“Performance and aesthetics are no longer separate considerations – they exist together,” Pas Normal Studios founder Karl-Oskar Olsen on the brand’s latest link-up with Salomon.
Clock a cyclist within a 10-mile radius of a cool part of a cool city, and there’s a high chance they’ll be decked-out in Pas Normal Studios. The Copenhagen-based imprint has turbocharged the cycling space with its fashion-infused performance gear. There’s a similar thing happening with running, too. In 2026, it’s common to see guys fuelled-up on flat whites putting as much thought into their Sunday long run fits as they would their Friday night best. And it’s that crossover that Pas Normal Studios’ latest collaboration with Salomon hits.
The fifth chapter in the ongoing partnership bridges the shared mindset between trail running and gravel riding. The core of this overlap is explored with the Salomon x Pas Normal Studios GRVL Concept, a trail running sneaker geared up for hybrid terrains that weighs only 262 grams.
“The GRVL Concept was created with the modern explorer in mind. Today, the boundaries between disciplines are becoming increasingly fluid. We see more people entering cycling from a running background, particularly within gravel, where the mindset often mirrors that of trail running,” says Pas Normal Studios founder Karl-Oskar Olsen. “Product innovation needs to reflect this shift toward utility and versatility while remaining intuitive and uncompromised. As performance categories continue to intersect, we are witnessing traditional rules being rewritten and new possibilities emerging.”
Courtesy of Pas Normal Studios
How have the rules been interpreted here? For starters, the GRVL Concept is packing a PEBA-based (polyether block amide) supercritical foam midsole to ensure max comfort while blitzing through the woods, designed for cushioned landings and maximum energy return. There’s also the dual full-length carbon blades, which ensure things stay responsive. If you’re darting over rocks, skipping over trees, and getting knee deep in mud, then traction is key. This is where cycling can help make things easier. The GRVL Concept’s outsole features shallow 1.5mm lugs inspired by gravel tyres to ensure grip (this is coupled with a 43mm rear and 37mm front stack height, and uses Salomon’s Quicklace system for easy fastening. Rounding out the collection is the Race Skin 2 running vest, which introduces a performance pack into the mix along with dual front flasks and a rear hydration bladder for long runs – essentially you can adapt it to meet your endurance needs.
Sure, there might be similarities between the two sports that come together. But designing across disciplines calls for the right collaborator. “After many years of working on collaborations, I’ve learned the importance of balancing the values and strengths of both partners,” says Olsen. “The objective is never to dilute identities but to create a conversation between them. It’s about challenging expectations while leveraging the most compelling and authentic assets each brand brings, ensuring performance remains at the core while creating cultural relevance beyond it.”
Karl-Oskar Olsen, courtesy of Pas Normal Studios
Both brands have a massive lifestyle footing (Pas Normal Studios has collaborated with JJJJound and Porter Yoshida & Co previously and Salomon was welcomed with open arms into the fashion community, partly due to the gorpcore trend that saw technical garments embraced by fashion heads). This aesthetically-minded approach is visible in a washed, sun-drenched yellow akin to the soul-soothing hues you mind find at an Auralee runway show.
And that’s kind of the point. Style is a reflection of our interests, and the barriers between disciplines are no longer sharply carved out. It’s a shift seen across the fashion spectrum. Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Autumn/Winter 2026 Balenciaga collection saw tailored top coats and leather goods paired with gym shorts and equipment. Dior launched luxury fitness products, including a yoga mat, last month, and Loewe has been dropping collaborative sneakers and athletic gear with On since 2022.
Courtesy of Pas Normal Studios
The Salomon x Pas Normal Studios T.K.O. collaboration hits this note with the performance foot first. Both brands touch the fashion space while pushing the boundaries of sports clothing in their respective disciplines. It’s a partnership designed for a life in and out of movement, where cycling and running are part of the same program with no need to sacrifice on the aesthetic principles upheld off the trail.
“Cycling is evolving and attracting an entirely new generation of participants. People increasingly want products that not only perform at the highest level but also reflect contemporary culture and the way they express themselves,” says Olsen. “Performance and aesthetics are no longer separate considerations—they exist together.”
The Pas Normal Studios x Salomon collaboration is available now.
