the disc golf world has always been known for as they recently suffered factory theft and tariffs cut into their funding.

This isn’t an outside brand trying to buy your loyalty by paying Paul McBeth big bucks to endorse a generic “athletic shoe”. (By the way, don’t succumb to that age-old form of marketing favored by companies that can’t win on the merits of their products!)

Idio is a company that launched in 2020 and fought through the pandemic; a company that has listened to disc golfers and improved its products 3 times since then. I should know, as I’ve been reviewing them since the beginning.

By participating in Idio’s pre-order, you accomplish two crucial things: you lock in a pair of game-changing shoes, and you invest in a company that truly deserves our backing.

Ok, enough about the cause. Let’s talk about the shoes!

A person demonstrating a dynamic pose while playing disc golf, wearing colorful shoes designed for the sport, with an enthusiastic expression and surrounded by onlookers. — *Ohn Scoggins. 2025 FPO World Champion and Idio Ambassador*

Invest in the Bleeding Edge

I know firsthand the hurdles Idio faces as a “bleeding edge” innovator. Back in 2010, when School of Disc Golf was launching tailored, in-person instruction, we had no predecessors to imitate or follow in the niche field of disc golf instruction. Idio is doing the same thing with disc golf footwear.

Numerous companies have marketed shoes to disc golfers in the past. Idio designs and builds them.

They are tackling complex engineering problems that major outside brands would never touch. For instance, Idio figured out how to separate the mold—a technique usually used for cosmetic color changes (a “color dam”)—to implement a dual-hardness rubber compound in the outsole. This means the material in the front of the shoe (including the toe cap) is a harder compound than the back of the shoe. Why? Because while you pivot on the heel (the power plant zone), you use the front of the shoe to slow your speed, and all that spin and torque gets transferred into the front lugs. This targeted hardening ensures the shoe wears more evenly and gives you more lifespan. That is specialized performance functionality that only a company run from disc golf, for disc golf would implement.

Infographic detailing key features of shoes designed for disc golf performance, including waterproofing, drag-on toe design, power plant functionality, lightweight construction, X flex zone, and low drop.

The V2 Generation: Syncrasy V2 (EVO) and Brawler V2

Idio has taken their flagship product and the highly requested Hi-Top model and improved them across the board, focusing on durability, waterproofing, and style. By supporting this pre-order initiative (especially for the highly requested Brawler), you’re guaranteeing the success of these key product lines.

The Idio Syncrasy V2 (EVO)

The Syncrasy EVO is the newest model of Idio’s flagship product. They’ve really cleared the hurdle of making the shoe look fantastic, calling them “absolutely sweet” looking. But the performance is still king:

• Dig Toe Protection: The V2 features a completely overbuilt curl around the toe (the Dig Toe, or prominent Dragon toe cap). This feature means you won’t have to toss shoes just because the material wore through in one tiny place.

• Solid Foundation: The outsole is molded from one piece and cups upwards, creating a solid foundation.

• Proven Performance: Customers already rave about the traction and quality of waterproofing in the Syncrasy line.

Black disc golf shoe labeled Syncrasy V2 with waterproof feature and orange sole.

The Idio Brawler V2 (Syncrasy Hi-Top)

The Brawler V2 (code name “Syncrasy Hi-Top”) has been the most requested item of Idio since their start. It is designed to be the ultra-supportive, go anywhere, play any condition shoe. I was honestly surprised that I’d like high-tops disc golf, but after nearly a year and probably 100 rounds in mine, they are my disc golf shoe now!

• Adapt-A-Brace Compression Collar: This feature, which is patent pending, is a brace for the ankle that provides nice compression. It uses unique cutouts on the back to allow the ankle to flex naturally (fore and aft), while still providing very good support when flexing side-to-side.

• Ultimate Protection: The Brawler is made with the new, more breathable Sympatex waterproof liner. This membrane works using a physicochemical principle, utilizing water-attracting (hydrophilic) molecular chains to absorb moisture and emit it outward by evaporation. I tested them repeatedly—walking and standing in puddles—and they remained completely waterproof. The high-top collar also provides an unexpected benefit: keeping out dirt, rocks, little sticks, and thorns.

