Customer Reviews

ECCO Men's Austin Cap Toe Oxford,Black,41 EU (US Men's 7-7.5 M)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been wearing Ecco shoes and boots for about 25 years, and have owned perhaps a couple dozen pairs. I currently own a pair of Ecco boots, two pairs of dress shoes (this item), and a couple pairs of their casual shoes. I even tried their sandals, though I wouldn't recommend them.

I bought into the line initially because they fit my feet beautifully. I found out after the fact that they wear like iron. The following is no exaggeration whatsoever: Most of the time I alternate between a pair of brown and black cap toes - meaning that I wear these shoes during the work week, each pair, for about 150 times per year including the odd weekend use. That's in all weather. I don't shine my Eccos more than a couple of times per year, max, i.e., they get almost no care. The result? A pair of these shoes lasts me between 4-5 YEARS!

The black pair I'm wearing right now is 4 years old. The upper looks to be in perfect condition. Ecco uses an oil-impregnated leather that holds up without cracking for years. As I said above, I don't keep my shoes shined, but the Ecco leather maintains a good appearance for a long time between shinings. The oil-impregnated leather appears to give good protection from scuffs and scratches, and the shoes take a shine readily when I bother to do it. I've replaced the insole a couple of times (Ecco leather insole). There is NO material wear on the sole! The polyurethane soles Ecco uses just don't seem to wear out. Aside from some softening of the original edges at the heel, they may as well be new. There is no thinning or beveling on one side of the heel as is usual with other shoes and no thinning of the sole up front. I'm ready to replace this pair, however, as the toes are starting to soften and the heel counter is giving out. The heel looks fine, but I can feel that an internal layer has separated.

I can wear out the sole on a a leather-soled shoe in a few months, and I don't know of a single brand other than Eccos that will hold up to daily use like mine for so long - moreover, still looking good.

These are really, really well-made shoes and worth what you pay.

(Disclaimer - I have no connection to Ecco or the shoe business in any way, shape, or form. My enthusiasm is for a product that still manages to amaze me with its quality and longevity.)

Outstanding quality in stitching and leather.
- Great Comfort
- Great Product
- Fast Delivery from Amazon

I have a little-used pair of Ecco shoes, kept for 'smart' occasions. They have sat in a cupboard for 3 years. Recently when I wanted to use them, I found the soles had seriously degraded. Other people had the same problem. See:
http://honeypot.net/ecco-shoes
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/ecco-shoes-c24076.html

My expectation is that shoes should last for at least 200 wearings, spread perhaps over a period of 10 years.Either by design or due to a bad batch, these Eccos have a shelf life of 3 years only.
If Ecco values their reputation, they should replace such shoes.

I've owned this shoe for around three years and I've worn them at work at least once per week. They show signs of cracking at the bend points, but I expect that with any shoes. Sole wear is pretty much nonexistent. My only complaint when I bought them was that I can never get them resoled, but judging by the wear I'm not seeing on the soles, I may never have to. Since the style is not overly trendy, I expect to be wearing them for 10 years or longer.

They were comfortable from day one. I believe I bought a wide width version as I have a EEE foot, but I might be wrong. Regardless, they have always fit great.

One thing perhaps worth noting. The little stickers inside the shoes have worn away, but my shoes were made in Slovakia. Some of the deteriorating sole issues with Ecco shoes I read about could be from different manufacturing facilities. That said, I would buy the shoe I own again without pause. If it were made in China or Indonesia, I would look elsewhere.

I have gotten two pairs of these types of Ecco shoes. Both pair were quite expensive, and both pairs had the heels disintegrate. One pair lasted almost ten years, but were only worn a few times a year if that. One day, while at a business meeting, the heels just fell apart. Luckily it was the last day of the meeting and I didn't have to run out to get a new pair of shoes. The other pair were basically brand new, and the same exact thing happened. Now, this is not a freak thing because IT WAS BOTH HEELS AT THE SAME TIME FOR BOTH PAIRS!!!! I thought Ecco was a great product, but not any more.