Adidas has had itself a busy year. After launching the hero Tour360 24 shoe in February, we've seen new colorways drop for the Samba golf shoe and the classic MC80. This fall, it's readying itself to release the third generation of its impressive spikeless franchise, replacing the Codechaos 22 which launched two years ago. I've been a regular wearer of this particular shoe since launch, so was very excited to see what upgrades had been made for this latest iteration.
One of the most noticeable differences on the new Codechaos is the outsole. On the 2022 version, the outsole actually bled onto the sides of the shoe, providing a eye-catching look as well as the benefit of extra grip on the instep of the shoe. That's gone in the 2025 version, with the silhouette returning to what we might consider a more conventional looking shoe. I really liked the funky outsole design on the 2022 version and am sad to see it gone - it really stood out in amongst a mass of very similar looking golf shoes.
Not only has the presence of the outsole changed, but the lugs that make it up have been altered too. The lugs have been placed over a greater surface area than on the previous iteration of the shoe, and you can really feel it at work on the golf course. I'd only class a handful of spikeless shoes as 'all year round' shoes and the Codechaos 25 certainly fits that bracket. The outsole is superb in all ground conditions, and really gives you the sort of confidence you often only get wearing a spiked golf shoe. Only the Under Armour Drive Pro SL and FootJoy Pro/SLX can compete with the all year round wearability of the Codechaos 25 outsole. Adidas are certainly shouting about its redesigned outsole too. I really like the neon green and pink accents that cover the outsole - I think it adds a touch of flare and pizzazz that we've come to expect from a shoe with the word chaos literally in the name.
Adding to the versatility in all conditions, the upper - which is comprised of a multi layer knit material - is fully waterproof and cleans really easily. This is thanks to the transparent PU film that covers the upper, which also offers a window into the unique patterns that covers the top of the knit. Regardless of which of the current two colorways you choose - white/green or black/white - I expect these will be able to kept looking fresh regardless of which conditions you most regularly play in. That being said - unlike many other of the best Adidas golf shoes - the Codechaos isn't a particularly great off course shoe thanks in part to the comprehensive outsole and athletic silhouette that just doesn't blend in with any off course attire. Then again, this shoe was never designed with off course functionality in mind.
The feeling underfoot through the insole and midsole is certainly firmer than that of other spikeless shoes I've tested this year. The likes of the FootJoy Quantum and Ecco LT1 both have much more immediate softness under foot if this is what you prefer. That being said, the Codechaos franchise continues to be a remarkably comfortable golf shoe despite the relative lack of softness underfoot. Much like the shoe it is replacing, the support it provides laterally as well as the Boost cushioning is still comfortable.
There is still plenty of rebound present underfoot too, which I imagine is why they are so pleasant to wear across 18 holes. There is a 'hybrid' midsole in Codechaos 25, consisting of both Boost and Lightstrike technologies we've come to be familiar with in other Adidas golf shoes. While Boost does a lot for the energy return you can feel through the foot, Lightstrike has been added to help with stability. You can really feel that at play and, unlike some of the softer under foot spikeless shoes I've tested, your foot doesn't roll around in this shoe.
Sizing comes up slightly awkward on Adidas golf shoes, and the Codechaos is no different. In the old model, I was a size 8.5UK, but the same size in the new model is slightly too large for me. With that in mind, I'd say the Codechaos 25 is a true-to-size shoe, so go with whatever size you most commonly go for.
All in all this is a solid upgrade job done by Adidas. The redesigned lugs on the outsole have made what was already a comprehensive outsole even more convincing. The comfort is still there from the old model, and I'd stay the stability has also been turned up a notch. At £140 ($169), there is great value for money here considering how often you'll be able to wear it. For £150 ($179), a BOA option is also available. Adidas worked closely with BOA to integrate its lacing system into this silhouette and, having only seen images of it thus far, it looks superb and no doubt will give golfers that added locked in feeling alongside the easily adjustable lacing system. For those who want to invest in one shoe to take them through all conditions all year round, the new Codechaos is a real contender.
Both laced and BOA versions are available now in the UK. The BOA option is available now in the USA, with the laced version arriving on November 1st.
