ECCO Biom C4 Gore-Tex (9/9.5 UK Concrete Baygreen) Review: breathable golf shoes that feel like everyday sneakers

I’ve been playing golf in fairly basic spikeless shoes for years, nothing fancy, mostly because I hate stiff, plastic-feeling golf shoes. I picked up the ECCO Biom C4 in 9/9.5 UK (Concrete Baygreen colour) to see if paying this kind of money for golf shoes actually changes anything on the course. I’ve worn them for a few rounds and a couple of range sessions, plus one random day as everyday shoes to see how they feel off the course.

Right away, the main thing that stands out is comfort. They feel much closer to a casual trainer than a classic golf shoe. No hard heel counter digging in, no weird pressure under the arch. The GORE-TEX and all the “360° breathability” stuff sounds like marketing, but I did pay attention to how my feet felt after 18 holes, especially in damp grass and mild rain.

I’ll be honest: I didn’t buy these for the tech jargon. I wanted something that wouldn’t wreck my feet after walking 18, that would actually stay dry in wet conditions, and that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to wear to the clubhouse. On those three points, they do pretty well, but they’re not perfect, and the price is still hard to swallow if you’re used to cheaper brands.

In this review I’ll go through how they fit, how they feel when walking and swinging, grip on the course, build quality, and whether I think they’re worth paying ECCO money for. Short version: very comfortable and practical, but there are a few things you’ll want to know before dropping the cash.

Let’s talk price, because that’s the sticking point. ECCO golf shoes are not cheap, and the Biom C4 is up there with the pricier options. For that money, you’re basically paying for: real leather, GORE-TEX waterproofing, a comfortable BIOM fit, and a brand that generally has good durability. Compared to mid-range brands or older models, you can definitely feel the step up in comfort and support, but it’s not night and day if you already own decent shoes.

From a value perspective, I’d say these are good but not a bargain. If you walk a lot, play regularly, and keep shoes for several seasons, then the cost per round starts to make sense. The fact that they’re comfortable straight away, genuinely waterproof, and look fine off the course helps justify the price. You’re basically buying something you can wear from the car to the clubhouse and maybe even to run errands, not just on the fairway.

If you’re the type who plays once a month in dry conditions, you can probably get by with a cheaper pair and not miss much. There are more affordable spikeless options that will do the job, just with less comfort and probably less durability. On the other hand, if you’ve had foot pain, blisters, or wet feet with cheaper shoes, investing in something like this makes more sense. Comfort over 18 holes is worth a lot when you’re on the back nine and your feet are usually killing you.

Overall, I’d rate the value as solid but not outstanding. You’re paying a premium and you do get quality and comfort in return, but it’s not some crazy deal. If you find them discounted (as some Amazon reviews mention “best price on internet”), they become a much easier recommendation. At full retail, it depends how much you care about comfort and waterproofing versus saving some cash.

Design-wise, the Concrete Baygreen colour is pretty neutral. It’s mostly greyish concrete leather with some green accents, nothing flashy. On the course, it blends in nicely; off the course, it just looks like a sporty leather trainer. I’ve walked straight from the car park to the supermarket in them without feeling weird, which I can’t say for a lot of classic golf shoes with big spikes or glossy panels.

The shape is slightly anatomical – that’s ECCO’s BIOM thing – so the toe box isn’t super pointy. It gives your toes a bit of room to move, which I appreciated during longer walks. From the side, you can see the 3 cm platform and the MTN GRIP outsole. The sole has three different zones (traction, stability, rotation), but visually it just looks like a patterned spikeless sole with different textures and small lugs. On tarmac it feels fine, not overly slippy or noisy, and on grass it bites better than a basic flat trainer-style sole.

The inner mesh sock design is worth mentioning. Instead of a standard tongue, you get a stretchy sock-like opening inside the shoe, and then the leather and laces over the top. It makes the upper feel snug and uniform, but it also means getting your foot in the first time is a bit tighter than a normal tongue. After a couple of uses the sock loosens slightly and it becomes easier. If you have a very high instep, you might notice that first step-in is a bit of a squeeze.

