The Greatest Hiking Boot In History...vs. The One That Beat It

[@Likeacannon]

Portlander here, the Danner people are rad. They care about their employees and their city (they give away a lot of boots to non-profits helping people on hard times), and you can visit the factory and get factory seconds and samples at a deep discount. Also, it’s just a cool place to visit.

[@amccarty2012]

I have my dad's pair of 6490s he bought brand new in 1972. I stopped hiking in them about 10 years ago but I do still wear them a few times a month in casual wear. If I ever got around to having someone properly resole them I would hike in them again no doubt.

[@gojohnnygo]

This dude is very likable. Seems like a real, honest dude. Keep up the good work.

[@mburry]

No other look as cool as the classic styling of the Danner’s.

[@bruceself1141]

I work a job that requires boots and ive tried them all or at least all the popular choices, keen, merrill, redwing ect. Danners are by far, not even close, my favorite boots. They look good. They stay waterproof longer than any boot ive owned and they last longer than any boot i own. And for me at least, they are very comfortable.

[@dusty7264]

The originals were good as a alpine climber, I have been wearing La Sportiva boots for years, they are simply the best, for general hiking or doing the 8000 meter peaks they have a boot that will do the job

[@sdemosi]

Same applies for Lowa and Scarpa. They have boots for every situation.

[@timhuffman5311]

Good work on the video. Try a can of Snow Seel, this is the stuff we used back in the 70's to waterproof our boots. Just rub it into your boot leather particularly around the seams and tongue. The trick is to take your hair drier and melt the wax into the leather. Two coats will last a long winter.

[@f1y7rap]

Sno Seal is a good product for pure waterproofing, but its a wax. It doesn't let your foot breathe at all nor does it let the leather breathe. Mink oil is a far better product. Its a natural oil so its good for the leather, its a paste (like shoe polish) so it goes on easily, it doesn't clog up the leather pores like Sno Seal does. When applying it, put it everywhere! Every inch of the leather, and that includes the tongue and in the creases. Apply a coat, let it sit in a warm area, then reapply in a few hours. Keep doing this till it doesn't absorb any more oil and leaves a film on the exterior. If you don't like the film you can buff or brush it off lightly. Reapply each season.

[@Nowhere888]

Danner told me not to use Sno Seal on the newer models of the Danner Mountain Light because it has a gortex sock that the wax can plug. Just use leather dressing for the upper once a week if you wear it everyday.

[@GrahamGibby]

Did you *watch* the video? You don't Sno-Seal Gore-tex boots. And it comes in jars. We also didn't wear seatbelts in the 70s.

[@ahill209]

@@Nowhere888 NEVER use leather dressing 1x/week!!!! It'll soften the leather to the point where it will stretch and disintegrate because it's too soft. Maybe 1 or 2x per year, but not every week. Most leather conditioners only provide modest water resistance. Mink oil is better if you desire water resistance.

[@krazmokramer]

@@GrahamGibby My Sno-Seal is in a metal can with a pry off lid like a paint bucket. Some of us were smart enough to wear seat belts in the 70s.

[@gswguy4554]

I bought the merril Moab 3 and it was ruining my feet….. I bought the Danner Mountain 600 and solved my problem with blisters and mild shin splints…. Unbelievable how comfortable the mountain 600 is for walking…. The Danner mountain 600 is $60 to $80 more than the Merril but absolutely worth it…. For me…. Bought a 2nd pair on sale from Sportsman’s Warehouse. Won’t stop walking now.

[@quebraregra]

I also found the MOAB to be less comfortable and less supportive.

[@zachcake6231]

How are they holding up? I'm between these and the cascade crests at the moment!!

[@hobokyle7504]

I live in the mountain west so wear boots a lot and so feel like I have some experience with boots... the one thing that I'd mention is that Merrell makes "throw away" boots/shoes. I've never had a pair last longer than a year with heavy use (although their customer service is quite good and will replace them). A pair of boots like Danner (I personally use/prefer Zamberlan) will last faaar longer and get more comfortable the longer you wear them. I'd say a good pair of heavier leather boots will be a far better bargain in the long run, especially if you are using them often.

[@steveperry1344]

i'd say most boots now are throw aways and not meant to repaired or resoled, besides there are no more local cobblers.

[@hobokyle7504]

@@steveperry1344 I agree most boots now are technically "throw away" but some boots will last far far longer than others...

[@steveperry1344]

i worked outside for the power company for 42 years and went through a lot of boots , the good and the bad. the last 20 years or so alot of us wore really good and fairly expensive hiking boots that we would get at the local REI. i found these boots held up the best and provided the most comfort and support for long hours of work and being on your feet. we could climb poles with them too even though i did have pairs of lineman climbing boots also. we would buy vasque brand and others and they were very rugged. backpacking type. we got a yearly $150 boot allowance from the company as part of our union contract. i always took good care of my boots and found the bottom soles would wear out before the tops. the vasque boots did not seem to be repairable and when they wore out i would donate them or get rid of them.@@hobokyle7504

[@hobokyle7504]

I've always wanted to try Vasque boots... it's good to know they can't be repaired. I've found that using hiking boots for work can wear them out in different, more severe ways... I'm guessing 1 year on the job = 5+ years on the trail for boots.@@steveperry1344

[@candidequixote6026]

Couldn’t agree more. Merrill Moab?!! I’ve owned those and they are trash. Came apart at the seams after less than a year. They are on the low end of quality. Pretty comfortable I guess and maybe the most popular, but “best boot”? Not even close to the best. Literally 30 brands make better models in that light hiker style. Ed: Salomon Quest alone is superior in every way. Very popular and slightly more expensive.

