Choosing the perfect pair of shoes is similar to finding a companion for your life adventures. In the footwear industry, Ecco and New Balance stand as a testament to comfort, style and innovation.
Due to its commitment to legacy, each brand offers functional shoes. Ecco is the minimalist champion with impeccable craftsmanship while New Balance uses cutting-edge technologies to customize shoes for athletes and urban explorers.
Keep reading this article to unlock more features of both brands.
Comparison Table Between Ecco and New Balance:
| Ecco | New Balance |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 1906 |
| Water-resistant and flexible | Comfortable and supportive |
| More sustainable | Sustainable |
| Casual shoes, sneakers, boots and sandals | Casual, sportswear and athletic shoes |
| Good for casual wear, travel and outdoor activities | Good for everyday wear, running, walking and training |
| Mostly come with large size | True to size |
| Offer less arch support | Offer more arch support due to the use of Rollbar technology |
| Available in fewer widths | Available in more widths |
| Recommended by podiatrists | Highly recommended by podiatrists |
| Lightweight | Slightly heavy-weight |
| More breathable | Breathable |
| Expensive | Slightly affordable |
| 1-year warranty | 6-month NDurance rubber outsole limited warranty |
Overview of Ecco
Ecco is not merely a footwear brand, it is an idea that lies behind the name to make comfortable and functional shoes that better fit the foot.
Ecco is a Danish shoe brand, founded by master-mind Karl Toosbuy in 1963 in Denmark with its headquarters in Asia, Europe, South America and the United States. Ecco made its first retail store in Denmark in 1982, but now it has retailers in almost 99 countries.
In 1996, Ecco first constructed a research and design center, Futura, in Denmark, and another center, in London, in 1998. Then, after 2000, Ecco owned all the production, quality, and retail facilities of its product line and is considered the only footwear brand that physically controls all steps of product manufacturing.
In 1998, Ecco faced challenges with shoes because of the use of faulty sole material, but after identifying the issue, Ecco changed the sole material.
Ecco shoes are curated with full grain leather and other super quality materials to make consumers feel comfort, style and performance at a time. From office to free strolling to leisure activities, Ecco shoes are all-day comfort zones.
Ecco also has contributed to the research program with the aim of minimizing the effects of tanneries on the environment.
Almost 98% of Ecco shoes are manufactured in the following countries:
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- China
- India
Ecco is the home to a wide footwear product line with its iconic ECCO Soft 7 on top of the line because of modern design that is crafted with accuracy in each detail to give shoes a luxurious plus comfortable look.
Ecco Soft 7 is a versatile shoe with an elegant yet simple design that makes it a perfect choice to pair up with any outfit such as jeans, shorts, blazer, or t-shirts. No matter with which outfit you pair Soft 7, it will always look stunning.
Overview of New Balance:
In 1906, New Balance Arch Support multinational Company was founded by William J. Riley in Boston.
William was inspired by how chickens balanced their body on three divided feet, so he decided to manufacture his first footwear product called “flexible arch support” with three support points to enhance the balance and comfort of shoes.
The brand is different from other brands because of the adaptation of technical features such as a heel counter, a wide range of sizes and a blended gel insert, which make New Balance shoes slightly more expensive than other companies.
New Balance sponsors sports teams, leagues, New York Road Runners, the Basketball Association and the Boston Red Sox. Besides, the company has collaborated with Aimé Dore, Norse Projects, NBA star Leonard and Paul Smith.
Regardless of many other world-renowned brands such as Adidas and Nike, New Balance kept itself as the best brand that has been working for almost 100 years in the manufacturing of quality and exceptional sneakers and shoes with utmost comfort for athletes.
New Balance manufactured the globe’s first running shoe with a ragged sole named Trackster in various widths and styles. Mostly, New Balance used the term ‘Dad shoe” to describe highly performing models.
New Balance mainly manufactures shoes in the US, while some famous models, such as 990, are manufactured in the UK. Some other countries where these shoes are manufactured:
- Vietnam
- United Kingdom
- United States
- China
- Thailand
- Indonesia
New Balance has introduced many sneakers and shoes that are famous among many customers but the best seller product is the New Balance 990V5 Core with classic outlines and premium leather that make shoes ideal for an active lifestyle because they offer cushioning and support.
Differences Between The Brands
Now, I will discuss both brands in terms of comfort, fame, price and design to help you choose the best brand according to your needs.
1) Comfort
Ecco uses the Ecco comfort fiber system for added comfort to use shoes in different conditions. Due to soft leather, these shoes enhance air circulation in hot weather.
With premium materials and lightweight construction, Ecco shoes also feel cushioned and are highly recommended by podiatrists because they are super comfortable and supportive for flat feet or high arches.
New Balance shoes are available with spongy comfort and supreme construction. Based on the type of shoe, New Balance uses different types of midsole technologies such as fuel cell foam, fresh foam and C-cap along with a mesh upper that not only keeps your feet cool but also enhances comfort. Moreover, the soft and lightweight outsole offers a more flexible feel.
Alongside other comfort factors, the wide toe box and padded heels contribute to comfort and support for different foot shapes even to flat feet.
2) Popularity
ECCO’s fame is not limited to everyday users, but the luxurious Hollywood world also loves these shoes. Some famous celebrities, such as Hugh Jackman and Angelina Jolie, were seen wearing Ecco shoes because of their commitment to sophistication and anatomical support.
The use of groundbreaking technologies transforms the shoe construction and makes them super breathable and durable that allow users to take each step with confidence.
New Balance’s fame is not just because of their commitment to style and functionality while celebrities such as Heidi Klum and Steve Jobs were seen wearing these shoes which became the fame of New Balance shoes.
With cutting-end technologies such as Fresh Foam and ENCAP, New Balance shoes offer cushioning and support that allow you to admire the dedication of the brand to excellence.
3) Target Market
When it comes to the target market, both brands are the same because these target beginner and professional-level athletes and casual users. Also, the brands target men, women and children with the age between 16-30.
4) Price
Ecco shoes have an average price of $100, while some models can go upto $300.
In contrast, New Balance shoes are available at the cost of $100, but some models can go upto $200.
5) Design
Ecco designs each footwear with a trendy and modern look by staying updated about the latest trends and incorporating anatomical features along with 3D molds, which also add a new layer of comfort.
Besides, the BIOM natural motion technology in Ecco shoes enhances natural stride while Ecco Tri-Fi-GripTM technology adds durability, support and stability to perform better in all conditions.
Moreover, the brand is committed to injecting lightweight materials in all soles, which not only offer strength but also flexibility to prevent shoes from wear and tear.
On the other side, New Balance shoes are known as “dad sneakers” because of their bright and sporty look that attracts the attention of all fashion enthusiasts.
The use of supreme quality materials in these shoes absorbs shock and impact at each step, which makes them a perfect option for tracks, highways, concrete and other surfaces.
New Balance also adds ENCAP and fresh foam technologies along with a breathable mesh upper that enhances comfort, performance and cushioning in each step you take.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
Overall, both brands are an ideal choice whether you prefer comfortable, supportive and quality shoes. However, Ecco shoes use unique technologies and durable construction, but these are somehow more costly than New Balance.
In contrast, New Balance shoes are the best option for runners and fitness lovers with different foot shapes.
Without any doubt, both brands offer unique features and products, so you will never go wrong with any of these.