Sell me on Danner boots

T

Tasselhoff

Joined
Oct 10, 2007
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107
I am saving up for a new pair of hiking boots. They have to look good enough for the work place and be tough enough for the trail. I am liking a couple of pair from Danner but know next to nothing about them. So those of you who have some experience. are the Danners worth it or should I be looking at different makers...and if so which ones
Thanks.
 
Absolutely worth it. My first pair of Mt light hikers lasted 6 years. I also have a pair of (discontinued) Pendleton duty boots that I wore as a deputy sheriff for 5 years and all they need is resoling.

Make sure you try them on as some Danners have a small toe box, but you won't regret your purchase.

IMHO the only other brand in the same category as Danners are White's.
 
With 28 years in the military I live in boots and I've had them from dozens of makers; they give them to us for free. So, why would I spend $250/pair (times 3 pair) on another pair? Because they fit and wear better than any of the others. I've never needed a "break in" period with a set of Danners.

I prefer the Altima because it's light and stiff and provides the support I need. For cold weather the Ft Lewis is probably a better bet, but since I need to consider temps in the 100+ range a lot more than below 32 I buy my boots for that.
 
Just picked up a pair of Stryker II boots for my job in private EMS. Only had them for two weeks but they are off to a good start ;)
 
Tasselhoff said:
I am saving up for a new pair of hiking boots. They have to look good enough for the work place and be tough enough for the trail.
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I can't provide any feedback on that brand, but I have done a lot of hiking the last 15 years. Your hiking boots shouldn't really be worn daily around town, and your daily shoes should really be worn for hiking :thumbup: This is assuming, though, that you are actually going to be wearing these for hiking/backpacking.

I use Lowa's. They are WAY too heavy for me to wear everyday. It's not even comfortable to drive in them, because of the good ankle support and stiff sole that they have. In fact, using them for anything OTHER than hiking with a 40 pound pack on is just absurd. However, if you plan on getting a lightweight hiking boot, it will surely be more comfy than my heavyweight hikers.

Get yourself a pair of comfy boots to wear at work, and get yourself another pair of stiffer boots to wear on the trail. The features that you'd be looking for are different in each. Each one would prove to be impractical at doing the others task.

I use ones that are almost identical to these. They are a great boot... FOR HIKING! I don't think I could manage to keep them on my feet for more than 2 or 3 hours at my job:
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That said, Danner's look AWESOME. I esp like these:
http://www.danner.com/boots/mountain-lighttm-ii-mens-womens-hiking-boots.html
 
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Best boots I've ever had! Mine are 8 years old. + They are made in America! (Explorer)
 
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Get a lighter pack and you don't need heavy stiff boots...

Danners are excellent. Top of the line. Overkill for most normal use. Milwaukee and Red Wing are a small step down and a little cheaper.

My go to hiking boots are Vasque Sundowners.
 
Danners are worth it as long as you are selecting the hand sewn ones made in America. The molded bottom models made in china are not.
 
I got a pair of Acadias for my 10th grade year from my grandparents for my sweet 16th birthday. Looking back on it, my grandpa (RIP) wouldn't have bought them unless he knew I'd take care of them. I polished them at least once a week to the veteran NCO's standards. I had them for 6 years before giving them to a close friend. I wore these boots every day for 3 years. They were still on the original soles.
 
TUF said:
Danners are worth it as long as you are selecting the hand sewn ones made in America. The molded bottom models made in china are not.
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Tuf, I never thought to look where my Danners were made however after your post I went and looked and they are made in China. With that said, I own the 453 GTX hiking boots and have been wearing them daily for four years now. They are without a doubt the most comfortable boots I've ever own.

http://www.danner.com/boots/453tm-gtxr-dark-tan-hiking-boots.html

I have been looking at the Instigator GTX steel toed boot but I just can't justify buying another pair because my 453's have been holding up so well.
 
I've been wearing Danners for years. They do make a great boot...

Some of the Hikers soles, don't last long though. I also have a pair of Romeos, and the soles wore out quickly on them as well...
I contacted Danner about my disappointment with these, and they told me that the hikers and Romeos, use a lighter weight rubber for the soles. Mostly to keep the weight of the boot down, and that they won't last as long as the other styles of boots.
The plus side is that the sewn sole boots, can be resoled. The hikers that have molded soles cannot.

On the other end of the spectrum, I have my elk hunting boots that I've had for about 8 years, and they are still in great shape. I have no doubt I will still be wearing them as long as I am able to hunt. Hopefully at least another 20 years.

