A balloon catheter includes a long-sized body extending between a proximal
end and a distal end, the body internally having at least one lumen, and
a balloon made from a composite material composed of short-fibers for
reienforcement and a matrix resin, the balloon being disposed on the
distal side of the long-sized body. The short-fibers are oriented in the
balloon in such a manner that in a longitudinal cross-section of the
balloon, 25% or more of the short-fibers are oriented in the major-axis
direction of the balloon, 25% or more of the short-fibers are oriented in
the direction oblique to the major-axis direction, and the remaining
short-fibers are oriented in the direction nearly perpendicular to the
major-axis direction; and in a diametrical cross-section of the balloon,
8% or more of the short-fibers are oriented in the circumferential
direction of the balloon, 25% or more of the short-fibers are oriented in
the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction, that is, in
the major-axis direction, and the remaining short-fibers are oriented in
the direction oblique to the circumferential direction. The balloon
catheter exhibits a high strength to withstand pressure and a good
trackability.