Birte and Karl Toosbuy founded ECCO in 1963. Karl Toosbuy was trained as a shoemaker and had a dream to own his own shoe factory and run his own business. Because of this dream, the family decided to give up the security of “regular” jobs, sell their house, and move to Bredebro in Denmark.

Innovation is at the forefront of the business. They are continuously looking to find improvements for the footwear and leather industry. They strive to define new standards. The many colors, tones, shapes, and textures that come from nature are also a driving force. The inspiration isn’t just cosmetic. With the belief that the foot always comes first, Karl created anatomical shoes that follow your natural curves and offer the best experience.

The company more than fifty years of experience and even own their own tanneries with seven generations of tanners. They produce innovative leather for leading performance, lifestyle, and fashion brands. They are constantly moving forward with newer and better technologies.

ECCO shoes are crafted with the purpose of being comfortable, wearable, and stylish. To achieve these goals, they combine form and function, craftsmanship and technology. Boundaries and expectations are always being pushed.

The upper of this shoe is full grain leather. There are many reasons that people opt for a leather upper in a shoe over other materials. It all depends on what you need the shoe for. In this case, these shoes are designed to be more on the dressy/formal side. And leather has always been the first choice as far as formal or business footwear.

Breathability is the most special property of leather which no substitute material can offer. The leather is able to wick up moisture and expel it in the form of vapor. This is essential in shoes because you will sweat exponentially less in leather shoes than rubber shoes. The leather is also abrasion and stain resistant.

Durability is a strong suit with leather shoes. Genuine leather can outlast other shoes made from synthetic materials. As durable as leather is, it is still flexible as well. It will be able to stretch and conform to the shape of your feet over time. Leather is the most common material shoemakers use, especially in the making of men’s dress shoes.

The leather is, however, expensive compared to other materials, is heavy, can get hot, and, if left untreated, can be vulnerable to water damage. Keep in mind that leather comes from animal hide, so it will not be flawless.

ECCO utilizes many technological advances in their construction of footwear. ECCO keeps going strong because of the continuous development of leather uppers and special soles. Classic craftsmanship meets groundbreaking technology and innovation happens.

The midsole is made of Phorene that includes the Fluidform process. This process supplies a durable bonding of the sole and the leather upper of the shoe. This technique gives comfort in 360-degrees. Phorene gives you fifty percent more spring in your step than prior midsoles. Phorene is also not affected by standard temperature fluctuations. This has been tested to -forty degrees Celsius. Even cold weather can’t take away Phorene’s softness that offers comfort as soon as you step in. A comfortable midsole in any shoe is very important. You need the support and shock absorption, especially if you plan to be on your feet for a long period of time.

The sole of your shoe is a very important component. It is the part of your shoe that comes in direct contact with the ground and protects the bottom of your foot from punctures and scrapes. The sole on the St1 Hybrid is thermoplastic (TPU) material. It is equipped with polyurethane Shockthru technology that is said to provide double the shock absorption and cushioning of their previous shock technology. The Shockthru is visibly nestled in the TPU outsole and is also inside of the shoe under the insole.

A TPU outsole means that the bottom of the shoe is made from thermoplastic polyurethane. Its lightweight property generally means that is a long-lasting material. It is resistant to splitting, abrasion, oil, and chemicals. The cushioning and shock absorption that the TPU sole also provides will help keep you comfortably trucking along on your feet the whole way through your day.

One super convenient feature of the St1 Hybrid is the removable lining. It may provide optimal comfort for some consumers, but for some others, it may not. Everyone’s feet are different and some feet with disorders or issues need special inserts. If you have arch pain, plantar fasciitis, diabetes, or any other issue regarding your foot health, you will appreciate this feature.

The full grain leather that is used for the upper of this shoe will provide you with all-day comfort. Firstly, the leather is very breathable. More so than other materials because, uniquely, leather has the ability to wick moisture away from your feet and proceed to expel it as vapor. This will help keep your feet dry and cool throughout the day.

