I've worn steel-spiked golf shoes forever when mowing the lawn in the belief that it helps the lawn. Shopping to replace the shoes, I only find spikeless shoes that look like soil-compactors.
Salespeople say they are easier on golf greens.
I'd appreciate your advice. According to University of California research, aeration of lawns by punching holes without removing soil is not effective, says UC master gardener Bill Pierce. The research shows that punched holes quickly collapse and do not aid in getting air and water to the turf's root zone. Aeration is most effective when soil cores are removed from the lawn surface. The holes may be filled with sand or left alone.