Apex predator: noun; A predator on the high of a meals chain that isn’t preyed upon by some other animal.
If I requested you to call an apex predator, what would you say? The tiger, lion and wolf would absolutely make your brief checklist of solutions.
However what concerning the Osprey? Generally known as the “fish hawk” (or Seahawk, for that matter), the Osprey, just like the mighty lion, is an Apex predator on the high of its meals chain.
Ospreys have giant talons and sharp beaks that they use to tear aside their prey. In different phrases, Ospreys don’t play with their meals.
No nonsense. Kill or be killed.
That perspective, together with the backing {of professional} golf’s Apex predator (sure, it is a Tiger Woods joke), is what Solar Day Pink hopes propels their entrant into the approach to life golf shoe class to the highest of the meals chain.
Introducing the Solar Day Pink Osprey: the model’s first foray into the approach to life section of the golf shoe market.
So, what makes the Osprey totally different than, say, the Jordan 1 G, or one thing just like the Samba golf sneakers? Your typical life-style golf sneakers didn’t begin as golf sneakers, however fairly have been tailored to golf by some type of small design change.
Within the case of the Jordan 1, it began as a basketball shoe. The Samba? A chilly-weather soccer shoe.
The Osprey? Designed from the bottom as much as be a golf shoe, by and thru.
And from the primary put on, you may inform. Heck, even getting them in hand for the primary. No, this wasn’t a “add some rubber right here” and “make this half waterproof” sort of venture. This was taking a easy concept, a golf shoe made to be worn on and off the course, and constructing it from scratch in one of the best ways doable.
Naturally, like most of Solar Day Pink’s choices, it began with enter from the person whose nickname is maybe probably the most feared Apex predator on this planet: Tiger.
“He needed to have the ability to play golf on the golf course, but in addition he most well-liked sporting sneakers at a few of his off-course elevated occasions.” mentioned Solar Day Pink’s Head of Footwear, Charley Hudak. “He needed to be snug in these settings and never have it seem like an excessively branded mannequin that had extra of a standard sneaker look. He needed it to be like an govt, tasteful, elevated.”
A great place to begin, positive. Woods was eager on the thought of an “govt” shoe, the kind of sneaker that you just’d see in boardrooms (suppose Cole Haan, Greats or Allen Edmonds).
That half was simple. The laborious half? Making an govt sneaker that carried out on the course.
“Our goal is to make the very best product, the very best tools, the very best instruments for golfers.” Hudak continued. “We needed to ensure… that this shoe was going to be worn heading in the right direction, astray.”
And that they did. A full synthetic-leather higher gives nice flexibility and a few water resistance, with a streamlined, elegant look. A drop-in EVA wedge sits inside the rubber cupsole, offering elite-level step-in consolation.
“We made it a three-quarter booty building in order that the tongue stays fastened. It doesn’t fall to at least one aspect,” Hudak chimed in. “You undoubtedly can play golf in it. It has the traction parts. They’re 3.5mm recessed lugs.”
However the design doesn’t cease there. As we’ve turn out to be accustomed to with Solar Day Pink, the Osprey is filled with easter eggs paying homage to the dominance of Woods.
“On the toe field right here we have now three rows of micro perfs, sort of leaning into the story of the rule of thirds, which Tiger has a powerful affinity in the direction of,” Hudak identified.
“We strengthened it with three [perfs] right here on the medial aspect, after which on the heel, the heel mustache, or the heel overlay. We’ve 4 debosses that sort of inform the story of the majors.”
So, what’s to make of the entire package deal?
It’s strong. Actually strong.
I’ve worn lots of of golf sneakers, together with almost each golf sneaker you may consider. And there are few, if any that I’d put up in opposition to the Solar Day Pink Osprey when it comes to general versatility.
The Osprey suits the invoice with a near-perfect mix of efficiency and life-style. Will it blow you away with traction? Nope. However it works. Will it’s as steady as their performance-focused Pioneer line? Nope, nevertheless it’s bought an built-in heelcup to maintain you locked in.
And it’s darn snug.
I’m undecided we’ll see this pair on tour. I don’t suppose it’ll ever outsell my private favorites just like the Jordan 1 G or Samba golf shoe … however the Solar Day Pink Osprey is the right instance of what the challenger model can do once they maintain “first issues first”.
That “first” factor was, as is usually the case with Solar Day Pink, making one thing probably the most dominant golfer on the planet may very well be pleased with.
“In the end, we simply needed to fulfill him. And he’s been sporting all of it day.”
The publish Designed by Tiger: The Solar Day Pink Osprey, An “Apex Predator” of Golf Footwear? appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
