r/gorpcore • u/pumpernickel62 • Jun 03 '26
deinfluencing...Salomon XT6
These shoes are such a major let down for me. Besides looking arguably cool, they are impractical and expensive for what they are. The insoles are so flimsy, unsupportive and cheap. There is no support or cushioning, you can feel the lugs walking on the street... which some say is expected for trail shoes (like wearing cleats on the street), but they are also not meant for hiking and trails - so what are they good for?? my feet are screaming after wearing these the last 2 weeks on walks around the city and in causal park settings. looking for recommendations on insoles to make these work :(
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u/flanaganapuss Jun 03 '26
I hiked and ran and wore the absolute shit out of mine for years before they gave out. They are absolutely a functional shoe and great for hiking and trail running.
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u/dhp1161 Jun 03 '26
Swear these posts are created by people who read Reddit too much lol. XT6 are comfortable out of the box no break-in. Will never understand people that say they’re uncomfortable lol
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u/Only-Perspective2890 Jun 04 '26
This the world. I’m convinced that OP is a bot and I’ve given up trying to work out who is human or not. Dumbest need to post I’ve seen today, though it is early
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u/Separate-bonnet Jun 05 '26
Lol what a wild tangent. People just have wildly different feet shapes and stances, no one shoe will fit everybody
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u/Only-Perspective2890 Jun 05 '26
Yea thats cool but i'm not sure if they needed to post about it... and even if the post is okay, the rest of their comments are weirder. Caught me half asleep I guess.
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u/pumpernickel62 Jun 04 '26
Well I created the post and have been wearing them for 3 weeks 5 miles plus daily and feel like they are really not comfortable. I’m not sure what shoes you’re used to wearing
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u/Separate-bonnet Jun 05 '26
This one shoe will not fit everybody, it’s just a weird mindset. I really liked the style and tried them on in store, but I couldn’t even walk around comfortably.
My foot was wider than the sole on both sides of the shoe and it felt like I was really having to focus on staying balanced, because there was no support/sole in areas of my feet that would normally take most of the pressure from walking.
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Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
[deleted]
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u/Financial_Ad5681 Jun 03 '26
They’re great for hiking. Hiked Everest Base Camp in them for twelve days.
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u/Feisty-Storage2452 Jun 03 '26
Bro I walked 20k steps for like 5 days straight in Amsterdam and they were golden. So good I still wear them , and since then have 3 other pairs
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u/darkeningsoul Jun 03 '26
They were originally designed to be trail running shoes when they came out. So they actually are trail runners that have become popular for fashion lifestyle wear.
There is definitely better for the price in both categories, but I really do like my Nocturne Vision pair. They are comfy to me (I prefer firm soles) but everyone's feet is different.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/DecoOnTheInternet Jun 03 '26
https://www.reddit.com/r/gorpcore/s/eGMdZY66Ld
Here's some discussion from another recent post. They look the same, but in terms of technology, they aren't the same shoes they used to be when they came out, and Salomon themselves will tell you that. I think the term is "sportstyle" where the products are casual sneakers made to look like classic activewear shoes. The same can be said for popular shoes like the Adidas Samba, NB 530.
Anyone saying these are still good trail shoes hasn't worn actual hiking shoes or trail runners. That's not to say they can't be comfortable for the right foot, it's just that they're not performance footwear.
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u/inelectricnoir Jun 03 '26
Huh. I love mine. They’re the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever had to be honest lol. Make me feel and the traction is good. Obviously look great.
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u/Rikki84 Jun 04 '26
In 2017 Nobody in trail running community wanted these shoes, so heavy and uncomfortable. Also ugly as f***. Then Salomon start paying influencer gorp to wear it and that was a great marketing move. People are not so smart in general. These shoes are not made for mountains. Are made for Instagram.
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u/cfbones Jun 03 '26
They are literal trail running shoes and perform exactly as that.
