Can It Live Up to the Legacy of the C4?

I’ve been wearing Ecco golf shoes for a long time.

The Biom Hybrid 2s. The Cage Pro. The Biom Hybrid 3 — which I called the best golf shoe I’d ever owned. And then the Ecco Biom C4, which somehow managed to top that.

The C4 logged dozens of rounds with me and never let me down. Honestly, it held the title of most comfortable golf shoe I’d ever put on my feet for years.

But that was then.

The golf shoe market has exploded since I reviewed the C4. G/FORE has been getting most of my wear time lately. They’re exceedingly comfortable shoes, with multiple options that genuinely fit my personal style. Payntr has created some of the most performance-forward footwear in the game, and with their latest SC line, they’ve seriously improved on the looks front too. TRUE Linkswear, Heathlander, the competition is real.

So when the Ecco Biom C5 landed on my doorstep, the question wasn’t just “is this a good shoe?” The question was: can it compete in a field that’s gotten a lot more crowded?

Let’s find out.

First Impressions of the Ecco Biom C5

Ecco styling has always been a bit of an acquired taste, and the C5 is no different.

My overall take? It’s a good-looking shoe, but I’m not sure I like it quite as much as the Biom C4. My biggest disappointment is honestly the colorway selection. I would have loved to see a few options that were a little more subtle and understated. 

That said, the pair I received, mostly white with teal on the heel and what I can only describe as a “Volt-esque” yellow-green on the sole, is genuinely sharp. It’s distinctive without being loud, and feels distinctly Ecco.

Worth noting: this colorway is unique to the BOA model, which carries a $20 premium over the standard laced version. At $250 for laces and $270 for BOA, you are firmly in premium territory.

But pick these up out of the box and any lingering concerns about the price melt away pretty quickly. Everything about this shoe feels high-end. The leather is supple. The Gore-Tex surrounds are immaculate. The material choices on the midsole are deliberate and considered. As the brand that basically invented the spikeless golf shoe, Ecco isn’t resting on its reputation here, they’re continuing to push it forward.

Comfort: Still Among the Best, With a Slight Caveat

The C4 set an almost unreasonably high comfort bar, so I want to be precise here.

Slipping my feet into the C5 for the first time was love at first wear. They fit like a glove immediately, true to size at 12 US / 46 EU with no break-in required.

I also like how Ecco designs it so you can pull out the insole if you need a slightly wider fit. So if you tend to need a wide shoe, these can still work for you.

But here’s the honest take: they feel slightly firmer and slightly stiffer than the C4 to me. Maybe that’s just because my old C4s have over 100 rounds on them and have been fully broken in. But I feel like there’s one notch less in that cloud-like, pillow-on-your-feet sensation that made the C4 so special, but it makes up for it with one notch more in stability.

That’s not a knock. It’s a trade-off, and depending on what you value, it might actually be a feature.

For reference: the Biom H4 sits about two notches firmer and two notches more stable than the C4. The C5 splits the difference nicely, it’s the sweet spot between cloud-like comfort and on-course performance stability.

What hasn’t changed is what Ecco has always done better than almost anyone: making a shoe that feels like a walking shoe while delivering all the performance of a high-end golf shoe. The Biom C5 absolutely carries that tradition forward. I’d take these on a walking trip without hesitation. 36 holes a day, multiple days in a row, and I’d have full confidence my feet would still feel fresh at the end.

Performance on the Course

I’ve put two rounds on the C5 so far, including one with light rain, and the performance has been exactly what you’d expect from this brand at this price point.

The new C5 outsole delivers on its promises. Multi-directional traction in wet and dry conditions, check. I didn’t slip once across either round. The sole feels incredibly durable for a spikeless shoe, and the grip inspired real confidence both while walking the course and through the swing.

The Gore-Tex Surround is doing its job as well. Zero water infiltration across both rounds, and that 360-degree breathability means your feet aren’t sitting in a sauna while the waterproofing does its thing. I’ve worn enough Eccos in wet conditions over the years to know this isn’t just marketing, the waterproofing on these shoes is genuinely excellent. Not a shock considering the partnership with Gore-Tex. 

One note on the BOA Fit System: it’s wonderful. Being able to micro-adjust the fit mid-round, dial it in a little tighter on the back nine when your feet have settled, is something I wish more golf shoes offered. If you’re on the fence about the $20 BOA premium, I’d lean toward paying it, as long as the slightly sportier aesthetic works for you.

How is the durability of the Ecco C5?

It’s too early for a full durability verdict, I’ll update this review as the rounds stack up, but early signs are excellent.

The sole construction feels like it’ll hold up for a long time. The leather, as always with Ecco, is high quality and should age well. One thing I noticed with my C4s over time is that the leather and midsole can attract dirt and show minor wear earlier than you’d hope. The occasional wet rag helps, but it’s worth being aware of going in.

The BIOM Natural Motion technology and removable/washable insole are nice long-term durability features, keeping the shoe fresh even after heavy use.

So… Is the Ecco Biom C5 Worth $250–$270?

That’s the real question, isn’t it?

Honestly? It depends on who’s asking.

Do you need to spend this much to get an excellent golf shoe? No. There are great options at lower price points. But the C5 isn’t trying to be a great value, it’s trying to be one of the finest, most premium spikeless golf shoes on the market. And it succeeds at that.

If the styling speaks to you (especially in the white colorways, which is where this shoe really shines), if the BOA system appeals to you, and if you want a shoe that delivers on comfort, stability, waterproofing, and durability in equal measure? The Ecco Biom C5 belongs on your short list.

The C4 legacy is alive and well. The C5 builds on it thoughtfully, trading a tiny bit of that legendary cloud-like softness for a more stable, performance-focused platform. For most golfers, that’s a very good deal.

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A premium spikeless shoe that upholds the Ecco comfort legacy — with a little more stability baked in.

8.5

Great

The Ecco Biom C5 does what Ecco does best: premium comfort, premium performance, premium price. They’re a worthy successor to the outgoing C4, trading just a tiny bit of maximum comfort for a tiny bit more performance and stability.

The Good

1. 
   Comfort is still among the best in spikeless golf shoes
2. 
   BOA system makes dialing in fit effortless
3. 
   Gore-Tex waterproofing is class-leading
4. 
   Incredibly well-built and premium in every detail

The Bad

1. 
   Very expensive — $250–$270 is top-of-market
2. 
   Colorway selection is a slight letdown; stick to the white options
3. 
   Marginally firmer than the beloved C4 (though more stable for it)

• Presentation
  8

• Performance
  10

• Price
  7

• Personal Affinity
  9