A Love Letter To The Salomon XT-4 OG: The Trail Shoe Gone Fashion-Girlie Fave

Salomon is one of those brands that doesn’t necessarily make sense on the surface. It was founded as a utilitarian ski gear company in the French Alps in 1947, and while the brand has maintained its focus on performance, it’s also become a footwear favorite to some of the biggest names in fashion (Hailey Bieber, Rihanna, Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid…).

Salomon’s trail runners were initially designed for, well, trail running and hiking way back when, but the rise of gorpcore in the 2000s, in addition to huge collaborations with COMME des GARCONS, KITH, Carhartt, Madhappy and more, have catapulted the brand into the mainstream. 

If you’ve never ‘styled’ your runners before, prepare to reconsider. The Salomon XT-4 OGs are not your average trail runners; they sit at the intersection of function and fashion, and they might just be your gateway – either from trail running into fashion, or vice versa. Get ready to wear them a lot – to walk, work, hike, happy hour, and everything in between.

Performance Meets Aesthetic

While I don’t remember the first time I saw a pair of Salomons, I’ve encountered them a lot over the past few months. And, what’s stood out to me is that it’s never the same type of person mentioning them – or wearing them for the same sort of occasion: a passerby on a hike raving that she wore them to hike El Camino de Santiago and never got a blister; a gym friend sporting them for strength training; and most recently, our fashion editor Olivia Marcus deeming them a Dutch wardrobe staple after a trip to Amsterdam. 

In her words, in Amsterdam, “Colorful sneakers are an outfit requirement. Based on my personal survey of footwear, Salomon and Adidas are the locals’ brands of choice. I left the hotel in velvet ballet flats, walked for five minutes, and turned back to put my Salomon sneakers on—I was thankful I made the switch when it started unexpectedly pouring rain an hour later.”

I aim to be mindful when I’m shopping – are the pieces I’m buying timeless or trendy, can I wear the staples I’m investing in for work and play, etc. – but after months of consideration (and realizing that Salomons sportstyle shoes are seemingly designed for everyone and every activity), I snagged a pair of the XT-4 OG in White / Ebony / Lunar Rock. The brand calls this pair a ‘celebration of Salomon’s greatest performance features,’ and honestly, I get that! I’ve worn them just about everyday since they landed on my doorstep. 

Comfort Level: Cloud Nine

As soon as I unboxed these puppies, I took them for a stroll around my neighborhood with a friend (who complimented them instantly); from there, I styled them with a dress and sweater vest for work (where a barista complimented my outfit); and I’ve worn them on a few local hikes (no compliments to report there – yet). I love how they look, which I expected, but I’ve also been gravitating towards them because they feel incredibly supportive and stable, too. 

I got the XT-4 OGs around the same time I started ramping up my running routine to around 35ish miles/week, and my feet have been extra sensitive during this transition. As such, I’ve been more aware of which of my shoes are actually supportive and comfortable, and as it turns out, Salomons feel way better on my feet than any other pair of shoes I own. They’re incredible on my arches, offering support where I need it and flexibility where I don’t. Plus, the hiker I met was right – they haven’t given me a single blister.

On The Technical Side…

Salomon is constantly working on the next best thing through its S/LAB range – first innovating, and then incorporating its best-in-class technology into everything the brand makes. Some of their most popular innovations include: the Agile Chassis System, which helps balance stability and flexibility; Sensifit provides a snug fit without compromising on comfort; Contagrip provides unparalleled grip on different surfaces; and quickLACE both allows for easy on and easy off – plus it’s also designed to increase blood flow and reduce fatigue. 

The XT-4 OGs boast Salomon’s Agile Chassis System and quickLACE technology, in addition to dual-density EVA cushioning to protect your feet and ensure soft landings. All of this results in a shoe that feels sturdy and well-made, but not clunky. It’s also incredibly wearable from day one and requires virtually no time to break in. 

Should You Buy Them?

In a word: absolutely. It’s basically the shoe equivalent of athleisure—designed to perform for legitimate physical activity, and also socially acceptable for most activities. They’re an investment in comfort, style, and – honestly – a little bit of cultural clout.

And lastly, because I have a few upcoming weeklong to ten-day trips top of mind, I also have to applaud them as an ideal travel shoe. I’m aiming to pack for all of these trips (several of which are multi-stop and multi-occasion journeys) in a carry-on, and these shoes make my life so much easier – I can wear them on the plane, for daytime excursions, and even for casual dinners while still looking put together. 

The only downside I can think of? You’ll likely be tempted to buy a second pair…and then a third once you realize how versatile and stylish they are. 

Oh, and they sell out quickly.

Take a peek, then snag a pair while you can, here.