There’s been something of a changing of the guard in sneaker culture over the last couple of years, which has seen the rise of Salomon from a niche technical outdoors brand into the true mainstream of hype culture. Of late, the French-founded fashion label can do no wrong, and its newest collaboration in the Bodega X-Mission 4 is proof.
If you’ve not come across Bodega before, it’s a Boston-based retailer focused on “fusing art, fashion, design and counterculture,” with recent collaborations with the likes of HOKA ONE ONE, New Balance and ASICS. The common theme that runs within all of Bodega’s collaborations is a lighthearted sense of fun and colour, to otherwise slightly conservative designs.
The Bodega x Salomon X-Mission 4 is no different, employing a lesser-known Salomon silhouette in the X-Mission 4 (many of Salomon’s recent collaborations use the XT-6 or XT-4) and injecting some pastel tones into the colourway. In addition to the brightly coloured contrasting tones, Bodega has also used a generous amount of rugged black suede overlays in the upper, taking a break from the typically function-forward build.
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It’s not just shaggy suede that makes up the upper, however, with a comfortable base layer featuring a “stormy sky” tie-dye pattern, which serves to highlight the yellow and pink tongue of the shoe. As you’d expect from the trail running folks at Salomon, the outsole remains as hard-wearing and high-traction as ever, with a final all-terrain Contagrip layer.
The shoes were created as a nod to the deep passion both brands have for the exploration and enjoyment of the great outdoors, described as a “wearable ecosystem for your feet” to keep you comfortable no matter the conditions. While there’s no word on pricing yet, the Bodega x Salomon X-Mission 4 sneakers will be available online from the 29th of June.