• Reinforced Construction: The Brawler is a duty-driven shoe featuring thicker, more reinforced TPU welding, which provides increased protection and waterproofing from the elements.

Black and gray disc golf shoe featuring a high-top design, labeled 'Brawler', with waterproof construction and a unique ankle support feature.

A Call to Action

Disc golfers, these V2 shoes represent huge value and specialized engineering built specifically for our athletic movements. Furthermore, Idio is a true disc golf pioneer that deserves our support. Being on the “bleeding edge” of innovation often refers to groundbreaking companies that pay a price for breaking new ground. Idio has put in the work. They’ve paid their dues. Let’s help them to keep pushing forward. After all, legitimate specialized footwear is a sign of a legitimate sport.

The Brawler and Syncrasy are currently available for pre-order. When you pre-order, you’re not just buying a great pair of shoes; you are helping an independent, highly innovative company continue to thrive and push the envelope for disc golf footwear. Give them a try—support the shoe brand that is truly from disc golf, for disc golf.

2025 Syncrasy Evo: The Best Shoe for Disc Golf Performance and Wear

August 12, 2025August 12, 2025 by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf gifts, disc golf product reviews, Jack Tupp

What’s up, disc golf people! Read on for a comprehensive review of the 2025 Syncrasy Evo, the newest model of Idio Shoes’ flagship product designed for disc golf.

Coming from a tech background, I am all too familiar with the term “Bleeding Edge,” which refers to an innovation that is entirely legit but suffers initially from being a true first-of-its-kind.

There’s leading edge, and then there’s bleeding edge. Get it?

Close-up view of the Idio Syncrasy Evo disc golf shoe showcasing the sleek design and dragon toe cap against a natural outdoor background.

In Idio’s case, they are tasked not only with marketing a disc golf shoe but also marketing the logic of owning a new piece of specialized equipment for the sport.

History, of course, repeats itself, and it’s amusing to think that at one time in the past this very discussion took place when baseball players started wearing gloves!

In the case of disc golf, we know specialized footwear isn’t required to play, just as baseball players in 1860 figured they didn’t need gloves. In their case, though, a few innovative players who were tired of bruised and broken bones began wearing makeshift protection. That evolved over the next 100 years into gloves that also helped players catch the ball, with different design types for different positions.

But it started with a desire to protect hands from injury, a very compelling proposition to players at the time.

So, in the case of Idio Sports and disc golf, what is the compelling reason for players to adopt this totally new thing?

Actually, there are two: performance, and durability. No other shoes (yet) are specifically designed to withstand the unique repetitive actions in disc golf, and no other shoes include features that enhance the performance of those same actions. The history of sports – disc golf included – is filled with stories about the impact of equipment advances. In those stories, the early adopters enjoy a clear advantage- at least for awhile.

On the performance side the shoes include numerous design features that sensibly address a specific physical action unique to disc golf, like the pivoting of feet on the teepad. You can read all the details below.

On the durability side Idio also included features like an overbuilt toe cap and outsole that target disc golf-specific wear that leads to premature shoe demise.

That, I think, is the benefit that will eventually compel everyday disc golfers to wear specialized footwear. Shoes designed to withstand the griding and dragging of driving will hold up better AND they will preserve your other favorite shoes that would otherwise be torn up.

Then, once players try them, the performance features will be noticeable and switching back will be like going from HD back to standard definition. Or playing baseball without a glove!

NEWSFLASH: The Idio Hightop is 25 Percent Off!
Go To Sale

Aesthetics That Turn Heads

I personally think it’s silly to choose footwear for a competitive sport based on looks. Give me five pairs of shoes to choose from, and my decision will be based on a number of things: support, value, comfort, suitability for disc golf, and yes, appearance. But how the shoe looks is the last consideration. (And which professional player endorses each shoe has absolutely no bearing.)

Nevertheless, if how your feet look on the course matters more to you, the Evos really are pretty sharp.

