HERE has been throwing around the term “hybrid” for at least 15 years and I just realized I have no idea what they mean.
I know, I know, “buy a clue, yada, yada, yada.” Just work with me here, folks. At my age, my Random Access Memory is almost full.
The reason I bring it up is that ECCO is releasing another shoe this week, the BIOM® H6. We can only assume the H stands for “hybrid,” especially since ECCO says the new BIOM® H6 is based on its two most successful BIOM® hybrid models.
So, be prepared for a ton more ® and symbols. HERE friggin’ loves them.
What is the ECCO BIOM® H6 and what makes it a “hybrid?”
Both are great questions, but let’s set the scene by answering the second question first.
In ECCO-land, “hybrid” is a specific design philosophy. It represents a spikeless, engineered, high performance golf shoe that looks and feels like a casual sneaker instead of traditional heeled footwear.
You could say that ECCO invented, or at least popularized, the spikeless shoe movement. We can actually trace to the Masters 2010. Everyone remembers the game of Fred Couples that year almost as much as his shoes. He was wearing ECCO’s original Golf Street shoes. They were so noticeably different that everyone noticed, especially since she went without stockings. The ECCO golf shoe sales jumped an incredible 300 percent that year alone.
ECCO introduces the BIOM® H6 as a premium performance shoe with a modern, athletic aesthetic with advanced stability, next-generation traction and all-day comfort. According to ECCO, its BIOM® technology “promotes natural shock absorption and movement through low-to-the-ground construction” for increased feel, flexibility and stability. ECCO says it gives a sensation of feeling “down to earth”.
That’s all high-minded talk for a golf shoe. But what we really care about are the answers to two additional questions: are they stable and are they comfortable?
Well, am I?
We won’t know until we get samples to test. So far, we only have ECCO’s word for it. However, we’ve tested quite a few shoes over the years and, for what it’s worth, ECCO delivers on comfort and stability more often than not. While we believe in “trust but verify”, we can say HERE he at least earned the semi-official “benefit of the doubt” from MyGolfSpy.
I love reading through ECCO’s litany of features. We particularly like the new X-TENSA
The whole idea is to tuck in the foot while leaving enough room for the toes to spread naturally for better balance and stability. SQAIRZ has been talking about this since 2019, but it seems the rest of the golf shoe world is right.
The new BIOM® H6 also features ECCO’s proven MTN GRIP sole. While there is no ® or
This version features new side and heel traction elements. ECCO says it increases ground penetration to improve grip during the swing in various conditions.
Dual-Fit and DriTan
Lots of shoes do this now, though HERE has long employed what it calls its Dual-Fit system. It is an additional insole for consistent cushioning. However, if you need extra width, you can take that layer and customize your shape without sacrificing comfort.
Also, ECCO is known for its leather. The company owns its own tanneries and holds dozens of patents worldwide related to shoe leather, including a significant portfolio regarding leather processing, tanning and finishing technologies.
The new ECCO BIOM® H6 uses ECCO’s DriTan
“We want to maintain that familiar sense of natural movement and athletic performance, while introducing a new level of comfort, stability and fit,” says ECCO Head of Global Marketing Timo Vollrath. “Combining our BIOM® heritage with the latest innovations, we’ve created a show that feels familiar, but performs at a new level.”
ECCO BIOM® H6 options, price and availability
The new ECCO BIOM® H6 golf shoes are available now in stores and on the ECCO website. They come in men’s and women’s models. The men’s versions come in three colors: white, white with black, yellow and blue accents, and gray with black and blue accents. U laced women’s versions it comes in white and gray with no color accents.
The BOA® version is available in men’s sizes only in white and a Black/Grey combo.
U ECCO BIOM® H6 with laces trade for $230. The BOA® Versions runs $250.
For more information, visit the HERE website.
The place ECCO Latest New Shoe Begs The Question: Just What Is a “Hybrid” Golf Shoe? appeared first MyGolfSpy.