Abstract: A balloon catheter (2) comprises an outer sheath (3) housing an inner catheter (10). The inner catheter comprises an inner tubular member (30), a braided reinforcement layer (32), and a soft outer layer (34). The inner tubular member extends from a proximal end (15) of the inner catheter to a first distal location (22). The braided reinforcement layer extends from the proximal end to a second distal location (18), usually located proximal of the first distal location. The soft outer layer extends from the proximal end of the inner catheter to the tip (44) of the inner catheter. In this way, a catheter having a shaft region (16), a transition region (20), and a distal region (24), each with different strength and flexibility characteristics, can be used with the outer sheath. The balloon (8) is bonded to the distal ends of the outer sheath and the inner catheter and is inflated through the space defined therebetween.