Once started as a modest ski equipment brand, Salomon has made an extraordinary transformation into the fashion industry in recent years. From collaborations with well-known brands to sneakers worn by celebrities like Kanye West and Rihanna. Read on to find out how Salomon has managed to stay true to its core brand while standing out with trendy and stylish designs!
History of Salomon
It all started in the breathtaking French Alps, Annecy, where Salomon has its origins. Salomon was founded in 1947 by François Salomon, a passionate skier and artisan shoemaker. François started the company producing saw blades in a small workshop, with only his wife and son Georges as employees.
After World War II ended, newly liberated tourists flocked back to the mountains to ski. François saw an opportunity to apply his skills to ski edges, which allow skiers to make sharp turns.
Georges' pioneering ideas
However, it was Georges who took the company to new heights. In fact, he attended night school for engineering and his first pioneering idea was to build a machine to produce edgings. This allowed him and his father to focus on developing ski equipment.
But it did not stop there. In fact, Georges had an eye for spotting problems athletes were running into. For example, what happened when skiers still used fixed leather straps as bindings was the fact that this often led to broken bones when legs twisted with skis stuck.
First, he developed an unlockable 'Skade' binding, attached to the toe end of a shoe. The second was a system called 'Le lift', which allowed the bindings to unlock in case of a heavy impact. Originally advertised as 'Your guardian angel', it ended in a painful problem. Contemporary ski bindings are still made with the same basic premise.
World's largest manufacturer
Just 19 years after their humble beginnings in Annecy, Salomon bindings made their first appearance at the alpine world championships in Chile in 1966. With pioneering innovations in binding technology, including the Atlas safety binding and the first binding with a self-releasing heel piece, Salomon quickly captured the hearts of skiers around the world. In 1972, it even became the world's largest manufacturer of binding systems, producing as many as 1 million units annually. This made Salomon the undisputed number one in bindings, symbolizing quality and reliability.
Launch of the first Salomon ski boot
In 1979, Salomon took the step to produce their own ski boots. Here, in 1984, the revolutionary SX90 was hailed as the most influential ski boot ever. This innovative boot was the first to introduce the rear step and heel attachment system. To design this boot, Salomon enlisted the help of Roger Tallon, the designer behind the famous TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse). The Annecy-based company conquered the art of molding plastic and multi-injecting technical components. It also used special fabrics and composite materials to produce this groundbreaking ski boot.
The famous orange boot, originally launched in France and worldwide the following year, has become a stunning success story.
A decade later, Salomon expanded its product range and began manufacturing snowboards, skis and alpine hiking boots. For instance, a notable addition was the introduction of the S9000 with a unique 'self-supporting beam' structure, which provides improved grip and is made without the use of solvents.
The first Salomon hiking boot
In the 1990s, Salomon also ventured into producing hiking boots for the public. In the spring of 1992, for instance, they launched the popular Adventure series, which quickly became a huge success. A New York Times article even titled it, "Hiking in the future with a lighter shoe. The same year, Salomon reinforced its reputation as a leading manufacturer during the Olympic Games in Albertville, which is just 50 kilometers from Annecy. Here, the brand supplied equipment to legends such as Edgar Grospiron.
So when it comes to shoe production, they did remain focused on delivering a product for the active adventurer. For example, the XA Pro, a precursor to trail running, is the technical benchmark for multidisciplinary hiking. After that, notions of lightness and speed became increasingly important.
It wasn't long before Salomon shoes became an integral part of competitive hiking. They were also worn by record-breaking Kilian Jornet during the 2008 UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc). Which went simultaneously with the arrival of Salomon's Custom Fit Technology. Salomon remained committed to growing its range and providing high-quality footwear to those with a passion for the outdoors.
For example, the iconic XT-6 model, with its striking and graphically strong design. Originally intended for long-distance trail runs. However, it made a surprising breakthrough in the urban environment, especially in terms of fashion.
adidas and Amer Sports
In 1997, Salomon was acquired by adidas and later sold to Chinese sportswear giant Amer Sports in 2005, after Adidas pulled out of the ski equipment and apparel industry.
Salomon's move into the sneaker game
Although it may seem like Salomon has become popular in the fashion industry out of nowhere, for this we go back to the year 2015. Until this year, the two worlds had never actually crossed. Indeed, the vibrant neon colors were only designed specifically to ensure visibility during extreme hikes and runs. And thus not as a fashion statement.
