Ecco shoes that improve posture

Ecco has a simple philosophy: shoes must follow the foot.

When you wear a pair of shoes that allow your foot to lead, you can change the way your body feels, acts, and responds. These shoes can improve your posture, even when you’re standing still.

In 1963, Karl Toosbuy sold his car and home and moved to Bredebro, Denmark, where he opened his first factory for his new company, Ecco Sko A/S (later renamed Ecco). The first works focused on flexible and durable soles for unparalleled comfort. In the late 1990s, the company began offering men’s and women’s shoes. By the year 2000, Ecco’s largest single market was the United States, where today it goes head-to-head with shoe giants Nike, Reebok and Adidas.

The company calls its products “physiological footwear.” Due to its design, these shoes can activate the body support and postural muscles so that you walk more upright and get an improved workout. Rather than make the foot conform to the shoe, Ecco builds its shoes to follow the normal form and function of the foot. The response to the 56-year-old company has been positive. Today it is one of the world’s leading shoe companies and is one of the leaders in the field of comfortable footwear.

One of Ecco’s most popular lines is their MBT footwear, which stands for Masai Barefoot Technology. Explaining the process, Ecco suggests remembering the sensation of walking barefoot on a natural surface. There is nothing smooth about a grassy surface, as it generally “gives” more than a concrete surface. Walking across these variations in the surface can cause you to constantly change your posture, so your foot stretches out more, your gait changes, and your posture improves.

Basically, MBT technology allows us to walk the way our ancestors walked before the day of shoes. Also:

• tones and strengthens the muscles of the feet, legs, buttocks, stomach and back
• improves circulation and increases muscle activity
• relieves stress on the back and joints
• absorbs the impact on our joints and discs
• helps us stand taller

Ecco’s line of sports shoes (MBT shoes) propelled Ecco into the shoe business. These shoes come in athletic styles, boots, casual shoes, clogs, sandals, and dress shoes for men and women. They are all made with Masai Barefoot technology.

• The classic Ecco shoe is the black nubuck and mesh MBT Men’s Sport model, which comes in black with a white stripe around the back of the heel. This model comes in a variety of colors and stripes, including solid black.
• Ecco also makes walking shoes that look a lot like athletic shoes, but made of soft leather that wraps around the foot. This model also comes in white with navy blue leather details.
• Ecco did not forget about the nature lover either. The chocolate Kifundo leather boot has the same MBT sole. The leather goes up to the ankle and has five buttonholes for lacing.
• Similar to the Kifundo boot is the Fanaka Gore-Tex chocolate nubuck. This model doesn’t rise as high at the ankle as the boot, which makes this waterproof model a bit more stylish. It is available in rough brown leather and smooth black waterproof leather.
• For a dress shoe, men may want to try the Tariki – Walnut Oiled leather shoe. Still within the MBT family, this shoe has four laces and comes in a rich burnished brown.
• For casual days, Ecco makes several men’s sandals, all MBT models. The Kisumu sandal for men in chocolate nubuck has a special sole for walking and two thick straps that provide ample support to the foot. It is also available in two variations: black nubuck and black nubuck with gray trim. Women who want the support of MBT shoes have almost as many selections to choose from as men. They can choose from sneakers similar to the men’s models, such as the Chapa in ebony suede and mesh, as well as coffee brown, birch nubuck and mesh, and chili (red) nubuck and mesh.
• For some color and fun, try the Lami Mary-Jane in purple suede. She sports gray leather trim and a velcro strap to break up the purple. Do you like the shoe, but want to tone down the color? It also comes in caviar black leather.
• Do you want something more elegant? Take a look at the Tunisha Mary-Jane in grape leather. Smooth leather and a buckled strap add to the sleeker look, but the sole gives you the same great ride as sportier models. The Tunisha is also available in plain black.
• Go outside when it’s hot? Try one of the women’s MTB sandals: the Kisumu sandal in black or chocolate nubuck – or the black Panda with white trim (also available in anthracite, which is silver with deep purple trim).

With so many comfortable and stylish shoes to choose from, Ecco is making fashion footwear fun again!