Salomon Finds a New Groove With Its Tartan-Clad Trail Shoes for the Holidays

Salomon has made the jump from revered outdoor gear brand to streetwear icon for a reason. Unafraid to take chances with its aesthetics, the French brand always seems to know how to imbue its flagship sneakers with enough style without losing what made them so beloved in the first place.

This holiday season, Salomon has taken three of its trail silhouettes — the XT-Whisper, ACS Pro, and Speedcross 3 — and given them brown tartan plaid uppers and they’ve never looked better.

The XT-Whisper Gets Cozy

Originally built for racing, the XT-Whisper has been part of Salomon’s archives since the brand established itself as a trail running powerhouse in the late ’90s and early 2000s. But there’s something about wrapping a performance sneaker in plush tartan fleece that transforms it entirely, rather than the typical mesh. The Holiday edition maintains the shoe’s legacy tech — agileChassis System for stability and Mud contaGRIP outsoles with those deep chevron lugs — while the tartan fleece upper brings a warmth that’s both literal and aesthetic. At 10oz with an 11mm drop, it’s still light enough for actual trail use, though these feel more at home paired with denim than chinos. The quickLACE system and sensiFIT construction remain for that signature locked-in feel Salomon devotees know well.

Speedcross 3 Goes Full Flannel

If the XT-Whisper hints at cozy, the Speedcross 3 Holiday commits completely. This is the shoe that put aggressive trail traction on the map — those deep, sharp lugs were revolutionary when they first dropped in 2011, and they’re still unmatched for grip on loose terrain. The tartan treatment here covers the entire upper in soft flannel, contrasted by tan overlays that break up the pattern just enough. Weighing in at 11oz, it’s marginally heavier than its non-tartan counterpart but still impressively light given the added material. The molded OrthoLite sockliner and lightweight EVA midsole are comfortable underfoot, while that protective mudguard wrapping around the base is durable enough for outdoor use. This variant has been selling through faster than its siblings, which is evident of the Speedcross line’s cult following.

ACS Pro Takes the Subtle Route

Where the other two lean heavy into tartan, the ACS Pro Holiday is a bit more restrained. The plaid primarily appears over the forefoot and around the ankle, letting the shoe’s technical runner ethos shine through. At 14oz, it’s the burliest of the trio, but that weight is in part due to the agileChassis System here, which works in concert with an incredibly comfortable EnergyCell midsole for serious stability. Full grain leather accents add a premium touch, while the All Terrain contaGRIP outsole can handle pretty much any surface you throw at it.

Pricing & Availability

Ranging in price from £130 (~$172) to £185 (~$245), the Holiday Tartan Pack is available now exclusively through Salomon’s U.K. website, with the Speedcross 3 already nearly sold out. No word yet on a U.S. release, though given Salomon’s growing stateside presence, it wouldn’t be surprising to see these pop up eventually.

Recap

Salomon Holiday Tartan Pack

Salomon wrapped three of its best trail runners — the XT-Whisper, Speedcross 3, and ACS Pro — in cozy tartan fleece for the holidays, and they’re pulling off the heritage fabric better than you’d expect. The collection’s already selling through fast on Salomon’s U.K. site, though there’s no word yet on a stateside release.

Learn More: Salomon