The new Vercors offers a well-rounded trail experience that shines on gravel, dirt and mixed terrain while incorporating sustainable materials into its design.
The Rossignol Vercors offers protection and support for long days on the trail without feeling overly soft or disconnected from the ground. It performs well on gravel roads, hard-packed dirt and rolling singletrack.
Rossignol positions the Vercors as an endurance shoe. It is that, though our tester Michael describes it as an “everyday trail runner that can also handle distances. It takes the middle ground between a massive-cushioned cruiser and a ground-feel-focused shoe.”
(For runners tackling serious mountain terrain or ultras, the more aggressive Vezor model—unveiled last year as Rossi’s first trail shoe—is the better choice.)
Michael tested the Vercors on the rocky, hard-packed routes of Ontario’s Bruce Trail, with significant but not mountainous climbs. “The Vercors excels on the types of trails most runners spend most of their time exploring. This is a pro-level shoe but will also serve anyone looking to run their backyard trails and feel protected and nimble while doing so,” he said.
“My first run was on a gravelly section of the trail that later transitioned into rocky singletrack. I felt the midsole (E+FOAM) coming alive as the kms accumulated. The ride felt responsive and efficient, helping reduce my fatigue on long, gradual climbs.
The outsole (with 4mm lugs) performs nicely on mixed surfaces and tamped dirt. On one steep, rocky section, I found myself wanting a bit more bite (ie, deeper lugs). But I’d rather have the better overall stability of the Vercors on a plurality of trail terrain.”
Most runners aren’t spending their weekends scrambling over unstable high-alpine scree fields. The Vercors outsole (DuraGrip Ultra: Rossi’s proprietary rubber compound), rocker and stack are all pitched perfectly for the off-road adventures available on 90 per cent of the trails out there.
Durability is also a strength. “The outsole shows no sign of wear after a month of tough use,” Michael added. “And the upper is tough but breathable, slightly stretchy, and drains quickly if water shows up on the trail.”
“On one steep, rocky section, I found myself wanting a bit more bite (ie, deeper lugs). But I’d rather have the better overall stability of the Vercors on a plurality of trail terrain.”
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Performance: Stability + Trail Feedback
The midsole rocker encourages a natural forward roll and works particularly well when runners need to maintain controlled momentum. A removable PU insole adds responsiveness and energy return, while a second anatomical insole boosts arch support during longer outings.
At 32 mm underfoot, this is not a maximalist shoe. Runners looking for a plush, highly cushioned experience may find it too firm. But the midsole delivers enough cushioning to absorb impact without sacrificing trail feedback. The nitrogen-injected E+FOAM works alongside the anti-torsion insert to improve stability. The result is a platform that feels both supportive and reactive without harshness.
“The anti-torsion insert adds welcome stability on smoother trails, but on uneven terrain, the overall package still feels slightly rigid,” said Michael. “That is usually a good thing, though my ankles worked slightly harder to adapt to loose rocks and off-camber surfaces than they would in a more flexible tech trail shoe (like the Vezor, or the Salomon Speedcross 6). But I’m not running much of that terrain anyway, so I prefer the broader reach of the Vercors.”
“I prefer the broader reach of the Vercors.”
Sustainability
The Vercors environmental footprint is worth noting. Rossignol incorporates recycled materials throughout the shoe, including recycled polyester in the upper and laces. The brand has also focused on reducing the use of virgin materials while maintaining durability and performance. Combined with the shoe’s rugged construction and expected longevity, these sustainability measures help make the Vercors the top choice for runners looking to reduce gear turnover and waste.
Full details on the Vercors HERE.
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