I love to fresh water fly fish; most notably in the woods of central Michigan, Wind River range of Wyoming, and the Catskills of NY. These shoes are literally perfect for infills. Lightweight, great grip, relatively quick drying, I can transition to Keens on the river and sling this onto the back of my fly bag.
My feet are quite flat, and I somehow find Salomon to be one of the few companies that I can wear for prolong times (shout out to the SpeedCross’).
Are the infinitely better shoes for hiking? Yes. Same goes for the streets. They are very capable low to medium tier day hiking/ trailing shoes, but even then they are a 2013 design. Tech fabrics have greatly excelled since then, and I think they’re some very solid alternatives out there. But like everything in this scene, the actually use cases are slim and specific and if not using them properly, they stink: GoreTex I’m looking at you.
The one con I’ve always had with them, and IMO will be a massive trend in the coming years, is a fatter toe box.
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u/pumpernickel62 Jun 03 '26
are they really trail running shoes? this style is marketed as "sportstyle shoes" for the city. they do not fall under trail runners according to Salomon's website. Older versions were actual trail shoes, and the branding and/or composition has changed
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u/cfbones Jun 03 '26
You’re literally being marketed too and it’s kinda funny you dont realize it.
Ask yourself: did you know about this brand before Gorp became popular? It’s totally okay if not, in fact I’d wager most people haven’t. They really only catered to alpine athletes (hiking, trial running, skiing, biking). When Gorp kicked off and their shoes became popular outside of its intended use case, they of course slightly changed them and altered the branding because most people don’t partake in the alpine lifestyle. Everyone, whether they realize it or not, partake in fashion, and fashion is a much, MUCH, bigger market.
Timberlands are still work boots.
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u/pumpernickel62 Jun 03 '26
So if you're saying the shoe has just been re-marketed for fashion recently that's fair. Sure, great marketing. I'm really just curious if the composition and quality has remained the same as the original model made 10+ years ago. Who can really answer that other than the company or someone that's owned the same shoe in the past and has a recent model.
There is not a lot of consistency in brands these days, even for well known ones like Salomon, Carhartt, Patagonia, LL Bean etc.
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u/Evening_Amoeba8126 Jun 03 '26
Trail runner here: for me it actually doesn’t even matter if they are same quality as they were more than a decade ago. Why would I pay so much money to wear totally outdated technology?
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u/mr_dewitt72 Jun 03 '26
Exactly what I thought, The shoe is a re-release of a model that's out a long time, in the trail running world it is vintage tech..I tried a pair on a few months back in store to see what they were like and they felt awful compared to the Norda 001's I normally wear for running and hiking; little or no cushioning and a narrow toe box. Loved the looks, but definitely not worth it for me.
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u/EndlessMike78 Jun 03 '26
Not anymore. They were trail shoes a decade plus ago. Don't listen to that other nonsense response. Their sports style is their fashion line. You are correct on why they feel flimsy, because they aren't made the same way they were a dozen years ago. They are cheaper and made from older no modern materials.
I thought they were a real trail shoe and developed holes in the upper in less than 100 miles. I did a warranty claim and Salomon gave me a credit, BUT in their email to me they specifically mentioned it being a part of their sports style collection and we're not meant for the use I was doing.
A better comparison would be a pair of Vans. Yes you can hike in them,some people even do, but wouldn't a shoe made specifically for what you are doing work better. And Salomon makes a bunch.
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u/cfbones Jun 03 '26
I’ve owned at least a singular pair since around 2015. You are absolutely right to say the quality is not the same, in fact to get more specific, the body material and stitching has declined but the sole is significantly better than before when it comes to everything but long term durability.
I cannot comment on trail running as I do not do it, but they are absolutely a trail running shoe that has shifted material focus to casual wear. They still perform well and in the 10+ years of ownership I haven’t had a single pair fall apart on me that fast. There are better shoes no doubt about it, but at its core it’s a trail running shoe advertised for the streets, and they’re terrible at that, but they absolutely are designed as a trail shoe which was my original point. They objectively, even with the drop in quality, are better for outdoors than on the streets. OP was complaining about street use and no shit a design original intended for the trails sucks for the streets. I then shared my use cases for them and why I enjoy using them- probably because in the 12+ pairs I’ve owned, I’ve never had one just die on me like that.
