Shoft Shell Shoes...
We thought we'd seen it all, but the we reckon Salomon's well up
in the running with their latest innovation, a soft shell shoe...
Yes, you read that right. As of February, you'll be able to kit
your feet out in soft shell fabric similar to that used for clothing.
The advantages, say Salomon, are principally in comfort and
lightness.
The own-brand fabric is apparently highly water resistant, very
breathable and extremely comfortable and uses a seamless, sticth-free
construction for a streamlined, low profile look.
Salomon says they're also tougher than they look or sound, which
is reassuring. The men's version in shoe form is called the
Fusion, the women's one is the Symbio and retail price
is £80. There's also a higher cut boot incarnation, the
Fusion Pro.
As for the weight, the claimed stat for a Fusion in a men's 8.5 is
430 grammes with the higher cut Pro weighing in at 490 grammes.
That's around 100 grammes less per foot than a typical Salomon
approach shoe.
And new walking boots too...
Also out in February are two new models aimed at the trekking
market which again use seamless welded construction for their
Smartshell uppers.
The Revo SCS GTX - below - will retail for £100 and
features the Salomon Cushioning System - that's the SCS bit - and is
claimed to be lightweight and ideal for trekking on 'moderate
terrain'. It also features a waterproof Gore-Tex liner.
Big brother is the Revo GCS GTX at £125. It's high cut
and more rugged and the Salomon Ground Control System, which it says
here 'consists of a top plate and free moving bottom plate which move
in whichever direction necessary to cope with uneven surfaces' make
it more suited to, well, uneven surfaces.
Both Revos are also available in women's fit.
More information from Salomon's flashy web site at
www.salomonoutdoor.com