[@jrandom2995]

Great video. I’m a hiker & camper and I made the switch from the Moab to Danner, and back to the Moab. I’ve worn merrell hikers for about a decade without any issues, but as I learned more about better quality and trad built footwear I invested in the Danners. Unfortunately I couldn’t get them to be comfortable. I own several pairs of Goodyear welted boots/shoes so I understand break in. I just couldn’t get the Danners to work for me. I switched back to the Moab and it continues to be a great performer in a wide range of conditions.

[@Chestarify]

Just got my Jim Green Razorback Boots today and am loving them to bits! They are doing great in the berlin winter so far

[@TheIronSnail]

That's my next vid!!

[@TheIronSnail]

Actually not my next but soon!

[@Chestarify]

Looking forward to it!@@TheIronSnail

[@peanutarbuckle2879]

Big fan of my Razorbacks, though they're currently out of commission. They handled ankle-deep mud and knee-deep snow like a champ, but now that things are defrosting up here the slush soaked completely through them. Not bad for a non-waterproof boot, now I just have to wait for all that leather to dry and recondition them.

[@va6gkthaskey311]

I custom ordered Jim Green AR8'S steel toe! The extra height coverage for me makes all the difference. Solid boots, in turn a heck of a break-in period 🤷‍♂️ definitely worth it though.

[@Andy-Mesa]

Until recently I worked in the footwear section at REI in Portland, OR, and after the intro I was about to light up your comments, but turns out this was a very well presented review. You covered pretty much exactly why people should get this boot; the craftsmanship and sourcing is exceptional, the customer service is impeccable, and no boot will last longer. Do I own pair? Heck no, I wear Salomons, because they're way lighter, cheaper, and easier to maintain. Moabs are a Hall of Fame boot, but they are also way too heavy.

[@scottulrich2725]

Any real PNW boot will last longer.

[@Sovnarkom]

@scottulrich2725 PNW boots are mostly work boots that aren't comfortable enough to do serious hiking (20 5 per day, for example). A notable exception is the hiking boots from Viberg, which look similar and are very athletic but still made to the highest quality. Nicks (like most PNW brands) just make a 5lb modified work boot with a reduced heal stack and padded collar.

[@scottulrich2725]

@@Sovnarkom Tell that to wildland firefighters...

[@AlexanderHonsVonEber]

@@scottulrich2725there’s a reason why long range back packers don’t wear the same boots wildfire firefighters wear. lol.. totally different needs.

[@scottulrich2725]

because they can replace their boots/shoes like they are disposable -- because they are. If you spend long amounts of time in the backcountry you need something durable and comfortable. Nothing replaces leather for that and hasn't for thousands of years.

[@tonyelbows8045]

we used to call these boots "Clutter Boots" back in the 70s and 80s. The only boot known around the Rocky mountains as The Boot.

[@tomwilker2861]

My first pair of Danners in 1972 lasted for 30 years. They trekked all over the desert Southwest, mountaineered in the Sierras, were my motorcycle boots and finally my work boots in a machine shop. Unfortunately, they were left in my 65 VW camper when I sold it. The soles were shot, the uppers were finally and still waterproof. I found the exact same boot at Goodwill for $20 in new condition(even with the hard plastic insole)…the break-in has been tough but they are on my feet, ready for what remains of my life’s adventure! They are like a Brooks bicycle saddle, keep them clean and oiled, break them in and they are the last boots you will ever need.

[@estevansanchez3237]

I’m looking at a 3052 0058 pair of danners, would you recommend sizing up or down when getting a pair of these?

[@antdenzic7977]

The ad you did with Taylor for Saintbones was so classy with a hit of humour. Love your videos, the info given in story time format, well what can I say but very enjoyable. Shout out to the Iron Snail. I've basically watched all your videos & today I came to my senses & subscribed. Yes Michael I also smashed the like button

[@mikewinston8709]

Danner boots were THE boot for private purchase to be worn by the British army SAS in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s; in black leather. I don’t know if that’s the case today. They were seen as just the very best one could buy….🇬🇧

[@lovepcgaming2335]

Snag a pair of surplus danner RAT boots for about 150 usd. Had the same pair for almost 5 years now and had em recrafted 3 times. The Marines that have seen me wear them say they were the best boot issued to them.

[@quebraregra]

SF in the early to mid 90's DANNERS were frequent.

[@mikeluongo6338]

They were still used by the SBS during Afghanistan.

[@TheEmpiredown]

Been wearing my Mountain Pass Gold Rushes for a couple years now. Perfect for me. I like the retro style and find them on my feet just as often as my other brands, particularly when I want a little more presence and style. Great vid!

[@Nowhere888]

The best thing about the Danner Mountain Light is that it will last 30 years. Trust me, I wore it for 30 years nearly every day. If you put leather dressing on the upper once a week then it will last...and last...and last. You will have to replace the sole a couple of times for around $80 but no big deal. Great for snow. Great for mud. Great for hiking. For everyday wear where weight is not a concern go with a Danner Mountain Light. You can pass it down to your kids.

[@kylestaker9279]

did you get the gore tex or non gore tex?

[@kevincorr2985]

Oil the Danners. The Danner's just won't wear out! I wore them in industrial and commercial construction for many years.

