Rossignol targets high performance with the new Vezor Race Department

Almost exactly two years ago, Rossignol laid its first trail-running stone with the Vezor, unveiled in Chamonix during UTMB week. It was a bold move for a company more accustomed to groomed ski slopes than the trails around Mont Blanc. And yet the French brand's trail debut proved a very pleasant surprise. The Vezor was warmly received, thanks in particular to its remarkable grip and lively ride. The best is still to come. This week, just days before the UTMB start, Rossignol returns with an updated version designed for pure racing: the Vezor Race Department.

A redesigned upper

Despite what the name might suggest, the Race Department is not an entirely new model, but a carefully targeted evolution of the original Vezor. The foundation remains the same, with a combination of EVA and nitrogen-injected N+FOAM, a Diapazon+ nylon plate and a Michelin Formula outsole fitted with 4.5 mm lugs. It is still a relatively lightweight, lively shoe with excellent grip. The major change in this new version is up top: a reinforced Matryx Kevlar upper designed to improve the shoe's fit and performance. A heel gaiter construction has been added to provide a more secure foothold and keep debris out. New serrated laces also allow for more precise adjustment. With these updates, the shoe is even more clearly focused on performance.

Weight is another detail that matters when performance is the goal. The good news is that the scales have barely moved. The shoe weighs 280 g in a size 42, compared with 282 g for the original Vezor. Rossignol has added protection without adding weight, a clear sign of strong technical expertise and thoroughly controlled product design.

Rossignol steps up its trail game with the Vezor Race Department, a race-ready update arriving just ahead of UTMB.

Specifications

Weight : 280 g (42) / 250 g (39)
Drop : 6 mm
Stack : 30 mm
Lugs : 4.5 mm
Mesh : Matryx Micro Open Weave
Midsole : dual-density EVA + nitrogen-injected supercritical N+FOAM
Plate : Diapazon+ (nylon/fiberglass composite)
Outsole : Michelin, Formula compound
Intended terrain : Technical, rocky

A shoe that stays true to its DNA: speed on technical terrain

The Vezor is THE performance model in Rossignol's trail range. First, the shoe's lively ride is what stands out. The combination of foams and the DIAPAZON+ plate delivers significant energy return, and athletes particularly appreciate the bounce underfoot. Then there is the traction. Every part of the outsole has been designed to maximize grip under braking, even on the most technical descents. This Michelin outsole, with its top-tier Formula compound, was developed specifically for the Vezor.

Now reinforced with a Matryx Kevlar upper, the shoe already looks like one of the most complete options on the market. The athletes on Team Rossignol Trail Running would certainly agree.

With these new shoes on my feet, I enjoy running even more than before! You genuinely feel free to go fast, anywhere, on any terrain. We have greater freedom of movement and ankle protection, and I also find that the Vezor Race Department has become more dynamic. The work on the heel gaiter, the new laces and the Matryx mesh has really paid off: the result is an ideal balance of precision, protection, stability and breathability!
Lucien MermillonTeam Rossignol Trail Running member

Race Department: Rossignol's new high-performance label

On paper, the model update may look minor, but this version is part of a broader strategic project for the brand: the creation of its high-performance label. The Vezor Race Department is the first product officially included in the new Rossignol Race Department label, which will launch in 2027 to mark the brand's 120th anniversary. The label is designed to bring together the company's most competitive products across all disciplines, built around three pillars: high-performance design through iterative development, close collaboration with athletes in the field, and innovation driven by unique expertise developed over decades of R&D.

Gear enthusiasts will be delighted by the announcement... Beyond the launch of the Vezor Race Department, what stands out most is the shape of a clear competitive ambition. After two years of testing in the field, Rossignol is no longer simply sounding out the trail market. The brand has bigger ambitions and wants to establish itself in trail running for the long term. Today, that means high performance and a presence on the podiums of major races. And over the past two years, the brand's credibility has clearly grown.

The three pillars of the new Race Department label

High-performance design : Iterative development and precision manufacturing to deliver intuitive equipment with immediate responsiveness and unwavering reliability.

Collaboration with athletes : Close coordination and development with athletes to validate advances in real race conditions and refine the feeling of control.

Innovation : Harnessing cutting-edge technologies and experience built over decades of multidisciplinary performance to push back the limits of competitive sport.

Results that speak before the official launch

Officially unveiled today, the Vezor Race Department has already raced in competition. Athletes from Team Rossignol Trail Running have worn it at several major events on the circuit this season. Lucien Mermillon won the Verbier Marathon by UTMB (2026). Goulwen Kerneguez finished a strong fourth at the 100 Km d'Alsace by UTMB, while Marine Quintard won the MCC (2025) in the original Vezor. Results that show the brand is gaining ground.

Where does the Vezor Race Department sit in Rossignol's trail range?

With the addition of the Vezor Race Department, Rossignol's trail range continues to expand. With its 30 mm stack, the Vezor remains the performance and short-to-mid-distance racing option. The Vercors, released this spring and already tested at the Trail Test Camp, is aimed at long-distance formats and ultra running. The Race Department sits at the top of the Vezor line as its most radical racing version. Not necessarily a fourth model, but a logical progression from the first.

Two years after catching everyone off guard in Chamonix, Rossignol is carving out a place in trail running. With its new Race Department label, the French brand is taking another step forward. It is now building a genuine competition program around dedicated products, with innovation and athletes at the heart of the project. The formula is working. The results on the ground are there to back up the marketing message. The question is whether, next spring, the Vezor Race Department will live up to expectations. Given the quality of the first version, its future success seems beyond doubt.

The Vezor Race Department will be available in February 2027 at rossignol.com.