Verdict from 1 expert and +100 user reviews
7 reasons to buy
- The South Rim 600 floored numerous owners with its superb lightness.
- Droves of reviewers couldn’t rate the footgear’s level of comfort highly enough.
- This Danner hiking boot was commended by a number of consumers for having a minimal break-in period.
- Some users called this hiker astonishingly stylish.
- Its remarkably dependable ankle support deeply impressed several wearers.
- Based on a few reports, the Danner South Rim 600 runs true to size.
- A couple of trail enthusiasts found the boot’s outsole exceptionally grippy.
2 reasons not to buy
- This shoe was considered a letdown by a tester for lacking arch support.
- The outsole detaching from the gear’s midsole in just a matter of months disappointed one hiker.
Bottom line
For being immensely comfortable and requiring virtually zero break-in time, the Danner South Rim 600 already sounds like a masterpiece. That said, its prestige is made up of more than just day-one comfort—indeed, its excellence is also comprised of superior lightness and eye-catching aesthetics among others.
The one thing that might give it a hard time winning the hearts of skeptics, however, is its insufficient arch support. Nevertheless, with its noteworthiness on almost every front, the South Rim 600 is a great footgear to use whether on or off the trail.
Tip: see the best hiking boots.
Good to know
- The South Rim 600 from Danner is a day hiking boot specifically crafted for warmer conditions. Its upper is made breathable with mesh nylon and suede leather, making this gear extra comfortable for the summer months.
- When it comes to underfoot comfort, the boot’s Vibram SPE midsole and Ortholite footbed work in tandem. In terms of terrain security, on the other hand, it is the Vibram Fuga outsole that users have to thank.
A mid-cut day hiker for men with a fairly true-to-size fit is the Danner South Rim 600. Wide boots and stanrdard-width ones are offered. It comes in a range of half and full sizes. The boot runs slightly large according to Danner, so buyers are advised to order a pair a half size smaller at least. The last used to make its interior roomy and its silhouette sleek is called DPDX. Lockdown security and fit personalization are handled by the boot’s quick lacing system.
For surface traction, Danner’s South Rim 600 sports a Vibram outsole called Fuga. It is based on Vibram’s Megagrip compound, granting it a kind of grip that works on various types of surfaces, may they be slippery wet or bone dry. Its durable triangular lugs are formed into a geometry that provides multi-directional traction.
The South Rim 600 gets to stabilize the user’s footing on bumpy trails thanks to its cushy Vibram SPE midsole. It is made of a special kind of rubberized EVA that offers improved comfort and enhanced rebound. A nylon shank is placed within its interiors, reinforcing its medial zone for more arch support.
Working alongside the midsole unit in delivering comfort underfoot is the boot’s Ortholite footbed. This cushioned component is made entirely of open-cell polyurethane—a type of material that has heat-mitigating properties.
Danner engineers gave the South Rim 600 a part nylon, part suede leather upper to grant hikers a blend of comfort and protection on the trail. Its inner liner is made of air mesh fabric which promotes the boot’s overall breathability. Making up its speed lacing system are synthetic laces as well as D-rings and open hooks made of metal. The gear’s tongue has multiple lace keepers, allowing for a firmer hold on both the laces and the tongue.
How South Rim 600 compares
