The first of those upgrades is Salomon’s versatile Contragrip All Terrain outsole, comprised of grippy lugs and a durable rubber compound that won’t break down on rocks or concrete (a notorious issue with the brand’s most famous model, the XT-6).
Moving up the shoe, a knitted upper not only conforms to one’s foot but acts as a barrier against moisture thanks to a special DWR treatment. It also has a synthetic mudguard that acts as a buffer for the lateral and medial sides of the foot.
The headlining feature, however, is its fully weatherproof gaiter that can be attached or removed as conditions demand. It connects to the lugs with bungee cords, while a zipper keeps the on and off efficient.
