20 Best Usa Made Hiking Boots (2023 Updated)

Boots are generally a hit and miss so it is very difficult to get one right. I read the reviews on this boot and figured I would give it a try. Well – I have another pair coming now! These boots have quickly become my favorite boot and they are super comfortable to wear.

I could stand for several hours without any residual pain, while some of the other boots I own give me pain at night. Buy them – you will not regret it.

These arrived in time for another round of icy cold weather in my area. I was really excited about them arriving. The boots are very durable and attractive. They are replacing another pair of Sketchers that lasted about 14 years.

The only issue i have with them is that the top of the boot doesn’t seem to secure around my leg as nicely as my former pair. I am wondering if that is why they are calling these relaxed fit. for people with fat/big legs.

The uppers on my foot fit well and are comfortable. These are well made and i like them. I think they are very attractive.

I usually buy expensive walking boots. But these are a quarter of the price and actually better as far as comfort in my experience. The extra half size makes a big difference too. Clearly the build quality won’t be as good as dearer options.

But they’re are still made well.

I’m a grade checker, which means I hike a lot of slopes on dirt and am constantly on my feet, around 6 miles a day through rough terrain with tool bags on. Got these a few weeks ago and wanted to break them in before I wore them at work.

Threw them on a hiked 6 miles and my feet have never been more comfortable. I’ve worn them 8-10 hours a day every day for work and they’re so comfortable I’m wearing them on my backpacking trip through Death Valley this weekend over my Merrell boots.

I would like to know if they make this exact pair with steal or composite toe cause I want to buy a second pair to use for work and keep these for hiking. The fit is pretty spot on too, I wear a size ten but constantly have to go between a 9 1/2 and 10 1/2 depending on the boot l.

These in a 10 fit perfect. The high ankle with gor-tex is comfortable and give great ankle support. Needless to say I think I’ve found my favorite boots for a long time to come.

I bought these for a backcountry trail work season, which entailed long daily hikes and backpacking heavy loads for 10 days at a stretch through mud, scree, talus, sand, snow and ice. I lived in these things.

The Good: These boots are super comfy right out the box. No break-in required, comfy as a pair of slippers, ankle support is great for heavy loads, sole was nice and grippy in everything but ice and they were decently breathable.

The fit was right too, they accommodated foot swelling while also being snug enough to where no blisters ever formed. I cannot overstate how comfortable these are compared to other work boots i’ve had The Not so good: They lasted me for the season and that’s all.

That’s June to November, not even a year of daily use. The lace hooks have a tendency to bend a little, I had to use pliers on one to be able to free my lace. The underside of the eyelets also have a tendency to fray your laces after a while( there’s a small portrusion right around the rim that i ground down after i went through two pairs of laces).

The waterproofing will not last for very long, that one small seam near the toebox will be the first to split open. There isnt much support on the insole. Tread isn’t very aggressive and flattened out in high-wear spots relatively quickly although the grip didn’t suffer THAT much.

Now, I don’t know if I just walk weird or what but in the last month of wearing them, the soles actually bent outwards on both boots, forcing my feet into a weird uncomfortable position. In summary, so very comfortable but durability suffers because of it.

Probably would be really good for casual outings, just not trail work.

This is my second pair of these boots. My first pair is about two years old and in great shape. I bought the second pair to keep at a relative’s house in Upstate New York where I am right now. The tongue on the first pair was not sewn correctly but I manage to deal with it.

Once I received the second pair in inspected the tongues. They were both sewn correctly. Both pair are not insulated but with heavy socks can be worn in this cold weather for a reasonable time. They are very waterproof, but not really snow boots.

However, they are excellent three season boots for hiking and working outdoors.

First, a caveat: I have not hiked in these boots when the boots were very wet or caked with mud, or in snow. Used the boots in Arizona, UP MIchigan and the White Mountains, the latter putting the boots to the toughest test.

In snow I use Limmer boots, which never, in 30+ years, have let water enter through the leather. I bought the Danners because I was tired of hiking up mountains with a pair of boots (Limmers) that weigh 5lbs 4oz when most boots (even high cuts) weigh less than half that.

Before the Danners, I had tried another brand and a boot that had a waterproof lining, but was not pleased with how wet my socks were getting, so I decided on whole grain leather boots (because I have excellent Limmer boot grease) and that I’d deal with any water that might come thru the Danners if and when the time comes.

I don’t hike in downpours (lucky so far). Saving the best for last. I’ve been hiking for 52 years and these Danners are as comfortable out of the gate as any boot I can recall. They have held up well on rocky trails in the Whites, grab granite slabs well, and do okay protecting the feet when descending on smaller, or pointier, rocks (the heavy Limmer soles were made for descents 🙂 ).