[@clarkelliott6272]

I replaced my Moabs with gyw boots simply for the fact that it lasts longer. Although now that I have a nice pair of summer boots, I might just end up getting a tone of different ones and then end up with the same problem we all have. Too many nice things.

[@TheIronSnail]

Too many cool boots, so little feet (comparatively)

[@TioMogi]

​@@TheIronSnail speak for yourself, I have big feet. 😅

[@AAAA-FourA]

Cool video. This was the boot worn in the movie Wild. Since then has become a fashionable boot for women. Especially with the thick red laces.

[@marlenakauer5262]

A pair of Danner ridge (like the Danner light) in 2020 were my first recraftable boots and largely why I chose them as my hiking boot. I do think you’re over paying a little but agree they are unique in terms of USA Union made etc. I like how light they are and I have definitely put them through their paces. The sole and leather has held up. Some of the stitching has come apart and the waterproof lining has either torn or failed because they’re not really waterproof now. For the stitching, I don’t think it’s QC it’s more just I wore them for trail clean ups, hiking and carpentry projects. For sizing, the run narrow. I will probably buy another pair instead of recrafting just because these are too narrow for me. Hopefully the next pair I’ll get re crafted. I recommend going up a half a size if you’re gonna wear thicker socks or if you have wide feet like me. Great video as always Michael! Also, have definitely been there too walking in the woods in a puddle and all of the sudden your foot is soaked haha

[@RirtyDascal]

Getting a pair of the Mountain Pass version in the Smores colorway for less than half the full price has made me one happy camper. Ebay can be so damn amazing sometimes, as long as you research and find good sellers that take accurate measurements of their items. Ebay pro tip- add items you'd like to buy to your wishlist, and you'll likely get a discounted offer from the seller shortly after. Sometimes you can even counteroffer by a couple dollars less, and oftentimes they'll accept it and ship out your order pretty quickly. Also, be a good buyer and leave these hard working folks some solid reviews if they're well deserved. Real and honest reviews go a *long* long way in helping both sellers and fellow consumers. Never underestimate the power in a good review.

[@googeluser7098]

You are reviewing the Danner Mountain LIGHT, which is a gore tex lined version of the OG 6490 but with a comfortable light outsole. The Danner Mountain TRAIL are the closest to the 6490 and are still available to purchase for $20 cheaper than the LIGHT. They are leather lined like the originals but they have a Vibram Gumlite outsole instead of the Vibram Unit Lug Sole. You can get a Mountain Trail pair and resole them with a unit sole and boom, you have a real peice of vintage history. Last year they were available in Brown Chromexcel for the anniversary, you and Mr Anvil are a year late.

[@thetruebatman4632]

Lol Mike I gotta be honest, I don’t have a whole lot in common with you other than we’re both men and we both like nice stuff. Love the information in your videos and the transitions lol, we do have a similar sense of humor. Made a fan here in rural Texas.

[@Trindal]

@0:56 that tree just behind you looks like a woodworkers dream. I don’t know which I would like to see more, the burns all turned on the lathe, or boards for a piece of furniture! I need to look and see if any fine woodworkers are using a heat source to remove moisture and a large vacuum containers to remove air then add a resin to stabilize it… a lot of work before you even think about gluing or fastening it together.

[@gabrielhunter3351]

I grew up in the South West of Colorado. All the cool dudes had these boots. Bought a vintage pair of Danner's. Sure wish they had the foam. Still worth it. They look great and are still comfortable. Just have to sit down sooner. Fun and informative video. Thanks.

[@wisenber]

I bought my Mountain Lights over 25 years ago. I rarely hike in boots now, but the Danners are still fully intact with several thousand miles on them. My leather Scarpa mountaineering boots have even thicker leather and don't have g-tex. Scarpa silcone treated their leather then making the leather waterproof without a liner but more breathable since it doesn't have g-tex.

[@NDB469]

I’ve had a few of these danners, great boot. I wish they still offered the heavier original vibram lug sole with the steel shanks though. The current wedge style vibram lug is great, very comfortable, but I’d be very willing to have the original style soles.

[@michaelt9245]

I remember my first pair i got in 2012/2013 ive gotten them resoled multiple times it seems these come back into being cool every 10-12 years

[@10baiserx]

As someone who has owned both Danners and Fracaps, Fracap wins hands down and it’s honestly not even close. The cheap fabric liner in my Danners started to fall apart within a few months, compared to the full leather lining in my Fracaps which still looks brand new. The quality of the leather on the Fracaps is also much, MUCH better. Fracap also lets you customize every aspect of your boots on their website from the eyelets to the leather/suede to the outsole at no extra cost, and their customer service is second to none. They even ask for your measurements so the fit is perfect. I’m also not sure I understand what you mean by “feels like walking on leather boards”. My Fracap m120’s are the most comfortable boots I’ve ever worn, bar none. Again, not even close. They feel like sneakers right out of the box, almost no break in required. Fracap is also Goodyear welted while Danners use a stitch down construction. And as you can see in Rose Anvil’s video, Danner’s midsole is trash, especially for $440. My Fracaps honestly made me wonder why anyone even buys Danners anymore, they’re genuinely that much better. They’re the boots I wanted my Danners to be. I wouldn’t recommend either for serious hiking, but for a modern alpine style boot for casual/city wear or for walks under ~5 miles I don’t think there’s any better value than Fracap. And the Eddie Bauer k6 is garbage, doesn’t even belong in the same conversation imo. Promise I’m not a shill lol. I just feel like Fracap deserves more recognition.

