50 Words or Less
The ECCO LT1 golf shoes are strong in both the looks department and on-course performance. Advanced construction techniques and high quality materials come together into a techno-marvel shoe.
Introduction
There’s been a common theme with the many pairs of ECCO shoes I’ve reviewed for Plugged In Golf over the years: comfort and quality. The yak leather uppers of my now 6 year old Biom Hybrid 3 GTXs [review HERE] still reign as the most soft and supple of any golf shoe I’ve ever tested. Can their latest release, the ECCO LT1, live up to the brand’s reputation? Let’s find out.
Looks
The ECCO LT1 have a clean, contemporary look that could easily cause it to be mistaken for a court shoe. Micro-holes in the white leather uppers create subtle stripes that add visual interest. I really like the simple logo “e” on the heels for branding.
A glance at the navy blue sole reveals the ECCO LT1’s golf shoe functionality. ECCO refers to their spikeless shoes as hybrids, and with over a 100 traction elements the LT1 are clearly not appropriate for a tennis or basketball court. The diamond shaped traction nubs seemingly radiate from the red logo’d center.
The ECCO LT1 are also available in groovy concrete or classic black colorways.
Comfort
The fit out of the box was a little snug across my forefoot, so I took the LT1s on an initial journey to the driving range. After an hour, I was confident in the overall fit of the ECCO LT1s and proceeded to wear them for full rounds the following two days. My only note at the end of that testing was that the bottom of my feet felt a bit tired – like they could have used a touch more cushioning.
The fit around my ankles and heels was excellent. The padding provided comfort and a secure fit. The laces held their position nicely, allowing me to fine tune the fit and then forget about it the rest of the round. Breathability was very good based on the dryness of my socks in 90°F plus conditions.
Speaking of socks, I went with thinner pairs based on the snugger fit of the LT1 hybrid shoes. For those golfers with wider feet, ECCO recommends removing the insole – and prints this on the insole itself. Size wise, I was very happy with my EU 42 selection. This actually equates to 8/8.5 US per the ECCO site, but I’ve learned my ‘normal’ 9.5 size is just too big for me in ECCOs. If in doubt I recommend consulting the ECCO foot length measurement chart.
Performance
ECCO has always impressed me with the technology that goes into their golf shoes, and the LT1 didn’t disappoint. The LT1 features a liquid injected base mold that ECCO calls FLUIDFORM, which bonds the sole to the upper “instantly and seamlessly.” No glue, no stitching – precision with a watertight seal. At the heart of the new technology are two key layers. The midsole is made of PHORENE, which delivers more energy return and shock absorption. Below that is ECCO LYTR foam, lightweight as the name implies, yet rebound responsive.
Remember those 100 radiating traction nubs? They actually create more than 800 traction angles. This E-DTS (Dynamic Traction System) NET outsole gave me ample traction across the ground elements I encountered. Walking through a huge fairway bunker, the multi-directional pattern made a beautiful display – later raked smooth, of course.
The LT1 hybrid shoes provided excellent stability, which I’d place at the head of the spikeless shoe class. This is by design, achieved via the red X-shaped shank visible through the sole, and the hidden X-TENSA INVSBL internal enforcement elements.
Conclusion
The ECCO LT1 are truly good spikeless golf shoes. The white and blue color combination pairs well with almost all my golf apparel and the overall look easily received wife approval. The fit was excellent, but I’d recommend trying them on at a retail location if you’re unfamiliar with ECCO golf shoes. As for performance, the LT1 check all the boxes: traction, stability, and waterproofing. My only disappointment was with the Ortholite insole, which could have used a tad more cushioning. Regardless, the LT1 hybrid golf shoes are well deserving of a spot in the ECCO lineup.
Visit ECCO HERE
Support Plugged In Golf, Buy the Ecco LT1 HERE
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2 Comments
I’ve had many many pairs of Eccos and these are by far the best ones I’ve ever owned. Walked 36 a day for 5 days straight at Bandon Dunes in these recently and never had a blister… Feet hurt from the sheer volume but I’m confident I wouldnt have gotten through it with another pair of shoes. Worth every dollar these shoes.
Good review . My question with all spikeless shoes has to do with the the durability of the spikes. Most if not all mfgs. say walk anywhere knowing their spikes/cleats won’t last walking on pavement. It would be good of they published the durometer rating of their spkes/cleat compound.