Perfected by athletes, driven by a love of racing: the new Rossignol Vezor Race Department

The new shoe represents the evolution of the Rossignol Vezor, the brand’s first trail running shoe, launched in 2024 and used by Rossignol athletes from the outset in major international competitions.

Feedback gathered in races, particularly regarding responsiveness, energy return, grip and fit precision, provided the starting point for developing the Race Department version.

An upper designed for faster running

The overall structure retains the most appreciated features of the original Vezor, while introducing a completely revised upper. The aim was to offer greater stability when the pace increases, without sacrificing protection and breathability.

The new upper uses a Matryx Micro open-weave mesh reinforced with Kevlar yarns, combined with the Dragonfly Fit construction, designed to support the foot naturally and ensure a good balance between stability and comfort.

The heel area is completed by a protective gaiter, which improves foot retention and limits the entry of stones and debris. The new serrated laces instead allow more precise adjustment, reducing the risk of the tension changing during the run.

Dual-density midsole and Diapazon+ plate

The Rossignol Vezor Race Department uses a dual-density midsole. A first EVA compression-moulded component provides cushioning, while N+FOAM, produced through a supercritical nitrogen injection process, was chosen to increase resilience, responsiveness and propulsion.

Diapazon+ sits between the two sections: a nylon and fibreglass composite plate developed to improve energy return and stability, while also filtering out terrain irregularities.

Sensor 3 technology works around the three main nerve areas of the foot involved in balance management, with the aim of maintaining sensitivity and control even on the most technical sections.

Michelin outsole for tackling rugged terrain

For the outsole, Rossignol has renewed its collaboration with Michelin. The Soles by Michelin outsole uses a Formula compound developed specifically for the Vezor and features 4.5-millimetre lugs.

The lug layout, deformation zones and channels designed to evacuate debris have been engineered to ensure grip during the different phases of running: from braking to transition and finally propulsion.

The removable insole system also makes it possible to customise the fit. The configuration includes a thermoformed ergonomic insole, a second removable element to increase cushioning and support, and a breathable, draining base.

The first results in the 2026 races

The Vezor Race Department has already been used successfully by Rossignol athletes. Lucien Mermillon won the Verbier Marathon by UTMB and finished fourth in the SkyRace des Matheysins, an event in the Skyrunner World Series. Goulwen Kerneguez finished fourth in the 100K Alsace by UTMB.

«With these new shoes, you really feel free to run fast, anywhere and on any terrain. There is greater freedom and ankle protection, and I believe the Vezor Race Department has also become more dynamic. The work done on the heel gaiter, the new laces and the Matryx mesh has really paid off: the result is an optimal balance between precision, protection, stability and breathability».

Lucien Mermillon, Rossignol Trail Running Team

The new Rossignol Race Department programme

The Vezor will also be the first product officially included in the new Rossignol Race Department programme, which will be launched in 2027 to mark the brand’s 120th anniversary.

The new label will bring together Rossignol’s highest-performing, competition-oriented products. The project will be based on three principles: precision in design and production, ongoing collaboration with athletes, and the use of the most advanced technologies developed across the various sporting disciplines.

Rossignol Vezor Race Department: technical specifications

• Weight: 280 grams in UK 8/US 9; 250 grams in UK 6/US 8
• Drop: 6 mm
• Stack: 30 mm
• Lugs: 4.5 mm
• Upper: Matryx Micro open-weave mesh with Kevlar yarns
• Midsole: dual-density construction with EVA and N+FOAM injected with supercritical nitrogen
• Plate: Diapazon+ in nylon and fibreglass
• Outsole: Soles by Michelin with Formula compound
• Cushioning: dynamic
• Recommended terrain: rugged and technical
• Availability: from February 2027