Ready to lace up in style? Salomon's latest limited-edition collaboration is here, blending the best of retro hiking vibes with modern performance. While the gorpcore trend might have cooled off a bit, the love for functional, stylish footwear is still going strong. And who better to deliver than Salomon, the French sports equipment company that's become a lifestyle staple? Their secret? Clever color schemes and exciting collaborations. And this time, they've teamed up with Italian menswear brand OAMC.
For their debut partnership, OAMC has taken inspiration from the past, giving the modern XT-Quest model a vintage hiking makeover. Imagine a sleek, all-black design with silver accents. This isn't just a simple recoloring, though. We're talking about a reworked silhouette, layered panels, robust metal hardware, and a mix of premium materials like leather, neoprene, and textured synthetics. The shoe's description promises to "connect authentic, nostalgic moments with the spirit of today’s enthusiasm for nature."
But here's where it gets controversial... OAMC drew inspiration from hiking the mountains of British Columbia. On the technical side, the OAMC x Salomon XT-Quest is packed with features. It boasts a 4D Advanced Chassis for support, an all-terrain Contragrip outsole for superior traction, and Salomon's Sensifit lacing system, which hugs your foot from the midsole.
Interestingly, OAMC and Salomon are keeping the marketing minimal, letting the product speak for itself. It's a bold move, but with a design this strong, they might just be right.
OAMC, founded in 2013 by Luke Meier and Arnaud Faeh (who previously worked at Supreme and Carhartt WIP), was originally named Over All Master Cloth. The brand has a history of successful footwear collaborations, including numerous experimental designs with Adidas.
The OAMC x Salomon XT-Quest is scheduled to launch on Thursday via salomon.com, oamc.com, brand stores, and select retail partners. The U.S. retail price is set at $210.
What do you think? Will this blend of retro and modern appeal to you? Are you a fan of Salomon's collaborations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