As others have mentioned, Danners almost always fit great, and are comfortable out of the box. If you are ever in Portland, Oregon, go to the Danner factory. They have a store, as well as a section for boots that are seconds. You can save some money buying the seconds, if you find a style that you like, and that fits.
 
I started looking at the Danner boots a couple of months back. Up to that point all I had seen was the military and hunting styles. I needed a boot I can do everything in. Work, casual dress, play. I picked out the Explorer and read some review and finally pulled the trigger last week.

I got my new boots last Friday and gave them a nice coating of bear grease and have been wearing them for everything since. These things are definately built like you have heard. Great leather and you know it is just a baddass boot when you put these things on. You can find some really nice prices to if you look hard enough too. I would recommend the Explorer hiker if that interests you, but I am sure any of the boots you could buy from Danner would be equally nice. And like others have said, some are made in the US and are re-craftable. This was a plus for me.
 
Tasselhoff said:
I am saving up for a new pair of hiking boots. They have to look good enough for the work place and be tough enough for the trail. I am liking a couple of pair from Danner but know next to nothing about them. So those of you who have some experience. are the Danners worth it or should I be looking at different makers...and if so which ones
Thanks.
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Ummm what kind of "work place" are we talking about? Most hiking boots probably aren't suitable for a business environment... Why not just have a pair of dedicated hiking boots, and another pair of shoes for work/whatever else?
 
I've got acadias and they're just ok. I wear em for work and the sole lasted about a year.

Personally I moved to 5.11 boots and for less then half it's a lighter boot that has a better sole. The leather isn't as nice, but the danner is nowhere near double the boot.
 
Tasselhoff said:
I am saving up for a new pair of hiking boots. They have to look good enough for the work place and be tough enough for the trail. I am liking a couple of pair from Danner but know next to nothing about them. So those of you who have some experience. are the Danners worth it or should I be looking at different makers...and if so which ones
Thanks.
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I've worn Danners along with most other major brands over the years and they are OK. But in all honestly I would strongly suggest you get a pair of Whites Boots Custom hand made to your foot. Made from top quality hides with meticulous craftsmanship. Boots that will last you the rest of your life, the last pair of boots you will ever have to buy. My first pair of Packers are 15 years old I wear them daily, walking, hiking motorcycle riding across the county and they look near new. A bit pricey at first but when you consider that you will not have to buy another pair of boots in your lifetime they are pretty dang cheap. For the most comfortable boot you will ever wear.
Whits have been making boots for 200 years. The boots of choice for those who spend their life in the woods loggers, firefighters guides out here in the northwest.
 
I have no experience myself but I can tell you what I've learned from my dad.

My dad bought a pair a year and a half ago......he waited a year before he wore them.....to wear out his old ones of course. (yeah, he tries to keep his stuff new......he has a 2008 Ford F-350 with all the bells and whistles......under 1,000 miles still :eek: .....sits in the garage) After wearing them in the rain for the first few times he noticed that there was a leak allowing water inside the boot.

He contacted Danner, and they said for him to send them in so they could inspect them. I figured since he didn't have a receipt and waited a year to wear them he was screwed. However, a couple of weeks later he received a brand new pair slightly newer and more expensive model than his last, free of charge.

He loves his new pair and there are no leaking issues. So my selling point is customer service is exceptional, if you ever need it.
 
I'm on my 2nd pair of Mountain Lights and they have earned their reputation as a comfortable, supportive, long wearing and good looking boot. I have resoled my older pair and they are still going strong.

You can't fully appreciate the benefit of a one piece thick full grain leather upper, stitched down construction and Vibram Kletterlift sole without wearing a pair. The lacing design all the way down to the toe allows for an excellent fit. The old school handcrafted looks get lots of compliments. They are expensive but they look it and aren't overpriced when you start comparing them to Limmers, Fabianos, Merrell Wilderness and other boots with similar design and construction.

The Mountain Lights are supportive but don't provide much ankle support due to their lower cut, so I don't usually wear mine if I am backpacking and carrying much of a load. I normally wear my Danner GTX Expedition boots or some Asolo's for that task.

Don't let someone's bad experience with some China made Danner's or duty boots dissuade you from getting a pair of Mountain Lights. I have owned several Danner styles over the years and the Mountain Lights are in a class of their own.
 
I just got a pair for Xmas. my mom bought them for me on the friends and family day:D

They are the Army combat boots.

Still breaking them in as my oakleys get most of my foot time. They seem to be well made and have a good sole.
 
Speaking of combat boots... Where do Matterhorn (looks almost identical to Danner's Ft. Lewis) rank as far as quality?
 
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