• Sweet Looking Design: Idio managed to turn a functional feature – the toe cap over molding – into a big part of the shoe’s visual appeal.

• Gumsole and Black Combination: This combo reminded me of a very popular model of old school Adidas.

• Crisp White Option: The white version is super sharp, and they clean up pretty easily.

• Overmold: The shoe features a beefy overmold that combines form and function, contributing to its sleek appearance.

Idio has truly the visual appeal of their shoes, moving from eye-catching in a curious to now a covetous way.

Engineered for the Course: Disc Golf Specific Features

Beyond their upgraded appearance, Syncrasy Evos are packed with thoughtful engineering tailored specifically for disc golf. It’s like, “Idio 15, All Other Shoe Brands Zero.”

• Dual-Zone Hardness: This is a groundbreaking feature! The shoe incorporates a dual-zone hardness in its sole.

◦ The front of the shoe (from the flex point forward, including the toe cap) uses a harder compound.

◦ The back of the shoe uses a softer compound.

◦ This is achieved using a technology called a “color dam,” typically used for cosmetic separation of colors in molds. Idio ingeniously repurposed this to blend two different compounds, creating a functional advantage unique to disc golf. Specialized footwear for disc golf!

• Prominent Drag-on Toe Cap: The material, shape, and thickness combine to strongly resist wear from gaining a foothold, so to speak.

• Robust Outsole and Tread: The outsole is impressively molded from one piece and cups upwards. The tread pattern is designed to hold up to the specific demands of pivoting on both the toe and heel during throws.

• X-Flex Zone & Power Plant Features: The design includes an “X-Flex Zone” and a “power plant feature in the heel area,” further showcasing the specific thought put into disc golf movements.

Close-up view of a person's feet wearing the 2025 Syncrasy Evo disc golf shoes alongside another person's footwear. — *Sharpest shoe under the table!*

• Waterproof Ripstop Material: The shoe features a ripstop waterproof material branded SympaTex. In testing, no moisture got into the shoe even walking through deep puddles, a requirement in many parts of the world.

• Comfort and Fit: These shoes are noted to fit true to size and feel nice and snug when laced and tied properly. The toe area is roomy. They feel light yet rugged with no break-in time required. The-low-to-the-ground feeling may take some getting used to, but I learned that that is by design as well. The minimal-drop heel keeps players lower and in better contact with the teepad.

At $135, the 2025 Syncrasy Evo cost about $25 less than the waterproof Sauconys and Solomons I had been buying. Whether you play on concrete or rubber tee pads, this shoe is built to perform. Be an early adopter!

Ultimately, the decision to support Idio Sports rests with the disc golf community. But I want to do my part to make sure the community knows about them, so spread the word!

Close-up view of the 2025 Idio Syncrasy Evo shoe showcasing its waterproof feature and sleek design.

Just as there was a time that athletes played professional baseball without gloves, there was a time when track athletes didn’t run in spikes, and tennis players wore loafers, and . . . you get the point. Disc golf is a real sport, right? So try on a real disc golf shoe.

Please subscribe to our channel, @schoolofdiscgolf, on YouTube. Thanks!

Discover Idio Sport’s Unique Specialized Features for Disc Golf

May 21, 2025May 21, 2025 by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, Disc Golf Pro Tour, disc golf product reviews, product reviews

As disc golfer diehards, you and I have a pretty good idea of what makes a good disc golf shoe: For some durability in one particular place is essential. Others insist on good waterproofing, or all-day comfort, or good tread.

Idio Sports founder Craig Kitchens is a diehard disc golfer, too, but his background in design and time spent in Portland, Oregon (aka Shoe City) enabled his thoughts and eventually actions to go to an entirely different level.

For Kitchens, it wasn’t about determining which existing shoe type or brand was ideally suited to the sport of disc golf. In addition to the common “must-haves” that include those listed above, he began creating a list of disc golf-specific features that a shoe designed and built for disc golf should include— and it wasn’t a short list!

The Drag-On Toe, X-Flex Outsole, and Power-plant Pivot Zone are the three most obvious examples, but there are more with the 2024 model of Idio Syncrasy, and the just-released Syncrasy EVO advances the reality of a disc golf shoe even further.

