How I Take Care of My Ecco Biom Tour Golf Shoes
After picking up the Ecco Biom Tours at Costco, I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to ruin them by being lazy about maintenance. These are nice leather shoes with good tech in them - waterproof membrane, cushy insole, removable spikes - and a little care goes a long way. Here's the routine I've settled into.
After Every Round
This is the big one. Five minutes after each round makes a huge difference.
- Clean the spikes and sole first. I use a stiff brush (or honestly just a tee) to get the mud and grass out from around the spikes and the grooves in the outsole. If you let dirt build up in there, it messes with your grip and wears the spikes unevenly.
- Wipe down the leather with a damp cloth. Ecco's leather cleans up really easily - warm water and a soft cloth handles pretty much everything.
- Let them dry properly. I pull the insoles out and let everything air dry at room temperature. Don't put them near a heater or leave them in a hot car - heat dries leather out and causes cracking. Learned that the hard way with a previous pair of shoes.
- Stuff them with newspaper or shoe trees to soak up moisture and keep their shape.
Checking the Spikes
One thing I didn't think about until a buddy mentioned it - your spikes wear down, and worn spikes kind of defeat the whole purpose of having spiked shoes.
- I check them every few rounds. If they look rounded off, it's time for new ones.
- They can also loosen up over time, especially from walking on cart paths. A quick twist with a spike wrench keeps them tight.
- When you replace them, do all 8 at once. Mixing old and new creates uneven traction, which feels weird and can't be good for your game.
- I keep a spike wrench in my bag now. A loose spike mid-round is an easy fix if you have one handy.
Leather Stuff
I'm not a leather care expert, but here's what seems to work:
Every few rounds I put a thin layer of leather conditioner on them, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and buff it off. Keeps the leather soft and helps with waterproofing. I wouldn't go overboard though - too much conditioner can make the leather too soft and floppy.
If water stops beading up on the surface, I hit them with a leather waterproofing spray. The shoes have a waterproof membrane inside, but keeping the outside water-resistant too doesn't hurt.
The Insoles
The removable insoles are one of my favorite features. Pull them out after rounds to dry separately, and wash them with mild soap every now and then. They'll eventually lose their cushion after a season or two - when that happens, just replace them. Way cheaper than new shoes.
Storage
I used to just toss my golf shoes in the garage. Don't do that. Temperature swings and humidity are rough on leather. Now I keep them inside with shoe trees in them, and use a shoe bag when I'm transporting them to and from the course.
For the off-season, clean them up, condition the leather, put the shoe trees in, and store in a breathable bag. Not plastic - that traps moisture.
Things I Avoid
- Never machine wash. Even on gentle. It'll destroy the leather and the waterproof membrane.
- No household cleaners. Just use stuff made for leather shoes.
- Minimizing time on concrete and asphalt. It chews through spikes fast. I try to change shoes for the walk to and from the car when I remember.
- Don't play in wet shoes from yesterday. Let them fully dry between rounds. If you play a lot, rotating two pairs is the move.
Is It Worth the Effort?
Honestly, it's like 5 minutes after each round and a few minutes of leather care every week or two. For shoes that could last 3-5 seasons if you treat them right, that's nothing. Way better than buying new golf shoes every year.
