Article by Sam Winebaum
Rossignol Vezor ($180/ 180 €)
Introduction
Iconic winter sports brand Rossignol surprised at UTMB 2024, introducing its first high performance trail running shoe, the Vezor and in my testing this friendly, agile, fast and well cushioned all around trail runner had not disappointed!
3 years in development with over 150 testers involved, the Vezor features a dual foam midsole (high rebound EVA below the foot, supercritical EVA towards the ground. The foam layers sandwich a flexible skeletal composite Diapazon+ “tuning fork” that provides midfoot stability and forward propulsion. At the ground we have Michelin Formula rubber in a multi directional array of 3-4 mm lugs.
The upper called “Dragonfly” is a single layer debris/air mesh with an extensive array of internal overlays.
Reasonable in weight for my sample at 278g / 9.7 oz US9/EU42 for its 30mm heel 24 mm forefoot stack height (single sockliner, a second 2mm one also provided) it has proven to be one versatile, super fun shoe to run in my testing which included fast hiking, trails, gravel paths and even pavement. It is rare that a fully capable trail shoe also has no real compromises on firmer smoother terrain and road and the Vezor is just such a shoe.
Pros:
Versatile: all terrains and distances welcome, even potential for ultra distances
Fast and fun: flexible, lively, agile good ground feel
Well cushioned with noted softer rebound on firmer surfaces while remaining stable on more tech terrain due to tuning fork plate
Highly breathable and water draining
Cons:
Sized up a half size due to pointy if not constricting toe box
Most comparable shoes
Salomon Genesis
NNormal Tomir 2
Saucony Xodus Ultra 3
Brooks Catamount
Terrex Agravic 3
Stats
Sample Weight: men’s 278g / 9.7 oz US9/EU42
Stack Height: men’s 32 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot (with single sockliner -2mm)
Platform Width: 85mm heel / 65mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
One immediately notices the “approach shoe” to the toes lacing and tubular upper shape and high rear “elf” type heel counter. Bright orange and black in colors with the green plate poking out of the midsole the look says “speed”.
The upper is a single layer pliable and moderately thin debris mesh with extensive underlays, what Rossignol calls the Dragonfly and is designed to wrap various foot shapes.
When combined with the non padded tongue with stretch mesh gusset the midfoot wrap is excellent, secure and comfortable if not all out tech trails super secure,
The heel area is stout and stable without overdoing it with rigidity, The high achilles collar is semi rigid above the black overlay and more rigid below. The collars are moderately padded and comfortable.
I note that on the medial side for more support the overlay extends higher up.and is longer. A clever touch that is effective in providing more medial support to the light upper.
Overall heel hold is excellent with the heel area tying into the quite soft and pliable lace up area very well.
The Vezor upper has a decent if not outstanding proportion of recycled materials
The front of the shoe… Of course one immediately notices the “approach shoe” style extended lacing at the toe.
A bit unusual in a trail running shoe. The primary concern is often rigidity at the flex point over the top of the rear of the toes with such designs. Not so here for me as the mesh is very pliable and the lower portion of the tongue is a soft thin mesh.which is broader than what is visible from the outside of the shoe.
Combined with this, the eyelets reinforcements are thin and narrower across the foot at the front where the laces end than usually seen thus pinching less than a broader end of laces piece with all the stitching might.
It works and this is especially important as the Vezor is very flexible there.
The rubbery toe bumper is moderately firm and certainly protective but not overdone or too low over the toes.
Appearances aside, there is plenty of toe box room for my medium to narrow feet noting that I am a half size up from my normal US8.5 which I think is the way to go here for most. If you need to take up some volume one can use the included additional 2mm sockliner. I have not used it
Midsole & Platform
The Vezor has a dual foam midsole with the top layer a high rebound EVA and below its plate a nitrogen infused supercritical EVA. The order, with EVA above and supercritical below is somewhat unusual for a trail or even road shoe, usually the supercritical foam is below the foot with a firmer EVA below for stability. Here the lower N+lower foam is maybe a touch softer than what is above is 30% lighter than regular EVA and I feel it as increasing ground feel and contouring while being easy on the legs.
The platform full stack height is 32mm at the heel 26mm at the forefoot with both sock liners. The platform width is a fairly standard for trail shoes 85mm heel / 65mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot noting that the midfoot is quite narrow but well stabilized by the Diapazon+ plate as shown below.
The composite fiber “plate” not only provides midfoot to rear stability but its front tuning fork shape delivers some clear light propulsion to what for a trail shoe with a 24-26mm front stack height is a notably flexible yet stable shoe with good torsional rigidity. Often trail shoe plates are fuller upfront for rock protection and make the shoes stiffer. Here there is adequate rock protection but a much more agile feel than customary.