Not one blister, no foot pain (I do wear carbon fiber orthotics, which I place atop the insole instead of removing the back half of the insole). I see little wear on the boots. So today I bought a second pair of the same Danner boots (REI sale and member rewards) and plan to rotate usage of the two Danner pairs.

Obviously, very happy with these Danners.

Now Semi Retired, after 35 years as a union carpenter, requiring an EXPENSIVE, durable heavy leather, steel shank n toed benchmade boots, these are a great boot and a pleasure to wear. I have always had an aversion to Imported footwear so this, although an import, has been done RIGHT by Danner.

(as well as their country of choice. Vietnamese are CLEARLY quality oriented and proud of their products) This is the first time I have ever strayed from a U. S. A. made Danner to their Import line, Lightweight and great color choices for this line.

I also love the fact of how they tell you the difference between the total U. S. made boots VS the mid range boots described, as U. S. Made with imported materials VS the total import. I like to keep our republic employed as much as humanly possible.

I switched to Danner from Wolverine Boot Co. 20 years ago, due to Wolverine steering their production to 100% Chinese, of which I had already dropped any full blown China tagging on any product for 5 years by that time.

I don’t like their unfair and undermining trade policies or sub standard product quality overall. Other FAIR traders in Asia, produce FAR better quality. Wolverine showed me the light in their product when they switched and I couldn’t get 3 months wear out of my preference of boot that I normally would get 9 months to a year out of.

These seem great so far! They look amazing, seem sturdy and comfortable. I’m surprised no one has said this. The hooks on the boots tend to catch the shoe lace on your opposite foot and cause you to trip and fall.

I just got the boots today and have only been wearing them around the house to break them in and it has already happened 3 times in 2 hours. I can see this being annoying, stressful and dangerous on a walk or a hike.

I am in my 20s so I can see this being even worse for an older person. I’m almost nervous to take them hiking next week. I have crimped the hook in as much as possible and tied my laces as short as possible, I really hope this solves it.

I didn’t want to take off too many stars because it’s not just Danner boots, it’s all boots with hooks. I googled the problem looking for a way to fix it and read several stories of people unexpectedly falling and breaking teeth and bones due to these type of boots and there is even a campaign to get these type of boots banned.

I guess it’s more of a problem if you have a narrow gait but I don’t even think that I do. The hooks are designed to latch on to things and they will snag on to things and trip you so fast you won’t even know what happened.

Just wanted to put that out there so people can be aware because I wish someone had told me before I bought them!.

To start off, I’d like to make a note that I’m a biologist in south Florida, so these boots are being worn in the field 40-50 hours a week. They mostly get worn in pine flatwoods and we it gets very wet in the wet season.

These boots are exceptionally comfortable, light weight and I can only hope they will be durable enough to last me awhile. I really enjoy the loop inserts because it’s easy to tighten up the laces and just as easy to loosen them with one tug on the tongue of the boot.

The plastic lace hooks are a game changer as well because they aren’t going to rust and brake on me, awesome job Danner. Now for my complaints. These boots are not waterproof. If you step in a puddle for a quick second, yeah, your feet will stay dry.

But, if you’re walking through water, be prepared for wet toes. Your boot won’t flood, but it definitely get wet. I’ve only used them in water that barely covers the toes and you can feel the wetness after a minute or so.

On the plus side, they will dry out quickly if left in the sun. Be careful on hard, smooth surfaces when it’s raining because you will slip. The other gripe for me is the lining inside the boot is loose and bunches up at the toes sometimes.

I’ve only had them for a month and a half, so I really can’t give my opinion on the durability yet. I typically have issues with the soles of my shoes separating or the stitching falling apart, so I hope these Danner Vital Trail boots hold up.

I will say, if you want an awesome hiking boot and you’ll be somewhere dry, get these. They are comfortable, light and have an all around great design. If you plan to be walking through a little bit of water with these and you expect them to keep your feet dry, maybe try something different.

Purchased my boots from Rogers Sporting Good, Danner had none my size in stock. I’m thinking the supply for Danner was on a container ship off the coast of California because these boots are made in Vietnam.

I was disappointed about that and the substandard insoles. However the styling and lace system are excellant. Fit and finish are excellant and the boots are very comfortable with a $50. 00 set of good insoles.

I would be willing to pay more for these boots if they were made in USA. I wish Danner manufactured all there boots in the USA, American skilled craftsmen are second to none!.

I really wanted to luke these boots,but I never been more disappointed with a product in my life. First they were terribly uncomfortable I had to buy $60 inserts to make these wearable. Then the water proof/resistance is a joke.

