There’s a shoe that has quietly become the most-spotted trainer on London’s streets in 2026, and it started life winning ultramarathons in the Alps. The Salomon XT-6 trainers were not designed with Shoreditch in mind. They were built for athletes covering 100 miles of mountain terrain in the worst possible conditions. That origin is exactly why they work — and why the fashion crowd adopted them before the brand even noticed. If you’ve been wondering what all the fuss is about, or you’re already sold and just need to know which colourway to go for, this is your guide. Also worth reading: our gorpcore guide for more on the trail-to-street movement shaping London dressing right now.
Where the Salomon XT-6 Comes From
Salomon started in the French Alps in 1947. For most of its life the brand was a winter sports company — ski bindings, nordic boots, the equipment that serious mountain people trusted. The idea that anyone would wear a Salomon shoe to a gallery opening in Peckham would have seemed absurd.
The XT-6 launched in 2013 as a pure performance trail runner, built for ultra-distance racing. It was the shoe of athletes covering brutal terrain in brutal conditions — designed to last, to grip, to protect, and to feel comfortable on hour fourteen of a mountain race. It did all of that extremely well.
The cultural shift happened quietly. Around 2020–2021, the Broken Arm — a concept store in Paris with the kind of taste that tends to be right before everyone else — noticed something: young Parisians were wearing their fathers’ old XT-6s on the street. Not as irony, not as nostalgia. Just because they looked good and felt good. Scott Mellin, Salomon’s Chief Brand Officer, has cited that exact moment as the turning point.
“Invented in the mountains, reinvented in Paris.” The line sounds like marketing, but it’s also just what happened. By 2024, less than 10% of Salomon’s revenue came from skiing. Trail running, hiking and urban streetwear had taken over. The XT-6 is now the centrepiece of Salomon’s Sportstyle range — a shoe worn equally by city dwellers who’ve never seen a mountain trail and athletes who’ve seen nothing but.
What Makes the Salomon XT-6 Trainers Actually Good
£165 is a considered purchase. Here’s what you’re actually getting.
Start with the lacing. The QuickLACE™ system is one of those things you don’t know you need until you’ve used it. One pull, the shoe is secure, the excess lace tucks into a pocket on the tongue and disappears. No trailing laces, no retying mid-commute, no faff. It’s a small thing that makes the shoe noticeably better to live in.
The fit is handled by two interlocking systems. sensiFIT™ cradles the foot from the midsole all the way up to the lacing — it’s not a stiff shell, and it’s not a loose sock. It holds the foot in place without squeezing it. endoFit™ is an internal sleeve that hugs the foot precisely, filling in the gaps that leave most trainers feeling slightly approximate. Together, they explain why people report no breaking-in period. You put them on and they fit.
Underfoot, the agileCHASSIS works alongside the EnergyCell midsole to absorb impact and return energy. On London pavements — uneven, relentless, occasionally cobbled — this makes a tangible difference across a long day. The Molded OrthoLite® sockliner adds another layer of cushioning and breathability. The Mud contaGRIP® outsole has deep, sharp lugs designed for loose mountain terrain; on wet city streets, that translates to traction that actually holds.
The whole thing weighs 365g per unit. The heel-to-toe drop is 10mm. For a shoe with this much protection and grip, that’s genuinely light.
At £165, they sit in a category where the technology justifies the price — this isn’t paying for a logo.
How to Style Salomon XT-6 Trainers
The XT-6 is a unisex shoe. The following works for everyone.
The commute-to-weekend build: Ripstop cargo trousers or wide technical pants, a fitted quarter-zip or base layer top, and the XT-6 in Black/Phantom or an earthy neutral. This is gorpcore without performing gorpcore — it’s just a functional outfit that happens to look considered. Works on the tube at 8am and at Broadway Market at noon.
The off-duty minimalist: Straight-leg or wide-leg jeans, a heavyweight crew-neck tee or a simple knit, and the XT-6 in White/Lunar Rock or Ghost Gray. The chunky sole does the work — the rest of the outfit doesn’t need to try. This is the build for a gallery in Bermondsey or a long afternoon in Seven Dials. Nothing about it reads athletic, despite the shoe’s origins.
