Trail Running Staple Salomon Opens Its First Standalone Store in the Philippines
The global market for trail running shoes was estimated to be worth $7.3 billion (about P424 billion) in 2023. And studies forecast it to grow by up to 5.5 percent annually until 2032.
Unlike regular running shoes, those for trail running are designed for more rugged terrain and off-road paths. Think of a 4x4 off-roader SUV versus a regular sedan; they’re just built differently. In particular, trail running shoes have more durable outsoles that can withstand prolonged use on the most punishing of surfaces, including rocks, mud, and even gravel. These types of shoes also offer “enhanced stability and cushioning to support the foot over long distances while also maintaining flexibility and responsiveness for dynamic movement in varied outdoor environments,” according to the report above.
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In the Philippines, more and more fitness and outdoor activities enthusiasts seem to be getting not just into regular running but trail running. That means an increase in demand for specialized shoes especially built for thee types of activities.
The display at the new Salomon shoe store in Shangri-La Plaza Mall
One of these brands is Salomon. Originally founded in France in the 1940s, Salomon specializes in producing products for use in sports, including skiing, snowboarding, jiking, climbing, adventure racing and trail running. The brand is owned by Amer Sports, which also owns brands like Arc'teryx, Wilson, Peak Performance, and Atomic. The majority shareholder of Amer Sports is China-based giant Anta.
Salomon has been available in the Philippines through local distributors for years, but it recently opened its first standalone store in the country at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Located at the Midlevel 2/3 East Wing, the new store features an especially curated selection of its products, bannered by the XT-6.
A selection of shoes at the first Salomon store in the Philippines
The XT-6 is special because it’s managed to cross over beyond its traditional sports market into fashion and entertainment territory. The sneaker, whose original incarnation was introduced way back in 2013, has been seen on the feet of models and celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Rihanna.
In addition to the XT-6, there are plenty of other styles to choose from at the newly opened Salomon store, including the RX Marie-Jeanne (SRP P9,690), the S/LAB Alpinway (P14,490), the S/LAB Phantasm 2 (P16,390), and many others. The brand itself is a big supporter of the local trail running community. Recently, Salomon became the official footwear partner for the Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup held from June 19 to 23, and the official footwear partner for the Philippine Train Running Association.
Bigboy Cheng and Mikko Abello
"We're very excited to finally bring Salomon to the Philippines," said Mikko Abello, business unit senior manager for Salomon, Wilson, and Descente. "This store, with its extensive selection, embodies the brand’s commitment to providing premium products to fans of the brand. From trail to city, we have something to offer both the serious trail run athlete and the fashion-forward consumer. We want this to become a space where both sport and culture converge.”
Abello said more Salomon stores are expected to open in the coming months.
The first Salomon store in the Philippines is located at the the Midlevel 2/3 East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