The entire system is well cushioned and leg friendly without being excessive in height, stable and at the same time mildly propulsive due to the plate and remains flexible while decently torsionally rigid. You feel the trail here with the feet in the game over obstacles while at the same time with plenty of softer rebound. The Vezor is really well “tuned” for any trail or surface beyond the most extreme for me.
Outsole
The outsole is Michelin’s Formula rubber is Michelin’s most sticky compound and said to be comparable to MegaGrip.
The lug pattern of 3mm-4mm lugs has the lower 3mm up front and deeper 4mm towards the rear with to mitigate the somewhat lower than usual heights an aggressive multi directional pattern.
I like that Rossignol kept the front lugs lower as this leads to a smoother ride on firm terrain and to maintain the shoe’s flexibility while at the rear for descents we have more substantial lugs which also assist with stability. I note in a smart touch that the furthest rear landing zone lugs are lower and broader for a smooth stable initial touch down and wear. All of this clearly felt and especially on smoother firm terrain.
My testing has been on drier terrain of all types so far with wet to come.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
What a debut trail runner from Rossignol! I guess it is not a surprise from a brand known for technology and podiums in nordic and alpine skiing and this for decades. It is logical that they would make a strong push into trail running as their competitors such as Salomon and Dynafit have as winters have gotten “shorter” and trail running more and more popular.
After a long and careful development process, the Vezor emerges as a top all around trail runner, slotting very well between more minimal racers and more maximal cushioned ultra type shoes. Versatility and a fast fun ride are the highlights. Decently light, energetic, stable and also flexible with a plate that is not overly springy aggressive but has plenty of quick snap, I am glad they went with a non carbon plate. I have hiked them in the Alps and run them on Park City single tracks and more mellow groomed paths. They climb exceptionally well due to the combination of slightly propulsive tuning fork plate up front and flexibility, have friendly softer but in now way sloppy cushioning, and handle downhills and flats smoothly.
A true single trail shoe in a trail runner’s quiver they balance speed and agility with protection and cushion very well allowing for their use on all but high mountain rocky trails for me while ranging over to road and firm hard smooth surfaces very well. They end up a decent value at their fairly high price point of $180.
Sam’s Score: 9.4 /10
(Minor deductions for weight and for sizing/fit)
5 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE Roadtrailrun
Salomon Genesis (RTR Review)
Slightly lighter with a somewhat thinner forefoot stack height and essentially the same heel height the Genesis is a bit more stable at the rear, due to its rear midsole wings and has a somewhat more secure upper. It is more rigid torsionally and less flexible with a further forward less springy flex point than the Vezor. Overall it is somewhat more protective, technical trails and ultra focused shoe than the Vezor and less fun to run than the Rossignol which has a more dynamic midsole and ride. Fit is comparable with the Salomon, more precise and dialed in largely due to its Matryx upper material .
NNormal Tomir 2 (RTR Review)
Very similar shoes. The Tomir unlike the Vezor has an all supercritical foam midsole. It weighs almost the same with 1mm more heel stack height and 3mm less stack height. A bit less propulsive as it has no plate The Tomir ends up a bit more versatile for slower paces and hiking as it is less springy but can hold its own on the run while the Rossignol is more dynamic and faster feeling. The Tomir fit is more generous up front and about as secure as the Vezor.
Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 (RTR Review)
The Xodus Ultra 3 is about 0.5 oz / 14g heavier but also considerably higher stacked at 36 mm heel / 30 mm forefoot. Its midsole has an outer carrier of firmer EVA with an inner core of supercritical foam with a woven rock plate upfront. I hiked it extensively in France this summer and it was a great shoe for that. As with the Tomir comparison it is not as dynamic and does not have as pleasing a ride as the Rossignol while it may be a better long distance choice. It’s upper is less structured and more roomy than the Vezor’s and true to size while I was sized up a half in the Rossignol
Brooks Catamount (RTR Review)
Lighter by 1 oz /28g at 9 oz / 255g (US9) with about the same stack height, the Catamount is stiffer and its all supercritical foam midsole is firmer and less pleasingly dynamic and bouncy. It too has a plate but a more rigid extensive one focused on protection more than the Vezor’s more flexible plate and foams which are more speed and agility focused. The Catamount will lean more technical trails while the Rossignol ranges from moderately technical trails to hard smooth surfaces,
Adidas Terrex Agravic 3 (RTR Review)
Slightly heavier 10.25 oz / 290g US9 but with a bigger 34 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot stack height, the Agravic 3 has a similarly pleasing softer ride if not one not quite as dynamic as its foam is less energetic, it has no plate and is stiffer and is less snappy in flex making ti a better hiker than the Vezor. The Rossignol is clearly faster on smooth terrain. The Terrex is somewhat more protective overall and slower paces focused than the Rossignol. Its upper is a similar mesh with extensive underlays with a more generous overall yet still secure fit. At $130 it is a better value but not as much fun or as versatile
Tester Profile
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s
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