ECCO began as a response to uncompromising footwear. More than 40 years ago in the small southern Jutland town of Bredebro, Denmark, Karl Toosbuy pioneered a revolution in footwear, choosing comfort over conformity. Tired of having his feet mold to his shoes, he charged that the foot should lead the shoe. A new type of footwear was born, crafted both by hand and "by heart".

Quality and craftsmanship make our shoes famous and create loyal fans who prize their comfort and value. Choose ECCO and, like many, you may never choose to wear any other shoe. Our customers know that if you want a comfortable shoe that does not compromise with trends, time, or comfort, then ECCO is the right choice.

ECCO approaches design a little differently. We design from the inside out: inside every comfortable shoe is a foot. Outside, you'll find inspiration from nature and fashion trends, the simplicity of Scandinavian design, environmental circumstances, and all the ways you run through the day. That's all important. We respond with shoes that take you from work to play, from casual Friday to tee time on Saturday and back through that great hiking trail on Sunday. We design our shoes to live up to all your functional needs. And inside it all is a comfortable foot.

To better build for comfort, we reinvented how shoes should fit. Conventional shoes fit across your feet at the toes, restricting the way your toes spread as you walk. ECCO's "Freedom Fit" fits from heel to instep, allowing toes to spread naturally to better support your weight and foster a more comfortable walking experience.

In this manner, ECCO's design philosophy embraces innovation—and tradition. European design is all about advanced materials, high performance, and beautiful styling. We explore and create at the nexus of these goals. Our award-winning designers draw inspiration from life around us, our heritage, and new materials to make every shoe a work of art that puts technology at the service of nature.