‘If records exist for such events, then it’s possible that the Ecco Receptor sports shoe range is in a world class’, says the Danish-based company as it released the news that it had sold one million pairs of the footwear over 494 days following the launch in 2001.

For 2003 Ecco has also released details of the Receptor Ultra Terrain sports trainer – a polymer mesh upper combines with a patented midsole and a foot-wrapping shank to provide ‘a stealthy [sic] hard-core sports shoe’.

Receptor Sports Sandals, on the other hand, borrow natural technology from the ability of the order Octopoda to grip by means of sucker-supporting tentacles. The soles of the footwear, complete with Octopodal Technology, are said to be capable of providing grip in all situations where water and a smooth surface combine to make conditions treacherous underfoot.