I even treated these with Danners waterproofing products. The water proofing held up to one day of hiking with a few small stream crossing ( the boots were never actually submerged). yesterday day I wore them again to check trail cameras and from 30 mins of walking in wet grass they were soaked through.

The other problem I’ve found with these is that when the tread gets wet and you have to walk on rock or gravel you might as well get some ice skates because that’s what you’ll be doing is skating all over the place.

I wish I would have returned these but I wanted them to work and I’ve given them numerous tries with customs soles and extra water proofing over a course of 3 to 4 months. these are duds don’t waste your money.

Just bought a new pair to replace a pair I wore out after about 11 months. Boots held up relatively well. The sole is getting a little thin near the front and I am replacing to get some traction back.

I have put about 300 miles on these in mixed conditions and the current pair is actually still functional for less rugged surfaces. I ran into a minor problem where the insole on one boot managed to compress into the waffle part of the sole, causing some discomfort.

I stuffed a little toilet paper in there, which solved the issue and extended use of these to the present. Weight is good. They don’t feel heavy or tire you out. They fit me nicely and have been comfortable on trail hikes in excess of 7 miles.

They’re not waterproof, but they don’t let a lot of water in unless you’re standing in it. They’ve been general good about water resistance walking through mud, around shallow streams, or very damp fields/grasses.

A decent boot all around without considering the price. Price considered, its difficult to complain. I think even if you’re looking for something higher quality, you could chuck a pair of these in the trunk or something like that for emergencies and it would be worth the purchase.

I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised on the quality of these boots, especially at this price range. They’re exceptionally well built, incredibly comfortable, and even though they’re not waterproof, they do a good job at keeping out the moisture.

The mesh allows my feet to breathe just enough to keep my feet cool during the summer and warm during the winter without getting sweaty (a good feature to have for those with stinky toes). Regarding their comfort, I would have to give these, in their natural state, three out of five stars.

After purchasing and installing a memory foam footbed, these are the most comfortable pair of boots I own. If you do want that extra comfort, I would recommend buying your boots a half size bigger to compensate for the extra room needed for the insole.

At this price, you would be hard-pressed to find a better quality boot. I will definitely be buying these boots again in the future and would highly recommend them to anyone. Thanks for taking the time to read my honest and unbiased review and please, stay safe.

Sizing is off. Toe box is way out there, width seems dis proportionately narrow, making for an odd fit. Didn’t expect much at this price, but doesn’t seem like a bad boot materials wise, however the execution of putting it all together is messed up.

I’m debating returning these, based on fit, but the economics favors keeping them as limited use ‘spares’.

I bought these boots for my son to hike a portion of the AT and to summit Mt. Khatadin in. He wore these boots around the house and to school and he found them to be very comfortable. The problem began when he was on his hike.

He was wearing a pair of toe socks and a pair of Darn Tough socks (he wore this combination last summer when he hiked the Vermont along Trail in a different pair of boots and he had no problems). He was carrying a 30 pound pack and within the first 15 miles of the hike he developed blisters on both of his heels.

When I reached out to Salomon I was told that the boots were out of the 30 day comfort warranty. They recommended that he wear two pairs of socks and put blister tape on his heels. When I reached out again to explain that we had already done their suggestions while he was on the hike minus the blister tape I was told that the boots were out of warranty and that he should have worn them around the house during the first 30 days, which he also had done.

I am very disappointed that Salomon does not stand behind their product after only 20 miles of use.

Poorly built boot. This boot may be appropriate for heavy people with thick ankles, but it is badly made for average or slimmer ankles. I bought the boot because of the sizing – I need a wide fit – and the high lacing, which is good.

However it is poorly made and not fit for purpose. When you lace the boot to the top, to achieve the ‘high’ ankle support, the top lace eye cause the boot cuff to roll inward. This common on boots and is usually managed by the manufacturers by padding this area and ensuring the seam connecting the inner and outer is on the outside of the cuff.

In this boot there is negligible padding and the seam is at the top of the cuff. This seam rolls inward – it is hard and has no padding. It causes serious bruising. I have hiked in 3 continents, had more than 20 boots types in my life and none have been designed and built this badly.

Simply put – I cannot recumbent this boot at any price. MacPac is handling my request for a return.

Hiking boots have always hurt my toes or ankles after wearing them for a while, but these boots have been so comfortable. I haven’t had any pain at all while wearing them. I specifically looked at Salomon as I read that they fit wide feet well and I found this to absolutely be the case.

However, I did size down on these boots a half size, as they are known to run a bit large (pro tip, I took out the insole and stood with my foot on them to test the sizing). At first, I looked at the Salomon Quest 4 Boots which are quite popular, but these boots were cheaper and I couldn’t find any major differences in the build of the boots (nor could the sales attendant who helped me).

