ROSSIGNOL SNOWBOARD BOOTS F/W 2025/26 PREVIEW

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard Boots F/W 2025/26 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Rossignol
Interviewee: ARNAUD REPA / SNB CATEGORY MGMT

How was last season in the snowboard boot market?
Despite a glorious end of 23/24 season sales and global resiliency, the growing intensity and frequency of extreme weather events and geo-political tensions negatively impacted 24/25 pre-orders. Even if enthusiasm remains high and hotel reservations are promising, everything will depend on the snow level. In Europe, but also in North America and Asia since these regions have become all the more important than Europe is just recovering from the covid years. The number of riding days may, as a consequence of snow scarcity, decrease in favor of other investments or activities depending on private budget. Which explains the shift to splitboarding, both from an individual and brand standpoint. But the splitboard market is a reflection of a geographical shift in the consumption of winter sports equipment, with the vast majority happening in areas that are in close vicinity of the mountains. And the rise of step-in and semi-automatic bindings did not contribute to offset the negative trend since the problem is neither coming from the products, nor from their availability.

With the recent overall price increases, have there been any positive developments in manufacturing, sourcing, or logistics?
We developed a three-season inventory and sales management plan that is monitored every month. Meaning optimized stock distribution across countries, direct shipping from the factories, reduced buying targets, minimized end-of-season discounts, anticipated product availability, therefore development, and rationalized production (ie. managing raw material and scrap inventories to optimize stock monetization and profitability). We haven’t been able to relocate some of our production due to MOQs and raw materials availability across the planet but the factories we work with are as conscious as we are of the need to be flexible, from capacity to country of origin, and lower their environmental impact with the rise of the mass balance approach to accelerate the use of renewable feedstocks in chemical processes. Which allowed us to joint our raw materials purchasing across our factories and access cheaper products. Therefore to reduce our wholesale and retail prices on the associated products. I will add that our Resource Planning (ERP) and Product Lifecycle Mgmt (PLM) softwares are also key to superior development and supply chain management.

What are the major trends you’re seeing with product pricing in the snowboard boots market?
The increasing focus on sustainability and ethical practices, along with the growing production costs in China as a result of a lack of alternative suppliers of low-cost workforce will generate higher costs and retail prices. Longer life cycle products should, on the other, create new business opportunities for repair services and businesses related to products and services intended to extend the life of the boots. Which should keep the price increase of new boots relatively steady through the years (avg. +4 to 5%).

E-commerce Vs. physical retail, how are you balancing both channels?
The shift towards e-trade will take time as boot fit is very different from one brand to the other and even changes from one model to the other. Plus boot-fitting has now transferred from ski-boots only to snowboard boots. Making that service another reason to bring snb customers in for brick & mortar stores. We do offer boot-fitting ready snb boots in our collection and encourage our physical dealers to invest into a boot-fitting machine. And built a custom program for snb boots for those who already have a machine. The younger kids may not have the budget to invest into boot-fitting as they can power through non perfect gear, the older generation will afford snowboard boot fitting appointments when they see/learn/know it is a game changer.

How are you supporting retailers to sell this category?
Accurate MSRPs, improved margin program, early deliveries, size swaps and last, but not least, boot-fitting compatible models.

What unique brand messages are you focusing on for the 2025/2026 snowboard boot season?
Choose responsibly. From MSRP to margin, quality, durability, low-carbon footprint make, style, delivery, after sales service and boot-fitting, our snb boots program is tight.

Are there any updates or significant changes in your liner technology or programs for the 2025/2026 collection?
We did a complete reboot on our retail collection. A full overhaul that was grown from the past and geared up to match the level of progressive riding that is happening today. Placing comfort and function at the forefront of our development, we wanted the best fitting boot possible, from the first try-on in the shop to the 100th day lace up. To get there, we looked at the boot as a whole, creating a liner that works together with the features of the outer shell and vice versa. One of the most important aspects in this process is our industry first V-shaped True Form liner concept. That focuses on the natural curvatures and shapes of the feet and lower legs. In short, we are bringing boot-fitting-compatible models that will conform to any foot or leg to reduce play, increase precision and cut down fatigue, while providing more forward lean support to maximize shock absorption. Our line structure and flex pattern distribution has not evolved since last year but you will be surprised how seriously different the boots feel and ride. From working with our 50+ years of ski-boot liner development center in Italy to bringing new styles, fabrics, construction techniques, Sensor 3 footbeds, True Form liners along with renewable and recycled materials, we did reload our software to improve the global performance of our boot line and probably offer the best one we have ever made. The collection is divided into 2 levels, Evolution/Confirmed and Confirmed/Advanced, and includes 5 styles with 3 different flex indexes for a wide range of applications and riders.True Form explained A shoe last is the solid form around which a shoe is molded. The fit of a shoe is completely dependent on the shape and volume of the shoe last. While shoes only need one last to be assembled around, snowboard boots need two: one for the liner and one for the shell. With the former being the perfect complement of the latter to reach the ultimate goal, a true fit. Developed in conjunction with heat moldable foam padding in the ankle, heel cord and instep areas, our new sets of lasts not only offer a fit that is closer to the natural curvature and shape of the foot and lower leg, but will also conform with the different anatomical foot types. Which means, when compared to the previous generation and market standards:

5° forward lean to better align with the natural shape of the lower leg;
1mm narrower heel counter and 7mm narrower metatarsal head for precision fit and minimized friction;
instep pocket for pressure release;
3mm lower toe box for board feel;
Power hooks (on RS Primo and RS Hybrid only) to prevent false flex and improve heel retention.

What lacing systems will be your main focus for the 2025/2026 boots?
Fit, simplicity and diversity are at the core of our development. We offer boots that combine BOA®’s new H4 series with a multitude of lacing systems but also offer models that only feature traditional laces. Fast lacing systems will continue to grow though, with the new generation not wanting to spend too much time on this and the aging population not willing to spend as much time as they did in the past.

What are the dominant visual themes, patterns, and materials you’ll be highlighting in next year’s boot line? Any artist collaborations or notable partnerships?
We’ve been following the same path for all 3 product lines since the beginning: simple lines, smoothness and timeless feel. Hence the use of black as the primary color, small louder hits to differentiate styles, and synthetic Nubuck®, PU leather or Ortholite® footbeds.

Which segment of your boot range (Freestyle, Freeride, All-Mountain, Beginner) are you investing in the most, and why?
We don’t prioritize riding disciplines but styles when we design boots as we know some freestyle riders love stiffer dual zone boots while some will naturally go with a softer boot that features a traditional lacing system. And the same goes with the free-riders or all-mountain riders. We consider all categories and riders equally but prioritized user experience over style for 25/26 with our new RS Primo and RS Hybrid boot models that targets intermediate to expert riders and sits in the mid-to-mid-hard section of the flex index: not too soft to bring forward lean support, not too stiff to allow tweak-ability without too much effort.

Have there been significant changes in how you approach product pricing for the upcoming season?
Our biggest demand is under the 300 euros MSRP price range where we offer Articulated cuffs, thermo-moldable liners, Ortholite®’s footbeds, full rubber outsoles, various lacing systems, superior ride-ability and durability. While we are also addressing the demand for higher-end products with added performance-driven features like Sensor3 footbeds, heel harnesses, dual BOA® or 3D molded tongues, we stay true to our original commitment and intend to give access to snowboarding for as many as possible, even if this mission is more complicated every day. Which makes us prioritize quality and technology at reasonable pricing.

Does your 2025/2026 boot line target any specific price ranges?
Our boot line is divided into 2 levels, Evolution/Confirmed and Confirmed/Advanced. The first one targets at the 280 euros MSRP price range with Articulated cuffs, thermo-moldable liners, Ortholite®’s footbeds, full rubber outsoles, various lacing systems, superior ride-ability and durability. The second one aims at the Balanced Active-to-Performer customer with Power hooks on liners, Sensor 3 outsoles, midsoles and footbeds, dual BOA® fit systems, 3D molded tongues and independent ankle harnesses in the 370 to 440 euros MSRP range,

Key Products:

RS PRIMO:
Featuring 3D-molded tongues, True Form thermo-moldable liners, heel harnesses, Sensor 3 molded footbeds, EVA midsoles, rubber outsoles, stitched liners and upper shell construction that bring added comfort and closer wrap, lifetime warrantied Dual Zone BOA® Focus H4 Fit System for enhanced heel hold and premium hard-charging performance, the RS Primo is designed for aggressive riding frontside and back.

RS PRIMO

RS HYBRID:
Our stiffest model with an independent three-point heel harness, Articulated upper cuff construction, True Form insulated thermo-moldable liner, 3D molded tongues, Advanced flex medial support and classic-lacing-to-BOA® fit configuration that comes with the new M+2 Hybrid Instep system to deliver an adjustable, instep-focused fit that lets you adapt to the riding conditions and shred wherever the ride takes you.

RS HYBRID

ALLEY BOA® H4:
Hidden lace guides for wear protection, rubber outsoles for grip and durability, EVA midsoles for cushion, True Form thermo-moldable liners for custom fit and warmth, BOA® Fit System H4 Coiler™ for fast and precise tension adjustment, articulated cuffs that complement the boot flex for the support to push and build your skillset, the 2025 Alley screams versatility.

ALLEY BOA® H4