Rossignol Venosk Introduction
Rossignol is a well-established name in the ski and snowboarding communities, especially here in Europe. So, it’s not too surprising that they’ve ventured into the world of trail running, bringing their expertise in outdoor gear along for the ride. With so many brands already towering over this highly competitive market, can Rossignol’s trail shoes stand out? Today, we’re taking a look at Rossignol’s standard but ultra-light Venosk model. Who is it for? How does it perform in the field? And is it worth saving 40 Euros over the more premium Vezor model? Let’s dive in.
The Venosk offers a snug hug, great laces but a flimsy mesh
Esther: The first thing I noticed about the Venosk is its very narrow yet long fit. Imagine a European-style precision fit, and then dial it down even further. That’s the Venosk for you. While it’s like Cinderella’s shoes to wide feet, it does fit my feet like a charm.
Out of the box, the Venosk fits a bit like the Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3. Or maybe like a hybrid between the recently reviewed Catamount 4 and the Salomon Genesis. Like the Catamount, it’s a featherlight shoe (196 grams in my US size 6!). It has that same Genesis-like wraparound comfort underfoot. In digging around, I discovered not one but two removable insoles layered in the Venosk. These give you the option for more ground feel (or ehem, space for a larger foot?) or more comfort. Nice touch!
The tongue is comfortably thin and semi-gusseted, providing a real lockdown around the forefoot. Unfortunately, the heel doesn’t get the same treatment. It struggles to stay in place given the shape of the heel counter. Thankfully, there is just enough length on the laces to do a runner’s knot through the extra eyelet. Phew!
Also, thanks for the extra forefoot eyelet holes but I’m not sure the lace designers were in sync with the production team. Using those would have you tying a knot somewhere near your metatarsals: now that would be a bit of a fashion statement.
Leave the production team alone though, because the laces on the Venosk are hands down some of my favourite I’ve used this year. They are flat to avoid pressure points, but by some magical force, they stay tied. My only request: 1.5cm more length! The thin jacquard mesh is perforated for decent airflow. On the positive, the mesh dries incredibly quickly. This I tested out repeatedly as I repeatedly dragged this shoe through the mud and scrubbed it down at home. That said, the mesh does have a bit of a cheap, flimsy feel. There’s some minor bunching on the tongue and medial side of the big toe to note on my pair after 70km or so. Darn pronation! I suspect the mesh might be tweaked in the next version.
A bulletproof toecap crowns the shoe, ensuring there are no toe bruises or black nails after a long run. Tell me I am not the only one who has been there?
The midsole is responsive, comfortable, and fun. Let’s hope it lasts!
Esther: This was my first ever experience in a Rossignol shoe and I was totally taken aback. I was immediately struck by how enjoyable the ride of the Venosk was. The shoe sits fairly low to the ground, genuinely enhancing proprioception and stability. The Venosk also provides enough cushioning to ensure you don’t feel beat up after your runs. In fact, it’s so comfortable and light that you might forget you’re even wearing them. This made my runs so much fun.
As promised, the injected EVA midsole paired with Rossignol’s Sensor 3 technology delivers a responsive pop while also absorbing much of the impact with each stride. The two removable inserts provide an extra layer of comfort, especially on longer runs. While the cushioning may not be quite plush enough for beginner trail runners, intermediate runners will find it more than adequate. Although reinserting the insoles after they’ve dried can be a bit fiddly, the added cushioning, particularly on downhill sections, is well worth the effort.
The forefoot offers just the right amount of absorption for intermediate runners tackling most any terrain. I took the Venosk up and down 1000 meters of vertical trail and was impressed that my legs didn’t feel the usual strain on the descent. That’s impressive for such a lightweight shoe. The cushion becomes a little sparse back on the road, but in all fairness, that’s not what these bad boys were designed for.
Heel strikers will appreciate the extra squish when landing on the heel area on short to medium distance trail runs. After 70 kilometres, I did notice some minor breakdown and creasing in the midsole. Let’s hope this amazing midsole holds its promise after many kms of proper thrashing.
The Venosk outsole offers surprisingly effective grip, even without Michelin rubber
Esther: One of the standout features of the Venosk is its outsole grip. Initially, I was a bit disappointed that the Venosk didn’t come with the Michelin rubber outsole found on its premium counterpart, the Vezor. But the Venosk outsole grip is about as aggressive as you need for a wide variety of light to light to moderately technical terrain in normal weather conditions.
A soft, tacky rubber covers nearly the entire surface, with the exception of small contoured “flex cut” triangles and a mid-foot cutout under the arch. This design gives the outsole a nice balance between durability and flexibility, helping the foot adapt to different surfaces.
The 4mm lug design doesn’t look particularly innovative at first glance, and they don’t appear as intentionally grouped and described as the ones on the Vezor. However, they’re tacky, rugged and effective on most terrains, whether dry or wet. The only area where they fall short is in thick mud, where a more curved, hook-shaped lug would offer better traction. That said, the current pattern still allows for quick mud removal underfoot, which is a welcome feature not all trail shoes manage.
A fun, lightweight option with room for growth
Esther: The Rossignol Venosk shines as a fun, lightweight trail shoe brimming with potential. It delivers solid performance across a variety of terrains, making it especially well-suited for intermediate trail runners with narrow feet, or heel strikers who will appreciate a little extra cushioning in the heel.
The Venosk may not offer the premium features of its more expensive sibling, the Vezor, yet the Venosk strikes a great balance between comfort, traction, and flexibility for a wide range of short to moderate trail runs.
A few quirks such as the midsole’s durability and the upper’s flimsy feel, leave me hoping for a bit of fine-tuning. I’d like to see this shoe drop by about 20 Euros. At that price point, the Venosk is definitely worth immediately grabbing a pair or two.
