Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe

Review by Erin Trail

The Vezor Trail shoe is Rossignol’s first foray into the the trail running shoe world. This shoe features:

• An upper made from partially recycled materials
• A TPU toe cap to keep your toes safe
• A midsole featuring a Diapazon+ shaped composite insert that’s sandwiched between a two-part, nitrogen injected N+ FOAM and standard EVA midsole, for protection from rock strikes and extra propulsive energy
• 4mm-lugs Michelin Formula rubber outsole
• A 3-Zone multiple fit lacing options and customizable footbed system with two removable insoles let you dial in your fit
• 30mm heel stack and 6mm Drop
• Weight: 9.8 oz (men’s); 8.1 oz (women’s)

Technical Review

I’ve been wearing the Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe on a variety of runs, ranging from my local singletrack loop, consisting of sand, hardpack dirt, rock cobbles, and rock outcrops, to hilly but less technical constructed gravel trails. I’ve worn the shoes alone and I’ve also done looped runs where I change shoes every 2.5 miles at the trailhead.

Before I became a gear reviewer, I typically ran in Hokas and find that I do generally prefer wider and more cushioned shoes.  I also have a torn plantar plate and need to wear a special insole with a met-pad inside all of my running shoes.

Fit

I typically wear a women’s size 9 in most shoes and have a pretty narrow foot.  I found that the length of the Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe was true to size, but I did find them to be very narrow across the ball of my foot and into my toes. The material across the upper in the toe area also has a stiffer zone, which I can feel across my toes, adding to the sensation that these shoes run narrow.  I do think I may have preferred a shoe that was a half-size larger because of the toe box design.

I found the volume of the Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe to be fine, even with my own insoles. I have narrow heels and liked the heel design.  I found that my heels were secure but also comfortable. The achilles/heel area of the shoe does extend higher than most shoes, but I didn’t find it to rub or cause any issues.

Performance

I found that the Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoes felt fairly wobbly underfoot.  This was especially noticeable on my looped testing runs, when I was also running in wider shoes like Hoka or Norda. The smaller footprint of the shoe lends itself to being more nimble – but also can feel less stable.

I did enjoy running uphill in the Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe.  I felt more controlled and had access to good turnover and propulsion, likely from the Diapazon+ shaped composite insert, sandwiched between a two-part, nitrogen injected N+ FOAM and standard EVA midsole.

I found the cushioning of the Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe to be a little more dense than other shoes, but the feel of the shoe never felt harsh or jarring.

The grip of the Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe was my favorite feature of the shoe.  The 4mm-lugs Michelin Formula rubber outsole provided great grip on a variety of trail surfaces. It was very grippy on rocky formations and also didn’t slip on looser gravel surfaces.

Closing Thoughts

The Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe is best for runners who want a nimble and agile feeling shoe and those who prefer a more narrow fit in the toe box.  Due to the narrow construction, you may want to size up, if you’re used to a more generous toe box. For me, the shoe felt great on more even surfaces and a bit tippy and wobbly on more uneven terrain. The grip of the Michelin Formula rubber outsole was great.  I also really loved the bright red color.  The Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe is pretty unique in terms of fit, especially given the trend of shoes with wider toe boxes.  If you don’t like wide shoes – or prefer a more nimble ride, the Rossignol Vezor Trail Running Shoe  would be a great option.

Erin Trail