# Open-Heel Trail Mules The MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon XT-4 MULE Updates a Trail Runner By Amy Duong | Published 2026-06-17 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xt4-mule References: [maisonmargiela](http://maisonmargiela.com/)  [MM6](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xtmary-jane) [Maison Margiela](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salomon-mules) and [Salomon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xalp-shoe) continue their ongoing partnership with the XT-4 MULE, a slip-on reinterpretation of Salomon’s XT-4 OG trail running shoe. The design converts the performance silhouette into an open-heel mule while retaining many of the technical elements that defined the original model. Available in “Vanilla Ice” and “Black,” the release balances outdoor functionality with a streamlined, summer-focused profile suited to everyday wear. The upper combines synthetic materials and breathable textile mesh with anti-debris construction for durability and comfort. Salomon’s Quicklace system remains intact, allowing wearers to secure the shoe with a single pull. Underfoot, the XT-4 MULE uses the brand’s Agile Chassis structure for stability, paired with an EnergyCell midsole and a Mud Contagrip outsole featuring chevron lugs for reliable traction. Co-branding appears along the side panels, where MM6’s numeric signature sits alongside Salomon’s logo Image Credit: MM6 Maison Margiela, Salomon ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.4/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 78% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Hybrid Performance Footwear:** Technical trail features paired with casual silhouettes point to growth in shoes that blur athletic engineering, lifestyle comfort, and fashion-led daily wear. - **Open-heel Utility Shoes:** Slip-on mule formats with traction, stability, and breathable construction reflect demand for convenience-driven designs that retain credible outdoor functionality. - **Luxury Outdoor Collaborations:** Designer partnerships with performance brands are reshaping product storytelling by combining technical legitimacy with premium aesthetics and limited-edition appeal. ### Where This Applies - **Footwear:** Performance-derived casual models create space for new footwear categories that combine sport-grade components with seasonal, everyday versatility. - **Outdoor Apparel:** The crossover between trail equipment and urban styling signals opportunities around outdoor products designed for consumers who value function beyond traditional adventure settings. - **Luxury Fashion:** Co-branded technical silhouettes expand luxury fashion into utility-focused design, where innovation is defined by material performance as much as visual identity. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hybrid Carbon-Plated Fitness Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/on-cloud-x-tempo-pro.md) - [High-Profile Luxury Brand Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balenciaga-x-manolo-blahnik.md) - [Winter Sneaker Mules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samba-mule-furlined.md) - [Signature Silhouette Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laceup-mesh-sneaker.md) - [Golf Performance Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oakley-golf-fusion.md) - [Repairable High-Top Hiking Runners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/danner-n45-mid-gtx.md) - [Monochrome Soccer Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/king-avanti-1.md) - [Essential Men's Footwear Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/springsummer-2026-mens-collection.md) - [Summer-Ready High-Performance Climbing Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/climb-collection.md)