When Fred Couples hit the course at the 2010 Masters, little did he know that he and Ecco were about to start a golf shoe revolution. The sound coming from his shoes was as resounding as metal spikes hitting asphalt. That’s because there was no sound at all. Spikeless, or hybrid golf shoes as they’re known, had officially arrived.
Couple’s popularity ignited interest in hybrid shoes, ECCO’s sales exploded, and it seemed like overnight that ECCO was on course to becoming a big-time player in the industry.
In the 10 years since, ECCO hybrid golf shoes can be found on the feet of golfers everywhere. The name has become synonymous with unsurpassed craftsmanship that translates to style, comfort, durability and flexibility. Ask anyone who’s wearing a pair how they like them, and the responses are usually along the lines of ‘most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn,’ ‘they keep my feet dry,’ or ‘it’s nice not having to change out of them after the round.’
As the game has grown, and club technology along with it, so has ECCO’s commitment to the technological advancements that go into their shoes. That’s why they say ‘their manufacturing is their marketing.’
It’s the on-course, off-course versatility that makes the ECCO hybrid even more appealing these days. As club dress codes become more relaxed, and the casual player more prominent, there’s nothing better than a shoe that looks hip and stylish on the course, and later that night at the high-end steakhouse. And you can bet you’ll find those same golfers sporting ECCO while walking the dog or browsing the mall.
But you don’t build an iconic name like ECCO without first building a product that earns its reputation on the course. Since 1963, the company has been using only the best raw materials and innovative technology to continually refine their shoe designs.
Raw materials and production are always in the best hands — ECCO’s. They own their own tanneries and production facilities. In their relentless pursuit to lead the way for innovation, they constantly turn conventional shoe engineering on its head, without ever losing sight of the time-tested craftsmanship that goes into every pair.
So, what goes into an ECCO shoe that makes it so good?
Fluidform Technology is the ‘sole,’ so to speak, of each ECCO shoe. Developed over three decades, it allows for ergonomically advanced soles. A resilient, shock-absorbent material is injected directly into the shoe mold, bonding the sole to the upper instantly and seamlessly. By eliminating the compromises common with glued or stitched assemblies, the result is a reliable and durable union between the upper and the sole unit. For the wearer, it cradles their foot and cushions their step, absorbs shock for longer lasting comfort, and makes for a relatively light and flexible shoe that’s easy to move around in.
GORE-TEX, a highly breathable and 100% waterproof membrane, is integrated into the uppers before they’re carefully sealed. This ensures dry feet in wet conditions, while allowing the shoes to breathe.
New and exciting for 2021 is the men’s and women’s BIOM Hybrid 4. The next generation in the BIOM line, the Hybrid 4 represents an ‘evolution in motion.’ The latest BIOM® 2.0 last is based on the natural shape and movement of the foot. It offers a modern, updated look and feel with the same, reliable BIOM® NATURAL MOTION® Technology, which translates into low-to-the-ground stability, anatomical support and a glove-like fit.
For ground control on even the hardest swings, the pioneering new ECCO MTN GRIP outsole has three zones that provide stability, durability and rotational support. The TPU element on the side of the H4 wraps around the foot from the outsole to the midsole, boosting stability while adding to the contemporary, premium design.
The upper is crafted from premium ECCO leather that can withstand wind and water. GORE-TEX ensures 100% waterproof protection and high breathability.
For additional stability, X-TENSA INVISIBLE Technology links the sole unit to the laces via internal enforcement. And as an added feature, a removable, washable Ortholite® foam inlay sole provides long-term cushioning and superior breathability. When removed, it provides the option for extra width.
For more information go to ca.ecco.com.