[@flt528]

I hike mostly Eastern high peaks and have both Danner Mt Lights (NON Goretex) and Merrell Moabs (Goretex version). I far prefer the Danners for 3 reasons. 1) the "non-waterproof" Danners are waterproof and the "waterproof" Moabs are not waterproof. How's that? The Danners are full grain leather, and if you periodically rub Snoseal or similar oil into them, they'll be 100% waterproof, whereas the Moabs have a "waterproof breathable" membrane (i.e. an extremely thin porous plastic sheet) that tears after you've hiked a few peaks in them, after which they not only leak but take forever to dry out. 2) The Danners are stiffer so they provide better support than any hiking sneaker. 3) One pair of Danners will last as long at 10 pairs of synthetic hiking sneakers.

[@quebraregra]

The number of times I've had a "waterproof membrane" (GORTEX, etc.) fail over time are far too frequent.

[@clooperman3745]

The trouble with Goretex liners is that they soon break down on flexible walking boots but do well on the stiffer mountain style boots, so the stiffer the boot the longer the Goretex will last.

[@eagleeyes9770]

Interesting video as always! I like Danner’s heritage style, but prefer Asolo fugitive gtx (resoleable) for functionality. My trail runners are good for light afternoon hikes. I still prefer traditional boot support on longer day hikes, and especially when backpacking.

[@basedury]

Love the look of the Danners and have been really wanting something like them. The Rose Anvil videos kind of turned me off from Danner though, and I definitely don't think the mountain light is worth over $400, it's ridiculous. Thanks for including the similar boots at the end, I'm going to check them out!

[@naptha87]

Just my opinion but don’t let rose anvil or any other guy online turn you towards or away from a style. The best boots for you are the ones that feel good on your feet and the guy has never seen your feet!

[@jrandom2995]

I gave the light II another try and discovered it was operator error that led to my discomfort. The boot ran very narrow and tight in the toe area for me. If you are on the fence about size go a half size bigger. My RW work boots are 11D, my Moab’s are 12s and I went with a 11.5D in the Danner. This made a huge difference and the boot was pretty well comfortable right out of the box.

[@eyespy3001]

I bought a pair of LL Bean boots that are Danner-like a few years back (don’t remember the name/model, and they are fantastic. Around the toe box, there’s a rubber cap, like a very, very subtle duck boot without the ridges. They have Vibram soles and are insulated on the inside. They are also half the price of Danners. Granted, they most likely aren’t made in the USA, but they’re damn fine boots that are built like tanks. Edit: Did some searching and they are the LL Bean Knife Edge hikers from 2017.

[@RAAZR-]

I have 2 pairs of Diemme Roccia Vet and I love them

[@Ego_Katana]

Love the Danner Mountain light. Have had a pair since 2017. The foam inner core is starting to disintegrate. .

[@ImAnEmergency]

Just over the bridge from Portland, so I feel a civic duty to support local brands no matter how tempting the others look

[@93rjose]

I bought a pair of boots named kenetrek scrabble boots from a guy who wore them once inside his house to try them on. He let time pass lost the receipt and ended up in my hands for a 100$ . They are worth about 400$ I love them

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

I think you demonstrated at the start of the video why gaiters are so popular (and necessary) in many parts of the world where hiking is in wet environments. And also why having GTX in your boots just ensures that the water can't escape when it does get into the boots. And it will get in (unless you wear gaiters...and even then) as water splashes over the top or works it way down your clothes or... BTW Meindl make all leather boots including the lining and are available in the US.

[@sdemosi]

Meindl Islands are fantastic. Hopefully some day Meindl will produce more shoes in my size (US 13.5-14 depending on brand) so it's easier to get them.

[@UnknownUser-rb9pd]

@sdemosi You should try the big German retailers like Bergfreunde who sell a lot of Meindl that are not available elsewhere and also sell in large sizes. They are owned by Backcountry in the US (or they own Backcountry). Others include Bergzeit and exxpozed.

[@sush3450]

I think, when you consider the 'heritage, handmade in the USA' boot market, Danner is actually amazing value for money. The Red Wing Moc toe is probably a close second and as someone who has owned both I think the danner mountain lites beat them out only because they are more comfortable once broken in imo. I have had my danners for over 7 years now and i've had one resole done and they're still my absolute favorite boots I own. As always, awesome video!

[@kylestaker9279]

Did you get the gore tex ones or the non gore text ones? Trying to decide which ones to get

[@josephnash3015]

I bought a pair back in 1993 while I was stationed in North Dakota. I honestly didn’t like them. Why? They provided little traction on ice, and weren’t that warm in sub zero temperatures. So I threw them in the closet. Fast Forward to 2020, I remembered I had them when I started hiking in Utah, etc. I realized then they excelled in loose dirt and rock. I’ve worn them so much now, I may have to send them to be re-crafted.

[@randynovick7972]

The Danners were so, so painful for me on break-in (on the achilles) I ended up going to a custom Korean (Songlim) boot to get the performance and comfort. Danner is dead to me, long live Danner.

[@TheIronSnail]

Go to saintbones.com/discount/IronSnailand use the code IronSnail to get 10% off on all eyewear! *Dear everyone -- please don't worry, the boots got a DEEP clean, condition, and wax after that treacherous water logged day. They look fantastic and I'm so proud of myself.*

[@janedubourg4837]

My Hanwag Tashi boots are the best I have ever owned. Made in Germany.Tough as nails.

