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THE SCIENCE OF COMFORT – ECCO BIOM® 720 AND THE FUTURE OF FOOTWEAR WELLBEING
By Niki Tæstensen, Design Director ECCO
At ECCO, our philosophy has always been simple: design shoes that work with the body, not against it. From our earliest days, we have understood that the way a shoe interacts with the foot can make the difference between movement that feels effortless and movement that feels constrained. It’s a principle that has guided our innovations for decades and is at the heart of our BIOM® technology.
The story of BIOM® begins in 2009, when we undertook an unprecedented study of human movement. Scanning the feet of 2,500 athletes, we set out to understand the biomechanics of natural motion in meticulous detail. The result was revolutionary: a shoe designed to support the body’s natural stride, offering stability, flexibility and comfort in perfect balance. Inspired by barefoot running, BIOM® shoes were built to align with how the body moves and to complement, rather than fight, your foot’s own mechanics.
This philosophy has been at the core of ECCO’s identity from its inception. Every pair of BIOM® shoes is a commitment to human-centred design, ensuring that wearers experience optimal fit and feel from the very first step. And now, we are proud to take that philosophy to the next level with the ECCO BIOM® 720 collection.
The BIOM® 720 represents more than an incremental improvement, it is a response to modern lifestyles, where our days are more fluid than ever. We live in a hybrid world, seamlessly moving from commuting and travelling to working, exercising and running errands, often all in the same day. Shoes must be versatile enough to support all of these activities, without sacrificing comfort or style. With the BIOM® 720, every element is engineered with this reality in mind.
A cornerstone of this new collection is ECCO ENCORE TECHNOLOGY, a continuation of the legacy BIOM® began. ECCO ENCORE TECHNOLOGY amplifies the benefits of biomechanical design, providing cushioning, flexibility and energy return that make movement feel effortless. Outsole vents, a detail we first introduced in 2011, enhance breathability, improve shock absorption, and help return energy to your stride. The result is a shoe that doesn’t just carry you through the day, it actively supports your movement – keeping your feet energised and comfortable, no matter how long your day lasts.
The spring/summer 2026 BIOM® 720 collection comprises two distinct styles, each designed to meet specific real-world needs:
ECCO BIOM® 720 GTX – the versatile waterproof all-rounder. Combining BIOM® and ECCO ENCORE TECHNOLOGY with GORE-TEX SURROUND® construction, this shoe delivers durable, waterproof protection from every angle, while maintaining the breathability essential for year-round comfort. Whether you’re navigating rainy commutes or venturing outdoors, the 720 GTX ensures your feet stay dry, supported, and comfortable.
ECCO BIOM® 720 BREATHRU – an everyday summer trainer. Lightweight, breathable, and engineered with moisture-wicking BREATHRU mesh, this shoe allows air to circulate freely while maintaining the same support and stability as its waterproof counterpart. Ideal for warmer weather, it offers the perfect combination of ventilation and all-day comfort for everyday activities.
Both styles embody a simple but crucial truth: a shoe must support the body in real life, not just in theory. By designing for movement, cushioning impact, and promoting natural biomechanics, the BIOM® 720 collection addresses the needs of the modern wearer. Whether you’re travelling for work, enjoying a weekend hike, or simply walking across town, these shoes are engineered to respond to the natural rhythm of your body.
Comfort, however, is more than a technical metric, it’s a quality-of-life issue. In today’s fast-paced, hybrid lifestyles, where the boundaries between work, leisure, and movement blur, footwear must keep up without compromise. We have seen how discomfort can impact energy, posture and wellbeing. The ECCO BIOM® 720 is our answer. It is a shoe that encourages movement, protects the body and delivers comfort that lasts from the first step of the day to the last.
Innovation is also about responsibility. At ECCO, we have always managed every aspect of the value chain, from leather and shoe production to retail, ensuring our products meet the highest standards of quality. Our commitment to comfort is inseparable from our commitment to care. By creating durable, long-lasting shoes that people want to wear every day, we promote responsible consumption.
In essence, the BIOM® 720 is more than a shoe. It is the next evolution of our ongoing exploration of human movement, rooted in biomechanics, informed by technology and inspired by real-world lifestyles. It honours our legacy of designing shoes that respect the natural mechanics of the body while adapting to the demands of modern life.
As we continue to innovate, our focus remains clear: to create footwear that enhances human movement and supports the wellbeing of every wearer. With the ECCO BIOM® 720 collection, we are proud to offer shoes that do exactly that, delivering next-level comfort, performance and style, wherever life takes you.