The sportswear brand Salomon, renowned for its 'superb quality' high-performance trainers that are 'sturdy enough to endure different terrain', has relaunched its popular women's shoe. The Salomon XT-Whisper, with a fresh look and build now suitable for both men and women.
While the shoe was previously known for its 'softer aesthetic' and 'tweaked build' tailored for women's trail-running, the brand has launched a revamp: "When the trail running shoe was first released, the XT-Whisper was designed for women to make their mark in trail racing. It was a response to the male-heavy skew of technical trail gear, a redesigned shoe with a softer aesthetic and a tweaked build to suit women's feet.
"Now, the shoe is making a comeback, however, it is no longer a best-in-class trail running shoe. Neither is it only available for women", says the brand. Sporting a treetop green mixed with grey and neon yellow, the £140 trainers are quite the fashion statement, blending style and performance seamlessly with their wave design.
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Available in sizes 3.5 to 12, these trainers feature an Ortholite diecut sockliner and insole for extra cushioning during daily wear. Constructed from durable and breathable fabric, the shoe includes 3D and anti-debris mesh and the reflective details offer a bit more safety for those evening runs, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Equipped with Mud Contagrip for handling all kinds of challenging terrains, from loose and soft to ruffed and uneven. Not to mention, slipping them on and off is a breeze thanks to the quickLACETM system that tightens with just one pull.
While the Salomon website hasn't gathered reviews yet, supporters of the brand on Trust Pilot are voicing their approval. An enthusiastic hiker remarked on the combo of reliability and fashion sense offered by the brand: "As an avid hiker, I've traversed a multitude of terrains and I always put my trust, as well as my feet in Salmon shoes."
They continued, noting their long-term brand loyalty, "However, over the years I have tried many other brands, but the one that never got me disappointed is Salomon. Some may argue that they are a bit pricey, but what I have learned from my experience is that a hiker should never save on shoes.
"And yes, the quality comes with a price tag. Be ready to pay more for high-quality shoes. Aside from its quality, the design is always trendy and catchy. Who says that fashion is not important in the mountains? ".
Our very own Tiffany Lo, a proud owner of the brand's XT-6 model, recently raved about their durability: "The XT-6 model are made for trail running but the unique patterns also made them fashionable enough to wear everyday. The quicklace system on the shoes work well to keep my shoes nice and tight and there's a pocket where I can tuck the lace in and hide it in plain sight."
She added: "Unlike other brands which promote on cloud-like comfort, the Salomon XT-6 gives me great support and I can breeze through the Christmas shopper crowd in Oxford street without getting back pain. I've got it in white colour, which is a big risk of getting dirty but it's definitely something different than the conventional trainers on the market."
However, some shoppers didn't quite have the same experience, with one trainer wearer - who had the X Ultra - saying: "Very comfortable but after 2 years of light use the pattern on the for foot is worn down. Expected a greater lifespan for 130 euros". " Another echoed: "Actually really loved my trail - running shoes but unfortunately they already broke after not even a year... quality should be better for this price segment."
Salomon has made a significant comeback this year, as the brand's spokesperson highlighted: "2024 has been comeback season for a lot of Salomon's archival silhouettes.
The technical footwear titan has reached back into its extensive archives to breathe new life into models including the signature cold-weather stepper, the Snowclog. The latest to return to the scene is Salomon's XT-WHISPER, which transpires in a brand new trippy colorways."
Snap them up here. In other news, the Salomon Saliba Women's Hiking Boots are available at Decathlon in a chic pink, cream and grey colourway for just £84.99 here. Meanwhile, Columbia offers the FacetTM 75 II OutdryTM Hiking Shoe, ranging from sizes 3 to 10, priced at £115.