Held Ventuma Surround GTX boots in black

The Held Ventuma boot is an ideal boot for a summer commuter or tourer. It is still a GTX waterproof boot but with better ventilation and because it is a short boot it will just be more bearable in the summer.

The Ventuma is a cut down version of a classic, touring and commuting boot. The boot has been put together with protection and longevity in mind. It's a robust piece of footwear that will everything you want to throw at it. It's not an uncomfortable boot, but comfort is not, first and foremost, what the Ventuma is about. It is a boot that puts function ahead of form. It won't win a fashion contest. It's not cool. But it will do its job.

If would be safe to say that no animals were sacrificed in the creation of the Ventuma. The chassis is constructed from what Held merely terms 'abrasion-resistant special fabrics'. That's not very helpful, but we're talking about materials like Lorica, interspersed with softer polyester inserts. It's going to take a lot of miles to wear down a boot like this. Of course, you get an equally sturdy gearchange pad to protect the toe area.

There are tough counters in the toe and the heel. There are protective pucks in the ankles too. And even though the boot is a short one, you still get a small shin protector.

This product benefits from Held's five year warranty extension as long as the purchase is registered with Held.

Now, a short boot in theory will never be as waterproof as a tall one, because water can enter the boot more easily over the lower shaft. But the Ventuma has a Gore-Tex Surround liner, so one can say with a degree of confidence that this is going to be as waterproof as a boot of this height is ever going to be.

The sole is a Vibram affair, and it is vented to enhance the boot’s breathability. A waterproof boot can become a bit sweaty in warmer weather, but the Ventuma will keep your feet cooler than most Gore-Tex boots.

There’s not much else to say about the boot. Concertina stretch panels in the forefoot and in the heel serve to make the boot more comfortable to walk in. A zip up the inside will ease ingress and egress.