Salomon has never been particularly shy about making its sneakers look a little unconventional, but this latest collaboration is especially hard to ignore. Teaming up with Japanese retailer BEAMS, the French outdoor brand has taken an already distinctive silhouette and made it even more of a statement. And in a sea of collabs that seem terrified of taking a risk, that’s worth something.

The Salomon XT-Quest GTX BEAMS is certainly not your average everyday shoe. 

Its all-black finish keeps things relatively understated, but those chunky buckle details are impossible to miss. Inspired by Salomon’s ski heritage, they give the sneaker a distinctly alpine feel and make it the sort of shoe that will probably get a few double takes.

It’s a brave design, but that’s exactly the appeal. So much footwear these days seems designed to blend in, or at least avoid offending anyone. These do quite the opposite. They’re bold, a little strange, and all the better for it.

There’s substance behind the spectacle, too. GORE-TEX construction and a rugged sole bring plenty of practical outdoor credentials, so they’re not just an exercise in getting noticed. Still, we’d be lying if we said the buckles weren’t doing most of the talking.

The Salomon x BEAMS XT-Quest GTX is scheduled to drop on November 12.