Pamela Dransfield on putting her ECCO Biom Lite to the test:
I’ve now had the opportunity to wear my beautiful new ECCO shoes in three hard workouts. Previously, I’d worn “Indoor” trainers (new ones that I’d not yet besmirched by taking them on the road) for extra support. I’ve tried barefoot workouts, and with some of the core work I do, it ended up being way too much of a challenge to my arches and ankles, so I’d started wearing trainers instead. This, it turns out, seems akin to going from one ditch to another. The first difference between my future running shoes and the ECCO shoes is that the latter have way more of an organic feel to them. Instead of feeling suspended off the ground by a relatively stiff, cushioned sole, the only remarkable support I feel in the ECCOs is in the arch – just enough to help me keep my balance, especially when on one foot. It also encourages me not to use the shoe as a buffer to bad form. It took a bit of adjusting (no to put weight on my back toes on the way down on a lunge while holding weights overhead, for example) but overall I feel like I am getting a better workout because I have to think about what how I am placing my feet. Form is everything in weight training, so in the long run, I think this is going to be a really good thing.
Aside from the functionality, I am still in love with the look of these shoes (did I mention the hot pink soles?). I have one on my desk as I am typing this. It still smells mighty fine, too. Mmm… leather!
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