Note: The remaining stock of 2024 Syncrasys are 50 percent off right now and the new model is in, making this an excellent time to try a pair yourself

I connected with Kitchens at the Champions Cup in Stockton for a great discussion about his journey designing and marketing the world’s only disc golf shoe from scratch. I encourage you to watch the video below so you get a feel for his passion and dedication. I think it’s clear that he is the right person to be taking on a task that will benefit all of us.

In addition to sharing Idio’s origin story, Kitchens went a bit deeper in explaining the unique challenge of being the first to create a type of specialized footwear.

“There was really no shoe or ideology around what made a good disc golf shoe,” said Kitchens in explaining the challenge of designing a purpose-built shoe from scratch.

After a couple of years of seeing his creation perform in the wild and listening to feedback from other disc golfers, he learned that while the disc golf-specific features were well-received, parts of the outsole wore too quickly for some players.

The reason for that quick wear was the use of a softer compound to achieve a grippy-ness valued by disc golfers, and Kitchens didn’t want to sacrifice that entirely. His solution? Creatively co-opt a manufacturing process that is normally used for cosmetic purposes to create an outsole with zones of harder (for durability) and softer (for grip) material. Brilliant! Watch the video for details— and please subscribe to the channel while you’re there. I’m trying to create meaningful content and new subscribers are the best encouragement.

great shoes, big challenges

I see two primary challenges Idio Sports faces on its road to making disc golf shoes a regular part of every competitive player’s equipment, and I personally find them both plain silly. They are the idea that to some, even with athletic shoes, the fashion/status statement made is as important as their function; and the enduring power of celebrity endorsement.

I initially tried out Idios because I was excited about the potential of a shoe designed for disc golf. I wasn’t crazy about how the very first model looked but that would never factor much into a buying decision for me, anyway. With the new model of Syncrasy EVO, looks should help the shoe sell, if anything. But for some, even good looks ain’t enough. It’s all about the brand or logo.

The new Syncrasy EVO by Idio Sports.

When it comes to shoes I’m afraid most of us are extremely brand-conscious, or, brand-self-conscious, I should say. Maybe we’re worried about dropping money on something new and unknown, or maybe we’re more concerned about someone thinking “What’s he wearing on his feet? ‘Off-brand’ shoes?!”

Either way, I’d like to think disc golfers as a group are at least a little stronger than the norm when it comes to independent thinking, and I KNOW we are serious enough about our sport to want every advantage and comfort technology can provide.

As for celebrity endorsements, what can I say? It has been one of the most reliable marketing tools for centuries now. People buy stuff that other people who they admire tell them to buy. In disc golf, this method accounts for the lion’s share of nearly every disc and bag manufacturer’s marketing budget. These are all products designed for disc golf, though.

Don’t buy a shoe just because a top disc golf pro endorses it and tells you it is a disc golf shoe (it isn’t). Do a little digging and see if the brand is associated with disc golf in any way outside of an Instagram or DGN ad.

The sport of disc golf has specialized footwear now, thanks to Craig Kitchens. Try a pair. You might really, really like them.

New disc golf shoes!

April 8, 2024April 8, 2024 by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf gifts, disc golf product reviews, product reviews

Intro- I needed new dg shoes!
About Idio
About the changes
About my first trial (mention the difference, and what I learned about waiting too long)
Update coming, not real soon.
Links to past posts

A few days ago I received a package in the mail from Idio Sports. It contained a pair of shoes. Specifically, disc golf shoes.

My heart leaped! Both pairs of my current disc golf shoes have warranted replacing for two months, and it has rained nearly every time I tried to play in that period. I even strained a muscle slipping on the wet rocky slopes of DeLaveaga, not fully appreciating what the used-up soles of my old shoes would cost me.

Also, like any other disc golf junkie, the opportunity to use a new piece of equipment for the sport gets me excited. Especially when the products are breaking new ground, like TECHDISC, or in this case shoes designed from scratch for playing disc golf. We’re talking about specialized equipment, similar to soccer cleats or ballet slippers.

