Saturday, December 21, 2024
Ecco BIOM Golf Hydromax Review
Best Feature:
Very comfortable shoe that requires minimal break-in time
Worst Feature:
Pricey with a short warranty
Best Uses:
Comfort and stabilizing your hitting platform
Pricing:
$234.99 (1-year limited warranty)
Overview
Founded on a "feet-first" philosophy, Ecco is a Scandanavian footwear manufacturer known for producing some of the most comfortable shoes on the market. What makes Ecco unique from its competitors is that it is the only major shoemaker committed to owning the entire production process rather than outsourcing to independent factories. From tannery to retail, Ecco oversees every step a shoe takes before it ends up on your foot, which allows the company to bring innovative, high quality designs to the market. In 2009, Ecco launched a new running shoe concept, BIOM, which was inspired by the strength of barefoot runners in Africa. The design mimicked the foot's natural motion, and became so popular that Ecco quickly expanded the line to include golf shoes. Among the BIOM golf line is the Ecco BIOM Golf Hydromax shoe. Similar to the other BIOM golf shoes, the Hydromax shoe helps to improve a player's performance, while also providing exceptional comfort and support throughout the round. It has a unique, patented design that works with the foot's natural shape and motion to improve the power and accuracy of your swing by stabilizing your hitting platform and allowing your foot to flex with the proper torsion. Unlike the other BIOM golf shoes, the Hydromax's uppers are a combination of Yak leather and Hydromax™, which is leather created by Ecco to provide the shoe with water and stain resistance. The construction also helps with the shoe's breathability and fit and keeps it lightweight. In fact, if you like to walk 18 holes, you'll be happy to hear that Ecco claims the shoe is 100 grams lighter than a typical golf shoe.
You can purchase the Ecco BIOM Golf Hydromax online for about $235.
Product Report Card Grade
We give Ecco’s BIOM Golf Hydromax shoes an A- because they are one of the most comfortable pair of high-performance golf shoes on the market. Designed to work with the foot's natural shape and motion, the BIOM Golf Hydromax shoes improve your swing by stabilizing your hitting platform and by allowing your foot to flex with the proper torsion. The leather uppers are also specially designed to be water- and stain-resistant but still breathable and lightweight. Overall, this is an excellent golf shoe for almost any weather condition/terrain, but we had to deduct a few points because it is pretty expensive and its warranty is slightly less than similar shoes.
Date Reviewed
March 2013
April 2013
April 2013
Pros
Reportedly comfortable and only need minimal break-in time; water and stain-resistant; Ecco claims it is 100 grams lighter than typical golf shoes; offer good traction and stability; ability to easily change out spikes
High quality construction materials; Tour-caliber performance; waterproof; very comfortable and break-in time is reportedly minimal; removable fit bed allows for use of custom inserts or orthotics; great traditional style with many options for customization; wide range of sizes and widths with the option to purchase 2 different size shoes if your feet are different sizes
Waterproof; break-in time is reportedly minimal; classic but stylish shoe with great options for customization; good customer service and very responsive to complaints; wide range of sizes and widths with the option to purchase 2 different size shoes if your feet are different sizes; removable fit bed allows for use of custom inserts or orthotics
Cons
Expensive; short warranty; no customization options
Expensive; FootJoy says the Icons run true to size, but some reviewers felt they were narrower than the DryJoys, so you may want to get fitted
Relatively expensive; some complaints that sizes were off, so you should definitely get yourself fitted before purchasing; some complaints that construction materials didn't hold up well against normal wear and tear; some complaints that the cleats seem to capture more grass, leaves, trigs, etc. than other shoes
Price (MSRP)
$235
$260 or about $300 for MyJoys
$180 or about $220 for MyJoys
Warranty
1-year limited quality warranty. Unworn shoes bought on eccousa.com can be returned for a full refund within 60 days.
