Tl;dr: When shopping for Rossignol alpine ski boots, consider the fit, flex, and added features. Fit should be snug but not painful, flex should be stiff but easy enough to bend, and features such as walk mode, adjustable cuffs, and even built-in heaters should be considered. Rossignol also makes a variety of cross-country and alpine touring boots to meet the needs of all types of skiers.

I grew up skiing on the East Coast in elementary school and moved to Salt Lake City after graduating high school to chase some powder. I have taught skiing in New Zealand and Park City and have assisted many customers in boot-fitting Rossignol boots while working in a local ski shop at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon. I love helping others find their ideal ski gear and sharing my passion for being outside with family and friends.

Who Is Rossignol?

Rossignol first originated way back in 1907, when Abel Rossignol manufactured wood products such as spindles for the textiles industry. He decided to utilize these skills to make a pair of skis because he was passionate about skiing. These turned out to be the very first pair of wood skis in the world. It was only 30 years later that a French skier named Émile Allais became a triple world champion on Rossignol Olympic 41 skis.

Rossignol is a French company that also owns the brands Dynastar and LOOK. In 1970, their Strato ski became the first ski to sell 1 million pairs! In 1989, Rossignol acquired the boot brand Lange and started making their own Rossignol ski boots. Rossignol's ski equipment can be found all over the world and is well loved by many skiers.

What to Consider When Buying Rossignol Ski Boots

How Do I Measure the Length of My Foot?

Ski boots are measured using the Mondopoint system, known as mondo for short, which is essentially just the length of your foot in centimeters. To measure the length of your foot, measure from the base of the heel to the top point of the toe. Mondo sizes have nominal half sizes, but the shell size does not change from a 24 to a 24.5. In order words, a 24 and a 24.5 are the same size ski boot. You may see 24/24.5 labeled on the bottom of the boot or, more commonly, simply 24.5.

How Do I Measure the Width of My Foot?

When shopping for ski boots, you will notice a number listed in millimeters that is called the “last” of the boot. This is the width of the boot, which correlates with the widest part of your foot. There are many different lasts, usually ranging from 97-104mm. To measure the width of your foot, put your foot flat on the ground and measure at the widest point from one side to the other. If you have narrow feet, the last should be about 97-100mm, medium should be 100-102mm, and wide should be over 102mm. Rossignol makes a wide variety of boots and is known for its ability to cater to those with wider feet. If you are looking for a boot for wide feet and don’t want to sacrifice when it comes to performance, check out the Rossignol Track.

How Do I Determine the Right Ski Boot Flex for Me?

Ski boot flex varies from brand to brand, so a 70 in a Nordica is not going to be the same as a 70 flex in Rossinol. However, the flex number can be compared within the brand, so a 110 flex in Rossinol will be stiffer than a 70 flex in Rossignol. Since some brands are stiffer than others, it is best to try out a few options or ask a Curated Skiing Expert about fit. Rossignol is a safe option, as the brand isn’t known for being overly stiff or overly flexible.

It is important to find a boot that is stiff enough because the stiffness helps to transmit energy more efficiently. Remember that if the boot is too stiff, you won’t be able to flex the boot and turn effectively. The correct flex for you is determined by your weight and skiing ability. An aggressive skier who weighs a lot will require the stiffest boots, while a lightweight beginner will require the softest flex.

What Are the Different Types of Rossignol Ski Boots?

Rossignol manufactures downhill alpine boots, alpine touring boots, and cross-country ski boots.

Alpine Downhill

Traditional alpine downhill ski boots make up the majority of Rossignol’s boot lineup and are made for anyone who skis downhill solely at the resort.

Benefits:

• Wide variety of options to choose from in size, flex, color, and design
• May come heated so that you can keep your toes extra warm

Be Aware:

• Come in a variety of materials and flexes and therefore prices vary
• Can be marketed as male- or female-specific, but the main difference is usually just the color

Alpine Touring

Rossignol also makes hybrid alpine touring boots like the Rossignol Alltrack Elites, meaning they can be used both in the resort and the backcountry. An easy way to recognize this is by the “tech toes” or orange inserts at the front of the boots.