That is exactly what Idio is all about. They released their first such product, the Syncrasy, more than three years ago, and they are still blazing a lone trail to what should in time become a thriving sub-category of the athletic shoe market.

If you are not yet familiar with the numerous ways Syncrasy is designed differently than other shoes to specifically support disc golf play, here is a quick run-down. Go to the Idio website for more details.

A thick rubber toe cap to prevent disc golf-specific wear
A “Pivot Zone” built into the heel to assist plant foot pivoting on backhand drives
Strategically flexible soles tailored to disc golf situations and stances
Waterproof!
Lighter than hiking shoes or boots, tougher than trail runners
Minimal heel drop for optimal balance on all shots

I found that the first version of the Syncrasy delivered on all of those features, and just as importantly, mine held up great. I’ve posted some images below and will give a quick update to my original review at the end of this post. First, let’s see how the 2024 Syncrasy is different from the original version, and why IDIO says it is already a success.

The first version of Idio’s flagship shoe was a hit, especially when you consider it was conceived and executed from scratch. But I remember the CEO of Idio Sports, Craig Kitchens, telling me then that he expected the shoes would evolve based on customer feedback.

With a new model available now, it was time to put his promise to the test. Mr. Kitchens was ready when I reached out with the following list, and all items were the result of direct or indirect customer feedback.

Updated heel counter material for better adhesion of the midsole to the upper
Improved buffing and texturing of all bonding surfaces.
Improved gluing pressure, heat, and time to ensure proper bonding of components
Hardened outsole rubber to improve lifespan while not sacrificing grip.
Improved tongue gusseting to keep water from slipping in around the tongue area.
Improved bonding of all TPU printed surfaces such as logo and mudguard.
“Revised tongue material for finer feel of quality. “Although nothing was wrong with it before”

Many of the details listed above have to do with parts of the shoe staying together, and I do remember hearing from some people that that was an issue with the first Syncrasy shoes. I asked Craig about this and his answer deserves to be quoted verbatim:

“We had a great start with our shoes and made improvements across the board in order to address some minor warranty issues that we saw the first year. We maintained a warranty return rate of 3% which is right in line with the major brands, but now with the updates we sit at below 1% for the year. Proving that we are listening to the community and growing as a brand to always provide the best possible product for disc golfers.”
Craig Kitchens, CEO Idio Sports

Kitchens said all of the shoe improvements listed in those bullets above were the result of warranty issues that didn’t even occur at a higher-than-normal rate. That tells me two things: Users clearly validated the design of the shoes — their utility for the sport of disc golf — so Idio focused their upgrades on increased durability, comfort, and quality. I like that.

As you can see in the pictures of my first Syncrasy’s alongside a pair of Saucony Peregrine GTX’s, the Idio shoes didn’t break down in the most common disc golf-related areas for me and most disc golfers. Both shoes’ kept my feet dry until the end, but the soles and sides of the Saucony’s ended up in tatters.

The bottoms are even more telling. The lugs wore normally with use on both shoes, but the Saucony’s developed holes ultimately exposing the Goretex liner.

*IDIO Syncrasy on the left, Saucony Peregrine GTX on the right.*

Silver Lining to a Rainy Round

It didn’t take long for a chance to test my new black Syncrasy’s in the rain. This shot from the parking lot at DeLaveaga, past the Hole 27 basket to the Hole 1 teepad shows what most of the course looked like.

After that one round, here is what I can say for sure. They felt great, and despite the saturated ground with puddles everywhere and off and on rain and wind, no water got anywhere near my feet. I put it that way because on a day like that, even if the waterproof liner does its job moisture can get in from above. Not the case with these. The tongue looks like billboard vinyl! (I’m sure it’s not).

My other initial observation is, the difference in traction between that round, wet ground and all, and any round during the past two months, was shocking. The soles work great on and off the pad, but that’s not my point.

As mentioned at the start of this post, I recently sustained an injury that is going to sideline me for a while (playing, not coaching). It was an injury that didn’t have to happen!