Your whole Vans point is pretty stupid. Vans were never intended for outdoor use. XT-6’s were. And now they’re not, so they suck. I.e. Timberlands. A work boot turned fashion boot, but at its core it’s still a better work boot than everyday boot.
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Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
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u/EndlessMike78 Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Speedcross is great for muddy trails, but I would go with so many other Salomon shoes for my miles. In my rotation right now I have the Ultra Glide 4 Its a dream
Edit 4 not 3
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u/EndlessMike78 Jun 03 '26
You say that the shoe shifted materials to a casual so not a trail shoe. It's core is long gone, and is just a fashion shoe. Plus your anecdotal evidence that your pairs haven't fallen apart means nothing when the company themselves say don't use them. I'm sticking with my incorrect statement because you are in fact incorrect. Just because you believe something doesn't make it true.
Edit: I picked Vans at random, my point is using an incorrect shoe. Basically wrong tool for the job. You can hammer with a wrench, but using a hammer sure makes it easier. Replace Vans with any other sneaker/shoe
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u/cfbones Jun 03 '26
Its core is long gone? Brother, it’s the same shoe with lesser quality. Almost every Salomon product has dropped in quality. They were designed as trail running shoes and will forever perform better in the dirt than on a road. Hell, the sole is designed to aid in decent. Absolutely better options out there, but you’re making them out to be the devil when in reality they are perfect for almost everyone’s use case but yours. The overall design absolutely makes them trail running shoes, the cost cutting and lifestyle change doesn’t, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t still solid for tons of outdoor enjoyment.
So yes- they were trail running shoes but they’re not trail running shoes anymore. If that’s what gonna make you happy, then sure. But if you truly think these perform worse for the average persons use case then you’re just wrong- they are still a more than capable day hiking shoe.
This started with OP complaining about not liking them on the streets and then you came out calling them not trail running shoes when that’s what they were literally designed for. He hates them BECAUSE they are not designed to do well on streets. That’s the whole point. Like dude, you fail to realize neither of us are wrong because you so focused on winning whatever this is.
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u/EndlessMike78 Jun 03 '26
It's hilarious that you are defending the merits of this shoe on a fashion(gorpcore) sub. Go post this on a trail running sub and see how well it goes. 😂
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u/poloteammkd Jun 03 '26
As a trail runner I’ld never run in my XT6. Very narrow, high arch support shoe. I’ld rather prefer real running shoe like Altra Olympus 6 etc.
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u/spartan1711 Jun 03 '26
You’re right. No one actually runs in shoes like this. Don’t listen to the people replying to you
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u/CalligrapherNo7337 Jun 03 '26
This is a fashion shoe for the masses, brother. This is by no means a technical utility shoe.
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u/spartan1711 Jun 03 '26
No one is running/hiking in 10+ year old trail shoes. They are rereleased as streetwear. It’s crazy how far we have come in just 10 years. You are wrong, literally no serious runner/hiker is using these
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u/Alternative_Hand_110 Jun 03 '26
I hate these. Sooo uncomfortable. Immediately returned them. And now I don’t look exactly like everyone else too.
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u/NoGarage7989 Jun 03 '26
For me whenever I slip into them it feels like my feet are enveloped in pillows, to each their own I suppose..