The leather is also flexible and will, over time, conform to the shape of your foot for a very personalized, secure fit. You will also be more protected from abrasions and stains with the sleek, easy to maintain leather. The leather is a very durable material, especially when cared for properly. And, when it does lose its life, leather can be repaired and/or replaced. You will save money in the long run not having to buy new shoes altogether.

The St1 Hybrid is classified in a category of footwear called the Oxford shoe. What sets the Oxford shoe apart is that the shoelace eyelet tabs adhere to the shoe under the upper front part of the shoe known as the vamp. This is a feature called “closed lacing”. The similar style, Derby’s, have shoelace eyelets that adhere to the top, instead of underneath, the vamp.

When Oxfords originally came about, they were plain, dress shoes made of leather. However, they have grown to offer a variety of styles that are suitable for casual, formal, and uniform wear. To keep up with the fashion industry, manufacturers are now using a wider variety of materials. This includes quality materials such as canvas, suede, faux/genuine leather, and calf leather. Typically, these shoes are black or brown in color.

Countries in the United Kingdom are where the Oxfords made their first appearances. North America was blessed with this style in the 1800s. Oxfords got their design inspiration from the boot known as the Oxonian, which is a half-boot with side slits that was popular at the Oxford University.

The secret to keeping your leather products looking nicer for longer is by making sure that you take the time to properly care and treat them. There are many people who don’t know how to do it correctly and therefore end up causing more of a mess.

When it comes to leather, you need to make sure that you get some cleaner made specifically for leather and you’ll want to invest in a soft brush. You can remove small debris using a soft brush. Make sure you start at the top of the ankle and brush back and forth the entire way down the surface of the shoe. You can use an eraser to remove any scuff marks. Once the marks are removed, lightly brush the shoe again.

You will want to do spot cleaning at least once per week, especially if you wear them every day. The soles can be scrubbed with mild dish soap and a toothbrush. A cotton swab can be very useful in getting the dirt out of the tread.

The St1 Hybrid comes in four beautiful color options. They are as follows: black smooth, cognac smooth, moon rock nubuck, and black nubuck. The “smooth” options are a very sleek, shiny aesthetic. The nubuck options are more of a very soft suede look. The cognac color is like a dark chocolate/caramel mixture. Moon rock is a light, subtle shade of grey. The nubuck soles are white and the smooth soles are black.

Whether you choose the black smoother or the black nubuck, you have a few options for your outfit look. You can go with the timeless, edgy black on black look for a dramatic statement. You can make your outfit pop with bright, contrasting colors such as yellow, orange, pink, or teal. If you want to incorporate color but on a more subtle scale, you can throw in several shades of pastels.

With the cognac smooth color, you are more than capable of achieving a modern and sleek look that is relaxing and trendy. You can pair brown with blue (the right shades, of course). Brown and blue go so great together with the cool tones of blue paired with the warmth of the brown. Brown also looks great with fuschia for a more feminine, energetic feel. Bright yellow looks lively and fun when blended correctly with brown as well.

For the beautiful grey of the Moon Rock option, your options are virtually endless. Grey looks great with other neutral tones, pastel tones, bright tones, warn or cool tones. You can let your creative side run wild with this color.

This Oxford shoe is the perfect fit for men of all ages and backgrounds. They are versatile enough that they can be worn for formal occasions such as military balls or weddings but also can be worn to a work meeting or a dinner with your wife. If you choose, you can even wear them to the grocery store. They have the perfect mix of classic charm, sophistication, and modern comfort.

They have a pull tab at the heel for easier donning and laces on the vamp for fit adjustments. This is a great feature considering that these shoes are not offered in narrow or wide sizes. For some people, the option to tighten or loosen the fit makes it possible to wear them with narrow or wide feet. You are the only one who knows your feet, so it’s up to you to decide if they will work for you.

They are constructed with high quality, durable materials that work as a unit to provide you with comfort, support, stability, durability, great aesthetics, and protection. The leather uppers will keep you cool and dry as well as comfortable as they will conform to the shape of your feet over time.

These shoes may have a slightly steep price tag, however, they are made of quality materials and that makes a huge difference.