They do seem a bit lighter than the other boots, but I like that as I can also wear them to walk the dog or just go for a quick hike. As far as waterproofing, so far they have held up amazingly on muddy and rainy hikes.

Overall, I would highly recommend these boots.

I haven’t taken these on a hike yet but having tried a lot of boots I’m quite impressed by the quality. Materials The uppers are all leather with only one seam and it’s a high quality pullup leather that will develop character and patina over time.

The Vibram sole is the Megagrip compound which is excellent. Hardware and fabric pieces seem solid but time will tell. Insole is your basic single density Ortholite which is adequate but could be better.

Rocky is one of only a handful of companies using highly breathable eVent in some boots as opposed to Gore-Tex which can be very hot and sweaty. There is a faux suede heel counter cover which, while thin, is better than nothing which is what most boots have.

Fit/Feel At 11. 5 Wide these fit pretty much like an average 12 but they work for both of my feet despite one being 12 C and the other 11 E. It’s very easy to lace these just right. The feel is very stable and planted to the ground without any heaviness – in fact these boots are only 2 lbs 6 oz for a pair in 11.

5 which is very respectable especially for a full leather upper. Overall These boots are comparable to the Danner Mountain 600 in price and materials. The sole appears to be cemented as opposed to injection molded and there are a couple little gaps where you can see the glue but only a trained eye will notice.

They have the look of something that would be worth pay such a high price until you put them on and realize walmart hiking boots are of much better quality at a fraction of the price. These fit more like a house slipper and resemble the same material.

Very disappointed I don’t know how anybody could wear these into the hills and mountains as they offer NO support like a decent hiking boot should. First rock theses came across put a gash in the extremely thin leather.

These are not worth the price. Expected alot more being from ROCKY really feel there quality is going down hill.

The materials are probably great. It’s the manufacturing that missed. Even so, the fit is not good. Toe box in the (M) standard width felt bigger than a 2EE. These boots don’t hug your feet like a hiking boot should.

I tried the BOA lace version as well. Same issues. I tried to like these boots because my Rocky Long Range’s are still the best western work boot I’ve ever owned.

Second pair – would have given five stars but for customer service with first pair. Purchased this style as a work boot and had a total four month experience in them. No break in time. Load planes and even on my toe crease no pressure.

Went on ten month COVID leave. I noticed a split in the sole of the toe box area a month after returning to work. CS offered nothing to purchase a new pair while this would broken pair would be repaired at Danner.

I loved the boots and was not upset about paying for repair since they were out of warranty but very agitated that the company did little to stand by the product. New pair is only a few months old and split in sole beginning to show as well! Ordered a pair from Nick’s at comparable price since my husband’s work boots have held up well while my very comfy Danner’s fall apart.

Beautiful boots, true to size for LENGTH, but waaay too narrow, even in medium width. Wish they came in wide. I sent them back, ordered equivalent in men’s size, but no wide (E) so I wanted them so bad, I ordered EE.

A tad too wide, but I normally wear double socks anyway. Just cinched them in when lacing. Have hiked in them, comfortable, durable, good grip, re-sole-able, so I hope to have them many years. Buyer with medium wide feet just beware, they are very narrow.

I adore these boots. I wear them everywhere. Not only are they the best pair of hiking boots I have ever had, they are also kind of stylish. I frequently wear them out with jeans to concerts or bars.

I get compliments on them every time. When I was in the store considering whether to buy these, the salesperson told me “These are the boots you will live your life in. Hiking the PCT now, or in 10 years? You’ll have these boots for that.

” This could not be truer. I accidentally left these boots in New York last winter when I was moving to the Sierras. It broke my heart. I had to ask so many favors of my friends to figure out the logistics for sending me my boots.

When I got them back I cried. Truly, my best investment. Buy these boots.

It’s a very good, high quality boot. I do have a few complaints. They are a bit heavy (not necessarily a bad thing) and mine do squeak a lot. It’s not the easiest lacing system to tighten, and it seems to only really tighten at the top.

There needs to be more padding under the eyelets. It’s only on my left foot, but the lowest right eyelet sits right on top of the “knuckle” of my big toe, and it is painful after a few miles. I have weird feet, but imho they’re way too narrow in the center/arch section.

And I can’t decide if they’re too narrow or not in the toe box, but I do always get a blister on the outside of my big toe on hikes. Not sure if that’s a break in issue or not yet. I do wish they offered a wider version for those of us with huge flat feet though.

Overall, I really like them. They grip the trails well, and offer a lot of support. They’re overall very comfortable though I wish the soles had a bit more cushion and again that they had padding under the eyelets.

