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Reviews > Footwear > Boots > La Sportiva Venture Mid XCR > Kathleen Waters > Field ReportField Report: La Sportiva Venture Mid XCR Trail Shoes Contents: Tester Biographical Information <back to top> Name: Kathleen Waters Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking in 1998 on a gorgeous fall day, starting with Mt. Hahn located just north of Steamboat Springs, CO. Since then, we have returned to Colorado, mostly to the Vail Valley area twice a year, both summer/early fall and winter to play outdoors - we snowshoe in the winter. When we are home in Southeast Michigan, we make it a point to hike 2 or 3 weekdays, usually 6 to 8 miles (10 to 13 km) and then one whole weekend day. Our weekday hikes generally take place in the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, which is a decent mixture of moderately steep hills and flat terrain, heavily wooded. Our weekend hikes can end up being anywhere! Product Information (from website) <back to top>
Description: For a more detailed description of the La Sportiva Venture Mid XCR Trail Shoes, including warranty information, please see my Initial Report. Product Information (from tester) Size: 8 USA/40.5 EUR/7 UK Field Conditions/Completed Tests Results <back to top> I have worn the La Sportiva Venture boots almost daily for at least one hour a day and on my last trip to Colorado, I wore them for up to 12 hours a day for 4 days straight. Here, at home in Michigan, I've tested the boots on my daily 2 mile (3.2 km) walks with my dog and also on day and/or night hikes in Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. This includes snowshoe hikes over the past week or so. These hikes are generally about 4 to 6 mile (6.4 km to 9.6 km) hikes. Temperatures have ranged from 50 F (10 C) to 17 F (-8.3 C) and sun, rain and snow have all been experienced at various times. The Venture boots have been pounded on asphalt (with the dog), hard dirt trails, rock scrambles, expansive (soft) soil bushwhacking and snow. Pack weight has been from nothing at all to 20 lb (9.1 kg) but mostly day pack weight of approximately 10 lb (4.5 kg).
The La Sportiva Venture boots did a great job of supporting my feet, both at the ankle and at the arch. I found that the left ankle irritation I reported in my initial report was a non-factor after the break-in period. Perhaps, I was just tying the laces a bit tighter than the boots require. I never noticed any discomfort due to all the rocks and boulders I banged onto and into. The heavy toe rand and sole of the Venture did a good job of protecting my feet. And while I never encountered rain or standing water, I have experienced lots of snow. The Gore-Tex kept my feet mostly dry. I did have some dampness a couple of times, but I'm not sure whether perspiration or external seepage was the cause. I'm hoping that my next period of testing will answer that question. The only negative I have to report is a lack of "grip" on slippery surfaces. When climbing wet and/or snow-covered rocks, I don't feel confident. I have slipped a couple of times due to the shallow grooves in the soles. Also, when stomping through the mud, it didn't take long for the mud to collect and render the tread totally useless and slick. To be fair, my husband and his Merrells also got mucked up, just not as badly. The mud did come off easily when dried with just a stiff brushing though, and I have not noticed the usual collection of stones in the tread that my other boots have had. Summary to Date <back to top> These are pretty neat boots. They are light-weight so leg fatigue is decreased and support is not compromised by the light-weight materials. I have been able to use them with my Yukon Charlie 825 snowshoes with only minor adjustments to the bindings (had to loosen them - the Ventures pack a bigger footprint than my other boots). Noticeable wear on the boots has been negligible up to this point in testing. The tread, once washed of mud with a hose, still looks relatively new. There has been no loosening of stitches in the boot uppers nor, have the laces shown any signs of fraying. No holes or tears have developed in the outer mesh inserts and the insoles show no breaking down of the supporting materials. My feet have been happy in the La Sportiva Venture Mid XCRs! Continuing Test Plan <back to top> I am looking forward to at least two 2-day hiking trips here in Michigan through this winter. I will be back in Colorado January 2 through 6 where I hope to get in a hike to Pike's Peak, the rest of the time will be in the Cooper Mountain area. In February, again I will be Colorado for a birthday trip to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. I also plan on averaging my usual 2 day hikes (or snowshoeing trips when weather permits) per week. Hiking or snowshoeing will take place in terrain that will include the sandy lakeshore dunes of Lake Michigan in western lower Michigan and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Elevation will range from 177 ft to 14,110 ft (54 m to 4301 m) and I anticipate that temperatures over the remaining days of winter will vary from 10 F to 60 F (-12-21 C to 15.56 C). I'm sure to experience cold, wind and rain and snow in Michigan and most certainly at Pike's Peak and the Sangres in Colorado. Some questions still be to answered After continued testing, do all the seams and stitching stay tight? I will also report any other issues that arise during the testing period. Kathy Waters Read more reviews of La Sportiva gear Read more gear reviews by Kathleen Waters Reviews > Footwear > Boots > La Sportiva Venture Mid XCR > Kathleen Waters > Field Report | |||||
