Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsExtremely comfortable and dry (inadvertently tested by submerging)! - UPDATED
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2021
EDIT: Changed my score from 5* to 3*. Why? The seams started splitting after only 3 months use (now had them for 4 months), and have now split both sides of each shoe. Once they had started to fail, they deteriorated rapidly and I don't expect them to last much longer. I rely on footwear to need to last as I'm walking up to 60-100 miles a week, and my Merrel shoes would last around 6 months, which I consider a good benchmark. At least the Merrel shoes wear down on the soles and not fall apart.
Slightly disappointed with that quality issue as the stitching is thin and weak at the flex points. Shame really.
ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW:
I got these as an experiment from using my trusted Merrel shoes. I have bouts of plantar fasciitis which is painful, uncomfortable and given the nature of my work (I'm a dog walker) - blooming annoying. I'd searched for recommended shoes and the Ecco brand came up frequently. These were a bit more expensive than the usual shoes I get, so only got one pair to trial.
TL:DR - I'll be getting more.
Firstly, the fit is amazing. The provided inserts are firm, but not too much. They provide slight support in the arch, so for people without my issue then they're probably really comfortable. I use Easyfeet Orthotic Inserts which are a little thicker and have a much higher, rigid arch support. These shoes were still super comfortable with these added.
Also, I absolutely love the minimalist design of them - no obvious logo, clean black design and really just all round excellent in appearance (if you're into aesthetics of things like I am).
They're warm, but not too warm. It'll be interesting to see how they feel in the summer, if they keep my They breathe really well, in fact in wet weather they will "bubble" when walking, but my feet are still bone dry! I was walking one dog who decided the stream by the path was more fun, and as I went to retrieve them, ended up stepping one foot completely into the stream.
The foot was still dry. I was amazed at this. Yes, some water seeped in from the ankles, and a small amount around the tongue, but the majority of my foot was dry. My trouser leg wasn't. Absolutely fantastic shoe, and they seem to be lasting.
I walk a large number of miles per week, every day in these. The wear to the sole seems pretty normal, at nearly two months (as of writing this review), they are really holding up. I'd estimate I've done somewhere between 5-600 miles so far, and they're still in excellent condition.
I'll definitely get more of these and put them into rotation use to last longer.