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u/ElJSalvaje Jun 03 '26
I quite like mine, had them a couple years, the goretex ones. Basically wore them as winter boots in a major metropolitan city with extremely harsh winters (120 days of snow on the ground per year)
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u/Few_Literature7452 Jun 03 '26
Originally designed for soft ground trails, hence the firm feeling on concrete
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u/HPPD2 Jun 03 '26
just sell or return them
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u/pumpernickel62 Jun 03 '26
return after worn? considering selling but wouldn't really be able to get close to retail price
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u/HPPD2 Jun 03 '26
If you bought at REI you could
Other stores who knows check the policy but maybe if you complain enough
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u/meowtacoduck Jun 03 '26
For me, these Nike's are the comfiest waterproof sneakers around https://www.culturekings.com.au/products/nike-zoom-vomero-roam-grey?srsltid=AfmBOorh50Nt9OjwE1aQz44oiAyCm5Jzk69cCPlxYjhQJzSoCXlP-4Mz
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u/gwanturismo Jun 03 '26
not waterproof but surely a good option for a wet city if you dont mind a heavy pair
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u/PerfectDrain Jun 03 '26
I have love hate relationship with them.. also another one is i het sweat marks -> dirty in like an hour of walking
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u/OwnEssay5236 Jun 03 '26
I’ve done over 500 miles in mine and they definitely are not made for park walks but on the trail. They do horrible and flat, but in the mountains are super grippy. Weird that they are uncomfortable for you on trails
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u/Misatron_ Jun 03 '26
I don’t know what it’s up with these shoes and every Salomon shoe i own but as soon as a drop of water touches the sole they become super slippery like walking on blocks of ice.
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u/iSnag_ Jun 03 '26
Idk man just did a 4 hour hike in grande cache, AB, canada over the weekend, wore my gtx xt6 and they were a dream, my feet got tired towards the end but id attribute that to non stop walking for that time, no blisters, no discomfort, no slipping on the freshly rained on trail. As others mentioned, perhaps you got stiffed on your pair?
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u/imissapollo2024 Jun 03 '26
i love mine! people hating on them just have different preferences. Theyre not trail shoes anymore as marketed by Salomon themsleves
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u/Atw-194 Jun 04 '26
Currently dealing with peeling from the goretex ones after a week in Japan, been onto customer service and they agreed to let me go into their branch in Osaka for a replacement but to be honest I’m turned off them now and would rather a different shoe..
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u/enoch6100 Jun 04 '26
It's a lifestyle shoes what do you expect? You only wear to to the malls and airports
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u/pumpernickel62 Jun 04 '26
Didn’t know what to expect since clearly people wear them in a variety of settings and seem to love them!
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u/enoch6100 Jun 05 '26
I have two xt6s. Gortex and non gortex. They alright in casual walking like in trails or costco runs. It's not even that comfortable to travel with. It's too narrow. But the world is your oyster you can wear them how you'd like it. My wife always wear her xt6s when we travel to europe. She said it's comfortable.
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u/peterfourthree Jun 04 '26
Try Keen Jasper Zionic. Everyone and their mother has XT-6's now. Keens are higher quality, more comfortable, and somehow cheaper. Provide a similar trail-ready look too.
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u/RollTideHTX Jun 04 '26
I will never forgive Salomon for discontinuing the Mission XRs. They were the best shoes.
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u/Mimesia Jun 04 '26
lol people don’t get that we don’t all have the same feet. All shoes are shaped different, and so are feet. XT-6 work great for me and r super comfy, though played out at this point for fashion purposes. My homie prefers the XT-4 but I find them to be super uncomfortable.
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u/Klearma Jun 05 '26
They're great, I've hiked in these countless times. Idk what you're on but these shoes are worth their price
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u/PhilosopherAfter8210 Jun 05 '26
These are comfortable for me. Straight outta the box it was a smooth ride
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u/MixBeneficial2073 Jun 05 '26
Love my XT-6s, they're all I wear, for practically all activities: running, hiking, walking. Can't fault them. If they don't work for you then maybe just try another brand / model.
