Salomon X-Alp Expedition Black Bitter Chocolate

80s alpinism comes down from the summit onto the pavement

The X-Alp Expedition doesn't come from trail running, it comes from the mountain, from the golden age of alpinism and its raw gear, built to survive high altitude rather than to go fast. Patinated leather, rope laces, deliberately aged finishes: every detail reproduces the attitude of equipment that's already proven itself on real rock faces. The Black Bitter Chocolate colorway puts this pair in a darker, rawer register, far from the colorful trail running codes running through the rest of the Salomon line, and drags 80s and 90s climbing counterculture straight into the street.

The textile and suede leather upper lays down a dense Bitter Chocolate base, nearly black from certain angles, carrying all the patina that vintage outdoor gear is chasing. The leather mud guard wraps the lower foot and protects its lateral and medial sides, a functional detail pulled straight from climbing equipment. The rope laces, mustard yellow lifted by purple, cut sharply against the black toe cap and heel and close out the build with the extra edge a standard lacing system just doesn't have. Built-in toe protection rounds out the rugged look, designed to take the hits rather than dodge them.

The edgingCHASSIS, a construction exclusive to Salomon, allows optimal forefoot flex and a precise heel-to-toe roll, while guaranteeing lateral stability and precision on every step on pavement. The All-Terrain Contagrip® outsole adapts to a wide range of surfaces, wet, dry, hard or loose, boosting confidence on any urban terrain. The milled OrthoLite® sockliner, cut to match the foot's contours, delivers cushioning, breathability and durability over time. SensiFIT™ lockdown and ripstop fabric round out this technical base pulled from alpinism, for comfort that holds up without ever losing precision.