In an era where it was almost impossible to get another pair of Nike sneakers and the public was willing to try something different, brands like Salomon, Hoka, and New Balance saw their popularity grow.
For that reason, The Broken Arm, an influential streetwear shop based in Paris, also started selling Salomon. This led one day to a customer walking in here asking for a pair of Salomon Snowcross Boots. These look like avant-garde aqua socks, designed for trail running in the snow rather than on the street. This was a reason for Salomon and The Broken Arm to quickly collaborate. The result was the same core design as the Snowcross, but with an updated outsole and a striking color combination in shades of grey, green, and tangerine.
At that point, it became clear that Salomon was relevant to that particular consumer segment.
"It was a groundbreaking moment, but it all felt very natural," said Alex van Oostrum, Salomon's global brand specialist. "It wasn't just about them buying the heritage of the brand, but also the technical aspects of the shoe."
Popular Salomon collaborations
This first high-profile collaboration was followed by a series of surprising collaborations.
Boris Bidjan Saberi
So Salomon collaborated with designer Boris Bidjan Saberi, who saw an opportunity to adapt part of the shoe collection and incorporate it into his own fashion line. The result was the remarkable 11 BBS line that, moreover, you can still score today!
Jean-Philippe Lalonde
Or consider Jean-Philippe Lalonde, who that same year joined Veilance, the fashion arm of Canadian outdoor brand Arc'teryx. His job was to set up a new Sportstyle division at Salomon and its mission to bring together street style and performance. The Advanced programme created by Jean-Philippe largely retained the essence of the footwear designs but added bold colorways and striking design features. This created an innovative collection that stayed true to Salomon's core, while offering a fresh and striking look.
Other collaborations
Very rarely does Salomon approach a partner with a view to reaching a different audience or jumping on a trend. Instead, it looks out for brands that approach them with interesting projects, seeing the opportunity to place Salomon in a different cultural context from where both brands are already located. That way, collaborations with Palace and Comme des Garçons also emerged.
Popular Salomon models
After reading this article, are you convinced that a Salomon sneaker should no longer be missing from your sneaker collection? We would love to help you pick out this must-have model!
Salomon XT-4
The Salomon XT-4 is the ultimate choice for trail adventures in all types of terrain. With its impressive technical features and progressive design, this shoe is ready to take on any challenge. The lightweight construction, made of durable mesh and strong TPU liner, also ensures optimal performance. The Contagrip® outsole offers unmatched grip on any surface. So whether you're running on rocky trails or trekking through muddy roads, the XT-4 Advanced will never let you down.
Salomon XT-6
The Salomon XT-6, originally introduced in 2013, has established itself as the favorite shoe of world-class athletes for ultra-distance racing in challenging conditions. It is loved not only for its striking colors and materials, but also for its excellent cushioning, durability, and control during descents. The unique fast-lacing system is also an absolute eye-catcher and ensures ultimate ease of use. Whether you run on rough terrain or want to take your style to the next level, the XT-6 guarantees performance and style in equal measure.
Salomon ACS
The Salomon ACS trail runner has also fully established itself in street style. With an original design from the 2000s, including a mesh and synthetic material upper, a robust Kurim-structure, and a double strap at the heel, this shoe offers both style and functionality. A new addition is the Agile Chassis System, which provides extra stability while running. So you experience the best of both worlds with this versatile and trendy Salomon ACS shoe.
Salomon XT-Wings
The Salomon XT-Wings has long been loved by adventurous trail runners looking for unparalleled performance. But since the original Wings has been revised in a range of colors, we've been seeing it pop up more and more on the streets too. And whether you're climbing over rocks or spending a day running around town, the XT-Wings will keep your foot comfortably in place, so you can run all day effortlessly!
Salomon XT-Rush
To offer a comfortable sneaker for urban adventurers, Salomon has taken the iconic bottom unit of the XT-6 and added a knitted upper that feels like a sock. In addition, the Salomon XT-Rush comes in a mix of materials and colors, giving you a cool, fresh look every time.
Salomon Speedcross
The Salomon Speedcross is a symbol of trail heritage, but also a responsible lifestyle choice for the climate-conscious consumer. It was designed and developed with the ambition and aim to do better. For example, it has an upper made from a mix of recycled materials. But still, it is lightweight and features plenty of grip and cushioning!
We hope this information has given you new insights about the extraordinary Salomon brand! We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it. If you'd like to read more articles like this, but about other brands, we recommend you check out our Sneaker FAQs!
