Why They’re CoolThere’s a 20-foot-long slab of slick rhyolite near my house, inclined at about 55 degrees. Maybe one out of ten pairs of hikers I try will cling to it at all, but the sticky-soled Ventures just walked right on up. » Surprisingly, the sharp lugs also performed perfectly in dirt, and even mud. » Heel and toe rands act as rock bumpers, and the nubuck-and-mesh uppers held up well to abuse. » The one-pound-13-ounce Ventures employ a midsole of 70 percent EVA and 30 percent rubber; the latter material adds durability to the former’s cushioning. The combination was perfectly comfortable with daypack loads up to about 20 pounds.
Hmmm . . .The narrow toe box might be a bit tight for some. » As expected in a slip-lasted shoe, now and again I could feel sharp rocks through the sole.