Montrail Ventana Trail Shoes : Over the River, and Through the Woods

Ever since I got my Montrail Ventanas, I've been wearing them almost nonstop.   Okay, they don't go great with my dressy black pant suit for work, but I've been packing them in my briefcase to wear during my lunch hour exercise walks on the forest trail near my office.

Why the lovefest with these shoes? First of all, they are exceedingly comfortable.   Montrail seems to have my number. The Ventana is designed to fit snug in the heel, but are roomier in the toe box. My toes don't get squished when going downhill on loose, slidey gravel or rocky trails, but my narrow heels stay securely in place. They are also light (at just 11 ounces for a rugged, stable trail shoe) but provide good support for pounding up and down the trail.

So far I've mostly worn these on the steep dirt or gravel trails that wind up and down through forests around Seattle.   The Ventana is designed for traction and holds well on slopes. Montrail uses their patented Gryptonite™ material  on the soles, which (as the name suggests) provides good grip.

Another plus for me is the stable sole that extends out a bit beyond the base of my heel. With my annoying but chronic Achilles tendonitis, I have to be very selective about the shoes I wear. They must provide good heel support and grip so I don't place unnecessary strain on my Achilles.   I've tried other shoes and keep coming back to Montrail shoes for their fit, durability, and quality.

I'm looking forward to wearing the Ventanas this summer on hikes east of the mountains in the arid terrain of eastern Washington. The mesh ventilation on the upper lets me feet breath a bit and cuts down on smelly shoe syndrome. My hiking buddies will especially appreciate that feature

Bottom Line: Another great shoe from Montrail, well-designed for women's lower volume feet.--J.I. (May '06)

Price: $95.

Manufacturer's Site: www.montrail.com

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