Ecco

I'm a tour operator specializing in Bhutan and the Himalayas. For 20 years I've been a big fan of Ecco boots and walking shoes for their strength, light weight, and support. I buy the best and I recommend what I like to my clients. This all ended 2 days ago when on my way to Bhutan with two groups of travelers, my Ecco 'Tracker' boots disintegrated with each step as I walked to my gate at Shanghai Airport. I've never seen anything like it––I thought I was either having a mental break-down or the airport floors were giving way, in any case by the time I made it to the gate I was wearing Ecco high top ballet slippers. As I walked chunks of sole and black dust trailed me the length of the airport. Embarrassing––yes! Maddening––yes! And in front of my clients who most of which were wearing the same boots––on my recommendation––unforgivable. With many hikes and treks from 10 to 14, 000 ft. having boots like this could mean injury or even worst. Hiking/trekking boots are not just footwear, they are equipment for the most important body part––your feet––if the equipment fails you're in trouble. Hiking boots are expected to perform in extremes not self-destruct––I have NEVER seen anything breakdown like this. Shoes/boots wear out yes but not dissolve. You Ecco, are knowingly putting peoples lives at risk. Going on the Net to see if my boots were unique brought me to scores of the same complaints––soles breaking down at the office, at dinner parties, etc. Mine could have been on a trek––of course if that happened my lawyers would be writing this. Looking at the past dates––going back many years––you have known about this defect, and done nothing about it. No warning, explanation of possible sole breakdown––NOTHING! Like VW you have brought your brand down to it's knees. This is not about just my inconvenience––I'm entering Bhutan tomorrow with no boots––only with a pair of back-up Keens. The boots I depend on––I have bought 5-6 pairs over the years––are useless, and I will never trust them/you again. When I return home I'm throwing away the remaining pair in my closet. I DON"T TRUST YOUR PRODUCT! Tomorrow I'm landing in Bhutan for the first time in my professional career unprepared for the elements because of your lack of ethics to your customers welfare. Sincerely, JD Keser