Danner has been making quality boots for a long time—almost a century. Its work boots get high marks, but what about Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes? Over the past few seasons, I've personally tested and reviewed multiple pairs of Danners and met with Danner shoe designers and product specialists through my outdoor industry training. My Danner brand review gives you an expert overview of Danner hiking boots and shoes to help you weigh their pros and cons.
Testing the Danner N45 hiking shoe outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Danner Brand Review
Based in Portland, Oregon, Danner has been making outdoor boots since 1932. It started out making boots for loggers and has since spread out to many footwear categories, including boots for work, hunting, military, law enforcement, hiking, and outdoor casual wear. It's a popular brand with plenty of loyal customers.
A big part of Danner's popularity seems to be its old-school aesthetics. The brand's best-selling hiking boots originated in the 1980s and still feature '80s fashion—with plenty of brown leather and big red laces. Those traditional looks appeal to some older hikers with 80s nostalgia and to younger hipsters who wear Danners casually for their retro vibe. Danner plays to this unusual mix with its Performance Heritage line, which has re-released some of Danner's 1980s classics in lighter, more casual versions.
Why buy Danner hiking boots and shoes?
Overall, Danner has a good reputation for durability, sources premium materials for its footwear, and makes some of its boots in the USA.
Here are potential plusses of Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes:
QUALITY leather
The brown leather hiking boot is not dead! Danner sources soft, nubuck leather and durable, full-grain leather for some of its hiking boots and shoes.
gore-tex waterproofing
The Danner Mountain Lite was the first hiking boot with a GORE-TEX membrane, and the brand still uses GORE-TEX waterproofing in several of its styles. Gore remains the industry leader because it provides reliable waterproofing and breathability for soggy trails and winter weather.
vibram outsoles
Danner also uses Vibram rubber outsoles—which have a great reputation in the outdoor industry for good traction on wet and dry surfaces.
Overall, the brand uses premium materials. However, Danner cross-lists several of its best sellers as both hiking and outdoor lifestyle (casual) boots and shoes—they're trail-to-town hybrids more than true hiking boots and shoes. That means it's not the best brand for men and women who mostly hike harder trails. Danner makes the most sense for more casual hikers and for those who wear outdoor footwear everyday for work, casual, and play.
Best Match
light hiking, trail to town wear
Best Fit
standard (regular sizes) or wide feet (wide sizes)
Best Danner Hiking Boots & Shoes
DANNER MOUNTAIN 600
Casual Danner Hiking Boot
Main Benefits:
The Danner Mountain 600 is a popular hiking boot with a throwback look of brown leather and (optional) red laces. Overall, the Mountain 600 has a more casual build than most hiking boots. It delivers some rain, mud, and snow protection with Danner's proprietary waterproof membrane, and its Vibram outsoles provide moderate traction for mixed terrain. Lighter and more approachable than the iconic Danner Mountain Light, the Mountain 600 is available in either full-grain leather or softer nubuck leather. The Danner Mountain 600 may be a capable hiking boot for casual hikers, but it stands out as an outdoor lifestyle boot for yard work, firepits, flannel shirts, and brewpubs.
Men's Mountain 600
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Women's Mountain 600
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DANNER TRAIL 2650
Lightweight Danner Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Named after the 2650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, Danner developed the Trail 2650 for thru-hikers to wear on long-distance trails like the PCT. It looks like a traditional hiking shoe (or 1980s bowling shoe), but the Trail 2650 is lighter and less supportive than the average hiking shoe. Its soles are thinner than most hiking shoes, so you'll feel some rocks and roots underfoot. But it should be more durable than most trail running shoes. Plus, it features quality components, such as GORE-TEX waterproofing and Vibram outsoles. The Trail 2650 is potentially a good match for fast-and-light hikers and also makes a solid everyday shoe for people who want to wear hiking shoes for work or casual wear. I wear mine as work-from-home shoes that let me slip out for quick, 3-mile loops around the desert wash behind my Albuquerque home.
For morre, see my full Danner Trail 2650 review.
Which of the Trail 2650 styles is your best option? The standard Trail 2650 is made with nubuck leather and is available in non-waterproof or GORE-TEX. Danner also offers the Trail 2650 in a lightweight Mesh or Campo style for added ventilation and breathability— the Campo is lighter and more breathable than the standard Trail 2650 with a more sock-like tongue designed to keep out sand in the desert. You can sort through your options with the links below:
Men's Danner Trail 2650
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Women's Danner Trail 2650
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DANNER N45
Best Danner Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
New for 2025, the N45 is another Danner hiking shoe that doubles as an everyday casual shoe. However, this one feels both softer and sturdier on the trail than the Trail 2650. The Enduro foam is cushy yet responsive, and the aggressive tread lends itself to steeper trails, too. Even though this shoe can handle harder hikes, it's still quite comfortable in civilization. The N45 is not available in waterproof—it's built to keep you cooler on city trails, carpets, and hot, desert terrain. I've enjoyed testing my pair in the high desert mountains of New Mexico. For me, this is a premium trail-to-town shoe and Danner's best hiking shoe. The N45 is the rare hiking shoe that's both lightweight and supportive, tough on the trail yet comfortable in the city.
For more, see my full Danner N45 review
Men's Danner N45
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Women's Danner N45
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Pros vs Cons: Danner Hiking Boots
Danner is a tricky brand to recommend. It's not as strong in the hiking category, but plenty of people like Danner hiking boots and shoes— whether they hike in them, wear them for work, or just vibe with their retro, lumberjack look. Here's a quick run-down on the brand's relative strengths and limitations for hikers and backpackers:
Should you buy Danner hiking boots and shoes?
Danner isn't the best brand for aggressive hikers and backpackers, but Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes may appeal to casual hikers, leather boot fans, and those who want retro-styled outdoor footwear for work or casual wear. Danner's quality and durability are at least a couple rungs above Merrell, for example, and several of its best-selling styles work for both hiking and everyday wear.
If Danner isn't a good match for your hiking style or a good fit for your hiking feet, please browse my other brand reviews or brand recommendations to find a brand that may work better for you.
If you ARE feeling one of the boots or shoes above, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links in this post. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) for qualifying purchases. Those commissions keep this site running—and compensate me for the thousands of unpaid hours I've spent creating free content to help you buy the right hiking boots or shoes.
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