Danner has been making quality boots for a long time—almost a century. Their work boots get high marks, but what's the scoop on Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes? Are they any good? How do they fit? Which Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes make the most sense for recreational hikers and backpackers? My Danner brand review answers these questions— and more —to help you figure out if it's a brand that might fit your feet and match your hikes.
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 aesthetics—its old-school, throw-back looks. Their 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.
Danner hiking boots: best selling points
Overall, Danner is a good brand for work boots and outdoor lifestyle shoes. Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes tend to be better for casual wear and trail-to-town use than for serious hiking. That being said, Danner has sourced premium materials for some of their hiking line up. Also, some of their hiking boots are made in the USA.
Here are potential plusses of Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes:
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 hiking 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 sources some of its outsoles from Vibram. Vibram rubber has a great reputation in the outdoor industry for good traction on wet and dry surfaces.
Even so, Danner cross-lists several of its best sellers as both hiking boots and casual boots —hybrids, not true hiking boots. That makes it tough to pinpoint a single Danner hiking boot that's a strong choice for serious hikers who mostly hike moderate to difficult trails. However, some Danner hiking boots may work for casual hikers and may be a match for men and women who want a roomier, high volume fit.
Best Match
Trail-to-Town: Danner may be a good brand for casual hikers and for those wear hiking footwear everyday for work or casual wear. People who like Danner work boots, hunting boots, and tactical boots may also like Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes.
Best Fit
Standard to wide feet: Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes generally run true-to-size length-wise with a roomy fit. They offer many styles in standard (D) and wide (EE) widths (as measured by the Brannock device) to fit a wider range of people.
What are the best Danner hiking boots?
Two Danner hiking boots feature old-school style that some hikers (and non-hikers) love: the best-selling Danner Mountain 600 and the iconic Mountain Light. The former is a lighter, more casual boot while the latter is a heavy-weight backpacking boot that was high-tech when it first came out forty years ago. Each of these hiking boots may appeal to specific niches of hikers and to men and women who like Danner's look for everyday, outdoor lifestyle wear.
Danner Mountain 600
Main Benefits:
The Danner Mountain 600 is a popular hiking boot with a throwback look of brown leather and red laces. Inspired by the Mountain Light (below), the Mountain 600 is lighter and features soft nubuck leather with a quick break-in time (unlike the Mountain Light). It delivers some rain, mud, and snow protection with Danner's proprietary waterproof membrane, and its Vibram outsoles provide moderate traction on the trail. Overall, though, it's got more of a casual build than the supportive build of a traditional hiking boot. The Mountain 600 may be a capable hiking boot for causal hikers, and it's a nice, comfortable, outdoor lifestyle boot for yard work, firepits, flannel shirts, and brewpubs.
see men's options
see women's options
Danner Mountain Light
Main Benefits:
The Danner Mountain Light was a best-selling backpacking boot in the 1980s that's experienced a resurgence after Reese Witherspoon wore them in the 2014 movie, Wild. It features GORE-TEX waterproofing and Vibram outsoles, but the full-grain leather is the undisputed star here. That one-piece leather construction is not only iconic, but also highly durable and supportive— even resoleable. Don't be fooled by the name, though: the Mountain Light is much heavier than the hiking and backpacking boots that most people wear today, and it takes a long time to break them in to the point where they're comfortable. However, it's a classic, full-grain leather backpacking boot that's handmade in the USA. That makes this 1980s throwback popular with some traditionalists and with a new generation who lusts for that old-school leather, stitch-down construction.
see men's options
see women's options
What is the best Danner hiking shoe?
The Trail 2650 is the Danner's best-selling hiking shoe and its best hiking shoe. The main question is which 2650 should you buy? There's a bewildering number of choices, including the desert-focused Campo with the sock-like fit, the mesh version, the standard nubuck leather, or the special full-grain leather style — each of which is available in non-waterproof or GORE-TEX, low- or mid-cut, standard or wide fit. The affiliate links below will let you sort through your options at Backcountry, which usually has the best online selection of hiking boots and hiking shoes.
Danner Trail 2650
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; however, the Trail 2650 is a lightweight hiking shoe with less support 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, and 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 for a nice everyday shoe for people who want to wear hiking shoes for work or casual wear.
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:
see men's options
see women's options
Pros vs Cons: Danner Hiking Boots
Danner is a tricky brand to recommend. They're not as strong in the hiking category as they are in other categories, but plenty of people like their hiking boots— 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:
Conclusion:
That's my take on Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes, based on my extensive hiking experience and my outdoor industry experience (where I've received specialized brand training from Danner). Danner probably isn't a good brand for serious hikers and backpackers, but Danner hiking boots and hiking shoes may appeal to casual hikers, to fans of old-school leather hiking boots, to men and women who want a roomier fit, or to those who want retro-styled leather boots for work or casual wear.
Is that you? If you're 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 fund this site (and compensate me for the hundreds of unpaid hours I spent creating free content to help you buy the right hiking boots or shoes). If this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. Thanks, I appreciate it!
If Danner isn't a good match for your hikes or a good fit for your feet, please browse my other brand reviews or brand recommendations to find a brand that may work better for you. You’re bound to find your next favorite hiking boot or hiking shoe featured somewhere at Hiking Feet— just look around a bit!
Thanks, and happy hiking (in whatever brand, boots, or shoes work best for you).