[@stevenroche9874]

I own Eddie Bauer K-6 hiking boots. The Goodyear welt construction is superior to Danner's stitchdown method. The look is similar and I paid $120 for them on sale two years ago. Very good boots that I am happy to own.

[@craigbrown2385]

i live in the colorado mountains and take my dogs hiking every weekend and i would never where my Danner's hiking. but i love them when i dress up like a lumber jack and go to the bar

[@Melanie-Shea]

Unless I’m ice climbing I only use sticky approach shoes or trail runners now. A stiff boot is great for heavy loads, but I don’t think I even personally know other hikers who have had to carry 90+ lbs loads, it’s just not needed for the vast majority of hikers.

[@quebraregra]

was great when humping a 100lbs ALICE pack ;)

[@davidcostello7320]

Goretex in a hiking boot is terrible. It does not breathe well and causes hot and sweaty wet feet over the course of long hikes. And over time the membrane breaks down where your foot bends and creases form and your boot is no longer waterproof.

[@flt528]

Yep. Fortunately Danner makes a non-goretex version of this boot, which is perfectly waterproof once you rub mink oil or snowseal into it.

[@quebraregra]

you can tell who actually has experience, and knows what they're talking about in terms of actual use. Far too many retailers pushing GORETEX (REI, etc.). Well said!

[@ShrimpyJS]

Lol yeah I had north face boots and they lost the waterproof after 100km it really sucked for $230 CAD

[@peterduffield1401]

I've come to believe that Goretex isn't what it used to be. My Danner Lights from the mid 1990's are Goretex and my feet have never overheated in them, plus almost 30 years later they're still completely waterproof. On the other hand I've had much newer ultralight Goretex boots from a number of well known brands that are ovens and don't breath worth a damn.

[@niyosdiary]

@@peterduffield1401there's different types of Goretex 😁

[@DM-ve8vb]

I once hiked in the Andes on a big guided trek. There, the porteadores (sherpas) carried 22kg packs and wore sandles without socks.

[@thomasbailey9820]

I had my first pair in 1982. I just want a new pair because they are perfect

[@noahrobertson7199]

Personally I love my mountain lights. I watched a lot of videos that made me skeptical, but after a year of good use I wouldn’t trade them for the world

[@CKT1138]

Somewhat unrelated but I would like to thank The Iron Snail for getting me interested in the Wrangler Cowboy Cut jeans, I LOVE them now and I never thought I'd like wearing jeans as much as I do now that I got a pair in my wardrobe

[@davem6442]

Very good review. I looked at those to replace Vasque Venturer boots that I had until 10 yrs ago since 1976. Being they had a rockered sole I chose not to resole the Vasque. Looked at Redwing their parent company but I wanted another pair of lifetime boots with a leather inner. The quest was ended when i found the Alico Summit full grain with leather lining. If I hadn't found the Alico on sale I'd likely have bought the Danners.

[@Watcher413]

My Danner Mtn light 2 with GoreTex I dislike round laces and had to replace the break in period was rough in comparison to other boots. But it’s great for me 100% synthetic material boots begin to smell really bad and equally as fast for my sweaty feet and they wear out within 6-8 months and I need to replace them. While my pair of Danners I’ve now owned for 7 years no issue still work as good as new and look almost new, way more comfortable than any brand I’ve ever seen in an regular American outdoor store with synthetic everything. I use a thin leather insert inside my boots then the orthopedic insole that comes with it and it’s been a godsend compared to anything else I’ve ever tried and all I gotta do is minor maintaince every 6 months that takes me maybe an hour of my time. That sounds pretty good. The boots have literally paid for themselves in the first year or two depending how you want to look at it then since then saved me a few thousand and has served me better than anything else. Only downside I’ve noticed is the leather could be a bit thicker.

[@krazmokramer]

I just bought barely worn 1976 Vasque (by Red Wing) hiking boots that look like that 1970s Danner. They look and feel like new. I wore boots like this in the mid 1970s. I doubt those new Danner and Merrell boots will still be around in 50 years!

[@klaushuxley3342]

I've owned Merrell Moabs before. They're comfortable, but they only last a couple months before the soles come off - and they are absolutely hideous to look at. Waste of money, IMO. On the other hand I own two pair of Mountain Light IIs, and they are my favorite shoes/boots by a long shot. My only beef is the price, though they do last a long time. Compared to my Red Wing moc toes, the Danners are built WAY better. It is interesting regarding Rose Anvil. I've purchased some of the boots he has recommended, and I've been very disappointed (Jim Green / Red Wing), but he didn't like the Mountain Lights, and I absolutely love them.

[@sdemosi]

I feel similarly. He has very definite views about what constitutes a good boot but it might not correspond to comfort for a particular wearer.

[@klaushuxley3342]

@@sdemosi Right. My oldest pair of Mountain Lights have thousands of miles on them after 6 years. They're in rough shape now, but I've got WAY more experience with them compared to Rose Anvil wearing them for a week before cutting them in half, lol.

[@bencritchley2005]

Fit is so important on a hiking boot. These look quite wide to me which would be a deal breaker. I bought a pair of Lowa boots recently for more serious walks and I’m loving them so far. They are quite weighty though! 440 dollars is a lot for that sort of boot though, definitely puts it in more of a fashion space rather than purely a hiking boot.

[@zekeyeager1458]

Actually, the 650 last is quite narrow, and long. There is also the Mountain Light II (2) which is just a model that offers standard (D) and wide (EE) widths. Unfortunately, the classic Cascade color does not come in the 2’s. They should fix that :/

[@marlenakauer5262]

Having owned a pair of Danner, can confirm they are not wide. They do have sales consistently around Black Friday.

