Salomon: excellence in outdoor activities

Discover the Salomon brand

Salomon was founded in a family workshop in Annecy. The company started out manufacturing ski straps. The revolution came in 1966 with the first modern safety binding, which saved thousands of skiers. In the 1980s and 1990s, the brand conquered the world with its SX90 boots. For more than 75 years, the Annecy-based company has been shaping the history of outdoor sports by constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. From the ski slopes to the steepest trail paths, Salomon supports athletes in their quest for performance and excellence. This French success story perfectly illustrates how a craft business has evolved to become a key player in the global sports industry, while preserving its Alpine identity and pioneering spirit.

Did you know?

Salomon invented the first modern safety binding (1966), preventing thousands of injuries, then revolutionized skiing with the SX90 boot (1990). The brand equips champions such as Jean-Baptiste Grange, Julien Lizeroux, and Kilian Jornet. Its factory in Annecy still produces 100% of its high-end ski boots.

Salomon: From family workshop to global leader

Founded in 1947 in Annecy by François and Georges Salomon as a small workshop manufacturing ski edges, the company experienced its first major turning point in 1966 with the revolutionary invention of the automatic release binding. This innovation propelled Salomon to the rank of world leader in bindings in the 1970s. The brand then diversified its business by launching its first ski boots in 1979, followed by its first skis in 1990, while developing its expertise in Nordic skiing and snowboarding.

The major strategic turning point came in the early 2000s when Salomon identified the potential of trail running and launched its first dedicated shoes. This gamble paid off: the brand quickly became the world leader in the segment. After being acquired by adidas in 1997, then integrated into the Amer Sports group in 2005 (acquired in 2019 by a Chinese consortium led by Anta Sports), Salomon retained its nerve center and Salomon Design Lab in Annecy, ensuring the continuity of its alpine expertise.

Innovation remains at the heart of Salomon's DNA. In the field of skiing, the brand has developed iconic technologies such as the Pilot system for optimizing energy transfer, Monocoque and Cap constructions for skis, and more recently, C/AM technology using cork to absorb vibrations. In trail running, Salomon has set standards with the Quicklace lacing system (one-step quick lacing), ultra-grippy Contagrip soles, Sensifit technology for foot support, and the Energy Cell system for cushioning and energy return. Cette approche scientifique est systématiquement validée par des essais terrain conduits par des athlètes professionnels dans les conditions les plus extrêmes, garantissant que chaque innovation répond à des besoins réels en matière de performance et de sécurité.

A complete range for all mountain terrains

Salomon now offers a comprehensive range covering all outdoor activities. In alpine skiing, the range includes S/MAX skis for the slopes, QST skis for all-mountain and freeride skiing, and MTN skis for ski touring, accompanied by boots available in several shell widths and flex ratings. The brand also equips many Nordic skiing champions (cross-country and biathlon) with a complete range of classic, skating, and backcountry skis.

However, it is in trail running that Salomon has enjoyed its most spectacular success. Its iconic collections dominate the market: Speedcross, the gold standard for technical terrain with their aggressive lugs; Sense, ultra-lightweight for competition; Ultra, designed for ultra-trail running with enhanced cushioning; XA Pro, versatile and robust; and Pulsar, performance-oriented. Each model has specific designs for men and women.

The brand completes its offering with hiking shoes (X Ultra, Outway, and Quest ranges), technical clothing (waterproof jackets, softshells, base layers), backpacks with integrated hydration systems, and a complete snowboard range. This diversification allows Salomon to support mountain enthusiasts in all their activities, from winter to summer, from competition to leisure.

Ambassadors, positioning, and sustainable commitment

Salomon relies on a team of world-renowned athletes who actively contribute to product development. Kilian Jornet, considered one of the greatest trail runners in history with his legendary records, Courtney Dauwalter and François D'Haene, multiple UTMB winners, as well as numerous Olympic champions in Nordic and alpine skiing, all wear the brand's colors. These ambassadors are not just marketing icons, but true partners in the innovation process, testing and validating products under the most demanding conditions.

Salomon stands out from its main competitors through its comprehensive approach to the mountains, its capacity for innovation, and its balance between consumer products and high-performance equipment. 

Faced with climate challenges that directly threaten its users' playgrounds, Salomon has launched the "Play Minded" program, which structures its environmental commitment. This CSR approach is part of a long-term vision aimed at preserving mountain ecosystems, which are essential playgrounds for future generations of athletes.