I was waiting until my current disc golf shoes either fell apart or stopped being waterproof to replace them. I paid little heed to the worn-down lugs because, until the ground was wet enough to be dangerous, I didn’t feel the loss of traction. Even though it was there.

*The author trusting his plant foot during the 2023 Enduro Bowl.*

The moral of that little tangent is to check your disc golf shoes and make sure they are still adequate to safely play wherever and however you play. I play technical courses and tend to put myself in all kinds of weird throwing positions. The shoes make a huge difference.

Idio disc golf shoes seem made for every terrain except sand (and what shoe is?), and I suggest all disc golfers give them a try, but the main thing to remember is shoes are an important piece of disc golf equipment. Wear something that gives you good traction and support, and pay attention to signs that either is breaking down.

I’ll try to update this post down the road, but it’ll likely be awhile. We’re supposedly done with the rain for the most part here until after the summer. I’ll believe that when I see it!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.

Our Curated Guide to Unique Disc Golf Gifts— and the Gift OF Disc Golf!

December 7, 2023December 7, 2023 by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf book, disc golf gifts, disc golf instruction, Disc Golf Lessons

If you’re reading this, chances are you know someone who is obsessed with disc golf or love to play and share the sport yourself. In both cases we have you covered for unique gifts, and this guide makes it easy to get it exactly right!

Scroll down to see our options, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or requests for personalized book inscriptions.

gifts for new and excited disc golfers

The sport of disc golf grew steadily somewhat underground from the mid-70s until 2020— then it roughly doubled during the pandemic. If you know an excited new disc golfer they are likely eager to learn more and get better.

The “Disc Golf Fanatic” gift bundle— $195
The “Disc Golfer” gift bundle— $65
Signed copy of “The Disc Golf Revolution” book $20
Signed copy of “Three Paths to Better Disc Golf” book— $20
School of Disc Golf t-shirt— $25

disc golf gifts, disc golf books — *School of Disc Golf owner Jack Tupp has written two acclaimed books on disc golf.*

why and how to give the gift of disc golf

The most rewarding part of my job is introducing new people to disc golf, and knowing that for some it will become a regular and very positive part of their lives from that day forward. If you love the game as I do, you know exactly what I mean.

Gift-giving occasions can be a great opportunity to turn someone on to disc golf. My book The Disc Golf Revolution is packed with info about disc golf’s past, present, and future, and a private introductory lesson is a great way to learn the essentials quickly.

The “Discover Disc Golf” gift bundle— $150
The “Disc Golfer” gift bundle— $65
Signed copy of “The Disc Golf Revolution” book— $20

techdisc, smart disc golf disc, disc golf training — TECHDISC measures speed, spin rate, angles, and much more!

gifts for experienced disc golfers

For those who don’t know, we disc golfers are VERY particular about our equipment. Discs are so specialized these days, forget about trying to pick one your friend will actually throw.

You can go the gift card route — if you do, you can’t do better than one from us or our partner Infinite Discs — but lots of folks enjoy the challenge of selecting perfect and unique gifts. In the world of disc golf, that’s where we come in!

The “Competitive Disc Golfer” gift bundle— $150
TECHDISC (for tech-loving disc golfers) — $299
Idio disc golf shoes— $129
The “Disc Golfer” gift bundle— $65
Signed copy of “Three Paths to Better Disc Golf” book— $20
School of Disc Golf t-shirt— $25

Idio Syncrasy Disc Golf Shoes: So Far, So Good!

February 7, 2023April 6, 2024 by frisbeebrain, posted in disc golf, disc golf product reviews, product review, product reviews

update: The 2024 Idio Syncrasy disc golf shoe is now available!

disc golf shoe on sale, best disc golf shoe.

When I first saw an ad for the Idio Syncrasy disc golf shoe during a Disc Golf Network broadcast last season, I thought the timing was sublime. I happened to be shopping for new disc golf shoes just then. After 20-plus years of searching for the perfect “shoe to use for disc golf” (a true disc golf shoe did not yet exist) the search for my most important piece of athletic equipment was once again wide open.

