Throughout the year, I've been fortunate enough to test and review a couple of pairs of shoes from ECCO, a company that has been revamping its entire footwear line and in the process releasing some seriously great products. First I was impressed with their Biom Lite Helion minimalist running shoe and later I was bowled over by the Biom Hike 1.2 boots.  Both products were durable, attractive and very comfortable, delivering very good performance in their two very different outdoor activities. Recently I've been putting a new ECCO shoe through its paces and like with its predecessors, I'm extremely impressed. Once again the company has found a way to surprise me with their designs, this time offering up a sandal that is built for the trail. 

If you were to compare the new Biom Terrain Chiappo sandal to a motorized vehicle you'd say that it looks like an ATV or even a dune buggy. It has a rugged suspension, in this case in the form of an amazing outsole and a comfortable interior that keeps the wearer safe from harm while allowing them to go places they never thought they could. At least not in a shoe like this one. 

If you turn the shoe over and only saw the bottom, you'd probably guess you were looking at a light hiking shoe. The sole is flexible, yet incredibly sturdy and offers an excellent grip, even on slick surfaces. ECCO may have built the Chiappo to look like a sandal, but this shoe has the heart of a hiker. 

Slipping the shoe on is an eye-opener as well. These sandals cradle the foot nicely and provide an excellent layer of padding that was completely unexpected. I didn't just think the Chiappos were comfortable for a sandal, I just thought that they were comfortable when compared to any shoe. The ergonomically designed footpad felt great and the low profile sole kept my feet well connected to the surfaces that I was scrambling over – something that is very important when moving over uneven terrain. 

ECCO wisely included three straps for adjusting the fit of these sandals – two across the top of the foot and one along the back of the heel. This really helps to dial-in how you want these sandals to feel on your feet. Personally, I happen to like my performance shoes to be a little on the snug side. It helps me get a better feeling for the ground and react accordingly much more quickly as well. Tightening up the velcro straps on the Chiappos achieved exactly that goal and kept them from feeling like they were going to fall off my feet unexpectedly, something I've experienced with some other sandals in the past. 

Made from yak leather, the shoe's uppers feel soft and comfortable while wrapped around the foot. They also happens to wear very well, resisting scuffs, cuts and other damage with equal aplomb. After putting these shoes to the test on the beach, several hiking trails and while kicking around town, I can honestly say they still look like they have been just taken out of the box. The same level of quality that I saw in ECCO's previous shoes shines through here as well, giving you the sense that these are a pair of shoes that will be with you for years and see you safely through all kinds of adventures. 

In terms of styling, I really like the looks of the Chiappos too. Available in four color schemes, I was sent a pair that are dark gray with reddish accents, a combination that is known as Dark Shadows and Lava in ECCO's vernacular. Those color combinations look totally unique and help these sandals to stand out from the crowd. While they do retain a classic sandal styling, the Chiappos also have a design that is modern, unique and all their own. 

One thing that was a bit of a disappointment for me was the design choice to make the Chiappo an open toed shoe. That means that they vent well and allow your feet to breathe better, particularly in hot climates, but it also allows more loose debris, sand and dirt to get inside. This is somewhat common with many sandals like these however and is basically something you accept when you choose to wear them. Closed toes do make these shoes a more viable option when visiting certain areas or participating in some outdoor activity. For example, when I visited the Amazon Rainforest a few years back, we weren't allowed to wear open toed sandals as they didn't provide enough protection. But in that case it wasn't protection from dirt and dust that was a concern so much as it was the snakes. 

That one nitpick aside however, I have to say that I really love these shoes. I continue to be impressed with how good they feel on my feet and how well they perform in the field. If you've been looking for a lightweight, comfortable and durable sandal that you can hike in, your search is over. Pick up a pair of Ecco Biom Terrain Chiapos and get trekking. Similarly, if you want a comfortable shoe for wearing around camp while backpacking, you can't go wrong either. Your feet will thank you when you slip into them at the end of the day and they won't take up much room in your backpack either. 

The Chiapo Sandals carry an MSRP of $130, which is a competitively priced with similar offerings from competitors. 

The minimalist running craze has had an undeniable effect on the shoe industry. A few years ago the options for lightweight running shoes were few and far between, but today every major manufacturer has footwear that is designed to meet the needs of the minimalist runner. These options range from barely there barefoot offerings to only slightly more substantial shoes with a more traditional slant. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, but they are all incredibly light and flexible.

Recently I've had the opportunity to test a new entry into the minimalist running shoe market, with this latest design coming from ECCO. If you're not familiar with the company, it offers a variety of high quality footwear options including everything from dress shoes and sandals to hiking boots and athletic gear. ECCO is planning to make a big splash in the running market in the months ahead, releasing shoes for a variety of distances on both the street and the trail. One of their first models in this impressive line-up is the new BIOM Lite Helion, their first truly minimalist running shoe.

As you would expect from a minimalist shoe, the Helion is incredibly lightweight,  to the point that you barely even know that they are on your feet. They feature a zero-drop heel and a very thin sole that helps to keep runners more connected to the ground, while providing only the smallest of protection from impact and surface debris. The shoe has been constructed of highly breathable materials that help keep the feet cool and dry on longer runs. This not only aids in comfort, but also helps to prevent chafing and blistering too.



These shoes are designed to wrap snugly around the foot, creating an anatomically correct layer of protection from the rigors of the road. I found that while they felt comfortable from the first time I ran in them, I also had to put a few miles on them before they were truly broken in. Over time, the interior footpad molded itself nicely to foot, providing a higher level of comfort, while the entire shoe became more flexible and forgiving.

I ran in my pair of Helions with and without socks and actually found them to be more comfortable to wear barefoot. Without socks however, I did manage to rub a blister onto the top of my foot, although to be fair this is an issue I've had with similar shoes in the past as well. I actually feel this is more of an issue with the shape of my foot rather then the shoes themselves. The more I ran in the shoes, the less of an issue it became however.

As with other minimalist footwear that I've tried, the Helion provides a fantastic connection to the road. I found it absolutely sublime to run in these shoes and looked forward to putting them on each day. For me personally, there really is a magical element to running with very little between my feet and the pavement. But I will admit that I can only wear these types of shoes on shorter runs (generally less than five miles) or my feet do suffer from the impact. On longer runs I still revert back to more traditional shoes with thicker, heavier soles.

ECCO's first entry into the minimalist market is a strong one, providing everything a runner could need in a shoe of this time. They are definitely lightweight, and yet at the same time, quite durable. They are also a nice mix of retro design with modern sensibilities, giving them a unique look all of their own. They also happen to be competitively priced at $140, although there are less expensive minimalist options available.

If you're looking for a new lightweight shoe for your running needs, then the ECCO BIOM Lite Helion   needs to be on your radar. Its a great entry into a market that is getting continually more crowded, although these stand out for their comfort and well high quality construction. If you get the opportunity, take 'em for a test run. I think you'll find they make a great addition to your gear closet too.