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The TRUE Linkswear OG3 High has supreme waterproofing and excellent stability. Good traction. Strong, utilitarian looks. Out of the box comfort and zero heel drop.
Introduction
Over the last several years, we’ve seen more high top golf shoes, but they’ve almost all been fashion pieces. The new TRUE Linkswear OG3 High is a high top that’s purpose-built, a “waterproof golf boot” that’s meant to keep you on the course no matter how bad the conditions get. If the shoe’s tagline – “made for misery” – resonates with your approach to the game, read on.
Looks
If you replaced the tone-on-tone “TRUE” from the lateral side with “Merrell” or “Salomon”, the TRUE Linkswear OG3 High would fit seamlessly on the shelf of any REI. TRUE describes this shoe as a “waterproof golf boot,” which describes the look perfectly.
The OG3 High has almost no decorations – it’s monochromatic and the branding is minimal – which is exactly what this shoe deserves. It’s already a stand out thanks to the high top silhouette. Moreover, this is a shoe built for playing in the mud, not strutting down a runway.
The TRUE Linkswear OG3 High is available in two colors: black and nimbus (off white).
Comfort
Despite having such a unique silhouette, the TRUE Linkswear OG3 High has a feel that will be familiar to fans of the brand. Out of the box, they’re very comfortable, offering a broken in, mobile feeling. These shoes feature TRUE’s signature “extra wide toe box,” giving your feet plenty of room to spread out.
Moving to the heel, the fit is snug and secure but not clamped into place. This is enhanced by the titular high ankle support. The sensation of a golf shoe riding up this high was novel but not unwelcome. If I were trekking in bad conditions or on uneven ground, the added support would be comforting.
Underfoot, the cushioning is medium soft and fairly thin. Even though this is a bigger shoe, it’s still built for natural motion and connection with the ground. To that end, the OG3 High has zero heel drop. If you’re used to traditional golf shoes, it might take a little time to get used to having your entire foot on the ground.
Performance
The TRUE Linkswear OG3 High is built for the worst conditions, so it makes sense to start with the waterproofing. With a combination of TRUEdura upper and a waterproof bootie, this shoe is guaranteed to keep your feet dry for two years. Based on my testing, you need to step into a full bucket of water to have wet feet when you’re wearing these.
The OG3 High also features a unique lacing system, with the laces wrapping around the heel (above). This does provide a little extra stability, stiffening the upper portion, and it could help you stay dry if you’re walking through ankle-high waters. I might use this feature if I were headed out in treacherous conditions, but it’s a bit much for everyday wear. Most days, I opted to use the “normal” eyelets only and double knot the extra inches of laces.
With all this talk of waterproofing and high ankle stability, you might think the TRUE Linkswear OG3 High is a heavy shoe. You’d be wrong. The OG3 High is actually lighter than the OG3, almost identical to OG Cush [review HERE], and lighter than your average golf shoe.
Finally, the OG3 High utilizes the same spikeless sole as the OG3 [review HERE]. This is a really solid design that provides good traction in most conditions. My only critique is that this is a shoe built for bad conditions, so I wish TRUE would have used replaceable spikes like they did on the Lux Player [review HERE]. In fairness, that would have made this shoe something other than an OG, so there’s always compromises to be made, balances to strike. If I have to play in the rain and mud, I will be opting for the OG3 High to keep my feet dry, and I’ll try to swing a bit more conservatively.
Conclusion
If you’re the type of player who is going to get their rounds in regardless of the weather, the TRUE Linkswear OG3 High is the golf shoe made for you. From the high ankle protection to the utilitarian look, everything about these shoes is made to tough out the worst conditions and still post a good score.
Buy the TRUE Linkswear OG3 High HERE
Editor In Chief at Plugged In Golf
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.