Although I’ve yet found the perfect disc golf shoe, I had until recently refined my personal preference to waterproof trail running shoes. Hiking books, even supposedly light ones, feel too heavy and restrictively rigid. But where I play, I genuinely need water resistance and shoes that can handle all types of surfaces. Lightness and comfort are must-haves, as well. When you add up my time teaching, practicing, and playing, these shoes will be worn for long hours at a time.

I had gone through two pairs of my most recent iteration, from Brooks, and they were okay but ultimately failed in the way so many others had. They all wear out in one place while the rest of the shoe has plenty of life. So when I watched that ad and right away noticed how they are built up in areas where so many disc golfers’ shoes always break down, the timing was right.

For now, I can tell you this shoe was designed from scratch specifically for the sport of disc golf, as opposed to every other shoe marketed as a disc golf shoe in the past. In all those cases, the marketing was the ONLY thing disc golf-specific about the shoes.

Well, for me, anyway. The end of the ad stated they were taking preorders with delivery months away. I needed shoes right away, so I settled on a model from a top running brand I hadn’t tried yet: Sauconys. They’re okay, so far, but if the pattern holds they’ll start to crumble under the demands of NorCal disc golf any day now.

Not long after that, as luck would have it, the opportunity arose to review the Idio Syncrasy shoes here on the blog. I of course jumped at the chance, wanting these shoes to be what I and so many others have long awaited.

Idio Syncrasy’s fit in perfectly at the quirky, quixotic (and legendary) DeLaveaga Disc Golf Course.

That was a couple of months ago now, and a (rather understated) summary of my opinion at this point is, ‘So far, so good.’ Since durability and water resistance are important factors for me when choosing a disc golf shoe, I plan to revisit this review at least two more times to let you know how they’re holding up. However, after 15 rounds on courses with cement, turf, and natural teepads in some pretty challenging conditions I’ve already collected plenty of intel. All of it points to a recommendation to buy the Idio Syncrasy.

The price tag of $130 seemed reasonable, since that is about what I’d been paying for waterproof trail runners. But Idio just lowered the price to $103.20 for a limited time. That is quite a discount for a shoe that in my opinion is a good value at full price.

Before I go any further, I should share details about this shoe’s unique, dare I say idiosyncratic, features. Disc golf-specific things like:

Drag-on toe protection
X-flex zone in the sole for “Natural transitions for powerful drives and saucy jump-putts,”
High-rise midsole to help your plant foot hold fast
Power Plant heel
Larger toe box.

You’ll read more here in the future as each of these features carries a story of its own, but you can delve into the technical details right now at Idio’s website. For now, I can tell you this shoe was designed from scratch specifically for the sport of disc golf, as opposed to every other shoe marketed as a disc golf shoe in the past. In all those cases, the marketing was the only thing disc golf-specific about the shoes.

With that in mind, consider the features I just listed out. Each began with a blank slate and reams of information about what disc golfers want and need in a shoe. There are a variety of priorities out there, and with the Syncrasy, Idio is attempting to address them all.

I have to admit that for me, the promise of a shoe designed to resist the specific wear to the toe that teeing off can create – Idio calls it “teebox rash” – was enough to get me to bite. I remember my years as a pitcher in baseball, attaching metal plates and Shoe Goo to prevent a very similar fate. Then the shoes arrived, and it was one surprise after another.

At the end of the first wet DeLa round, the Syncrasy’s were wet and crusted with mud, but my feet were dry.

In the ad, the look of the shoes made me think of them as specialized athletic equipment in the same way as rock climbing shoes do. Just a bit exotic, and built for a specific purpose. When I got them on my feet, though, they looked less blocky and utilitarian and more sleek and, well normal. If you end up wearing these other places besides the disc golf course, you’ll look marvelous (as long as you clean them up a bit).

Another big surprise was the combination of comfort and performance. The surprise had nothing to do with me starting out skeptical about Idio being able to deliver on both fronts. I spoke with the owner/designer and came away extremely impressed by his capabilities. Rather, it had to do with assumptions I made after I put the shoes on for the first time but before I played my first round in them.

