Salomon Returns to the Wild for JD Sports’ Community Retreat

The famed Salomon XT franchise – also known as X-Trail – may have been crafted for outdoor expeditions but over the years it has found its footing in the city, gaining popularity amongst technical-inclined fashion fans.

In an effort to reconnect the trail-ready footwear with its roots, the footwear brand recently connected with JD Sports to hold a community retreat at Denton Reserve in Yorkshire, England. Marking the arrival of several new XT-6 and XT-Whisper colorways, the two-day event welcomed a collective of women in the sneaker scene – such as Bethan McCoy, Miche Ming and Megan Welsh – to enjoy the latest models as originally intended.

On day one, the group arrived at the palatial resort bright and early. As part of a workshop led by Manchester designer NOTS, their first task was to personalize the silhouettes using ropes, ties and an assortment of beads. After putting their stamp on the sporty sneakers, the guests went on to take part in a DJ masterclass with DASHY, where they got the chance to learn how to mix their favorite tracks against the backdrop of rolling hills.

Keeping the energy high, day two began with a yoga session to warm up the group for an afternoon of soft hiking. Local guides then headed up the hike as well as a tour in the Land Rover Defenders as they helped guests get in touch with the landscape. Putting the sneakers through the paces of rocky paths and trickling streams, the activity showcased how the sleek yet supportive models remain a go-to in any environment, whether faced with city roads or outdoors trails.

“The JD x Salomon retreat was amazing,” shared content creator Miche as she looked back at the event. “The attention to detail and working with two of my favourite brands was a phenomenal experience.”

Take a closer look at what went down at the event by checking out the gallery above.

Don’t miss out on the upcoming JD Sports exclusive, coming soon to its website and select stores.