Ecco is introducing the BIOM Hybrid golf shoe for Spring 2012, which brings together two of its most successful models of the past two years: the casual Golf Street, which grabbed headlines during the 2010 US Masters when Fred Couples wore them at Augusta; and Biom Golf, which was launched for Spring 2011 and incorporates Ecco’s Natural Motion concept – the company’s interpretation of minimalist footwear for golf.
Ecco’s distinctive Golf Street shoes are made with leather uppers that resemble a smart, understated trainer, while instead of featuring standard golf spikes on the outsole, the shoes are made with pre-moulded TPU traction bars. Something of a hybrid shoe itself – between the trainer and the golf shoe - Street provides sufficient traction for playing golf, while they can also be worn in the clubhouse and as everyday shoes, hence the name.
Ecco has been paid the greatest of compliments for its introduction of Golf Street, as rivals FootJoy, adidas and Ashworth are all following suit with ‘Street’ shoes of their own for next Spring.
As for Ecco Biom, the theory is based on the school of thought in allied fields of biomechanics, physiology, hormonal health and nutrition, that populations growing up barefoot develop better arch formation, lower injury rates and improved athletic performance, despite less sophisticated nutrition, exercise routines and conditioning than in ‘developed’, shoe-horned populations. The idea is that active feet are in fact better off without excessive cushioning or motion control. The Biom Golf shoes are designed to guide the foot through its natural motion path, while fitting like a second skin.
In merging the Street and Biom concepts into one shoe, the new Biom Hybrid features the upper and cushioning of the Biom, while its sole features the TPU traction bars from the Street.
“Golf Street literally created the hybrid category, and it all began with the simple notion that a golf shoe can
be much more than a golf shoe,” says Michael Waack, head of global golf at Ecco. “That philosophy, along with our foot-first approach to shoemaking and decades of research, has now led to the phenomenal Biom Hybrid.”
The Biom Hybrid shoes are made from yak leather, which Ecco promises to be extremely soft, smooth and breathable, yet three times stronger than other leathers. The uppers should also benefit from Hydromax waterproof treatment. Ready for retail from January 2012, the Biom Hybrid comes with an RRP of £160.
