New footwear including some funky new approach shoes and neat clothing from Salomon at the recent Outdoor Preview trade show in Horrorgate.
More from the recent Outdoor Preview Show at Harrogate where we
had a sneak preview of the kit coming our way early next year from
some of the major brands including Salomon.
The company's perhaps best known in the UK for its footwear, but
it also makes some neat clothing targeted mainly at fast movers.
Anyway, footwear first...
More Revo
We were very taken with the Revo SCS GTX boot when we tested it
earlier this year and for Spring/Summer 2007 it's joined by the
Proton Mid GTX, a slightly more rugged version that weighs
just 10 grammes more per boot, but is aimed at slightly butcher use
thanks to a stiffer sole unit.
Like the original Revo, it uses a neat, lightweight, seamless
upper, memory foam 3D Fit padding and is available in both men's and
women's versions. Price will be £110 and here's a
piccy...
Funky Approach...
The popular approach shoe area gets a shake-up for next year as
well, with a new model called the Elios taking over from some
of the established Salomon favourites.
It comes in three versions: the Elios Mid XCR - above -
which is a mid-cut version with a Gore-Tex XCR lining, the Elios
XCR, the same thing but cut low and the plain Elios, which
is the same shoe with a mesh upper and no waterproof liner. As you
can see from the pic below, the Nubuck leather upper also extends
down over the sole unit in a Merrell sort of style.
Styling is funkier and more contemporary but the main functional
difference is a softer mid-sole unit making them comfier for
all-round, day in, day out use.
Soft Shell Shoes...
The good old Soft Shell Shoe is back too. The Symbio / Fusion
version released this year simply gets a load more colours to
keep the outdoor fashionista happy. Anyone for red?
Meanwhile, there's a neat new soft shell model called the
Vertigo - below. It's styled more like a traditional Salomon
approach shoe and is actually cheaper than the original at
£60 because it doesn't use the welding gizmos of big
brother and has a less sophisticated chassis. Looks nicer in our
opinion though.
Clothing Too...
We've not seen much Salomon clothing out and about, but it's
mostly nice-looking, very fitted kit aimed at fast movers like
runners, mountain bikers, adventure racers and vogueish light
hikers.
We liked the look of the Sonic Top, a neat looking hybrid
Windstopper Jacket that uses a Gore-Tex Windstopper front section
with a lycra-based back to combine breathability and protection in a
package weighing just 310 grammes.
Logos are reflective and Salomon's Ultrasound Seamless Technology
makes for a neat, technical look. Not cheap at £140 but
dead interesting we think.
Feeling Supersonic, Give Me Gin And Tonic...
New for next year - the Sonic is already out there - is the
Supersonic Jacket a funcky-looking, more mountain-orientated
hybrid softshell which uses panels of different ClimaPRO softshell
fabrics along with welded seams and external taping along with a
proper hood for added protection. Looks great, costs
£170, available early next year.
It looks better in black, but then you can't see it properly, oh
heck, hang on... there you go...