2-year waterproof warranty, 90-day quality warranty and a 30-day comfort warranty
2-year waterproof warranty, 90-day quality warranty, 30-day comfort warranty
Uppers
The BIOM Golf Hydromax's uppers are designed with a combination of Hydromax™ and Yak leather. Yak leather is 3x stronger than other leathers, and Hydromax™ leather provides water and stain resistance. The combo offers lightweight comfort and durability, while still maintaining the breathability of the shoe to keep feet cool and dry.
The Icons are designed with premium full grain leather uppers and rich calfskin detailing. The uppers are completely waterproof and resistant to stretching, but they also still allow air to circulate throughout the inside to keep your feet cool and dry.
The DryJoys have full leather uppers made with ECL™ or "Extreme Comfort Leather", which is FootJoy's proprietary waterproofing system developed with Pittards® of England. ECL™ Advanced Waterproof Leather is membrane-free and is also 30% softer than the company's previous generations of performance leather.
Lining
The inside of the BIOM Golf Hydromax shoe is made up of the Ecco Comfort Fibre System (CFS), polyester padding and EVA shell. Ecco CFS is a breathable leather lining that wicks moisture away from your foot and works to increase air circulation inside the shoe. The polyester padding and EVA shell contribute to the shoes' overall comfort, fit and support system. The linings also feature allergy-friendly materials treated with AgION® to control bacteria and odor.
For a comfortable, secure fit, the inside of the Icon shoe is lined in a breathable leather, the tongue and collar are lined with memory foam and the heel counter is covered in a soft, slip-resistant microfiber.
The DryJoys are lined in leather, which helps to prevent slippage, as well as increase the overall comfort and breathability of the shoe.
Insole/Midsole Technology
The BIOM Golf Hydromax shoes have a unique direct-injected polyurethane insole, which is extremely flexible and offers cushioning that lasts up to twice as long as EVA foam (traditionally used in athletic footwear). As such, it provides exceptional comfort and flexible midsole arch support.
The Icons have a dual-density PU Fit-Bed that is designed to imitate the foot's natural shape in order to provide more cushioned support, comfort and a better overall fit. Underneath the PU Fit Bed is the ABS Insole Board, which is a pre-molded board that is exceptionally flexible in the forefoot but gets firmer towards the heel. This design makes walking comfortable while still providing support and additional stability in the hitting platform.
The DryJoys have a Comfort Plus PU Fit-Bed® that is designed to imitate the foot's natural shape in order to provide more cushioned support, comfort and an overall better fit. The midsole is made with EVA and TPU, which offers lightweight cushioning but prevents the foot from sinking into the shoe. Combined with a fiberglass composite support bridge, this design creates an exceptionally stable hitting platform.
Last
The BIOM Golf Hydromax shoes are designed with an anatomical last that was based on scans from 2500 athletes. If you look inside the shoe, you'll notice that it appears almost like a 360° mold of a foot.
The Icons feature the ICON Laser Last design, which has a slightly square toe box and a slightly narrower heel. It has a standard fit across the front of your foot and your instep.
The DryJoys feature the Laser Plus Last design, which has a fully rounded toe bed and a slightly narrower heel. It has a standard fit across the front of your foot and your instep.
Outsole Technology
The outsole of the BIOM Golf Hydromax has a low profile design and features a unique TPU/PU direct injected, dual-density construction that provides flexibility and shock absorption. It is a durable design but also lightweight and comfortable. In the heel, it has a three-cleat configuration with stability bars in between each cleat to improve your balance.
The outsole of the Icon incorporates 3 different densities of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) to create a more stable platform, as well as increase flexibility and walking comfort. Additionally, it is designed with Dual OptiFlex™ Zones in the forefoot, which also use TPU to offer enhanced flexibility and walking comfort. Finally, to boost midfoot stability and support, the shank area of the outsole features a perforated alloy called a Torque Bar.