Benefits:

• Built with lightweight materials to reduce fatigue when touring uphill
• Walk mode allows for more flex on the uphill

Be Aware:

• Dedicated touring boots (not hybrid boots) will have a greater cuff range, meaning more range of motion and flexibility
• Rossignol only manufactures hybrid boots, not touring-specific boots

Cross Country

Rossignol makes a variety of cross-country ski boots for both men and women.

Benefits:

• Offered in lace-up or zip-up options
• Made with high-quality materials and at a reasonable price for cross-country gear

Be Aware:

• Sizing is different for cross-country ski boots, so please refer to the fit and sizing guide on each product page

Features to Look Out for When Buying Rossignol Ski Boots

Rossignol offers some unique features, from heating technology to cutting-edge shell design for maximum performance. If you can’t decide which ones are right for you, please contact a Curated Skiing Expert for advice!

Heated Ski Boots

Rossignol produces a variety of heated ski boots, providing warmth on the coldest of days. A common misconception is that heated ski boots are only made for beginners. Rossignol proves this wrong by offering a high-performance heated boot, which is unique to the industry.

Benefits:

• Heated ski boots allow you to stay out on the mountain longer, without having to pop into the lodge every few runs to warm up
• Easily adjust the heat with the push of a button

Be Aware:

• Heated ski boots will be pricer than nonheated
• Once you try these once, you may never want to go back

Boot Sole Type

Rossignol boot sole types can be separated into two categories: GripWalk and Alpine DIN. This is important to pay attention to because it will determine if your boot will be compatible with your ski binding.

GripWalk

Benefits:

• Easier to walk around outside of the binding, as the soles have rounded rubber points to make walking more natural
• Take longer to wear out than traditional soles

Be Aware:

• Although most new bindings are GripWalk compatible, GripWalk soles are not compatible with the more traditional alpine bindings
• You can sometimes swap out GripWalk and traditional bindings with a screwdriver, as long as the manufacturer produces both types of soles

Alpine DIN

Benefits:

• Will work with traditional Alpine bindings AND with GripWalk-compatible, newer bindings

Be Aware:

• Tend to wear out faster than GripWalk soles
• More slippery in an icy parking lot than GripWalk soles

How to Choose the Right Rossignol Ski Boots for You

Choosing the right Rossignol ski boots for you can be daunting at first, but hopefully, now you have a better understanding of what to look for. Below I’ve described two different personas when it comes to shopping for Rossignol ski boots. I’ve highlighted what they should look for based on their skiing styles and goals.

Amanda

Amanda is looking for her first pair of ski boots. She has skied for a few years and is used to boots from the rental shop. She has medium-width feet and is most concerned about comfort, as she has struggled in the past to find comfortable rental boots. She is a beginner/intermediate skier and weighs 140 pounds, and she mostly skis in New England.

Features Sheila should look for:

• A low to medium flex
• A soft boot liner
• A medium last boot (100-102mm)

Rossignol ski boot examples: Pure 70 Ski Boots, Pure Heat Ski Boots

Ralph

Ralph is a heavy-set, intermediate skier, who wants a new pair of resort boots that don’t hurt his feet. He loves getting outdoors with friends and family, but his current boots hit some uncomfortable pressure points, making for a rough time on trail. He has wide feet and would like to find ski boots that have GripWalk soles, as a friend told him that they are amazing and will prevent him from slipping in the parking lot.

Features Ralph should look for:

• GripWalk Soles
• A wide boot last (102-104mm)
• A high flex of 100+

Rossignol ski boot examples: Rossignol Alltrack 90, Rossignol Track 90 HV

Find the Best Rossignol Ski Boots for You

Rossignol makes a huge variety of ski boots for all abilities and types of skiers, so finding the best fit can be tricky. If you have any questions regarding finding the best Rossignol ski boots for you, reach out to a Curated Skiing Expert for assistance. We are always happy to help!