Ecco Exceed Low

This style is stylish and comfortable. I also like its versatility as both a fashionable everyday casual shoe and as a function urban walker or hiker. I feel like I got two pairs of shoes for one price!

I do a lot of travel and am always looking for a comfortable pair of travel or walking shoes. I want something versatile for travel. A style which I can wear for both style and function. ECCO has always been a good fit for me and they wear extremely well.

So, when I came across this walking shoe at REI, it fit the bill perfectly. I have only worn this shoe on one trip but gave it a good workout both on and off the road. It will definitely be on my next trip!

These are an extremely comfortable shoe. Great cushion and stability for urban hiking.

The Ecco Exceed Low is a great shoe for traveling and around town. From the sole to the laces this Ecco has spent the time and energy to construct a trainer that can put the miles on dirt or pavement and still be stylish enough to wear out to dinner.

The sole is a very interesting mix of soft flex grooves and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) Flex Web that provides flexibility in the sole and great traction. The midsole is direct injected polyurethane foam for stability and a more even fit. Thick removable insoles provide that extra margin of cushion while providing a cradle for my feet.

The sole has been molded directly to the Yak Nubuck uppers. The sides of the shoe have been embossed to add that style factor and the padded tongue and upper padded edges feature a mesh perforated material for added comfort. Colored accents complete the look of these performance trainers.

A size 9 fit my feet perfectly and the shoes were comfortable from the start. Though they did not require a break-in period they felt even better the more I wore them. Flat laces through loops and a pair of eyelets provide a nice solid closure.

When I first received the Ecco Exceeds I was immediately taken in by the style and originally thought of them as a comfortable dress shoe. That thought was quickly replaced when I started to wear them day after day. Starting with several trips to New York City where I was pounding both the sidewalks for miles and the dirt trails of Central Park, I really began to appreciate how supportive and comfortable these shoes are. Five or six hours of walking didn't begin to tire out my feet. The mesh interior did a nice job of keeping my feet from sweating while the temperatures were in the 80s.

Back home on local park trails, I found the traction to be quite good especially in wet conditions. The Yak Nubuck uppers are soft enough to flex easily while still offering more lateral support the sneakers. While the Nubuck does require a little care to keep it looking good that is more than made up for with the comfort and style it provides. If you only want to travel with a single pair of shoes that can work well on a variety of surfaces and situations this is the shoe for you. A big plus for me is the color, I love blue shoes.

The soles are showing little wear after four months of use and abuse. As you can see in the pictures the uppers are holding up very well. I love Blue shoes.

Shoe details:

• Size: 5.5-14.5
• Colors: Marine, Birch, Black, Dried Tobacco, Tarmac
• Price: MSRP $150, on sale $99.99-$129.99

Disclosure: I received a sample of this product for purposes of this review, but the opinions expressed are my own.