The Modern Urbanista: The ECCO SOFT 8 Sneaker

I’ve always been a sucker a cool pair of classic white high tops, so I obviously nabbed these ECCO SOFT 8 Sneakers the minute I could.  Just ask my Mum about my hightop obsession. I remember in grade 3, I begged my Mum for a pair of white Rainbow Brite high tops and whined incessantly until I got them. This was frankly, a miracle as my mum does not suffer bad behaviour, but I guess she understood that they were a must-have in an 8-yr-old’s wardrobe.

Fast-forward a few years and here I am reliving my third grade dreams with these incredibly comfortable ECCO SOFT 8 sneakers in white.

Everything about them is “white hot”: the soft, supple white leather, the fact that they are so comfortable and their cool factor.

Let’s talk about how comfy these shoes are for a minute. They are made with premium white leather that feels like butter. Like all ECCO shoes, they are “anatomically correct” – fitting securely and providing a ton of support. They are also flexible and not stiff in the least. They are like wearing cool, urban slippers!

My friend and I decided to explore Hintonburg, a vibrant neighbourhood just west of Ottawa’s downtown core. Hintonburg is home to some of my favourite cafés and restaurants such as Bar Laurel, Hintonburger (stellar, gigantic burgers) and Ministry of Coffee. An afternoon taking in the energy of the neighbourhood couldn’t have come at a better time. I had just wrapped up possibly the busiest week of my life, where I walked in and hosted several fashion shows and attended a weekend of Juno Award festivities.

While I was thrilled at these opportunities, I was also exhausted. A little “self-care/me time” was definitely in order. I strapped on my ECCO SOFT 8 sneaks and my feet simultaneously sung and thanked me at the same time. You see, they have been strapped into four-inch heels for way too long and they were not happy. It was nice to slip on shoes that didn’t make me question my will to live.

We met up at Ministry of Coffee, grabbed some delicious Marrakesh mint teas and took to the streets. Taking in the sunshine, we marvelled at the colourful homes nestled away on the side streets. Sticking out like a tower of colourful Legos, we found a condo building accentuated with bright squares in primary colours. This is what I love about Ottawa. There is an eclectic vibe to so many of the little neighbourhoods that make up my vibrant city.

So, I have found the perfect, most comfortable shoe in my ECCO SOFT 8 Sneakers, and plan to wear them all spring and summer. With all of the Canada 150 festivities that are planned and upcoming musical festivals, they’ll add just the right amount of urban cool to my outfits.

The ECCO SOFT 8 Sneakers are available online here and at stores nationwide. Happy shopping!

*Thank you to Ecco Canada for providing these comfy shoes in exchange for my honest opinion. Photography courtesy of @streetlifeottawa (Instagram).