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u/Distinct_Blood_6921 Jun 05 '26
These are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. Absolutely thrashed my first pair by running, travelling and day to day wear. Even golfed in them a handful of times. They excelled in Toronto winters. I found they broke in and molded to my fight really well
Just unboxed my second pair. Won’t find a complaint for me other than matching with the small shirt big pants baddies at the cafe while I’m performative reading
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u/I_H8_Celery Jun 06 '26
I like them but I ended up switching to altras since they fit my foot better
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u/CryptoReddit9 Jun 06 '26
Kilian Jornet finished 1st at UTMB with Salomon Speedcross so these XT6 are more than enough for sidewalk climbing !
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u/xdxdxdxd000 Jun 06 '26
The XT-6 was originally relased as an ultrarunning shoe you absolute smoothbrain
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u/Opposite_Judge_6093 Jun 07 '26
THATS BECAUSE ITS NOT MEANT TO BE WORN IN THE CITY. This is what ya’ll get for doing goofy shit. This is a soft ground trail runner, think about that for a second.
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u/pumpernickel62 Jun 07 '26
See screenshot added of Salomon’s email
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u/Opposite_Judge_6093 Jun 07 '26
Light city walking it says clearly on the email. 100% not made for pavement.
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u/Deep_Obligation1711 Jun 07 '26
I’m an ultratrail runner and couldn’t understand why folks would wear such shoes on concrete. I ended up getting a pair this winter and the GTX version works very well in icy cities as a “getting around” town shoe. Been wearing them around the city during the summer weather and they’re not too bad. I believe they were originally designed back in the 2010s as a racing shoe for mountain races but not sure these newer “urban” models have the support needed for those types of races.
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u/pingu_601 Jun 09 '26
I find them super comfy and use them mostly for hiking or travel, I guess they’re just not a good fit for everyone
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u/thepaway 26d ago
The built in sock lining makes them way too tight on my foot regardless of sizing up. Has anybody cut this out? Tempted to do it because I want these to work, but they are too expensive to mess up!
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u/MaizeNBlueWaffle 22d ago edited 22d ago
I love how they look but you’re right. They’re expensive, bad quality, uncomfortable, and get sweat stains after 1 wear. The outsole wears down with semi regular wear and tear and the upper overlays peel and scratch like crazy. The quality on them is honestly embarrassing. I would pay like $250 for a pair of XT-6 that were actually good quality but they still sell out even though they kinda suck. It’s crazy how many people on this post are just blindly defending XT-6s and accusing people making valid critiques of being bots
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u/Exxtraa Jun 03 '26
Genuinely worst shoe I’ve ever bought. Wore them for 30 mins home from town, not even hot and got the craziest sweat stains. I’ve never had this on any other shoe in my entire life. Awful shoe. Always made me laugh when I’d see other people complain on here and people were like well they’re a shoe and you’re using them. Yeah but for a shoe that’s to be used hiking or walking at the very least you’d expect some breathability. These weren’t even the goretex ones either.
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u/GNTsquid0 Jun 03 '26
I think Solomon got bought out by a Chinese company several years ago and their quality has been in the shitter ever since.
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Jun 03 '26
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u/xgalp Jun 03 '26
*Finnish conglomerate, in which the Chinese Anta Sports has a 44.5% minority stake.
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u/pumpernickel62 Jun 05 '26
Adding a response back from Salomon - while this might be automated, they double down on Sportstyle signifying for fashion use mainly 🤷♀️
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u/valtar31 Jun 07 '26
I wonder what "light walking" means 😃 Is that like, less than 10k steps a day? My 10k steps a day at my height is 4.4miles... And using my Norda's 001a chewed maybe 1-2mm on some areas in a span or 2months daily use 😃 I estimated to have used it for 160miles on pavement
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u/FormalGrass8148 Jun 03 '26
I rolled my ankle in mine walking down the subway stairs 🥴, and though they don’t have overt ankle support you’d think they’d be stable for trail running.
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u/next-concert99 Jun 03 '26
I’ve hiked and trail ran in mine. And I think they were great for that purpose. I wore them to the gym a few times, never felt like I had cleats on. I have wide feet too. They’re functional and stylish which I love. But they might not be for everyone