The role as an "eternal pioneer" is quite well suited for the French outdoor equipment manufacturer from the center of Hoch-Savoie.
Salomon, based in the charming Annecy, the official Alpine city of 2012, located on the Lac de Annecy, has a history that has been shaped by innovative thinking. It all began shortly after the Second World War in a small workshop where skis and metal edges were manufactured. Salomon made a breakthrough in 1957 with ski bindings that opened up completely new possibilities for ski sports thanks to their automatic release. Salomon "safety bindings" made it possible to achieve high speeds without increasing the risk of injury.
Extensive product range
In the early 1980s, Salomon entered the market for ski boots with sporty heeled-entry models that set new standards. A boot made from a single piece, comfortable to put on and still with the necessary "performance qualities," was a major milestone at the time. The next step was almost inevitable, the founding of its own ski brand, which achieved numerous sporting successes.
In the 1990s, Salomon expanded its activities to summer sports. Hiking and trekking shoes, which were also suitable for everyday use, formed the "gateway," followed by specialized shoes, such as for trail running, as well as functional clothing and functional equipment such as backpacks, bags and the like.
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1979: Salomon's breakthrough in ski boots: The SX 90 -
Chroma Fleece Pullover -
Mountain Flex functional outdoor jacket -
Outerpath 2.5 L: Waterproof, robust trekking pants -
Trailblazer 20: Lightweight multi-purpose backpack with 20 liter capacity
A "supply chain" of a special kind: Nature – Nature enthusiasts – Outdoor equipment manufacturers
Sustainable action for Salomon stems from its connection to nature, and this connection primarily concerns the athletes themselves. Their motivation is ultimately "being outdoors," living and with nature, and ultimately their love for nature. By remaining close to its sporting customers, including as a major player, Salomon seeks contact with them and listens to them, this connection also extends to the producers themselves.
A central part of this collaboration is, as an essential element, sustainability. This applies at all levels. Whether it is in the products themselves, which are designed for durability throughout their lifecycle, or in the development, in which recyclability and recycling are already considered. Or in the production, which should proceed as environmentally friendly as possible with the use of as few pollutants and the efficient use of sustainable, renewable energy. Salomon has already initiated the development of so-called lifecycle analyses for years, which list the environmental impact of products from creation to disposal or recycling in a clear and understandable way.
Xavier Le Guen, Vice President of Salomon Winter Sports Equipment, explains:
"Our goal is to develop a methodology for calculating the environmental impact of winter sports equipment, which could form the basis for a future labeling system for the environmental performance of products. We want to actively contribute to the change in our industry!"
Similarly, Salomon works with athletes, such as Salomon endorsers, who fulfill a role as role models for recreational athletes, for example by organizing brand events strictly from an environmental point of view. In particular, emphasis is placed on local events, in which the travel of the participants can be carried out with the lowest possible ecological footprint, as well as on behavioral codes.
Examples of sustainable products
Ski: Addikt Pro
In the 2023/24 winter season, Salomon presented the ADDIKT PRO ski. Salomon found a way to reduce the ecological footprint of these skis by using fully recycled ABS side walls.
Helmet: Brigade Index
In January 2024, Salomon presented the first recyclable ski helmet, the Brigade INDEX. This helmet consists of 96% polyolefins, which are not only flexible and durable, but can also be recycled at the end of their life into new products, such as flower pots or car bumpers. This is an important step towards sustainability, especially in view of the approximately 2.5 million winter sports helmets that end up on landfills each year.
Shoes: Vision Index
With the Index 01, Salomon has produced the first fully recyclable running shoe, and with the Vision the first recyclable trail running shoe. It combines Salomon's expertise in the development of trail running shoes with the findings from the INDEX running shoe series.
