Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

Salomon's sneakers are usually so visibly tech-y that they end up looking best when they have comparatively little done to them. Boris Bidjan Saberi's sportswear-leaning diffusion line, 11 by BBS, typically creates some pretty nutty Salomon collabs but its latest shoes employ the K.I.S.S. design philosophy to impressive effect.

The Salomon x 11 by BBs 11S FOOTWEAR A.B.1. is a very complicated-sounding, simple-looking shoe. It's essentially a no-nonsense sneaker designed for bouldering — a form of small-scale rock-climbing — which in turn ensures that the shoe's form very pleasantly meets its function.

Here we have a very attractive low-top sneaker that balances a lightly hefty sole with a gently technical upper, making good use of a monochrome palette to keep things from looking to orthopedic.

It's a tough tightrope to walk, though function-first brands like Salomon and HOKA have proven themselves imminently capable of hitting these high points with several super-strong recent drops. Really makes ya think, "Aren't all of today's best shoes coming from the trail-running biz?"

Salomon's recent high-end collaborations have also epitomized this motif, with MM6 Maison Margiela finally shifting away from oddball curios to realize the deliciously wearable overdyed ACS Pro sneaker, by far its most wearable Salomon team-up to date.

As for the 11S FOOTWEAR A.B.1. shoe itself, it represents a first for both Saberi and Salomon, beyond its approachable design.

That is, neither of the partners have gotten very deep into the bouldering scene on a product level. Their concise seasonal collaboration, currently rolling out on Salomon's website and at select Salomon stockists, is a first stab at tapping into a market that's familiar but not well-trod.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

11 by BBS typically creates such wild, expensive, thoroughly-treated Salomon shoes that I never thought we'd see the pair envision something so straightforward.

If that's the power of getting into bouldering, then it's clearly fertile territory! Especially if the results are this tasty.

We Recommend
  • When an Artisanal Fashion “Dinosaur” Meets Reebok's Weirdo Sneaker
    • Sneakers
  • If Sandy Liang & Salomon Once Epitomized Girlcore, Their New Shoe Is Full-on Momcore
    • Sneakers
  • The Continuing Chronicles of New Balance’s Surprisingly Slick Sneaker-Loafer
    • Sneakers
  • Boris Bidjan Saberi Is Designing Bouldering’s Fashionable Future
    • Sneakers
  • MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Grew Into a Vast Technical Extravaganza
    • Style
What To Read Next
  • Tyrese Haliburton Is Dressed To Win
    • Culture
    Sebastian Jean/
  • Birkenstock Sandals... for the Trail?
    • Style
    • sponsored
    Maximilian Migowski/
  • Nike's Air Max Skate Shoe Already Went Silver, Now It's Going for Gold
    • Sneakers
    Riccardo Zazzini/
  • This Is the Only T-Shirt That Matters Right Now
    • Style
    Tom Barker/
  • This Isn't a Vans Skate Shoe, It's an Ultra-Tough Trail Shoe
    • Sneakers
    Riccardo Zazzini/
  • A Converse Runner as Flat as a Pancake, as Luxe as a Prada
    • Sneakers
    Maximilian Migowski/