Salomon
Founded in 1947 in the mountain town of Annecy in the French Alps, Salomon began life as a modest metalworking workshop producing saw blades and ski edges. The company’s founder François Salomon and his son Georges soon shifted their focus to skiing innovation, particularly in bindings, which set the groundwork for decades of technical advancement. By the early 1970s, Salomon had emerged as a global leader in ski binding manufacturing, thanks to designs that prioritised performance, safety, and ease of use. The company continued to expand its offerings into ski boots and skis, releasing game-changing products like the SX91 boot and monocoque ski.
Throughout the late 20th century, Salomon maintained a steady pace of evolution, keeping close ties to its alpine origins while embracing technological progress. The 1990s marked a pivotal moment for the brand with its move into hiking and mountaineering footwear. Drawing on its experience in alpine sports and outdoor terrain, Salomon footwear was crafted for performance across a wide range of conditions, both in the mountains and beyond.
In the early 2000s, Salomon turned its attention toward trail running with the release of the Raid Race in 2001. This shoe laid the foundation for the brand’s modern identity as a leader in running shoes and outdoor performance footwear. As it grew, Salomon retained its position at the intersection of athleticism, innovation, and design, making a name for itself in both the sportswear and fashion worlds.
Today, Salomon continues to operate from Annecy and remains rooted in its mountain heritage. It combines deep technical knowledge with forward-thinking design to serve both the outdoor performance community and a growing lifestyle audience.
Key Design Features
Salomon’s modern reputation is built on a commitment to performance, durability, and user-focused innovation. The brand's footwear showcases several in-house technologies designed to enhance fit, stability, and responsiveness. These include the Quicklace system for easy one-pull tightening, SensiFit uppers that cradle the foot for a snug fit, and EnergyCell midsoles that offer high-rebound cushioning. Profeel Film provides underfoot protection on uneven trails, making Salomon trainers suitable for both long-distance runners and city commuters alike.
From trail to street, Salomon footwear is characterised by a strong visual identity. Many styles feature rugged outsoles, lightweight mesh uppers, and exaggerated technical detailing that appeals to both performance wearers and fashion-forward consumers. Colourways range from practical earth tones to bold gradient fades and high-contrast palettes, often inspired by alpine landscapes.
Salomon’s design teams, led by figures like Philippe Besnard and Edenlys Beylard, place equal importance on biomechanics, materials, and emotional impact. The goal is to craft shoes that do more than function, they create a connection between user and environment. The design process begins with collaborative workshops that bring together developers, designers, and engineers to build from the ground up. That multidisciplinary approach results in Salomon footwear that feels intuitive and considered across its performance categories.
Alongside its technical focus, Salomon has also taken strong steps toward responsible production. The brand’s sustainability roadmap includes circular design thinking and localised manufacturing. Notable examples include the INDEX.01, a recyclable running shoe made from TPU and recycled polyester, and the Phantasm Made in France project, which highlights the potential of domestic manufacturing paired with reduced-impact materials.
Salomon’s alignment with contemporary trends, particularly the ongoing appeal of Gorpcore and trail-influenced streetwear, has allowed it to transition smoothly into the lifestyle category without compromising its roots in outdoor performance.
Key Products and Collections
Salomon’s current product range includes a variety of trail runners, hikers, and lifestyle shoes that appeal to both performance athletes and everyday wearers. One of the most recognisable models is the Salomon XT-6 GTX, a waterproof trail runner turned street staple, widely regarded for its lightweight build and distinctive silhouette. The XT series more broadly - including the Salomon XT-4, Salomon XT4, Salomon XT 4, and XT-Quest - continues to evolve with seasonal updates in materials and colours.
The ACS Pro is another standout style in the Salomon lineup. Originally developed in the early 2000s, it has been reissued as part of the Sportstyle range and now features Agile Chassis System cushioning and breathable mesh uppers. These Salomon trainers represent a key link between the brand’s trail heritage and its modern urban identity.
Other noteworthy releases include the X-6 Mindful 2, crafted using recycled PET and TPU, and the XA Pro 3D, one of the original models to bridge technical running shoes and everyday wear. These styles are not only built for performance but also sit comfortably within a fashion context.
You can explore current styles like the Salomon XT-6, XT-6 GTX, and Alpinway in our dedicated Salomon footwear collection, or browse similar categories including Salomon trainers and shoes online now.
Styling and Similar Brands
Salomon footwear offers versatility across wardrobes. Its performance-first design allows it to pair naturally with technical outerwear, oversized silhouettes, and functional accessories. Whether you’re heading for a city walk or a day hike, styles like the Salomon XT-6 and ACS Pro lend themselves to practical layering and contemporary streetwear alike.
For those drawn to Gorpcore and technical style, we suggest combining Salomon trainers with outerwear from Sedan All-Purpose, Hiking Patrol, or Gramicci. The brand’s neutral colourways make it easy to work into a muted wardrobe, while brighter releases can add contrast to tonal dressing.
Salomon also aligns well with the clean yet functional aesthetics of labels like BEAMS Plus or BEAMS BOY and YMC. Style XT-series trainers with straight-leg trousers and utility jackets for a casual uniform, or wear them with wide-leg jeans and a fleece for a relaxed weekend look.
Salomon’s approach suits a wardrobe built around comfort, mobility, and purpose-driven design, making it an excellent fit within the broader offering at Couverture & The Garbstore.
Cultural Impact and Collaborations
Salomon’s influence has grown steadily in both performance and cultural spaces. Since the launch of its Sportstyle division in 2016, the brand has become a mainstay in the fashion and streetwear community. Collaborations with labels like COMME des GARÇONS, The Broken Arm, and Boris Bidjan Saberi have helped position Salomon at the centre of the performance-lifestyle crossover.
Recent projects with Carhartt WIP, Palace, Gramicci, and HIDDEN.NY further cement its credibility across varied audiences. These collaborations often serve to highlight Salomon’s technical DNA while reinterpreting its silhouettes through a fashion lens.
From the trails of Chamonix to the streets of Tokyo and London, Salomon continues to build relevance through both design integrity and cultural awareness.
Discover the latest Salomon footwear at Couverture & The Garbstore. Whether you’re after trail runners, lifestyle trainers, or something in between, our curated selection brings together key silhouettes from across the brand’s archives and new releases. Shop now and find your next pair of everyday-performance Salomon shoes at Couverture & The Garbstore in Notting Hill.