The elevated pull: Wide-leg tailored trousers or a midi skirt, a longline coat, and the XT-6 in a bolder colourway or the GORE-TEX version. The shoe anchors the look with function and a little visual weight, while the rest reads dressed. This works particularly well in autumn and winter, when the GORE-TEX version earns its keep.
One note on sizing: the XT-6 runs narrow. If your feet are on the wider side, go half a size up. If you’re between sizes, size up rather than down.
The Best Salomon XT-6 Colourways Right Now
Salomon releases new XT-6 colourways regularly — and past collaborations with MM6 Maison Margiela, NAKED Copenhagen and END. have shown the shoe’s range. These are the five to consider right now.
Black / Black / Phantom — the one to start with. All-black with subtle tonal variation keeps it clean and versatile. Always available, works with everything.
White / Lunar Rock — crisper and more spring-ready. The pale palette makes the silhouette read more clearly, which suits the minimalist approach well.
Ghost Gray — tonal, subtle, sits between the black and the white options. For those who want the shape without drawing attention to it.
Maritime Blue, Black & Fiery Red — a cleaner sports-adjacent option. Sits between a heritage runner and a trail shoe in its energy. Underrated.
Black / Almond Cream / Dragon Fire — Adapted for the city, the legendary XT-6 takes its legacy of comfort, cushioning and durability and reimagines it with fresh new colors and materials. It takes its place as the icon of Sportstyle, ready to move to the rhythm of the city.
For the full range of current colourways and any new drops, go directly to Salomon or END.:
Where to Buy Salomon XT-6 Trainers in the UK
There are a few reliable places to shop the XT-6 in the UK. Each has its advantages.
Salomon direct — the widest range of colourways and sizes, current season stock, and free delivery for S/PLUS members. The product page also has the most up-to-date information on new drops. RRP: £165.
ASOS — strong availability across colourways including the GORE-TEX range, easy returns, and multiple delivery options. Good for fast restocks on core colourways.
END. Clothing — the best destination for limited-edition colourways and collaboration drops. Worth setting up stock alerts if you’re after something specific. Also stocks the core range at £165.
Footpatrol — a reliable independent with a curated Salomon edit. Useful if END. is out of your size on a particular colourway.
Salomon XT-6 Trainers — FAQ
Are the Salomon XT-6 trainers true to size?
The XT-6 runs slightly narrow. Most people find them true to length, but if your feet are wide or you’re between sizes, go half a size up. They don’t require breaking in — they’re comfortable from the first wear, which is fairly unusual at this price point.
Are the Salomon XT-6 good for everyday wear?
Yes — genuinely. The OrthoLite sockliner, cushioned midsole and 365g weight make them well suited to long days on foot. The trail-running origins mean the support is over-engineered for city use, which is the point. Reports of 15,000+ daily steps with no discomfort are consistent across reviews.
What is the difference between the Salomon XT-6 and the Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX?
The GORE-TEX version adds a waterproof membrane — the silhouette and all the core technology are identical. The standard XT-6 is slightly lighter and breathes better in warm weather. The GORE-TEX version is heavier but keeps feet dry in rain. For year-round London wear, the GORE-TEX version is worth the additional cost.
Are the Salomon XT-6 unisex?
Yes. The XT-6 is listed as unisex and comes in UK sizes 3.5–12.5. There are no men’s or women’s versions — one last, one size run. The styling works equally well across womenswear and menswear.
How much do the Salomon XT-6 cost?
The standard XT-6 retails at £165. The GORE-TEX version is priced higher depending on colourway and retailer. Collaboration pairs and limited-edition drops can command resale premiums — buy direct or through a trusted stockist at retail if you can.
Do the Salomon XT-6 trainers need to be broken in?
No. The combination of sensiFIT™, endoFit™ and the OrthoLite sockliner means the shoe adapts to the foot immediately. Most wearers report they felt comfortable on the first full day of wear. This is consistently noted in reviews across fitness and fashion publications.
The Salomon XT-6 has earned its place in London’s daily rotation because it does what few fashion-adjacent shoes manage: it performs well enough to justify the technical credentials, and it looks good enough to justify wearing it everywhere else. The origin story in the Alps, the cultural reclamation in Paris, the collaborations with Maison Margiela — all of that is context. The reason to buy is simpler. It’s a very good shoe that works across more of your life than almost anything else at this price.