They’re really comfortable going uphill, but as soon as you’re going downhill and bracing against gravity and your feet press against the eyelets: pain. Overall very glad I purchased these to replace my 15 year old boots that finally fell apart.

This shoe is called a hiker. It’s a pretty sturdy shoe. It’s solid, well made and looks great. One of the things I like about this boot is the way it is solid but not too heavy. When I am on a hike or working a long day, this makes a big difference.

The boot requires some breaking in. When I first starting wearing them, one ankle rubbed and was uncomfortable. Another thing is when I walked, the shoes squeaked. The more I break them in, the less they are making noise.

I use these mostly for recreational use. Hiking, chopping and stacking firewood, yard work, and other general outdoor use. While I have not submerged them completely under water, I have used them in wet environments and they perform great.

I have used Merrill’s, Keens and Timberland Pros in the past. I look at these boot as a superior product. They are just as comfortable as the others. I think the overall construction and durability is what makes them a better boot.

This boot is my favorite boot. I recently bought my latest pair, #3 in 25 years. The boot style is timeless, it looked great then and it still looks great now. The leather and stitching quality is none better.

The boot is super-comfortable once it’s broken in. I like that you can have the boot resoled however Danner has tight requirements regarding leather creases in the toe cap which for my boots are inevitable.

I use my boots for everything. Working in the barn, landscaping, hiking. They’re light, comfortable and super supportive. I can wear these all day. I like the arch support and ankle support. My feet are my fuse, when they hurt I’m done.

These boots definitely are priced at a premium. I look at them as investment since on the average they’re lasting me about 10 years. I do take care of them. I keep them relatively clean and I always use a boot conditioner product (beeswax and lanolin) on the leather once per year.

I’m an arborist. I use these boots for work daily, and am very hard on them, using them in all weather conditions, over rough terrain, and with a lot of abrasion from dragging brush, getting covered in chain saw shavings, bar oil, dirt etc.

Pros: – They are extraordinarily comfortable to walk in, and are decent if you need to do a bit of running, I haven’t gotten close to getting a blister with these. – The waterproofing is high quality and hasn’t failed even though there is a significant hole in the leather from me not caring for the leather properly.

The only time I get wet feet is when water seeps in from the top due to the base layer on my legs getting saturated. – They provide a moderate amount of ankle support for walking on rough/off-trail terrain, without significantly interfering with the comfort while walking.

Neutral: – They are not the most breathable option possible, and get a little hot during the summer, nor are they the most insulated, and get a little cold during the winter. 50 degrees or so is probably the perfect temperature for them.

Cons: – My only complaint is that they aren’t very durable, though I feel this is mostly a deliberate design compromise rather than a shortcoming. The rubber at the toe of the boot started peeling back from the leather almost immediately (though this didn’t progress further), the soles are made of soft rubber that wears rather quickly, particularly if you walk on more abrasive surfaces, like concrete or asphalt (though it does grip better than a harder rubber), and the leather has to be cared for or it will fall apart if treated roughly.

Conclusion: Like anything else, these boots are not absolutely perfect; they’re a product of design compromises. However, despite their relatively short lifespan for what I do with them, I’m happy to spend another $200 for a new pair, because of all the boots I’ve tried, for my feet, nothing else comes close.

I love pretty much everything about these boots. Other hiking boots I’ve tried in this price range include Salomon X-Ultra 4 Mid GTX, X-Ultra 3 Mid GTX, various Merrell hiking boots and shoes, and The North Face waterproof hiking boots.

The Oboz Bridger Mid B-Dry blow them ALL out of the water in terms of quality of materials, worksmanship, and especially durability. These boots have served me well for about a year now and could easily last another couple of years.

I am a landscaper by trade and wear these to work five days a week, and often for walks/hikes on the weekend. They’ve held up extremely well to my heavy usage. I’m telling you, both pairs of Salomon boots I owned fell apart faster than I’d expect a pair of Wal Mart boots to do the same.

These Oboz boots are different. More comprehensive review below. The Oboz Bridger Mid B-Dry are made from quality materials, including leather with high-durability rubber in key places. They are plenty comfortable while also being HIGHLY supportive.

Immediately upon trying them I could tell they were a lot sturdier and more supportive than all of the others I’d tried up to that point. The insole felt high-quality by comparison. These boots are TRULY waterproof (within reason) while still being breathable enough for hot summer days in the high desert.

The rubber wrapped around the toe area and heel area of the boots seems to have done a ton to make these boots last longer. The sole of the boot might look strange at first glance, but I’ve found it a great and versatile sole shape.

