Salomon Launches UK Repair Programme
Give Your Salomon Trail Running Kit a Second Life
As ultra runners, we put our gear through the wringer. From battling the elements in the Scottish Highlands to dodging brambles on coastal paths, our clothing and running vests take a serious beating. We’ve all felt the heartbreak of bursting a zip on our favourite race vest.
Historically, a tear meant binning the item and shelling out for a replacement. But thankfully, the landscape of outdoor gear is changing. Today, Salomon has announced the launch of a dedicated UK repair programme for its clothing and bags, making it easier to fix your kit rather than throw it away.
Here is everything you need to know about the new Salomon repair service, how it works and why it is a massive step forward for the trail running community.
How the Salomon UK Repair Service Works
Salomon has designed the repair process to be as frictionless as possible. Rather than dealing with complicated return policies, runners can now use a straightforward, dedicated online platform to get their gear patched up.
The process is simple and transparent:
- Submit a Request: Fill out a quick online repair request form detailing the damage to your clothing or running pack.
- Post Your Gear: You will receive a shipping label to send your damaged item off to the repair hub.
- Quick Turnaround: The team aims to have your repaired item back on your doorstep within 7 to 10 days.
While the customer covers the cost of the repair itself, Salomon covers all shipping costs, making it a highly cost-effective alternative to buying brand-new equipment.
Why Repairing Your Running Kit Matters
We all love the thrill of unboxing a fresh piece of trail running gear, but the environmental cost of constant consumption is staggering. According to Marie-Laure Piednoir, Global Sustainability and Impact Director at Salomon, this new initiative is about respecting the journeys our kit goes on: "This programme reflects Salomon’s belief that products are built to perform, endure and accompany people through meaningful experiences in the mountain and beyond. Repairing them allows those experiences to last longer!”
The environmental statistics back this up. A study from the Environmental Coalition on Standards highlighted that simply extending the life of our clothes by nine months can reduce their carbon, water, and waste footprint by a massive 20-30%.
Even more impressively, research by WRAP indicates that repairing a rip in your waterproof running jacket instead of purchasing a new one saves over 45kg of CO2e. To put that into perspective, that is the equivalent carbon footprint of running nearly 300 washing machine cycles!
Expert Repairs by the United Repair Centre (URC)
Of course, when you are relying on a waterproof membrane during a 100 mile ultramarathon in the pouring rain, a DIY needle-and-thread job rarely cuts it. Technical fabrics require technical expertise.
To ensure the highest quality fixes, Salomon has partnered with the United Repair Centre (URC). With a base right here in London (as well as Paris and Amsterdam), the URC specialises in repairing high-performance outdoor and lifestyle products. They have the specific technical know-how required to work with complex fabrics, technical construction, and waterproof membranes, ensuring your jacket remains fully weather-resistant post-repair.
But the URC isn't just about technical excellence; they also have a fantastic social mission. The organisation runs programmes that train and employ individuals from marginalised communities, helping to integrate them into the workforce. So, by repairing your Salomon hydration vest, you are not just saving the planet, you are supporting a vital social enterprise, too.
Ready for Your Next Ultramarathon?
With the rising costs of premium running gear and the pressing need to minimise our environmental impact, Salomon’s new UK repair programme is a highly welcome addition to the market.
Before you click 'add to basket' on a new waterproof jacket or running pack for your next ultra, take a look in your wardrobe. That trusty piece of kit that has been with you through countless miles and finish lines might just need a little TLC to get back on the trails.
Have you ever had your running gear professionally repaired? Let us know your experiences in the comments on Instagram!
