Beloved sportswear brand Salomon, renowned for its ‘superb quality’ and high-performance trainers that are ‘sturdy enough to endure different terrain’ has reissued its popular women’s shoe, the Salomon XT-Whisper, with a fresh look and design now suitable for both men and women.

While its previous incarnation offered a ‘softer aesthetic’ and ‘tweaked build’ tailored for women’s trail-running, the brand has unveiled the high-spec revamped model priced at £140 with some key differences. They explain: “When the trail running shoe was first released, the XT-Whisper was designed for women to make their mark in trail racing. It was a response to the male-heavy skew of technical trail gear, a redesigned shoe with a softer aesthetic and a tweaked build to suit women’s feet. Now, the shoe is making a comeback, however, it is no longer a best-in-class trail running shoe. Neither is it only available for women.”

Sporting a treetop green palette blended with grey and neon yellow, the trainers are an eye-catching choice, seamlessly blending style with functionality through its distinctive wave design. Available in sizes 3.5 to 12, these trainers are engineered with an Ortholite diecut sockliner and insole for enhanced foot cushioning during everyday wear.

Constructed from robust and breathable material, the shoe features 3D and anti-debris mesh (bidding farewell to pesky pebbles!), and the reflective elements add a touch of safety for those evening runs, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The shoes boast an Agile Chassis System, providing stability and shock absorption. Unlike the previous XT Whisperer model these trainers feature SensiFit technology, which gently cradles the foot from the midsole to the lacing system, ensuring a secure, snug, and almost customised fit.

Perfect for navigating muddy mountain terrain, the shoes are equipped with Mud Contagrip, designed to tackle challenging surfaces that are loose, soft, rough, and uneven. Additionally, the quickLACE system allows for effortless on-and-off, with pre-fastened and tightened laces that simply require a quick pull to secure.

Although there are currently no reviews on the Salomon website, fans of the brand have shared their thoughts on TrustPilot. One reviewer praised the quality and style of Salomon shoes, saying: “As an avid hiker, I’ve traversed a multitude of terrains and I always put my trust, as well as my feet in Salmon shoes.”

They continued: “However, over the years I have tried many other brands, but the one that never got me disappointed is Salomon. Some may argue that they are a bit pricey, but what I have learned from my experience is that a hiker should never save on shoes. And yes, the quality comes with a price tag. Be ready to pay more for high-quality shoes. Aside from its quality, the design is always trendy and catchy. Who says that fashion is not important in the mountains? “

Our very own Tiffany Lo, a proud owner of the brand’s XT-6 model, praised their durability and quality: “The XT-6 model are made for trail running but the unique patterns also made them fashionable enough to wear everyday. The quicklace system on the shoes work well to keep my shoes nice and tight and there’s a pocket where I can tuck the lace in and hide it in plain sight.”

She added: “Unlike other brands which promote on cloud-like comfort, the Salomon XT-6 gives me great support and I can breeze through the Christmas shopper crowd in Oxford street without getting back pain. I’ve got it in white colour, which is a big risk of getting dirty but it’s definitely something different than the conventional trainers on the market.”

However, some shoppers didn’t quite have the same experience, with one trainer wearer – who had the X Ultra – saying: “Very comfortable but after 2 years of light use the pattern on the for foot is worn down. Expected a greater lifespan for 130 euros”. Another echoed: “Actually really loved my trail – running shoes but unfortunately they already broke after not even a year… quality should be better for this price segment! “.

Salomon is making waves with its latest designs, with a spokesperson for the brand commenting: “2024 has been comeback season for a lot of Salomon’s archival silhouettes. The technical footwear titan has reached back into its extensive archives to breathe new life into models including the signature cold-weather stepper, the Snowclog. The latest to return to the scene is Salomon’s XT-WHISPER, which transpires in a brand new trippy colorways.”

Elsewhere, the Salomon Saliba Women’s Hiking Boots are available at Decathalon in a chic pink, cream and grey colourway for just £84.99 here. Meanwhile, Columbia offers the high-quality FacetTM 75 II OutdryTM Hiking Shoe, ranging from sizes 3 to 10, priced at £115.