I’ve worn these on all terrains in all weather while doing landscaping work. I’ve worn these on hot days, in torrential downpours, and also all throughout cold winters with heavy snowfall and ice. Somehow they manage to be breathable enough in summer and warm enough in winter with proper socks, and are still effectively waterproof.

In summary, if you are looking for possibly the best combination of quality, comfort, support, and durability in a hiking boot under $200: these are very likely the best value waterproof hiking boot out there.

Working as a landscaper is one of the best stress tests for a boot, and this one excelled. IMPORTANT NOTE: these absolutely run one-half size small. I’m normally a size 11, I ordered these in a size 11.

5 and it is perfect.

For me, OBOZ are the new generation in everyday wear hiking boots! OBOZ began after the original Merrell boot masters all left to begin their own boot design ~ OBOZ were born!!! Keen’s are nice for walking and nothing more for me, as soon as I work hard in them or do anything strenuous my feet suffer moving all around.

Asolo is great just the price and the mid-sole (grayish cushy layer) just reduces to nothing in a few months, that is their Achilles heel for me as I am all of 280-300 pounds. Lowa is a great German brand only, the entire brushed leather boot will shrink in 7-8 months causing me terrible pain and needing another option.

Merrell. they have simply changed into something I cannot wear?? I have tried the Moab’s and they never fit whatsoever like the old Merrell Chameleon mid-hiker, that shoe was my favorite thing in the world putting my feet into them and even sleeping with them on at home (on the floor of course), the best ever boots, like moccasins only the protection and durability of a real hiker! OBOZ are the reincarnation of Merrell’s mid-hiker but I gotta say better in that, they came up with something special, locking in my heel space but comfortably, wide version allows for toe box area movement but not the whole foot, allows my feet to behave like active feet, nice construction with excellent stability & balance, especially the new foot insert that is included! I came off from a bad foot sprain between the middle of the outside of my foot, not the arch just the bone to bone.

This was a few months of healing. The Superfeet Blue and the Superfeet Trailblazer inserts sold at REI both did help, then I began having some acute issues because my old OBOZ boots were worn out and my OTHER FOOT began having pain issues?! So, I bought a new pair of OBOZ and I have not looked back!!! Especially the included OBOZ insert that simply reset my foot positioning inside the boots and I’ve been walking like a happy man ever since! 😅🥳❤️.

These are my new favorites. The Oboz Bridger are a country mile ahead of anything in its class, or anything close to it. If you are considering Keens or Merrills. simply put. “DON’T when you have the outstanding Oboz Bridger available instead.

There are many other reviewers here that will go into the detail behind why so I’ll spare you here. Just do it and you won’t be dissatisfied. The dark shadow color variety is my favorite and looks just terrific.

I find these shoes so comfortable that I wear them all day even when I’m watching TV in my lounge chair. I have never had a more sure-footed feeling in a low-cut. The arch support is unbelievably great and the heel fits like a glove.

My instep is a bit high and my foot is slightly wide but the non-wide regular variety fits perfectly. These shoes seem indestructible in my foot never gets wet no matter how much I’m getting splashed either working in the garden or on the wet trail.

They tend to collect a bit of dirt on the bottom so if you do wear them indoors pop them off and rinse off the bottoms easily. I find that I’m able to slip these on like bedroom slippers without having to reach down to tie and untie them and they maintain their form and support without breaking down.

Truly a remarkable shoe unlike any other I’ve ever had. So much better than Lowe and Rachlie and Solomon. They make Keens and Merrills look like cheap Keds. I read recently that the company got bought so I’m hoping nothing changes.

Maybe I need to buy a half a dozen pair just so that I can ensure in perpetuity that I continue to have the best outdoor shoe I’ve ever had.

It’s a large shoe which at first I was worried about but they are the best walking and hiking shoe I’ve ever owned. I would 100% suggest getting a better insole. That made a huge difference

I walk a lot in my job. I need full support. I get all the support and comfort I need in this high top. And it looks great. I love my Wolverines.

Nice fit, comfortable right out of the box. Waterproof is; water resistant.

I really really wanted to like these boots. They have a classic look and being able to rebuild them was a big reason for my purchase at this price point. However I find a few things now causing regret with this purchase.

1) the boot does not come with an innersole. It uses a hard plastic heel insert that sits in the back 3rd of the boot. This seems to work ok for the seating of my heel(no heel rub/movement) although the plastic insert does occasionally move around when putting my foot into the boot and it’s hard edges are noticeable.

2) the footbed is fabric alone without any cushion. I would appreciate the comfort of a modern design innersole to cushion my foot from heel to toe. Let alone friction is going to wear a part of the boot that is not replaceable where an innersole would be.

