Salomon Ireland

Salomon was founded in 1947 in Annecy, France, originally as a ski binding manufacturer. The brand is now owned by Amer Sports (majority stake to Anta Sports in 2019). They supply footwear to professional trail and mountain running athletes and have won multiple ISPO product awards. Their X Ultra and Speedcross lines are among the best-selling trail shoes globally by unit volume.

Salomon shoes generally run true to size, but the toe box is narrower than average. Runners with wider feet often go up half a size. The Quicklace system locks the midfoot firmly, so if you have a high instep, the standard lace models may suit better. Salomon's own guide recommends 5–10mm of clearance between the longest toe and end of shoe when standing.

For long-distance walking (20km+), dedicated walking shoe brands like Meindl and Hanwag outperform trail runners in ankle support and sole thickness. For moderate, everyday trails under 15km, the Salomon X Ultra, Merrell Moab and Hoka Anacapa perform well across independent tests. The best choice depends on foot shape and terrain; there’s no single universal answer.

Yes, particularly for fast hiking and trail running crossovers. The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX holds a 4.5+ average rating across multiple independent review platforms and is one of the most reviewed hiking shoes online. For technical alpine terrain, heavier leather boots offer more protection. For day hikes and multi-day marked trails, Salomon performs well across a wide range of conditions.

Originally a ski binding manufacturer, Salomon moved into trail running in the 1990s and became the dominant brand in that category. Key technologies include an EnergyCell midsole foam, Contagrip outsole (15+ rubber compounds for different terrain types) and Quicklace, a single-pull lacing system now used across most of their footwear. The Speedcross model, launched in 2006, is one of the best-selling trail shoes of all time.