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At some point during recreational running's boomtime heyday in the '70s, the mythos of the runner's high arose. Those who took part felt it, nonparticipants asked about it, researchers studied it, and now, Salomon and Ciele Athletics pay homage to the seemingly inexplicable mind state that only running can induce with a new collab collection of shoes and hats called Distance Nirvana.
The capsule collection consists of three pairs of shoes and two hats for running and everyday wear, all of which are unisex and all of which are united by a playful palette of colors on mostly white blanks. From Salomon, the Glide Max TR ($170) and Aero Glide ($170) offer high levels of cushion and smooth transitions for long runs on trails or paved roads, and the Relax Moc 6.0 ($90) provides cushy comfort when the run's over.
On the Ciele side, the BKTHat ($80) and PYNCap ($70) create two types of sun protection made of breathable, COOLmatic mesh.
Released during the peak of summer heat, Distance Nirvana is an ode to "that special place, just past the pain," according to Ciele and that "unique feeling of freedom while cruising across beautiful landscapes," according to Salomon.
Nirvana is an apt name; in Buddhism, it refers to a state in which suffering and a sense of self are transcended by the highest form of happiness. In other words, ultimate freedom.
Neither Salomon nor Ciele guarantee that any of the items in this new collection will aid in the attainment of nirvana, but for those seeking it, a short term runner's high isn't a bad stop along the path. Maybe sun-protective headgear and stylish, supportive footwear can take us all the rest of the way, beyond ourselves and into the celestial cosmos.
Published 07-10-2023