[@ryaniam22]

Well I bought a pair of perfect looking Lowa Tibets. Which seems badass with lots of ankle support. Laced em up and went for a walk on the sidewalk. Literally within 200 feet both soles disintegrated from hydrolysis. What a crock of shit. After researching I learned that nearly all the big brand hiking boots use polyurethane midsole for proclaimed durability. But that's a lie. Polyurethane disintegrates within 5 years tops even if it's not used. They have programmed failure dates into their otherwise bombproof leather upper boots. Zamberlan, Lowa, Scarpa, Kenetrek, Hanwag, Asolo, Salomon...literally all of them use this crap on ALL their boots. With the exception of literally less than 5 boots total from ALL these companies can I find a leather upper without polyurethane crap midsole. Buy a cheap lightweight trail walking boot and save your money or get a heavy all leather midsole boots from another old school brand. They will be heavy but at least they'll last

[@BillNelson-OU812]

Danner are great as an around camp work boot but I remember while backpacking 120 miles in 10 days in 1993 my trail buddy’s Danner boots became flimsy after day 4 and caused many blisters even though he broke them in ahead of time. My Hi-Tec boots were much less overbuilt but held up fine and I even hiked a couple of days in Teva sandals which were new to the market at the time and the earliest minimalistic design. A few weeks ago I summited Mount Sinai in Egypt wearing basic Blundstones and even though I wished they could’ve been laced tighter for the descent (since they’re slip ons) they held up extremely well and still look brand new. Trail runners are great for backpacking and hiking but man do I love Blundstones now. They feel good every day after many miles.

[@df540148]

As much as I love heritage GYW leather boots, I would never wear them for more than a few miles of hiking. Synthetic boots are superior in nearly every way.

[@yifanzheng1999]

danners are cool. but after a 3 day hiking/camping trip in the appalachians, boy am I never gonna go with heritage boots again when Im actually hiking. They're just so heavy.

[@Gyppor]

Treat the Danners with sno-seal. It's a beeswax based waterproofer that will saturate the leather and prevent it from absorbing water. In addition to making the leather dry very quickly, it'll make the boots a lot warmer in cold and snowy conditions as wax-saturated leather is a better insulator than water-saturated leather.

[@randaldavis8976]

Got a pair of Vasque Whitney 2's bought in 1976. still okay, but showing its age. Will have to look at the Danners

[@adamr63]

Most modern leather hiking boots are available in Gore-Tex or leather lined versions. The GTX versions always have synthetic liners, the ones without are usually leather lined. Except for in my winter hiking boots I'll alway choose full leather uppers and liners and no Gore-Tex, I prefer the better breathability and never miss the added waterproofing. They all have glued on rubber soles, usually with a rubber rand. For this OG style with double- stitched soles and leather uppers, Hanwag makes a few incredible and beautiful models, one of them, the Stuiben II, is a light tan traditional Bavarian hiking boot that would look amazing on the streets these days as well as in nature, but they are in the $500 range. I used to wear Merrells, for lightweight modern hiking shoes and low boots, they lead the way for many years, I think now there are better performing options in the same price range.

[@andystoolbox]

Most importantly there are plenty of great boots to choose from including the Danner's. Great write up my friend, stay well.

[@jasonsiemens2694]

I recently found the EB K6 boot for $100 on Amazon. Fun comfortable boot. The soul is great, but I’m not sure how many recrafts the leather will last. Look forward to getting them out in the wild this summer!

[@ToddiGreat-le2qu]

A boot with a soul doesn't kinda creep you out , Jason? Lol

[@raulferia1516]

@@ToddiGreat-le2qu To soul dancing

[@woodywoodiwoode]

I bought Moab’s for an old job, building barb wire fence, and it was the best decision I made. I don’t think work boots are made for walking miles on end. I made this decision based on reading some message boards about boots and soldiers in Afghanistan were using a Merrill Sawtooth boot. They were raving about them. They were discontinued so I settled on the Moab. Still have a pair in the closet.

[@andrews9719]

Not a fashion minded person, but I like good American brands, which led me to your channel. That being said, I think you should check out Jim Green boots, like the razorback and African ranger, which are rugged and have a hiker boot aesthetic. They’re also from a great company that gives great boots to African Rangers, who stop poachers throughout South Africa. They’re way cheaper than Danners, but they’re excellently made, making a good alternative. Rose Anvil did a collab with them on the rangers boots, and raves about their quality in the videos he does on them.

[@TheIronSnail]

That's the next vid!!

[@TheIronSnail]

Wait sorry I'm actually switching the schedule around -- it'll be out when it warms up a bit!

[@andrews9719]

@@TheIronSnail all good, looking forward to seeing it!

[@klaushuxley3342]

The soles on my Rangers are separating! Whatever they use to stitch the soles together is disintegrating.

[@andrews9719]

@@klaushuxley3342 that’s strange… from what I’ve seen, they use very good stitching that easily lasts till it needs to be re soled. I’d suggest getting touch with them and having it repaired.

[@patientzero291]

I bought a similar design from Johnston and Murphy that it feels the same and looks similar without the Danner stamp on the side of the shoe.

[@windwalkerproductions]

You should make boots! Next time you have stock I'm buying a wool & denim jacket. Really like the your approach to design and finding the best natural materials.. My dream hiking boot: Veldskoen Drakensberg made with Jim Green quality (don't get Veldskoen's shoes, they are crap). I find that hiking boots are either cool looking fast fashion items, or they look a bit goofy.

