Carhartt WIP and Salomon continue their collaborative exploration of performance-driven design with a new iteration of the X-ALP shoe. Building on the success of their first project, this second release reinforces a shared commitment to functionality, durability, and long-term wear. Rather than chasing trends, the partnership remains grounded in purpose—designing footwear that performs under pressure and endures demanding conditions.
At the core of the collaboration is Carhartt WIP’s deep-rooted expertise in reworking hard-wearing gear for contemporary use. Applied to Salomon’s technical footwear DNA, this approach results in a shoe that feels deliberate, precise, and uncompromising. Every design decision points back to performance, with materials and construction chosen to withstand challenging environments while maintaining a refined, utilitarian aesthetic.
The X-ALP Carhartt WIP edition is built for rugged terrain and unpredictable settings. Drawing from years of shared design knowledge, the shoe features grainy leather and premium suede, adding both texture and resilience. These materials are accented with Carhartt WIP’s custom camouflage pattern, subtly reinforcing the brand’s heritage while giving the silhouette a distinctive visual identity. The result is a shoe that feels tough, purposeful, and quietly expressive.
Campaign visuals for the release are directed by Bailey Marklew, who frames the project within a narrative-driven setting. The story unfolds at a remote research base plagued by electromagnetic interference and unstable gravity. As a research team searches for answers, an unseen presence begins to emerge—never fully revealed, only hinted at through thread-like tendrils that move and reach forward. These spectral forms suggest a creature in pursuit of something lost yet ongoing, mirroring the collaboration’s themes of exploration, endurance, and the unknown.