First off, these shoes are way lighter than I expected. To look at them, I thought they were a hybrid between trail runners and light hiking boots, and that made me think they’d be heavier – “clunkier” – than I like. Not so! Every time I pick them up, I notice how light they are.

Putting them on, I was struck by the way they felt very secure at the top of the shoe but almost too roomy inside in the front (the toe box). If I was asked in general “How do those shoes feel?” I would have said right away they felt great. They did. They do. But it seemed almost certain that that comfort would come at the price of performance.

One of the first tests of the Idio’s off-the-fairway chops took place on a mountain course that had just been reopened after being untouched for 2 years. No slips, no turned ankles!

By the time I got to wear them out on the course I had forgotten about this fit issue, likely because my feet quickly acclimated to this uniquely designed shoe on the walk from the car. I received no trepidatious warning signals that my footing wasn’t to be trusted. That’s a good thing, an essential thing, because my full drive requires tons of trust as I plant my anchor foot and count on it to hold fast. If I was hesitant right from the start, the shoes would not have received a full test and any drives launched would be severely compromised.

I didn’t think about that issue again until the end of the round when I began to formulate this review. I realized that not once while playing a very rugged mountain course did I feel like I lost balance or traction due to my feet moving around inside the shoe (or for any other reason). In a future review I’ll get into shoe lingo a little (very little, probably) to explain how this is possible in more technical terms. For now, though, I can say they protect my feet and by extension the rest of my body like stout footwear designed solely for that purpose, but feel like comfortable walking shoes the rest of the time.

Water Resistant?

As to the water resistant qualities of the Idio Syncrasy: I threw LOTS of water at these shoes, and they resisted all of it. You may have read about the storms and flooding in California in January 2022. I played in steady rain a couple of times for hours at a clip. Each time, when I checked my socks afterward, they were completely dry. I even lowered one shoe as far into a deep puddle as I dared without allowing water to pour in through the top.

Time will tell more, and like all athletic shoes no one expects the water resistance to last forever. But in one of my key areas I can report: So far, so good!

User Feedback

At this writing, the Syncrasy has 388 ratings on the Idio website, with an average of around 4.5. That’s a decent sample size, but I find face-to-face testimonials much more useful. Right after ordering the shoes I began to notice people at my local courses wearing them, so I started asking for opinions.

I did not hear one single negative comment, and common themes were “comfortable,” “lighter than I expected,” “great traction,” and “so far, so good.” I didn’t get down on the ground to conduct a super-close inspection, but from a few feet away I detected no visible signs of early wear or shoddy craftsmanship. Granted, none could have been older than 6 months, but I spoke to seven different people, and the consistency of their answers is noteworthy.

It seems pretty likely Idio managed to nail down good quality control right from the start. Also, if any of the company’s disc golf-specific design elements were a big swing-and-miss, I believe one of the folks I spoke to would have noticed already and called it out. The word on the street: So far, so good.

summary

Time will tell whether the Idio Syncrasy lasts significantly longer than the parade of trail running shoes I’ve tried. We’ll know more as the months wear on. After a vigorous trial period, they’re showing no signs of distress.

Aside from the built-up toes, the other disc golf-specific features are difficult to judge. I’ll learn more as I delve into each with the shoe’s creator in future posts. It’s clear that the roomy toe box, X-flex zone in the sole, and high-rise midsole work together to create that unique combination of comfort and control. I experienced it first-hand. If you’re the type of person who loves or needs to learn exactly how and why, stay tuned for future updates to this review.

If you’re in a similar situation as I was last year, watching DGN and looking for my next disc golf shoe, I’d say it’s a no-brainer. The Idio Syncrasy is a genuine disc golf shoe that is well-built and designed from scratch for the sport of disc golf. (Update: I typed those words before noticing the price of the shoes has temporarily dropped from $130 to $103.20.)

If you just bought a pair of something else (like me when I saw that ad on DGN), stay tuned. I’ll be adding updates here as the test goes on and I glean more info from Idio.