[@jlmoped]

This looks like a nice pair of hiking boots. Please also review the Limmer or Peter Limmer and Sons hiking boots. Very solid boots!

[@nathanspoor3021]

Bulletproof Cookie - new favorite thought in my head

[@cornpop8570]

I just bought a pair of lems Boulder boot and I think there the best and most comfortable for hiking.

[@whitemexican3923]

I have a pair of Danner 2650 hiking shoes. I will start the CDT again in them this year (2024). I wore them last year and never gave it a second thought. What I mean is I did not have any problems or difficulties (no sore spots or blisters). I stopped after only a couple of hundred miles as my 75 year old wife had an accident and I had to return home as she was facing major surgery. I plan on taking these shoes with me when I return this year in April. IF, like many trail runners (although these are not trail runners and are what I would call an actual "hiking shoe") these come apart after 500 miles I will then look to Danner boots. I really think I am ahead if I can buy and use boots that will not have to be replaced along the trail. As far as weight-they aren't that bad. On trail runners I think the trade off is not acceptable because of the short life span. I mean, 500 miles?? I think they are meant for what they say, "trail running", and then home. I feel as I get my trail legs under me the weight issue will disappear. I have to add that I was on a Outward Bound 6 week hike in my youth and used boots. Of course everyone did. I had not fit them right and had blisters for awhile. Then this problem went away. I remember keeping those boots until I was about 60 years old (ha ha). Good boots. The protection of the sole with boots is out of this world it seems. I have been on the CDT a lot in the last few years and noticed many hikers battling blisters even though they had "trail runner" type shoes.

[@farris.bueller]

Hot take. Trail runners are superior to hiking boots. The only exception could be in snow or a cold rain and even that could be managed with the right socks.

[@TheIronSnail]

Crazy enough I think this is becoming less and less of a hot take! Everyone I talk to in the hiking world is saying they just use trail runners now

[@damonmuzzy277]

Absolutely agree. And for me, I find that the lower the height, the less prone I am to rolling an ankle.

[@klaushuxley3342]

It really depends on the weather and terrain. I hike in Mountain lights and Lems Primal Pursuits.

[@waterfalls4540]

unless you are stuck in the apocalypse and only have the shoes on your feet. danners outlast trailrunners by a decade

[@va6gkthaskey311]

Unless you are in the mountains. Mountaineering in the rockies i would not consider anything less then a solid boot. Trail runners will only get you in trouble sooner or later

[@JacobThebaultSpieker]

This Saint Bones ad is _amazing_. Taylor seems like a rad. Big fan all around.

[@OsOQRT]

I have a pair of Danner Combat Hikers and now i know where they got the idea for them now.

[@HeritageCast]

Whats good about hese Mountain Lights. Is they have style and function.. The Moab is the Dads Cargo Shorts of Boots lol...

[@subdrvr]

I miss my Vasque Summits/Sundowners.

[@critterkllr]

I've been wearing Danner's for over 10 years. I have very wide feet. The reason I continue to wear them is because when you break them in, they form around your feet. I prefer to go bigger on the Mountain Lights for winter hiking, but like Mountain Light II's to be a little tighter for shoulder season. I wouldn't wear either for summer unless it was a short hike where I needed a lot of extra padding and support.

[@ran3030]

So you have the lights and the light IIs? How do you size yours? I’m on the fence on which to buy and no one local has any in my size.

[@critterkllr]

@@ran3030 yes. I ordered a few different sizes from REI and kept the ones that fit the best. I found them true to size.

[@roninchaos7650]

Thanks for the response. Did REI give you any trouble with returns at all? Are you using any insoles? Any tips for breaking them in?

[@critterkllr]

@@roninchaos7650 no trouble at all with returns, but I’m a member. I did use superfeet insoles on the Mountain Light II’s, but they caused some wear in the goretex lining, so I would recommend seeing if you really need them.

[@clobberonline6812]

These boots were made for walking !!! Brilliant review Sir !!!

[@SSGFreddie]

You must be a Wes Anderson fan. Great photography work.

[@jasonkrasowski4673]

I’ve had these boots for 2 years now. Be warned,! They are still very heavy! Like, my ankles were sore after the first few times in them all day. But, by biggest complaint with the boot has to be the lace O-rings ( or whatever you call the thing the laces go through ) they rust. I wear mine here, in Chicago on the snowy, and salty streets and mine started getting rusty on the first winter. Don’t have this issue with my Red Wings or other boots, so this is a real bummer for me, and makes it a boot I don’t feel is worth the money. I find myself babying the boots and wiping them down after being out, and I don’t think that should be the point of a boot that’s supposed to be a tank. But regardless, another great video dude!

[@f1y7rap]

While the reason for the rust is the magnesium chloride used in modern ice-melt, the easy fix for ALL leather boots and shoes is mink oil. Apply it like shoe polish to everything, including the lace rings and hooks. If you are not polishing or oiling your boots each season you are dooming them to a short life. Once the leather has been well treated before first wear, only need to apply a coat each season thereafter. No babying needed. All of my work boots and retired combat boots get the same treatment. And the leather remains supple no matter how many times they go swimming.