The DryJoys feature FootJoy's Tri-Density TPU Stability PODS™ Outsole. OptiFlex™ technology surround nine individual TPU Stability PODS and offer exceptional flexibility in order to maximize ground contact.
Turf Traction
The BIOM Golf Hydromax shoes feature 8 cleats with a Q-LOK System (completely threadless spike fastening system).
The Icons have Stinger™ cleats by CHAMP®. Stinger™ cleats offer exceptional traction without damaging greens thanks to their spring-flex design.
The DryJoys have Cyclone™ cleats by Softspikes®. Cyclone™ cleats provide excellent traction but have a spring-flex design, so they won't damage the greens.
Style
The look of the Ecco BIOM Golf Hydromax is between a sporty and traditional golf shoe. Currently, there are 8 different color options available.
The Icons are more traditional looking golf shoes and are available in 13 different styles and color combinations.
The DryJoys are more traditional looking golf shoes and are available in 8 different styles and color combinations.
Customization Ability?
No
Yes, the Icons can be customized as MyJoys and come in 7 different styles including FJ ICON Traditional, FJ ICON Shield Tip, FJ ICON Asymmetrical, FJ ICON Wave, FJ ICON Sport with BOA, FJ ICON Pyramid Saddle Laced and the FJ ICON Pyramid Saddle BOA.
Yes, the DryJoys Tour can be customized as MyJoys.
Sizes
The BIOM Golf Hydromax comes in full sizes ranging from 5 to 13. It doesn't come in different widths, but it is designed with Ecco's Freedom Fit, which gives your toes room to spread as you walk, and so it should feel comfortable on almost any foot.
The Icon comes in half sizes ranging from 7 to 15 and in all widths ranging from Narrow to Extra Wide (3E). FootJoy also allows you to purchase 2 different sized shoes if your feet aren't the same size. Non-customized Icons won't come in every size, but alternative sizes are available in the MyJoys.
The DryJoys come in half sizes ranging from 7 to 15 and in all widths ranging from Narrow to Extra Wide (3E). FootJoy also allows you to purchase 2 different sized shoes if your feet aren't the same size. Non-customized DryJoys won't come in every size, but alternative sizes are available in the MyJoys.
Runs True to Size?
Yes
Yes (however, some reviewers did feel that they were narrower than DryJoys)
Yes (however, some reports that sizes were slightly off)
Tour
Fred Couples is a fan of the BIOM Golf shoes.
Icons are a popular choice among PGA Tour players such as Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Luke Donald, Bill Haas and KJ Choi.
The DryJoys Tour are worn by pros such as Zach Johnson, Ben Crane, Steve Stricker and Jonathan Byrd.
ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Comfortable and minimal break-in time
- Water- and stain-resistant
- 100 grams lighter than typical golf shoes
- Good traction and stability
- Ability to easily change out spikes
Cons
- Expensive
- Short warranty
- No customization options
Key Features
Reputation
Outside of receiving a 4.8/5 on EccoUSA.com (79 reviews), there aren't many consolidated reviews on the Ecco BIOM Golf Hydromax shoes online. However, the individual reviews and comments that I saw on other websites were also overwhelmingly positive. People rave about the remarkable comfort of the shoe and the stability it provides. As a company, Ecco went through a rough patch in the late 90s when it came out that their shoes had faulty soles, so I think they are just recently coming into their own in terms of athletic footwear, especially for golf. In 2010, Ecco started to receive more attention on the Tour circuit when Fred Couples wore a pair of Ecco's to the Masters, but, since then, not many other pros have endorsed the shoes. Fred Couples did wear a pair of limited edition Ecco BIOM Hybrids again at the 2012 Masters, but I couldn't find any pro that preferred the Hydromax shoes in particular. It could be due to the fact that the shoes are still pretty new and, in my opinion, limited in terms of style. Based on my research, my sense is that this is a fantastic shoe overall that gives you better balance and ground control, while the fit and ultra lightweight construction provide your feet with lasting comfort and support in any weather.
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