Salomon’s Cozy Heritage Shoe’s Unique Styling Leans on Hundreds of Years of History

The French premium outdoor brand blends past and present with its newest capsule of festive, technical sneakers.

Close-up of a brown and black Salomon sneaker with beige accents against a blue background.

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By Hayley Helms

Published December 3, 2025

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Updated December 3, 2025

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Salomon was founded in 1947 in Annecy, France, which makes the brand nearly 80 years old (78, for specificity’s sake.) That’s a ripe old age for a sportswear and gear brand, but compared to tartan’s more than 17,000 years of existence, it’s barely a drop in the bucket.

Salomon chose the heritage material to dress up its latest holiday release, and while tartan is on point for the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also rich in history, adding heritage and depth to a very modern trio of shoes.

Pair of tan and black patterned athletic shoes worn by two people, one with black pants and the other with black socks and bare legs. — Tartan looks pretty fresh for a fabric that’s been around since before the third century AD.

Past and present

Tartan, more commonly known as plaid in American English, has a long and significant past: there’s archaeological evidence of tartan cloth being worn in Scotland from the third or fourth century AD, and over time, it’s become a timeless and versatile staple in fashion and apparel.

Now, it’s appearing on our favorite Salomon trail shoes.

Pair of black and brown plaid Salomon XT-Whisper running shoes with black mesh and elastic laces, viewed from above. — The XT-Whisper Holiday, seen from above.

Salomon’s festive new release, the Holiday Pack, sees three of its most popular shoes given a tartan do-over: the XT-Whisper, ACS Pro and Speedcross 3 sneakers have all been given a festive new look with tartan as the main character.

Pair of brown and black Salomon Speedcross 3 trail running shoes worn with bright red ribbed socks. — The Speedcross 3 is proving to be the most popular of the trio so far, with only a few sizes left in stock.

The XT-Whisper Holiday has been redesigned with a cozy tartan fleece upper, which provides plenty of plush warmth on the outside and inside of the shoe.

The relaxed rework combined with the original race-ready components mean this shoe could technically get out on the trail, but it’s probably much more appropriate for getting into the holiday spirit.

Pair of tan and black trail running shoes with rugged soles and metal lace hooks on a white background. — The ACS Pro is the most minimally tartan, retaining its technical running vibes with just a dash of holiday cheer.

The Speedcross 3 and ACS Pro also get the tartan treatment: the former features the same tartan upper but with tan overlays — and is almost sold through — while the latter’s tartan primarily appears over the forefoot, with some plaid detailing on the ankle.

Availability and pricing

Although there is no news of the tartan shoes making it across the pond, all three Holiday Pack styles are available on Salomon’s UK website. The Speedcross 3 is almost sold out, but there’s still time to purchase any of the styles.

Black and brown Salomon trail running shoe with beige accents and rugged sole.

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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