On the downside, the design is a bit busy if you look closely – lots of panels, stitching and different materials. Functionally it’s fine, but cleaning all the little grooves and the textured outsole after a muddy round is a bit of a chore. If you like very minimal, one-piece designs, this isn’t that. Still, overall the design is practical and modern, and for me it hits a nice middle ground between sporty and low-key.

Comfort is where these ECCO Biom C4s actually justify a good chunk of their price. I walked two full 18-hole rounds and one 9-hole evening session in them, plus wore them casually for a full day. No blisters, no heel rubbing, and no sore arches. For a new pair of golf shoes, that’s already a win. The BIOM Natural Motion thing basically means your foot sits a bit lower and flatter, closer to the ground, and I did feel more stable compared to my old, squishier golf trainers.

The fit in 9/9.5 UK is true to size for me. I have a slightly wider forefoot and normal heel. The toe box has just enough width so my toes aren’t cramped, but it’s not super wide like some wide-fit brands. If you’re very narrow-footed, you might need to lace them a bit tighter to get a snug hold. The mesh sock helps lock your midfoot in, so even when walking down slopes or swinging hard, my foot didn’t slide around inside the shoe.

In terms of cushioning, I’d call it medium. There’s enough foam underfoot to take the sting out of walking on hard paths, but it doesn’t feel like a running shoe with big, soft foam. Personally, I prefer this for golf, because too much squish can feel unstable when you swing. After 18 holes, my feet felt tired in a normal way, not beaten up. No hot spots under the ball of the foot, which I sometimes get in flatter shoes.

The only small comfort downside is that the sock-like entry is a bit tight to pull on the first few times. It’s not painful, just slightly annoying when you’re in a rush. Once on, it’s fine and actually feels very comfortable around the ankle. Overall, if comfort is your priority and you walk your rounds, these are one of the more comfortable golf shoes I’ve worn, definitely above average compared to mid-range brands.

The upper is ECCO Performance Leather from their own tanneries, combined with that stretchy textile sock. The leather feels decent in hand: not super soft like fashion sneakers, but more supportive and slightly firm, which makes sense for a golf shoe. It doesn’t crease badly, and after a few rounds it has started to mould slightly to my foot without looking worn out. The mesh sock is very soft and comfortable against the ankle; no rubbing or hotspots for me, even on the first round.

The sole is synthetic, with ECCO’s Fluidform midsole for cushioning and the MTN GRIP outsole. Underfoot, the material feels a bit like a firm running shoe midsole, not a hard slab like some cheaper golf shoes. The lugs are rubbery and flexible, not rigid plastic. I walked 18 holes on a mix of fairways, rough and some paths, and the sole never felt too harsh. You can definitely feel there’s a supportive structure, but it’s not unforgiving.

Inside, there’s a foam insole that offers moderate cushioning. It’s not super plush, but it’s enough that I didn’t think about my feet much, which is usually a good sign. The lining is soft textile and feels breathable. No weird seams or edges that dig in, at least for my foot shape. The shoe is made in China, which is pretty standard now, but the stitching and glue work on my pair look tidy. No loose threads, no obvious defects straight out of the box.

One thing to be aware of: with all the tech – GORE-TEX Surround, leather upper, structured sole – the shoe isn’t ultra-light. If you’re used to minimalist running shoes, this will feel beefier. But for a waterproof golf shoe, I think the weight is acceptable. Overall, the materials feel solid and built to last a few seasons if you look after the leather and clean the soles. I wouldn’t call it luxury, but it’s clearly a step up from cheaper synthetic-only golf shoes.

I haven’t had these for years obviously, but after a handful of rounds and a few casual wears, I can at least comment on early durability. The leather upper still looks in good shape. A few light creases around the toe flex area, which is normal, but no cracking or weird discolouration. I’ve wiped them down with a damp cloth after each wet round and let them dry at room temperature, and so far the leather responds well. ECCO leather usually holds up if you don’t abuse it.