3) another item to note is the boots have been brushed clean with a horse hair brush as well as wiped dry when getting home – they are kept dry indoors when not worn. But the lace eyelets are rusting already!! – I feel I have done my part so why is rust appearing on a mostly brand new pair of premium priced boots? 4) the right boot also has a little too much material folded over in the tongue which creates a hard area of pressure above my foot when lacing the boot to any wearable tension.

This happens no matter how much attention I give to folding the tongue before lacing. 5) For reference I wear a standard “D width” size 10 Vasque hiking boot, size 10 Haix EMS station boot, size 10 Teva shoe and size 10 Nike everything else so I ordered the size 10 Danner boot – but they seem unusually snug in the normal medium D width.

So much so I can not wear my normal hiking socks without discomfort. I have thin wool socks so I figured I could make it work – yes I was still trying to find reasons to like these boots. Since the boots are not insulated, being unable to wear normal hiking socks has taken away from their cold PNW weather worthiness to say the least.

But that was not realized until I began to wear them outdoors. I should back up here and note before finding the above issues I decided to wear them around the house for a week on just carpet to form an opinion.

From there I found once they were worn and warmed up a little the leather gave a bit which led me to believe they may just need some breaking in of the stiff premium leather. The problem is now that I am wearing them outside in cold wet weather they are just cold, stiff, hard under foot & uncomfortable… let alone the lack of cushioning makes me wonder why a hard footbed in a hiking boot(?) is beyond me.

Really why were innersoles were not used – I think it’s the 1930’s and you need to tough it out every time I wear them outside. These are my first Danner boots and I really wanted to like them but I find the above noted design issues stand out so much now that one of the main reasons I bought them was to be rebuilt – but I may never wear them enough to get to that point.

The good values are a rebuildable design, waterproof breathable leather, stability of the Vibram sole/shank, and the assembled boots appearance…. but wearing it for a period of time outdoors has given me a different impression.

It just bothers me that I let my desire to like a boot so much that it got in the way of reasoning before being worn outdoors. Your perspective may be different but I am just unable to get past the negatives every time I put these boots on….

a lack of cushioning, narrow width, rusted eyelet’s in mostly new boots and the uncomfortable tongue overlap is just hard to overlook at this price point. I would love to exchange these and give Danner a second chance but they have been worn outside so I have little hope even asking for that consideration.

Sadly this boot may be my first and last purchase of a storied PNW American made brand I searched out in part for nostalgia, durability and reliability.

After reading a bunch of the many reviews I was pretty sure these boots would feel difficult to begin with and aware that they might not work for me at all. I decided to pull the trigger and test them for my self (as no local REI have them in stock) and take advantage of the return policy if need be.

Narrow and painful seems to be consensus of the majority of negative feedback. I ordered the superlight ii in EE as my feet, whilst definitely not WIDE are certainly not narrow. I’d say they are normal with the toes being a bit wider than average – the top end of D.

This is what shoe measuring stores have told me. Looking at the slightly pointy toe of this boot definitely made me think it was a 50/50 they would work out for me. I have a few pairs of danner including the mountain 600 and south rim and I ordered the same size in these.

They fit fine – slightly roomy in the heel but once laced up they hold solid. Break-in wise I was expecting firmer leather – the leather on these boots, in comparison to say Red Wings, is much thinner.

It’s very supple and I haven’t had any break in whatsoever. I guess it’s just down to each persons feet. I’d just say that if you are expecting a pair of feet saddle bags – these are very much softer! The sole is also much softer than I imagined, with the foam mid section being extremely squishy.

This makes the boots very comfortable right out of the box and I imagine that as the months/years pass they will become even comfier. As to heat – I live in California and I bought these boots primarily for the trips I take to Utah and NY in the winter.

For these trips I think they will be perfect, but I needed to break them in in Cali before going. I expected my feet to be sweat lodges. However, I can confirm that after a good amount of hikes here that they are surprisingly OK.

A little warm but nothing I can’t handle. I definitely wouldn’t want to wear them mid summer in the desert, but for temperatures in the 80s they aren’t oppressive. Anyway – a long ramble of thoughts but I’m really enjoying the boots.

I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a well made classic style boot. Top marks!.

I love my Danners. I’ve become quite loyal. I’m definitely an advocate and recommend them whenever I can. However, they require some expectation-setting. These boots are all Danner says them to be: – Tough as nails – Built to last – Waterproof I’ve had mine since 2018.

Still wear them. Still maintain them. I’ve been to several countries, many camping and backpacking trips, hiking, hunting, winter and summer (Minnesota) — these have been through the ringer. My biggest gripe is how tall they are and how far they come up on the ankle.

