Foot Health
This Spring's New Sport and Dress Shoes
By
May 18, 2008 - 4:20:02 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com)- I love walking. I walk two-miles every day, and 5-6 miles on Saturdays. From the upper east-side in Manhattan, New York City, to the 5 mile walk to Chinatown, or to very tip of the island where the Staten Island ferry is berthed. For the past two-weeks,however, our staff tested the latest ECCO sandals for shorter walks. (Michael J. McCurdy, Founder/Publisher - HealthNewsDigest.com)

Founded in Denmark, ECCO uses premium materials in construction of their shoes and their design philosophy is grounded in the belief that the foot should lead the shoe, not the other way around. ECCO’s performance shoes feature ECCO Receptor Technology throughout the line. Receptor Technology was developed on the principle that for every step an individual takes, their foot goes through a series of three motions – heel-strike, mid-stance and push-off, and are perfect for enjoying a variety of outdoor activities in comfort and style.

ECCO approaches design a little differently. Whether you're taking the stairs, walking 36 holes, or scrambling over rocky slopes, ECCO delivers superior fit, durability, support, and flexibility. Advanced construction techniques and continuous exploration in materials science add up to comfort you can count on. You'll notice the difference immediately—and at the end of an intense hike or after walking a dozen blocks uptown, you'll continue to appreciate the difference of ECCO.

The ECCO Comfort Fibre System offers allergy-friendly materials treated with AgION® for bacteria and odor control to keep feet cool and comfortable. Walking pumps the sole as you move to circulate air around the foot.

Receptor Technology

Although ECCO uses the single term Receptor Technology, it is composed of a variety of individual technologies that, when put together in different ways, enable ECCO designers to customize the technologies for the purpose of each product. The Nirvana Santos, X-Treme Jane and Accomplish all feature the following Receptor Technologies that minimizes foot fatigue by providing the proper support through the heel strike, mid-stance and push-off.

Heel-Strike
20-Degree Angle of Attack: 20 degrees is the natural angle of the heel when the bare foot hits the ground. This technology replicates that motion. The 20-degree angle of attack allows the foot to naturally make contact with the ground, minimizing force and shock, allowing the foot to comfortably roll into the mid-stance.

Earth Sensing Unit: In addition to providing shock absorption, the Earth Sensing Unit enables the foot to better sense the ground to maintain stability.

Mid-Stance
Exo-skeletal Wrap-around Shank: A stability-enhancing technology, the Exo-skeletal Wrap-around shank allows the foot’s great ligament to lock into place during the mid-stance phase.

Push-Off
Dual Axis Flex System: Designed to make the push-off phase easier and more comfortable via the engineered flex forefoot channels, the Dual Axis Flex System replicates the natural flex patterns of the bare foot. Easier flexion is supplemented through utilizing less material in these areas and by engineering a midsole with identically placed anatomic dual axis flex zones.

Forefoot Propulsion Plate: A highly engineered polymer that is molded and integrated in the forefoot, the Forefoot Propulsion Plate is shaped like three fingers. Each finger is a different length because each performs a different function, providing additional torque or braking action depending on whether an ascending, descending or neutral plane is being encountered

Walking is a great exercise for conditioning, weight control and cardiovascular fitness. If you're an old-timer or just starting out, we would highly recommend you try a pair. Male/Female - many styles and colors. Great looking shoes for the beach/country and weekend strolling.

For further information on ECCO: http://www.eccousa.com/

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