Ecco became synonymous with spikeless shoes ever since Fred Couples sauntered round Augusta in a pair of Ecco Street Premier shoes with no socks in the 2010 Masters.
Spikeless shoes now make up around 80% of Ecco golf shoe sales and within that the Biom Hybrid is the best seller, so when version 2 came out I was interested in seeing what had changed.
Whilst there are obvious visual changes, the real difference is in the weight thanks to a 15% lighter midsole. Certainly when you put them on, the Biom Hybrid 2 does feel light and the best thing is that they hardly need any breaking in.
The upper is made from Yak leather which is not only more breathable than other leathers, but is also treated with a Hydromax process that makes it waterproof and stops it from hardening when it dries out. The upper still feels very soft and so far my feet have stayed nice and dry.
Turn the shoe over and you can see a two tone sole that features a revised TPU outsole that is firmer in the orange area to improve stability during the swing and softer in the darker area that mainly provides comfort when walking.
On firmer surfaces you can notice the more robust section as you walk, but on the course you don't as you walk and it did feel a little more stable as you moved during the swing.
Grip is always a key area of concern with spikeless shoes and with Ecco there should be none. They spend a lot of time working on the shape of the 'Traction Bars' as they call them. The versions on the Biom Hybrid 2 seem a little longer than before and do provide excellent grip.
They also extend more round the heel of the sole than before and you can only feel this as you walk due to the extra firmness that Ecco has built in.
On the inside there is a new insole that features circular rings under your heel and ball of your foot for extra grip and they sort of massage you feet as you walk along and give the Biom Hybrid 2 a unique feel.
Under the insole is the usual Biom contoured last that was designed after researching thousands of feet to match the shape and movement of a natural foot. This does make them extremely comfortable if you have normal feet.
If you are someone who does not have normal feet and wears orthotics, you are going to have to see if the contouring interferes with your orthotic. The Biom Hybrid 2 is based on the natural motion philosophy, but it would also be good to see a more neutral design that can work with orthotics so everyone can benefit from the brilliance of the Ecco design.
The Biom Hybrid 2 comes in a choice of 9 different colours depending on where you live and the silver flashes bring a modern twist to what is now a classic style.
There is also a second set of laces with each pair to allow you to fine tune your appearance, which is always a nice touch.
Nocturnal style is also covered by certain colours of the tongues, which seem semi-luminous in the half-light, but all the flashes are unlikely to restrict your style when wearing them off course.
As spikeless golf shoes go, the Biom Hybrid 2 is pricey, but as premium golf shoes go it is good value. Whichever way you look at it, if you want a shoe to wear on and off the course that is stylish, waterproof, comfortable and provides good grip, then the Ecco Biom Hybrid 2 is right up your street.