Both founded in the French Alps, Salomon and HOKA (or HOKA One One) have more than just their roots in common. Both brands primarily focus on athletic sneakers that are made for all different activities: hiking, trail running, road running, and more. Both brands carry a variety of footwear such as hiking shoes, hiking boots, running shoes, and more. Salomon originally started off as a workshop dedicated to ski accessories and improving the skiing experience for skiers in France, while HOKA was founded by running friends Jean-Luc Diard and Nicole Mermoud. The duo discovered that the series of starts and stops in running wasn’t good for their legs, so they decided to begin crafting shoes that provided momentum with optimal cushioning that also improved the endurance race time of runners.
Both brands take on a problem-solving technical approach to running, walking, and other fitness needs for their users. Along with their technical abilities, Salomon and Hoka also have another component in common: the aesthetic of both of their offerings. By combining outdoor aesthetics with urban style, both brands have made an impression on the fashion industry, specifically in the ‘gorpcore’ category. What exactly is gorpcore? Although the style itself has been around for a while, its official title arrived in 2017 from New York Magazine’s The Cut. ‘Gorp’ is an acronym for ‘Good ol’ Raisins and Peanut,’ another term for trail mix, which hikers often carry on their journeys. Gorpcore is a style that is focused on wearing apparel, accessories, and footwear that takes on a utilitarian, functional, and outdoors-inspired aesthetic. Sitting somewhere between normcore and techwear, gorpcore is effortless.
""Salomon + HOKA""
Salomon’s sneakers strike the perfect balance between function and fashion. Their offerings reference the outdoors enough to be quite useful in the outdoors by hikers, while also still being modern in their aesthetic to make an impression in the fashion industry. One stand-out silhouette from the footwear brand is the Salomon XT-4. Taking on a blend of synthetic and textile materials at the upper, the design utilizes a Quicklace system and a textile lining for functionality and comfort. The single layer of mesh at the upper prevents debris from being trapped, while the SensiFit technology cradles the foot all the way from the midsole to the lace closure. Abrasion-resistant TPU material is provided for added durability. An Agile Chassis System and Mud Contagrip technological component is added for maximum gripping, making it ideal for activities in the outdoors. A molded OrthoLite insole and rubber outsole finish the look.
Hoka One One (HOKA) first made its debut in 2009 and has grown rapidly in popularity over the recent years, and the rise of gorpcore can largely be attributed to this growth. The brand is best known for its sneakers and boots. This footwear combines the comfort and agility of a sneaker with the stability and the protection of a boot. Lightweight yet still combined with functional components, one stand-out silhouette from HOKA is the Hoka One One Kaha 2 GTX. Taking on a waterproof nubuck leather upper, the hiking design incorporates GORE-TEX footwear fabric paired with recycled textile material. The dual-density CMEVA midsole, HUBBLE heel, and SwallowTail technology make a functional impression. The boot incorporates a signature Vibram Megagrip with Traciton Lug at the outsole. The trailblazing silhouette spotlights enhanced cushion and durability for a finished aesthetic.
A final stand-out HOKA footwear silhouette is the Clifton 8. One of the original HOKA sneakers, this design continues to deliver the perfect combination of soft and lightweight components. The sneaker is treated with an engineered mesh upper along with a gusseted tongue for additional comfort. The lightweight EVA foam midsole furthers that concept with each step. The early-stage Meta-Rocker geometry complements the natural gait cycle by reducing the height difference between the heel and toe. High-abrasion rubber at the outsole provides optimal durability during all times of wear.
Salomon + HOKA introduce their latest footwear arrivals. Click here to shop Salomon’s new delivery, and here for HOKA’s.