Being on the top list of premium shoe brands, it is evident that Ecco and Allen Edmonds are comparable as they use different materials and technologies. Also, there are variations in their manufacturing process regardless of their somewhat similar offerings.
Since shoes are an important part of your outfit, you should choose the right pair from either brand according to the occasion. However, it can be hard to decide between Ecco and Allen Edmonds as in this case the differences depend on your own perspective.
Before we get into this showdown, first let’s get to know more about these brands.
Comparison Table Between Ecco And Allen Edmonds:
| Ecco | Allen Edmonds |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1963 | Founded in 1922 |
| Athletic, Boots, Casual Sandals, Dress Shoes, Oxfords, Boat Shoes, Casual Pumps, Flats, Wedges, and Golf shoes | Dress Shoes, Casual Shoes, Sneakers, Loafers & Slip-Ons, Chelsea Boots, Chukka Boots, Lace Up Boots |
| For men, women, and kids | For Men only |
| Famous for its casual and athletic options | Popular for formal shoe styles |
| Full Grain Leather | Calf Skin, Premium Leather |
| Mostly no need to break-in | Takes time to break in |
| Standard and Wide options | Extended variety of widths and sizes |
| 3D molds manufacturing | Good year welt construction |
| Affordable and Expensive options | High prices |
Overview of Allen Edmonds:
The “Allen Edmonds” name has been synonymous with quality and durability for almost a century. It’s not surprising that you’re familiar with this brand and consider it to be associated with excellence.
In 1922, Elbert W. Allen started a company in Belgium, Wisconsin, that made shoes with adaptable cork footbeds instead of the odd metal nails and shanks that were used at that time.
Men around the world who wanted a comfortable dress shoe that was easier to put on and take off were quickly attracted to Allen’s revolutionary designs. Then in 1931, Allen partnered with a well-known salesman Bill Edmonds and formed the Allen Edmonds Corporation.
Moreover, dress shoes have always been core to their roots, but since its beginning, they come up with something unique from the footwear industry, therefore the brand is dedicated to evolving to fit the requirements of the present and future. It involves expanding beyond their classic styles upon which their reputation was established to include a range of new, more casual designs as well as office-approved sneakers.
In the following years, they introduced so many styles in which iconic Park Avenue and Strand oxfords remain best-sellers to this day.
Furthermore, the company promises that regardless of how much they evolve or change for good, their commitment to quality, honesty, and integrity in their footwear production will remain the same.
Overview of Ecco:
Ecco is a Denmark-based company that is known for making comfortable footwear with high-quality materials and advanced technologies all over the world.
Birte and Karl Toosbuy two brothers came up with the idea for ECCO in April 1963. In 1996, ECCO opened a center in Denmark called “Futura” to do research and design work, then launched its first big store on Oxford Street in London, England, in 1998.
By the year 2000, Ecco was proud of being the only shoe manufacturer to operate its own production tanneries and retail locations. This enables the brand to maintain complete supervision over the manufacturing process and product standards.
The brand has been at the forefront of casual and outdoor shoe design for many years, and its long-term partnership with Gore-Tex has led to some of its all-time favorite shoes including a top-rated model Ecco Men’s Track 25 Moc GTX Shoe.
Furthermore, Ecco promises to provide a huge variety of high-end footwear and handcrafted leather items without sacrificing quality. If you’re seeking trendy everyday footwear or something special for a particular occasion, the brand claims to have it all.
Today, it manufactures and distributed its footwear in over 99 countries and can be purchased from more than 2000 different retail outlets.
Major Differences between the Brands:
Now let’s compare Allen Edmonds with Ecco to see who wins and then it will be easier for you to decide which brand to buy your next pair from.
1) Comfort:
Ecco shoes are made to be as comfortable as possible by utilizing many updated innovations.
The zonal FLUIDFORM Direct Comfort Technology used in these shoes “follows the curves of your feet to improve each step.” This employs special fluid materials to ensure a finely tuned balance of cushioning and rebound while providing comfort and support where it is most required.
Moreover, regular foam footbeds are unable to maintain long-term comfort and performance, so the brand includes removable OrthoLite insoles in their shoe models for consistent, unmatched comfort throughout the product’s lifetime.
