Why we stock Salomon at Crib Goch Outdoor
Salomon earns its place in our range because of the breadth of what it does well. The Speedcross is the most widely recognised trail running shoe in the UK for a reason: the aggressive lug pattern handles the soft, muddy Welsh terrain that defeats shallower outsoles. The X Ultra range has become a benchmark hiking shoe that works for a wide range of walkers without demanding specialist knowledge to buy well. The ADV Skin running vest set a standard in hydration vest design that others have followed. These are products that have earned genuine followings through performance rather than marketing.
One worth calling out specifically: the Aero Blaze 3 GRVL is a favourite among our staff, and not only for running. If you visit our stores in Llanberis or Beddgelert you are likely to see members of our team wearing them on the shop floor. Comfortable, lightweight, and breathable enough for hours on your feet, the GRVL range earns its place as a daily driver as well as a running shoe. That crossover between performance and everyday wearability is where Salomon has developed a particularly strong following in recent years.
What we stock and why we chose it
For trail running, the Speedcross 6 is the most established trail shoe in the range and the one most of our trail running customers choose for wet, soft, muddy terrain. The deep chevron lugs clear mud effectively and provide grip that shallower outsoles cannot match in the conditions Eryri produces most reliably. The XA Pro 3D V9 GTX is a more structured, protected trail shoe with Gore-Tex waterproofing and 3D chassis technology, suited to longer days and more technical terrain where foot protection matters. The Ultra Glide 4 provides more cushioning and a smoother ride for longer efforts and road-to-trail transition running. The Pulsar is a lighter, faster option for those who want responsive trail performance without maximum protection. The Aero Blaze 3 GRVL and Aero Glide 4 GRVL are hybrid shoes designed to handle gravel, mixed surfaces, and the kind of routes that cross between road and trail without asking you to carry a change of shoes. The Genesis is the more cushioned road-to-trail option in the range. For hiking, the X Ultra 360 GTX is a Gore-Tex low shoe that suits walkers who want trail running-like agility in a hiking shoe, available in low and mid heights. The Quest 5 GTX is a full hiking boot for more demanding terrain and longer mountain days where ankle support and durability matter. For running vests, the ADV Skin 5 and ADV Skin 12 are among the most capable running vest designs available at their respective capacities. The Trailblazer 10 and 20 and Aerotrek range cover day hiking and multi-day pack options. Replacement quick links and soft flasks are stocked for existing Salomon vest owners.
Salomon FAQs
Is Salomon a good shoe brand? +
Yes. Salomon has been making performance footwear and equipment for mountain environments since 1947 and has a particularly strong reputation in trail running and technical hiking. The Speedcross trail running shoe and the X Ultra hiking shoe range have both built large, loyal followings based on genuine performance over many years. Salomon is consistently used by trail runners and mountain professionals across the UK and is a brand our staff use themselves on Welsh trails. The GRVL range has more recently developed a following that extends beyond running into everyday wear, which reflects how well the comfort and design translate outside technical use.
Who owns Salomon and is it owned by a Chinese company? +
Salomon is owned by Amer Sports, which was acquired in 2019 by a consortium led by Anta Sports, a Chinese sportswear company. Amer Sports subsequently listed on the New York Stock Exchange in February 2024. Salomon itself remains headquartered in Annecy, in the French Alps where it was founded, and the design, innovation, and product development teams are unchanged. The ownership structure has not altered the brand's identity or the performance of the products. Salomon is in the same corporate family as Arc'teryx and Wilson, both of which have maintained their own identities and product standards under the same ownership.
What are the most popular Salomon shoes? +
The Speedcross is Salomon's most iconic trail running shoe and one of the best-known trail shoes in the UK, recognised by its distinctive deep lug outsole that provides exceptional grip in wet and muddy conditions. The X Ultra is the most popular hiking shoe in the range, offering trail running-inspired agility in a waterproof walking shoe. More recently the GRVL range, particularly the Aero Blaze 3, has developed a strong following among runners and non-runners alike for its comfort and versatility across road, gravel, and everyday wear. Among our staff, the GRVL is the shoe worn most often off the trail as well as on it.
Which country is Salomon from? +
Salomon is French. The brand was founded in Annecy, in the French Alps, in 1947, initially making ski bindings and equipment before expanding into footwear, apparel, and trail running gear. The headquarters and product development teams remain in Annecy. Manufacturing takes place across multiple countries. The brand's roots and design identity are firmly Alpine French, which is reflected in the technical precision and mountain-performance focus that runs through the range.
Which Salomon shoe is best for trail running in Wales? +
For most trail running in Eryri and the wider Welsh hills, the Speedcross 6 is the starting point. The deep chevron lug pattern handles the soft, wet, often boggy ground that Welsh mountain trails produce, particularly in autumn and winter, better than shallower outsoles. For more technical terrain with rock and scree, or for longer mountain days where foot protection matters more than pure mud clearance, the XA Pro 3D V9 GTX with its 3D chassis and Gore-Tex membrane is the stronger choice. For mixed road and trail running the GRVL range suits those routes well. Come in to our stores in Llanberis or Beddgelert and we will help you choose based on where you run and how far.
Can I try Salomon shoes in store in North Wales? +
Yes. We stock Salomon across our stores in Llanberis and Beddgelert. Salomon footwear is known for a distinctive fit that suits many runners and walkers but is worth trying before buying, particularly across the trail running range where fit, heel hold, and lace system feel can vary between models. Come in and we will help you find the right shoe for your foot shape, your terrain, and your planned distance.