How Salomon Infiltrated the Sneaker Market With Ease

Rewind just five years and the last thing you might have expected is the fact that the gorpcore trend is bigger than ever right now. Taking inspiration from classic outdoor gear that’s served hikers and climbers for decades, gorpcore actually takes its name directly from a classic mountain snack known as “good old raisins and peanuts.” While Arc’teryx might be the first brand to spring to mind when you think of this trend, it’s hard not to overlook the colossal impact Salomon has had on the scene in recent years.

Founded by François Salomon in the heart of the alps back in 1947, the brand has created some of the best outdoor gear the world has ever seen and continues to serve the mountaineering, skiing and trail-running communities to date. But that’s not where it ends, as the label has slowly but surely become prominent in the sneaker and streetwear scene through a slew of high-profile collaborations and glorious colour schemes that have turned the heads of tastemakers across the globe.

Our story dates back to 2015, when Salomon was a relatively unknown label in fashion circles. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, the heritage brand joined forces with Parisian-based retailer The Broken Arm to drop a limited-edition take on the Snowcross. The collaboration was exceptionally well-received and just a year later, another collaboration arrived, this time in conjunction with Spanish designer Boris Bidjan Saberi. This effort was arguably the collection that put Salomon in the spotlight with hardcore fashion-heads around the world, with the sneakers featured on countless streetsyle blogs and online moodboards.

This collaborative partnership continued to thrive with further releases, leading to even more exposure - all eyes were on Salomon. By late 2019 it’s safe to say that the label had well and truly broken into the streetwear scene, with Palace Skateboards launching a limited-edition take on the Speedcross 4. Early 2020 saw the real birth of the gorpcore movement, with global lockdowns forcing more young people than ever before to explore the great outdoors - this was a pivotal moment for Salomon and led to collaborative projects with the likes of Beams, and Wander, and COMME des GARÇONS.

Whether you’ve realised it or not, it’s safe to say that Salomon has made an unmistakable mark on the sneaker industry that we know and love today, and the brand continues to drop epic collaborations as well as remarkable GR colourways in their own right. If you’re yet to add a pair of these glorious sneakers to your ever-growing rotation then now is a better time than ever! Stay locked in right here at The Sole Supplier for all the latest sneaker and streetwear news, and while you’re with us be sure to browse the rest of our site too.