The trail running shoe landscape keeps getting more crowded, and that’s a good thing for runners. Brands with backgrounds in skiing, hiking, apparel, and other outdoor pursuits are recognizing that trail runners are looking for fresh options beyond the usual names. While not every newcomer gets it right on the first attempt, a few have shown they can build shoes that deserve a spot alongside more established competitors.
Rossignol is one of those brands. Best known for its long history in mountain sports, the company has continued expanding its trail running lineup – following up their inaugural shoe Vezor – with the Vercors.
Vezor Sharp: Rossignol Vezor Trail Shoes Cut Through the Miles
Looks:
The Vercors has a fairly traditional trail shoe aesthetic. It looks like a trail shoe should—purpose-built and ready to get dirty.
Rossignol offers the Vercors in three colorways. We checked out the Neon Red, but my favorite is easily the Whisper White. It’s a sharp-looking shoe, but let’s be realistic: white trail shoes have a pretty short shelf life, especially on Oregon trails. After a few outings they’ll probably look a little less “Whisper White” and a little more “Forest Floor Brown.” But that’s how a good trail shoe should be anyways, right?!
Construction:
After spending time in the shoe, it’s clear this is a thoughtfully designed trail shoe that feels comfortable, capable, and confident on a wide variety of terrain. Even if Rossignol isn’t the first name that comes to mind when talking trail running footwear, the Vercors makes a compelling case that it should be part of the conversation.
Specs:
- Weight: 10.2 oz (M9)
- Stack Height: 32mm / 26mm
- Drop: 6mm
- Lugs: 4mm
Trail runners tend to gravitate toward one of two camps: those who prefer a highly cushioned, almost disconnected ride that smooths over everything beneath them, and those who want to feel connected to the trail with a bit more feedback underfoot. The Vercors clearly leans toward the latter.
Despite its lower stack, the Vercors isn’t an ultralight shoe, though it never feels cumbersome either. That’s fairly typical in the trail world, where added protection and durability naturally come with a few extra ounces. Compared to Rossignol’s Vezor, the Vercors is a bit heavier, though the two shoes are designed with different runners in mind.
The Vezor is geared toward faster efforts, racing, and more technical terrain, while the Vercors prioritizes comfort, protection, and durability for long training days and all-day adventures.
Upper:
The Vercors uses a Jacquard mesh upper that proved comfortable and breathable throughout testing while standing up well to typical Oregon conditions.
Fit-wise, I found it to run a touch long while also being a bit snug through the midfoot. The shoe tapers gradually toward the forefoot, creating a secure feel in the midsole. This was not overly restrictive for my average-width feet, but runners with higher-volume feet or those who don’t enjoy a close-fitting midfoot may find it a little confining after several hours on the trail.
Outside of the fit, the upper does a nice job balancing comfort, protection, and durability. It isn’t overly padded or bulky, but it provides enough structure to inspire confidence when the trail gets a little rough.
Midsole:
The Vercors has an interesting underfoot feel. Overall, it lands on the firmer side of the spectrum, but it doesn’t come across as harsh. In fact, the step-in comfort is surprisingly plush, and I think a lot of that credit goes to the insole. It provides an immediate layer of cushioning that softens what is otherwise a fairly stable platform.
Once you’re moving, the ride changes a bit. Rossignol’s E+FOAM (EverFoam) provides the cushion and the Comfort Plate (also referred to as a Comfort Shield) adds structure to the shoe while helping facilitate a smooth rocker through the midfoot. On its own, I still found it a bit of a firmer platform though pairing it with the cushioned insole struck a balance that I found enjoyable on most runs.
This is also where personal preference comes into play. For me, I think an all-day outing or ultra-distance adventure would leave my feet wanting a little more cushioning. I tend to prefer a bit more forgiveness over really long distances. That said, I also know plenty of experienced trail runners who actively seek out this type of ride because the increased ground feel provides confidence and stability on technical terrain. Neither preference is right or wrong—it simply comes down to what you enjoy underfoot.
One final note: Rossignol has packed a surprising amount of technology into this midsole. We intentionally don’t dive into every proprietary material or acronym in our reviews, but if you’re seriously considering the Vercors—especially for long trail races or ultras—it’s worth spending a few minutes on Rossignol’s product page. There’s a lot of thoughtful engineering here that helps explain why the shoe feels the way it does.
Outsole:
Rossignol equips the Vercors with a nearly full-coverage DuraGrip Ultra outsole featuring 4 mm lugs. This is the company’s endurance-focused rubber compound, designed to balance grip with long-term durability. While I haven’t logged hundreds of miles in the shoe yet, the outsole has shown very little wear during testing and gives every indication that it’s built to go the distance.
My testing didn’t include highly technical alpine terrain or anything that would make a mountain goat nervous, but I did take the Vercors over a variety of roots, loose dirt, rocks, and moderately technical Oregon trails. In every situation, the outsole provided dependable traction and never left me second-guessing my footing.
Overall:
The Vercors was one of those shoes that grew on me with every run.
My first impression was that it leaned a little firmer than what I typically reach for, but as the miles accumulated, I began to appreciate what Rossignol was aiming for. The stable platform, confident ground feel, and well-balanced construction all came together to create a dependable trail shoe that felt increasingly natural the more time I spent in it and the more I got used to the rocker.
This won’t be the trail shoe for everyone. Runners looking for a soft, max-cushioned ride may want something with a bit more foam underfoot. But if you appreciate feeling connected to the trail, value stability over squish, and want a versatile shoe that’s capable of handling everything from daily miles to long adventures, the Vercors deserves a look.
