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The Salomon brand and functionality have always been synonymous. Ever since its inception in the French Alps during the late ’40s, the design collective’s mission has remained the same—to make gear that transforms the wearer’s life experiences. Today, it’s come a long way from the ski-boot origins and expanded its offering to include an everyday “Sportstyle” collection with pieces fit for city-dwellers who enjoy the exhilaration of the athletic outdoors.
As someone who falls into that category, when it came time to pick out a versatile sneaker for an impending hiking trip to Joshua Tree, Salomon’s XT-4 OG sneakers were a top contender. Because I’m a fashion writer, I’d seen the shoe aptly styled both on and off the runway. Models made the outdoor shoe a fixture in their off-duty wardrobe, while fashion designer Jane Wade incorporated the silhouette into her new collections. But aesthetics aside, I was most curious about how the sneaker would perform in a range of environments—even beyond my trek to the desert.
Putting the XT-4 OG sneakers to the ultimate test meant wearing them in a variety of different terrains—so I did just that. From traveling through the JFK airport and sloshing through snow in the Midwest to strolling the streets of NYC and walkable European cities like Dublin, it really holds its own as a does-it-all shoe. The more random activities I did whilst wearing the sleek, lace-up style, the more I started to see just how capable it is. Here’s everything I learned along the way.
How do they fit?
A big part of ensuring optimal performance is finding that perfect fit—something that Salomon knows all too well. It’s one of the reasons why its full-length Agile Chassis skeleton and Quicklace technologies (for stability) are both so highly revered. The XT-4 OG sneaker comes equipped with both, providing wearers with a secure fit that I found especially comforting. (I have a narrow foot, which makes finding a reliable outdoor shoe that I can just as easily walk around the city in a bit tricky.) As a result, the XT-4 OG felt on the snug side when I first put them on. But after a few wears, they started to loosen up a bit. The end result? My own perfect fit that I can only compare to that of leather or a well-loved pair of denim.
What are they made of?
The first thing you see when looking at the XT-4 OG is the color-coordinated printed textiles splattered across the front that attracts both outdoor fanatics and fashion girls alike. This easy-to-clean synthetic material is supported by rubber trimmings to ensure durability and that your foot feels both weightless and secure. Its mesh upper gives it a breathability that I found kept my feet cool—especially while walking the expansive grounds of Nobu’s Residences in Los Cabos, where the air was hot and humid. The XT-4 OGs are made with Salomon’s carefully engineered Contagrip rubber outsole that gives the shoe a lug-like appearance. One of five versions of this technology, the sneaker’s mud-resistant design provides the ultimate grip for wet and loose surfaces.
How functional are they?
The shoe held its weight in a number of my travels. My only problem is the fact that the XT-4 OG isn’t completely waterproof, which made trying to keep my feet dry on rainy Dublin days less than desirable. But what the Salomon XT-4 OG lacks in moisture protection, it makes up for in the many other technical details that allow it to work hard in both your everyday and travel shoe lineup. The sneaker is extremely lightweight and bendy, contorting to a more compact size without losing its shape, which is great for trips that require you to pack light. However, these same qualities, paired with the Quicklace fastening, are reasons enough to wear in transit instead of stowing them away in a suitcase. Not only are the XT-4 OGs comfortable enough for walking through the terminal and long-haul flights, the shoes are also quite easy to slip on and off when going through security.
Daily wearability aside, the sneaker really shines once you’re on the ground at your destination. The highly-technical gripped sole steadies your foot in both slush and sandy terrains—which was somewhat surprising, considering how lightweight the shoe is.
