Salomon

Salomon - Dedicated to mountain sports

A connection with nature, the ambition to constantly improve and an unbridled love of sport - Salomon embodies all of this. The manufacturer is and remains a professional when it comes to equipment for outdoor activities. Reason enough to expand its range in recent years to include some trendy lifestyle products.

Since stars like Rihanna have been photographed wearing Salomon shoes, there has been a real hype surrounding the sneakers. And rightly so, in our opinion! Because the shoes are not only visually brilliant, they are also packed with quality and technology. The company remains true to itself and impresses with its down-to-earth attitude and commitment. A really well-rounded thing!

In this article, we take you through the history of Salomon and introduce you to the most popular sneaker silhouettes.

From the stadium to the street: a Salomon story

Annecy is a beautiful Alpine town in the south-east of France and the birthplace of the Salomon brand. Amidst pastel-colored houses, the picturesque cobblestones of the old town and romantic canals, the family's sawmill and ski edge workshop was founded in 1947. His father François Salomon used his skills to improve ski edges for winter sports tourists, laying the foundations for what would later become an internationally successful brand. His son Georges brought about the turning point by developing a machine for this purpose. This allowed them to use the time gained to develop equipment - the beginning of a success story.

Through their further development, a technology was created in the fifties that revolutionized skiing: "Le Lift" replaced the traditional leather binding straps and made skiing much safer. Further technologies followed and made Salomon the leading manufacturer of ski bindings in the early seventies.

In the following years, more and more equipment such as ski boots and skis followed, making Salomon a real name in the industry. In 2005, the company was acquired by the Finnish sportswear brand Amer Sports and further established itself as an expert in outdoor sports. With shoes such as the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX or the Salomon XA Pro 3D, they have set new standards in running and other sports.

Salomon sneakers as a lifestyle product

The step into the lifestyle market only came in 2015 with the first sneaker for the street. This was quickly followed by clothing and other sneakers such as variants of the Salomon Speedcross. Salomon has always remained true to its roots and still designs its sneakers in the typical functional-technical style. While the bright colors were previously important for good visibility in nature, they are now a visual highlight and reflect the vibe of our time. Sporty performance is also interpreted as street style in leisurewear.

Their authentic but visionary style is also reflected in other areas, such as production. Having previously been based in Asian countries, Salomon opened a large automated factory in France in 2021 and has thus succeeded where other major manufacturers have previously failed.

The most popular Salomon sneakers

The current outdoor hype has of course contributed to the success of Salomon's lifestyle shoes. However, they mainly owe their popularity to their unique design: the functional elements and bright colors that are important for outdoor sports are mixed with street style and ensure a very individual look - far from the mainstream.

The undisputed leader among the sneakers is the Salomon XT 6. Originally, the silhouette was designed for trail running and almost disappeared from the market completely. The remake of the original functional shoe is available in really cool colors and classic white or black. With its features such as the specially developed cushioning system, durable materials and optimal fit, the XT 6 is not only a really good sneaker, but can still be used for trail running or similar.

Another sneaker favorite is the Salomon Speedcross 3. Like the Salomon XT 6, the Speedcross was actually a shoe for trail running. Thanks to the outdoor hype, however, the sporty look also became increasingly popular in leisure time and the company gave the Speedcross a new look. The lug profile typical of the silhouette guarantees the best sure-footedness with a comfortable grip.

In addition to the sporty sneakers, the most popular functional shoes are the Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX or the Salomon Speedcross 5, which - unlike the Speedcross 3 - is more in line with its origins and is the new trail running favorite.

Design, technology and passion

The history of Salomon shows how you can inspire a new audience and at the same time manage to stay true to your roots. They don't swim in the mainstream, but do their thing - and it's well received!

The bright colors originally had nothing to do with fashion, but were primarily a safety aspect. To this day, these colors and the sporty, functional style still characterize the shoes. Salomon also uses techniques that they have developed and perfected over the years. They turn the products from an accessory into an important tool for athletes. The Mud Contagrip® technology provides optimum grip and a sharp-edged lug design for maximum grip - especially on loose ground. The EnergyCell™+ technology is also a real game changer for trail running: the resilient midsole material provides exceptional energy return while offering cushioning and durability.

The authentic passion that drives Salomon is also reflected in its social and environmental responsibility. The Fondation Salomon, for example, is committed to the social and professional reintegration of riders and mountain professionals who are physically disabled due to an accident or illness. The company also supports various environmental organizations such as the Fondation Eau, Neige & Glace (Annecy), which aims to improve the management of mountain water resources.

The "carefree free thinkers"

From the very beginning, the company's goal has been to develop products that allow people to enjoy outdoor sports and new challenges. Simplicity and commitment are just as much a part of their values as imagination and belonging. They describe themselves as carefree free thinkers who are constantly working to improve their products. Salomon doesn't go with the flow, but sometimes breaks new ground to achieve its goals. Always in touch with the ground. Behind this is a unique dynamic that is infectious and is reflected in the products - we think that's really good!

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