The outsole lugs show almost no wear yet, even after walking on some tarmac paths and car park. The rubber feels reasonably tough but not rock hard. I’d expect the traction to last quite a few seasons for an average golfer playing once a week or less. If you wear them a lot off the course on concrete, obviously the lugs will wear faster, but that’s the same with any spikeless shoe.

Inside, the mesh sock and lining still look like new. No pilling, no stretching out. The insole hasn’t flattened yet; it still has its original shape and cushioning. The stitching around the heel and sides is all intact. I checked the bond between the upper and the sole, and there are no gaps or signs of separation. Being made in China didn’t show any obvious downside in terms of build quality on my pair.

Based on my experience and other ECCO shoes I’ve owned, I’d expect these to last multiple seasons if you rotate shoes or don’t play every single day. The Amazon reviews mentioning pairs still going strong back this up. That said, at this price, I’d have liked slightly thicker leather or a more rugged feel, just for peace of mind. Still, nothing so far suggests early failure; they feel like a long-term shoe rather than something disposable.

On the course, the grip from the MTN GRIP outsole is pretty solid for a spikeless shoe. I played one round on slightly damp fairways and one on mostly dry ground. On dry turf, no issues at all – I felt planted during the swing, including with driver. On damp grass, I had one minor slip on a steep, wet slope, but that’s the kind of place I’d expect any spikeless shoe to struggle a bit. On flat lies and normal rough, traction was good and predictable. I’d put the grip a notch above basic trainer-style spikeless shoes, but still not at the same level as full soft spikes in really wet conditions.

Stability is where the BIOM setup helps. The shoe feels low to the ground and quite stable laterally. When I really went after a drive, I didn’t feel my foot rolling or the shoe twisting under me. The midfoot area feels well supported, and the leather upper holds your foot in place without feeling like a ski boot. For someone who sometimes sways or loses balance in softer shoes, I noticed a bit more confidence in my stance and follow-through.

For waterproofing, the GORE-TEX Surround did its job. I tested them in light rain and on wet, dewy grass early in the morning. After 18 holes, my socks were completely dry. No water seeping in through the seams or tongue area. The 360° breathability claim is harder to judge, but my feet didn’t feel swampy or overheated, even when I wore them for a full day including driving and walking around town. They won’t feel as airy as pure mesh trainers, obviously, but for a leather waterproof shoe, breathability is pretty good.

Overall, performance-wise, they get the job done very well for normal golfers. If you often play in heavy rain or very muddy courses, classic spike shoes might still give you a bit more bite. But for mixed conditions, walking 18 holes, and general comfort plus stability, these deliver and feel reliable. No weird pressure points, no slipping inside the shoe, and no drama with wet feet.

The pair I have is the Concrete Baygreen colour in size 9/9.5 UK (ECCO tends to do combined sizing). Out of the box, you’re looking at a low-top, trainer-style golf shoe with leather on the outside and a sock-like mesh inside. It’s marketed as a waterproof, breathable, spikeless golf shoe with a synthetic MTN GRIP outsole and BIOM Natural Motion tech. In plain English: it’s a leather sneaker with a grippy sole, built for golf, and meant to be comfy for walking long distances.

The shoe feels fairly substantial in hand. The listed weight is around 839 g for the pair, and on foot it’s not feather-light but also not a brick. I’d call it medium weight. You can feel that there’s structure and cushioning, which makes sense given the 3 cm platform height and the Fluidform midsole. The insole is foam, removable, and has a decent thickness to it. The inside lining is a soft textile, nothing rough or plasticky.

In terms of branding and look, it’s pretty toned down. Small ECCO logos, no loud colours on this Concrete Baygreen version. It looks like a slightly sporty casual sneaker more than a traditional golf shoe. I’ve worn them with golf trousers and also with chinos, and they don’t scream “I just walked off the 7th tee”, which I like. If you prefer the classic saddle-shoe golf look, this isn’t that; this is for people who want something more modern and trainer-like.

Overall, the presentation is clean and practical. No fancy packaging, no extras, just the shoes. For the price, I wouldn’t have minded a spare insole or something, but you basically pay for the shoe tech and the ECCO name, not the unboxing experience.