[@brunonjezic6208]

Meermin dropped they're hiker last year and proportions on that thing are insane. Im personally going for Fracap. They seem to be inventer of this boot style though I can't confirm it because Austria and France had they're specific stuff around that time. Also Fracap is possible to get on this kind of danner alike combo of rubber and soft material between. But good video. I also feel Danner is ok and it needed to move with time to survive and I appreciate that

[@colmcgillveray1010]

Hard agree on every point there. I also found the breaking time for danners to be much longer that Fracaps and they held up better over time.

[@souvlanki]

When you say the proportions are insane do you mean the Meermin boots are good or bad?

[@brunonjezic6208]

@@souvlanki good. Excelent proportions in my eye. I had pare and it was great. Unfortunately i went half size too small

[@souvlanki]

@@brunonjezic6208 Ok thank you, would you suggest to size up then for Meermin's boots?

[@brunonjezic6208]

@@souvlanki my feet are between sizes so it is a bit hard but count on the tip being empty due to the european style of the last. Dont try to put toes in it. Best advice is to put them on and feel is heel to ball right, that is are you fully standing in it. From what i see they have 2 families of lasts, one similar to hok and other to Hiro but i can’t confirm. Bouth me and my girlfriend tryed they’re stuff per they’re recommendation and it ended up that our size is half up from what they recommended haha

[@SeventyNineNine]

Watching this while wearing my Diemmes. Found out the outsole is not meant for the snow! Felt like I was hydroplaning.

[@krisjonesuk]

I have a pair of Dieme hiking boots that are similarly constructed, except they are Norwegian welted. They have a Sympatex waterproof lining. They were £300 (about $382), whereas Danner retail for around £425 ($540), over here.

[@michaelt9245]

I just found a pair at this second hand store for 80 USD my guess is that they were just used for a photoshoot or gifted to someone they were only worn once

[@FloatingWhales]

Dude the best leather hiking boots on the market currently, are Dundas, cannot praise them enough.

[@jameshughesdavies]

hmmm I dont think I'd stop wearing my Hanwag Tashi for these... but love the review obvs x

[@ericclaptonsrobotpilot7276]

Do Limmers. Get on the waiting list now so the video will be ready in a year!

[@Gulgonful]

I did the presidential traverse in a pair of gortex danner- then did it again in a pair of Hokas. Two schools, both cool I do think that the mountain lite has been popular for a long time - think of ladies lounging in j tree with big dumb hats (they’re all florists) and ekru or sage colored double front work pants

[@TheIronSnail]

Oh! I may copy you!

[@Gulgonful]

@@TheIronSnailyou should, a hut to hut trip is a great spin “This union made single piece leather boot climbed mt Washington” I found it weird that they don’t come with insoles, but that made them a good winter hiker for me, like a Lundhags or something made for a double sock combo ❤️ from VT

[@TheIronSnail]

...that may be the title soon, lol! TY! I just got back from VT

[@waterfalls4540]

many folk use custom insoles which is why insoles have become so lacking and even missing@@Gulgonful

[@duyluu3354]

Thanks for the video. I gotta look into paraboot. I like the Officine General hiking boot as well. After trying the synthetic water proof kind of boot I want to give Danner a try.

[@ohmother5050]

try out limmer boots! basically original dinners but a little bit lighter and w some foam in the midsole

[@RandomGuy-qm3mg]

back in the 70's all leather boots were pretty much the only choice for backpacking. Getting back into in 10 years ago I quickly learned trail runners are the way to go. The full leather boots look cool but weigh a ton especially when wet and take forever to dry.

[@waterfalls4540]

depends on how much weight you are carrying. heavier loads mean heavier boots.

[@kilipaki87oritahiti]

I’ve always wanted a pair, but can’t afford it. I understand that you get what you’re paying for, materials, and branding, still. It’s almost the price of an affordable smartphone… I love the “old school” mountain/hiking boot, being Norwegian, not a fan of the newer ones with all gore tex and faux leather paneling, I want the classic leather with vibram outsole, but apparently really hard to find these days. So still using my mom’s old hiking boots (probably bought 10+ years ago) that you can’t get anymore😭😭😭 But I have foot injuries and tendinitis so I can’t wear heavy footwear so I might have to look for something else than Danner.

[@user-ue1nq8pm1t]

If I need speed, it’s better Salomon Speedcross, but if the conditions are difficult, I take army boots. Army Danner are not bad. I have similar vintage Danner, but I couldn't get used to them. It feels like you're walking in ski boots. I'm thinking of replacing the sole with a regular Vibram. Still, they look amazing. But in the forest, elegance look is not very important)

[@ScottJohnson-d9s]

As Portlander people here are obsessed with Danner even though we have so many better, smaller, and less corporate boot companies here on PNW that don’t get half the recognition they deserve. Also there prices are a lot better compared to the product and materials you get out of Danner

[@michaelw2288]

My 1985 Mountain Lights are still good and been resoled once.

[@Highland_Paddy]

I've mostly had OK success with cheap combat boots for day hikes. Many tell me in comments that these won't hold up to the rigors of whatever survival challenges they claim to engage in, so that may be the case, but I'm in a mostly dry climate and not putting on the same amount of miles weekly as I was five years ago or whatever, but companies like Merrill I think don't typically come in my size, blah, blah..............

[@konstantinmuesboeuf]

I would love to see a comparison between the MEINDL PERFEKT and the MEINDL SUPERPERFEKT... what do you think of these? Greetings

[@jmchez]

Question to the Saintbones folk. When you wear glasses that have a silver skull and are made in Austria and you flip them to the top of your head, do you ask yourself the question, "Are we the baddies?"