Sportswear brand Salomon has reintroduced its popular XT-Whisper trainers in a unisex design
The renowned sportswear brand Salomon is celebrated for its ‘superb quality’ high-performance trainers that are ‘sturdy enough to endure different terrain’. It has recently relaunched its popular women’s trail-running shoe, the Salomon XT-Whisper, which is now suitable for both men and women.
The brand explained: “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.”
I’m a shopping writer and would buy these five items in the Debenhams Boxing Day sale
Everything a running beginner needs to start the Couch to 5K in January from trainers to headphones
With a striking treetop green mixed with grey and neon yellow, the £140 trainers make quite the fashion statement, merging style and performance effortlessly with their wave design. As reported by Wales Online, the shoes are offered in sizes 3.5 to 12 and boast an Ortholite diecut sockliner and insole for added comfort during everyday wear.
Made from robust and breathable material, the shoe features 3D and anti-debris mesh, while the reflective details provide increased safety for nighttime jogs. One of our writers, Tiffany Lo, recently shared her experience with the Salomon XT-6 footwear, praising its durability.
She explained: “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 them in a white colour, which is a big risk of getting dirty but it’s definitely something different than the conventional trainers on the market.”
Salomon shoes offer the flexibility to tackle various terrains, from rocky and uneven to loose and soft. QuickLACE pull-tightening technology makes them easy to slip on and off, while Mud Contagrip provides stability wherever you walk.
Although no reviews have been published on Salomon’s website yet, Trust Pilot has several favourable reviews from Salomon enthusiasts. A keen walker commented on Trust Pilot about the combination of fashion and support provided 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.”
He added that, over the years, the brand has stood out among all hiking shoes he has purchased, despite being more expensive: “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.”
He accepted that superior quality often comes with a higher price, but also pointed out that Salomon’s hiking shoes feature fashionable designs: “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?”
However, other customers had mixed opinions, with one wearer of the X Ultra stating: “Very comfortable but after two years of light use the pattern on the for foot is worn down. Expected a greater lifespan for 130 euros”. Another customer agreed, saying: “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.”
A brand spokesperson highlighted Salomon’s recent success, stating: “2024 has been comeback season for a lot of Salomon’s archival silhouettes.” The footwear titan has dipped into its vast archives to rejuvenate models, with the Salomon’s XT-WHISPER the latest to be revived in brand new colourways. Grab them here.
If you’re after a walking shoe, the Salomon Saliba Women’s Hiking Boots are up for grabs at Decathlon in a trendy pink, cream and grey colourway for £84.99. Columbia is offering the FacetTM 75 II OutdryTM Hiking Shoe on sale for £80.50, while the ASICS GEL-VENTURE 6 shoes have been slashed to £57.