How To Choose A Great Pair of Walking Shoes

I am also a big fan of ECCO shoes for the past 15 years. We both wear earlier versions of the current fusion model. However, the last thing I would recommend for anyone would be use use an unbroken in shoe at any time. I think you were lucky not to have problems but it does attest that the ECCO's, at least for you and I, are great shoes.

I have several pairs of Ecco shoes and they all fit different, even in the same nominal size. You can't tell until you try them. I would never risk taking unbroken-in shoes on a trip like that, but glad it worked for you.

I'm a huge Ecco fan, own 5 pairs of the Soft 7 leather sneaker/oxford style and none have needed any breaking in, comfy out of the box for long bouts of walking. One pair was my alternate shoe for my recent 5 days in London and I ended up only wearing them and walking about 40 miles total, no blisters, no foot fatigue.

Before I found them I had a trip where my supposedly comfy shoes turned on me and I had to buy something in desperation while in Vienna and tried an Austrian brand called Legero--darling suede sneakers that are incredibly light, soft, great arch support, well-made and perfect right out of the box. I liked them so much I bought another pair in Pecs, Hungary, highly recommend the shoe store Humanic for anyone in need of quality brand shoes while on vacation.

Ecco shoes are a fantasy for me. Until they offer a size 51 (16 in U.S.) my feet travel in Doc Marten "Keith".
Happy and (sorta) nice looking. Kinda like me.

Oh my! I'm glad brand new shoes worked for you. I've got picky feet and would not consider taking shoes with me that I hadn't walked in for 6 or 7 miles repeatedly.

I've wanted Ecco's to work for me but alas, the styles I've tried are too narrow. I'm happy they work for others though.

Christa, those Legaro's have some really cute styles!

Pam--they do, the style I have in taupe and also deep navy is called Tanaro, would love to find the red or purple version.

@blue439 I dont wear shoes that big (relatives do), but I actually think SAS shoes are more comfortable than any of my ECCOs especially if you need wide. I think they go to 16.

Oh man, talk about living on the edge. Just reading the OPs first sentence, and "WHAAAAAT??" was the first thing that sprang into my head. Going on a long vacation without breaking in new shoes is NOT what I would recommend. Glad it worked out for you. Unfortunately, I've tried Eccos in the past, and they don't fit me well.

I was curious so I performed an internet search with "Ecco Fusion walking shoes" and pulled up some Mens oxford style shoe?

Reading your first sentence about buying new shoes the day before your trip, I thought you were going to report how NOT to choose walking shoes. Congratulations on your exceptional good luck! Maybe you should take a flyer on a state lottery. ;-)
Thanks for the recommendation for Ecco Fusion.

My podiatrist has told me on several occasions that if you have to "break in" shoes they are not properly fitted. If they don't fit in the store, chances are they aren't going to be comfortable when you really need them :)

I wear new shoes for an entire day to make sure they are comfortable but don't "break in" shoes.

In the olden days, breaking in was required. the leather or synthetics had to be softened to accommodate the foot. Today’s shoes don’t need to be broken in so much as tested, especially if you’re changing brands or models.

I can buy Altra Paradigms without hesitation, put them on, and walk twenty miles without any worry about harm to my feet. But I can’t say the same thing about ECCOs or New Balance.