On the other hand, comfort is assured in every model of Allen Edmonds because they are crafted with the finest hand-selected leathers, ranging from full-grain European calfskin to soft suede, which provides the shoe with exceptional comfort and more flexibility.
“As Fit is the key to comfort” Allen Edmonds is ahead of the game when it comes to making shoes that fit just perfectly. The main reason is that they offer a wide range of sizes and widths, from narrow to medium to wide and wider.
Also, there is a shock-absorbing Custom Cork layer between the insole and the outsole that will let the shoe shape mold to your feet over time, for comfort made for you.
However, Ecco has out-of-the-box comfort whereas you need to give moderate time to Allen Edmonds to get comfortable depending on what sole you choose.
2) Popularity:
After supplying footwear to the United States Army and Navy during World War II, Allen Edmonds acquired a huge fan base globally, it has also earned a place in the Hall of the Greats like other legendary brands. In 2022, this leading American men’s shoe brand celebrates 100 years of elite craftsmanship.
Conversely, People who are always on the go, like walkers, travelers, and players, mostly choose Ecco shoes. In addition to winning “The Green Imprint Award at the eighth annual ELLE Style Awards,” many of Ecco’s models have been published in magazines and won many prizes.
Furthermore, players like Thomas Bjorn, Henrik Stenson, Fred Couples, and Erik van Rooyen are their well-known brand ambassadors.
3) Target Market:
The target audience of Allen Edmonds is MEN most probably athletes, musicians, business owners, artists, and people who like to go on adventures aged 18 to more than 50.
Whereas, Ecco’s target demographic consists primarily of upper-middle-class males and females, presumably casual wearers to athletes between the ages of around 16 and 30.
4) Price:
Ecco shoes range in price from $75 to $300, while a pair of Allen Edmonds boots or shoes would cost you an average of $400. Some of their models are even more expensive and can be up to $600, but if you want to save some bucks you should check on other retail stores in which they are frequently on sale.
5) Design:
The primary distinctions between the designs of shoes by these two brands can be traced to their technology and construction.
Allen Edmonds mainly focused on formal or sleek footwear but whether you’re in the market for dress shoes, casual shoes, or even waterproof shoes, the brand has you covered. You can also get any of their styles in different types of leather and varied sizes for the left and right shoes due to their creative customization services.
Additionally, their footwear is designed using the Goodyear welted method which is renowned for being durable, reasonably weather-resistant properties, and can be recrafted if needed.
In this method, the sole’s edge is first stitched to a thin leather strip (the “welt”), and then the vamp is stitched to the welt. This provides a secure and flexible bond between the shoe’s sole and exterior, allowing for greater mobility and endurance regardless of the surface. The brand also claims that this time-tested method involves 212 steps and 48 people working together to make what they call “real shoes.”
Conversely, Ecco’s products were created with a focus on fashionable appearance and sophistication. Their shoes are constructed with “anatomical lasts and distinctive 3D molds,” which not only help them stay on trend but also make them unbelievably comfortable.
Ecco set itself apart from Allen Edmonds in that, with its huge collection of dress and casual shoes, they also sell high-quality sports shoe for beginners and professionals. The brand’s golf, outdoor, and athleisure shoe styles have “BIOM Natural Motion” to promote a natural movement that increases strength.
Additionally, the “ECCO TRI-FI-GRIPTM” outsole features three separate zones: one for stability, another for durability, and the third for rotational support. All of these regions work together to provide superb performance.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
Allen Edmonds and Ecco provide excellent value for the money, as evidenced by the great quality of their shoes without sacrificing elegant looks. However, Allen Edmonds is favored as it offers a huge variety of shoe sizes in a multitude of widths that can accommodate different foot shapes, ranging from narrow to medium to wider whereas ECCO shoes are available in standard & wide widths only.
There are differences between their boots styles as well, it might seem that Allen Edmonds’s boots are in a completely separate category from Ecco’s. Sure, both of them are designed for fashion purposes, but the Allen Edmonds offers a much more up-to-date design to meet the needs of the modern world.
In a line, if you are looking for more variety in the formal section, Allen Edmonds could be a better option for men. Whereas, if you need casual or other athletic shoe styles you should go for Ecco and you will appreciate its extra durability.