Rossignol Pure Pro Heat - Women's Review

We may have judged this book by its cover, thanks to the lavish pink and gold exterior design, but we were quite impressed with the Rossignol Pure Pro Heat. We were surprised by the wide range of skier abilities this boot claims to satisfy, but alas, it delivered on its promises. Admittedly stiffer than advertised, the Pure Pro Heat held its own on top to bottom groomer runs and performed better than anticipated off-piste. The liner seals heat in with Merino Wool Redactive and Wintherm technologies, making it the warmest boot in the lineup. We still would not recommend this boot for advanced skiers, but for those looking for a reliable boot with ultra-warm comfort, the Pure Pro Heat will do the trick.

Performance Comparison

Performance

Don't let the unrated flex rating fool you on this one. The Rossignol Pure Pro Heat performs to the same level as some boots rated in the 105 to 110 flex range. This boot skis much stiffer than we anticipated. The Pure Pro Heat's level of stiffness was comparable to the Lange RX LV in a 110 flex. While the boot props you up in a fairly upright position, it provides a smooth yet energetic feel that allowed our testers to engage in powerful turns. We were apprehensive about seeing the flex was adjustable. That seemed odd, as most boots have an adjustable forward lean but not an adjustable flex. While Rossignol seems to keep the consumer-facing information on that technology under wraps, a few turns of the screw truly seemed to soften or stiffen the boot. An interesting feature indeed.

The torsional and progressive flex of the Rossignol Pure Pro Heat allowed this boot to succeed in playful, off-piste adventures. However, it didn't provide the stability and stiffness that we get from some of the more high-performing boots in the lineup. Rigid construction is extremely helpful in power transfer, particularly on fast hardpack. Since the Pure Pro Heat is constructed of a majority of softer plastics for comfort, you don't obtain as much of that rigid structure we see in race-inspired boots. Depending on what you're looking for, a softer flex with more torsional capabilities may be the perfect option to boost your comfort and confidence around the mountain.

The Rossignol Pure Pro Heat has a very smooth and progressive flex. The boot gives way to a full range of motion as you move in and out of turns. It's exceptional for finessing on-piste terrain and holding firm in dynamic, high-speed turns. This boot drives smooth and seamless transitions between variable conditions and hits a sweet spot in the skier's sensory perception for the conditions underfoot. The Pure Pro Heat doesn't exactly provide the same power as the race-inspired boots, but it is undoubtedly strong for a comfort-oriented boot.

Comfort

The Rossignol Pure Pro Heat is all about warmth, so let's cut to the chase and address the "how warm is it really?" question. Rossignol uses a Therm-ic Boot Integration System to heat the boot around the lining of the foot, and in particular, the toes. This provided a wonderful toaster oven for our feet. It's arguably too warm for spring skiing, but for those who ski in the icy cold temps of Montana and Vermont, this boot is a godsend.

The Merino Wool and Wintherm sealed liner features an integrated control panel on the upper cuff, allowing the skier to select between four settings — off, moderate (17-19 hours of use), medium (8-9 hours of use), and high (4-5 hours of use). While the Merino Wool liner maintains warmth, it doesn't necessarily maintain breathability. When we used a combination of medium and high settings for an extended period of time, our feet began to sweat. Granted, your feet may sweat in California temperatures and not Montana temps. Either way, the wet socks were a bit uncomfortable at the end of the day.

Fit

Rossignol advertises this 100-millimeter last width boot as a slim fit, which doesn't quite put it into the low volume (LV) category we see in other boots. Our test boot had a surprisingly solid out-of-the-box fit on our tester's narrow feet. Those in the low volume range may not find the boot to be a snug enough fit, though the extra room will likely equate to a greater amount of comfort. It's a little wider through the forefoot than the other low volume models we tested but has a secure heel pocket.

If we're being super picky, the boot's shaft is a little wide, and we did have to tighten the upper buckles and power strap enough that it became slightly uncomfortable. But we found a balance point eventually. The cuff is also a little lower on this boot, so if you have muscular calves, this could be a good option. Overall, we found this to be the best of both worlds for those who require maximum comfort without sacrificing performance.

Features & Customization

The most significant feature in this boot is clearly the integrated heating system. It's a wonderful world when the ski industry starts giving us warm feet without sacrificing performance. Out of the box, you need to charge the boots' batteries. A small handbook is provided with information on how to charge the boot and connect the Bluetooth. You can turn on and control the heating system by pressing the power button on the top outside of the cuff and further finetune the temperature by downloading the Therm-ic app to your phone.

You can customize the heat to a specific temperature or customize settings based on whether you're standing still or moving. Unfortunately, for the app-savvy skiers, the Bluetooth connection isn't highly reliable. It became disconnected several times and forced us to stop skiing and play around on our phone to diagnose the issue. Luckily, the boot is still incredibly warm on its own and doesn't require the app to change heat settings. You can simply push the power button on the side of the liner to adjust the heat output.

The buckles are micro-adjustable, and the 40-millimeter strap is sufficient but also removable for those who want to use their own strap. There is no forward lean adjustment on this boot but, oddly enough, a flex adjustment located on the spine. One grapple we had with the charging cable was its length. Boots are bulky, and this cord felt awkwardly short. Not a huge deal, but something to take note of.

Value

You can definitely put a price on warm toes. Luckily, Rossignol's price won't break the bank. The Pure Pro Heat sits at the lower to medium end of pricing in our test group. Usually, anything with Bluetooth technology attached will cost you a pretty penny, but Rossignol managed to make this model an affordable option. At this price, we would consider the value to be high and mighty. Considering most after-market heating systems can cost $200-400, this is a steal.

For those who don't want technology to be a part of their everyday ski experience, you may want to avoid this boot. The Lange RX LV or Nordica Promachine can provide comparable comfort and warmth with greater downhill performance for a similar cost.

Conclusion

Where boot heating systems come at a steep cost, the Rossignol Pure Pro Heat lessens the blow of having to buy a boot and a heater. While the Pure Pro Heat doesn't have a rock bottom price, it is justifiable for integrated warmth that provides all-day comfort. We also give kudos to Rossignol for adding the flex adjustment to ensure that this boot is suitable for a wider range of abilities. The Pure Pro Heat sacrifices little performance for comfort, but we just didn't feel that it stood out against the competition in overall power. In a comparative environment, the boot was strong and comfortable but lacked the rigidity and stability that we liked in the other boots in the lineup. Needless to say, the Pure Pro Heat checks a lot of boxes and can be a one-stop-shop for many intermediate and even advanced skiers.