Hikers have watched their favourite brands go mainstream in recent years. Known as 'gorpcore' (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts), the look mixes functional outdoorwear with street style. Gabby Logan has joined the likes of Jennifer Lawrence by wearing the stylish Salomon XT-6 walking shoes off the trails.
But instead of wearing them as a pair of trail-running or walking shoes, as intended, she's made good use of their flat, stable, and supportive base in the gym for exercises like squats and lunges. When choosing gym shoes, this is what you need.
I've been wearing the Salomon XT-6 walking shoes for years now. I have two pairs and wear them just as often into the office as I do on trails, but I've never thought to wear them to the gym before. That changes today.
A quick review
The Salomon XT-6 was originally designed as an ultramarathon shoe, which is perhaps why it bridges the gap so well between running shoe and workout shoe. Across this distance, a shoe with a strong rocker (the feature that propels you forward) wouldn't be a good idea, as you'd lack the stability and feeling of the ground underneath you.
This rocker is also not found in workout shoes. During resistance training exercises like squats and lunges, as Gabby demonstrates in her full-body workout, your feet are your body's foundation. A firm, flat base with a wide toe box means you can spread your toes and 'anchor' yourself into the ground. These features also stop you from wobbling around, improve your balance, and ensure you can move as you want to - and thanks to this purpose behind the design, the Salomon XT-6 has them.
The addition of the quick-lace chassis and midfoot support only adds to this and helps to stabilise the foot on the move. Together, it's the makings of a great workout shoe.
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That being said, these shoes are still best for hiking and trail running. Along with these stability features, they have a rubber toe to protect against stray rocks on the downhill, thick 5.5 mm lugs on the sole, and a 10mm heel-toe drop, which limits impact on the body, particularly on the Achilles and calf muscles.
The lugs help grip onto trail paths, gravel, and other uneven terrain without an issue. I've even gone rock climbing in mine.
The durability of the mesh upper (with or without the GORE-TEX layer) only adds to their worth. They stand the test of time, and I reach for mine for most of my walking workouts or light trail running. Now they will also be in my rotation for workout shoes.
With celebrities from Jennifer Lawrence to Lily Collins and now Gabby Logan reaching for these shoes, they've become a style staple away from the trails and an alternative way to liven up a wardrobe with a rugged edge.
Along with my green pair, I have an all-black pair in the original design without the GORE-TEX layer that I wear most often for city walking and into the office.
