Apex predator: noun; A predator on the high of a meals chain that’s not 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 certainly make your brief record of solutions.
However what in regards to 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 Crimson hopes propels their entrant into the approach to life golf shoe class to the highest of the meals chain.
Introducing the Solar Day Crimson Osprey: the brand’s first foray into the lifestyle segment 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 relatively have been tailored to golf via some kind 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, via 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 challenge. This was taking a easy thought, a golf shoe made to be worn on and off the course, and constructing it from scratch in the easiest way potential.
Naturally, like most of Solar Day Crimson’s choices, it began with enter from the person whose nickname is probably essentially the most feared Apex predator on this planet: Tiger.
“He needed to have the ability to play golf on the golf course, but additionally he most well-liked carrying sneakers at a few of his off-course elevated occasions.” mentioned Solar Day Crimson’s Head of Footwear, Charley Hudak. “He needed to be comfy in these settings and never have it appear to be an excessively branded mannequin that had extra of a conventional sneaker look. He needed it to be like an government, tasteful, elevated.”
A very good start line, positive. Woods was eager on the thought of an “government” shoe, the kind of sneaker that you just’d see in boardrooms (suppose Cole Haan, Greats or Allen Edmonds).
That half was straightforward. The laborious half? Making an executive sneaker that performed on the course.
“Our goal is to make the finest product, the very best tools, the very best instruments for golfers.” Hudak continued. “We needed to verify… that this shoe was going to be worn on target, off beam.”
And that they did. A full synthetic-leather higher supplies nice flexibility and a few water resistance, with a streamlined, stylish look. A drop-in EVA wedge sits within the rubber cupsole, providing elite-level step-in comfort.
“We made it a three-quarter booty building in order that the tongue stays fastened. It doesn’t fall to at least one facet,” Hudak chimed in. “You positively can play golf in it. It has the traction components. They’re 3.5mm recessed lugs.”
However the design doesn’t cease there. As we’ve develop into accustomed to with Solar Day Crimson, the Osprey is stuffed with easter eggs paying homage to the dominance of Woods.
“On the toe field right here now we have 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 bolstered it with three [perfs] right here on the medial facet, after which on the heel, the heel mustache, or the heel overlay. We have now 4 debosses that sort of inform the story of the majors.”
So, what’s to make of the overall package deal?
It’s stable. Really solid.
I’ve worn a whole bunch of golf sneakers, together with almost each golf sneaker you may consider. And there are few, if any that I might put up towards the Solar Day Crimson Osprey by way of total versatility.
The Osprey matches the invoice with a near-perfect mix of efficiency and life-style. Will it blow you away with traction? Nope. Nevertheless it works. Will it’s as steady as their performance-focused Pioneer line? Nope, but it surely’s bought an built-in heelcup to maintain you locked in.
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 Crimson Osprey is the proper instance of what the challenger model can do after they maintain “first issues first”.
That “first” factor was, as is commonly the case with Solar Day Crimson, making one thing essentially the most dominant golfer on the planet might be pleased with.
“In the end, we simply needed to fulfill him. And he’s been carrying all of it day.”
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