There have been tons of trendy sneakers in the spotlight lately — from clunky-soled “dad” trainers to slipper-like, wool lace-ups. But there's something to be said for a style with staying power, especially when it's equal parts comfy and cool.
We're talking about Ecco's Soft 7 sneaker. Constructed with rich, full-grain leather and suede, it blends comfort with everyday Scandinavian style. Since its introduction in 2015, the Soft 7 (which is available in both men's and women's) has consistently been one of the brand’s best-selling styles. It comes in dozens of colorways and is released in creative, new designs with perforations, woven leather, or mixed media each season. And it's been quietly racking up hundreds of five-star reviews across the internet for years.
Ecco — a family-owned Danish footwear brand — has been handcrafting premium shoes since 1963. It keeps the entire manufacturing process of its shoes in-house, too, tanning its own premium leather and designing comfort aspects from start to finish. For example, Ecco uses a different anatomical last for its men’s and women’s lines, instead of simply sizing down the men’s last.
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One reviewer shared that the Soft 7 is “comfortable right out of the box," continuing to say: “Took these on a recent trip where I walked miles daily. No pinching, no slipping (I sometimes will have shoes slip at the heel), no discomfort whatsoever. I also have had surgery on my big toe, so comfort is something not easy to find. They were cute with skinny jeans, Athleta city jogger pants, and casual dresses. So cute, I bought them in white also.”
Another wore them on a rainy trip to New Orleans: "These little marshmallow-cloud floating kicks took me all over New Orleans and back again. I wanted some sneakers that didn’t scream workout wear or grandma’s lunch bunch and these Ecco Soft VII’s did the trick. They have a great soft footbed that’s supportive and also is conducive to wearing barefoot (I hate wearing socks with sneakers in the summer). The leather upper kicks the whole shebang up a pay grade and also gave me ample protection when jumping post-rain Bourbon Street slurry puddles. When I got a splash or two on them it just wiped right off."
And one reviewer even shared a story from the TSA line at the airport: "True story: Three 50-something guys (strangers) recently going through TSA checkpoint. I look down and see the guy in front of me wearing these Eccos so I told him they look great and ask him who makes them. He says, 'Ecco, and they're really comfortable.' The guy in front of him (with his wife) says, 'I love my Eccos. They are the best.' The whole conversation takes maybe 15 seconds. No eye contact (we're looking down at the shoes). The guy in front's wife says, 'Now I've seen everything! Three guys — total strangers — talking about shoes! Incredible.' We commented that we've come a long way since the days of cavemen. Technology being what it is, I ordered a pair on my phone before my flight took off. Got them a couple of days later. My adult sons both said, 'Those look great. Who makes them?' These Soft 7 sneakers are so comfortable that I bought a second pair that arrived yesterday."
