Overview
The trench coat. Blue jeans. Aviator sunglasses. Some items of clothing are so practical, so well-made, and look so good that they surpass their utilitarian roots and become a fashion staple in their own right.
Footwear by French outdoor lifestyle brand Salomon falls solidly into this camp, with sportstyle shoes hard-working enough to be embraced as enthusiastically by thru-hikers as they are urban tastemakers. Salomon's latest shoe, the XT-EVO, continues this all-purpose legacy. It's the latest iteration of the perpetually popular XT-6 style, which was launched in 2013 as a high-performance runner and quickly claimed by the sartorial crowd.
Originally constructed for ultramarathons, the XT range has become a streetwear mainstay flaunted by the vanguards of cross-cutting subcultures. XT-EVO is the culmination of three years' exploration into versatility. Designers have spent that time examining how outdoor performance technology can translate into new cultural environments.
Image courtesy of Salomon
The design of the XT-EVO – inspired by movement, speed and exploration – is a nod to its technical heritage. Your favourite Salomon features are still all here: signature jumbo mesh, the Agile ChassisTM System (stride-stabilising cushioning for extra support on rough terrain), and EndoFit sleeve for a sock-like wrap. The updated look includes contoured ridges dubbed "liquid rubber" – sculpted, flowing lines that add a dynamic edge.
Image courtesy of Salomon
As the XT franchise expands, XT-EVO marks the next phase of Salomon's premium offering, evolving the range while remaining connected to its origins. Its three colourways, red, black and grey, pay homage to an original XT-6 palette, linking the franchise's history with its next chapter, while a refined profile brings the familiar form into the present.
Innovators in the field of sports and culture, Salomon is always 10 aerodynamically engineered steps ahead of the curve. You can expect to see the XT-EVO on your next long-distance hike, or on the feet of the best-dressed person at your local wine bar.
XT-EVO is available globally online and in stores for $320.