7 Best Danner Hiking Boots in 2023

Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto on
7 Best Danner Hiking Boots in 2023
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Do you need the best there is for all-around performance? Maybe you’re looking for the lightest Danner pair? Or perhaps you’re desperate for something that simply works in the winter? Whichever category you fall under, the right boot awaits you here.

20+ (and counting) fantastic Danner hiking boots were put to the test to bring you our top picks. Each must-have featured here we used ourselves. And, for variety, every hiker has a corresponding alternative.

How we test hiking boots

To showcase Danner’s biggest guns and remain unbiased, we use this approach:

  • RunRepeat doesn’t rely on anyone in purchasing Danner hiking boots. We buy all boots ourselves.
  • We take our time to test every shoe, putting each hiker through the wringer to unveil its full potential—from level of comfort to longevity.
  • In order to make our reviews multi-faceted and comprehensive, we include in the mix hundreds of reviews and opinions from both users and gear pundits.

With all that in the hat, we come up with a CoreScore. This grading system helps us determine which boots are worthy enough to be part of this list.

Best Danner hiking boots overall

What makes it the best?

The Danner Mountain 600 is great for long weekends on lighter trails. As long as you don't go wild on technical terrain, the grip will not disappoint you! Comfort is superb and the boot feels lightweight, which is why it's great even for casual days. It looks that good.

Pros

  • Supportive
  • Very comfortable, like a running shoe
  • Oustanding grip
  • Durable
  • Feels light
  • Great out of the box
  • Waterproof
  • Awesome for casual use

Cons

  • Debris gets into the boot
  • Not for technical hiking
Full review of Danner Mountain 600

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Brown/Red (62245)
Black/Khaki (62287)
Antique Bronze/Murky Green (62285)
Brown (62249)
Brown (62250)
Chocolate Chip/Golden Oak (62290)
Brown (62246)
Walnut/Green (62272)

Best lightweight Danner hiking boots

Danner Jag
87
Great!

What makes it the best?

Resurrected to the delight of many, the Jag is a dapper hiker whose appeal goes beyond backcountry adventures. Part of our lightweight must-owns, this Danner kick brings its A-game in both dry and wet conditions, whether on trails or concrete pavements. While wearing one requires some compromise, the Jag is nothing short of brilliant—a claim enforced by its many strengths.

Pros

  • Mighty plush
  • Light
  • Waterproof
  • Minimal break-in
  • Classic looks
  • Versatile
  • Durable

Cons

  • Insufficient collar padding
  • Not very breathable
Full review of Danner Jag

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Brown (37392)
Black (37344)
Sandy Taupe (37345)
Birch/Picante (37244)
Brown/Goblin Blue (37240)
Steel Gray/Blue Wing Teal (37352)
Sierra/Chocolate Chip (32240)

Best Danner wide toe box hiking boots

What makes it the best?

In a nutshell, the Crater Rim from Danner is a comfortable backpacking boot that shines in wet conditions. That said, equally impressive about it are its stellar durability, stability, and grip, making its high asking price all worth it. So when the tough terrain ahead doesn't want to let up, answer back and decimate with the tougher Crater Rim.

Pros

  • Amazing comfort level
  • Almost bomb-proof
  • Outstanding stability
  • Loosens up in no time
  • Among Danner's most tenacious
  • Its capabilities outweigh its price
  • 10/10 waterproofing
  • Proudly American-made
  • Award-winning

Cons

  • Not for lightweight purists
  • Could be more breathable
Full review of Danner Crater Rim

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Brown (37414)

Best Danner waterproof hiking boots

What makes it the best?

Bootmakers from Danner have crafted something truly captivating in the Mountain Pass. Its mesmerizing aesthetics, thankfully, is coupled with longevity and an amount of comfort that exceeds expectations. To sum up, Danner’s Mountain Pass is hard to ignore, not with its blend of great qualities overpowering its workable flaws.

Pros

  • Immensely comfortable
  • Looker
  • Light
  • Zero break-in
  • Highly waterproof
  • Longlasting
  • Spacious

Cons

  • Boring footbed
  • Extremely expensive
Full review of Danner Mountain Pass

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Brown (33276)
Gunmetal (33290)

Best Danner day hiking boots

What makes it the best?

Users love the top-notch comfort that the Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip offers, along with the roomy fit, quality build, and toasty insulation. While a few people render the side zipper useless, this boot still makes a great footwear choice for your trail and city adventures on cold winter days.

Pros

  • Very comfortable to wear
  • Toasty insulation
  • Gripy sole
  • Stylish design
  • Well constructed boot

Cons

  • Useless side zipper
Full review of Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Brown/Red (67338)

Best Danner hiking boots for backpacking

What makes it the best?

One of the long-standing hiking boots from Danner, the Mountain Light has earned a lot of compliments through the years. People appreciate its superb comfort and classic style. It's a worthy purchase because of its durability, versatility, and best of all, quality. While it can be somewhat stiff at first, the Danner Mountain Light is undoubtedly among the most sought-after backpacking boots on the market.

Pros

  • Super-durable
  • Great for casual wear
  • Generously comfy
  • Maximal ankle support
  • Warm
  • Excellent finish
  • Easy to resole
  • Vintage looks
  • Great for rocky terrain

Cons

  • Break-in period needed
Full review of Danner Mountain Light

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Brown (31521)
Brown (30866)
Black (31531)

Best Danner mid cut hiking boots

Danner Explorer
85
Great!

What makes it the best?

Danner designers have seemingly made yet another masterpiece in the Explorer. Their brilliance in boot-making is also seen in the hiker’s A-grade waterproofing, super-precise fit, and overflowing amounts of comfort. That said, the gear is not without a few faults. Indeed, some questioned its width, while some lambasted its weight. Nevertheless, the Danner Explorer is an excellent choice for those who find its strengths quite empowering in their adventures.

Pros

  • Effective waterproofing
  • Superb durability
  • Comfortable interior
  • Amazing grip
  • Flexible collar

Cons

  • Narrow
  • Unflattering heaviness
  • Hit-or-miss arch support
  • Long break-in time
Full review of Danner Explorer

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Brown (45200)

Comparison of the 7 best Danner hiking boots

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Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways

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Author
Paul Ronto
Paul Ronto

Over the past 20 years, Paul has climbed, hiked, and run all over the world. He has summited peaks throughout the Americas, trekked through Africa, and tested his endurance in 24-hour trail races as well as 6 marathons. On average, he runs 30-50 miles a week in the foothills of Northern Colorado. His research is regularly cited in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, etc. On top of this, Paul is leading the running shoe lab where he cuts shoes apart and analyzes every detail of the shoes that you might buy.