Much like other newbies, I mistakenly didn’t lace these properly at first. The tongue also threw me and took some adjustments. The break-in time I expected so it wasn’t an issue, but the first two points made a big impact once corrected.

I will say even in spite of getting it all “right,” I still feel the weight of these boots compromise how tall they are. The tongue is bulky and a bit clumsy, whoa s the soul is thick and heavy. Because the leather upper doesn’t rise high enough in my ankle, I’ve rolled my foot aplenty in the field.

I don’t feel stable like I want to in these and that make me second guess wearing these out sometimes. For me, my next pair of Danners will likely be the Explorers or the Elk Hunters. The Explorers are my perfect boot.

The lace system, the upper height, etc. , make those a better fit for me. I like these and have relied on them heavily for all kinds of work and play and will continue to do so. But I wouldn’t buy another pair of this style.

I used these out of the box on a four-day backpack trip that covered about 30 miles and 6500 feet up and down on some pretty rough trails. They worked great. No pressure points. No hot spots or blisters.

Very comfortable. I bought a half size up from my street shoe size which I do for hiking boots and the fit is very good. The soles give decent traction on dry rock, but not quite as good as the Vibram soles with the classic lug design.

Haven’t tested traction on wet rock yet. I dunked one boot almost up to the top for several seconds in a stream crossing and no water came through. Not a hard test, but suggests they may keep water out under rainy conditions.

I cross-shopped these with the new Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GORE-TEX boots. I really wanted to like the Salomons because they are several ounces lighter, but after a few minutes walking around in them, I felt pressure points and they felt relatively flimsy which made me wonder about how well they would hold up.

The Moabs were much more comfortable and felt more solid so I went with them. Two concerns: – The boots are pretty warm so not well suited to hiking in higher temperatures (80+) for me at least. Would be an advantage in cold temperatures though.

– After the four-day hike, there is already a tear in the soft spongy material that runs all the way around the boot right above the outsole. Makes me wonder about how that is going to hold up with more hikes on rough rock surfaces which I do a lot of.

Overall, I’m happy with the purchase so far. I look forward to using them more.

I really wanted to like these shoes but found they’re just not for me, for a few reasons. First off, the soles wouldn’t really stay on. I used these for a 100 mile through hike and the soles were peeling off on the toe on both shoes (a bit on one and a lot on the other) as well as peeling from the side of one of the shoes as well.

The terrain was relatively normal hiking terrain (a mix of mud, dirt, roots, rocks, and a little bit of pavement/gravel), and I would expect the sole to far outlast 100 miles. Secondly, I wouldn’t go so far as to call these shoes water “proof”.

Water resistant, sure. But definitely not waterproof. Both rainy conditions and stepping in puddles seemed to let a good amount of moisture in. My feet never felt like they were swamped with water, but they were hardly dry either.

Finally, they’re a fairly bulky shoe— not so much that they feel like clown shoes, but they seem a bit bigger than average which is a little less than ideal. I know these are super popular shoes and know some folks who swear by them, but they just didn’t hit the mark for me.

I just returned from a 12 day Philmont hiking trip *south* ( 12-5 trek) and was wearing men Merrell Moab hiking boots with Vibram sole and raised ankle support all through. It was a fantastic experience overall.

The trek it was very strenuous and lot of tough terrain -. with rocky trails , very hot days hiking, muddy slush trails due to rains, trails with several tree crossings, river stream crossing, elevation hikes, down hill hikes etc.

Yes it was a very rough trails for sure but the boots were very good. Good water proof support, excellent under sole support for my foot, very good grip in the trails and good support for my ankles. I also wore liner socks along with darn tough wool socks.

I applied Vaseline on my feet ( heals and sides for blister prevention). So net results -> I had a great trip with no injury or falls or blisters etc,, I’m 53, 5-11 tall and 170 lbs weight , My shoe size was 9.

I did see many hikers wearing Merrell Moab boots in Philmont base camp.

These boots were given a very good review in Outside magazine 2022 gear guide. I was looking for a real midrise boot and these fit the bill. Boots were on sale, great purchase for the price. Very good toe bed and sturdy soles.

A bit hard to fully tighten the laces ~they keep slipping, the top part of the tongue is a bit narrow but adequate to tuck under the sides. Easy to take on and off. They are a bit on the stiff side so need time to break it, I had heel blisters the first time wearing on a pretty standard hike and this is not usual for me and new boots.

Have worn them in a bit. I will put them to the complete test in few weeks hiking in Maine, that is why I have rated 4 stars. Still need to assess, I have every reason to expect success.

I’ve been on a total of three southern Appalachia-region hikes varying from moderate to difficult in these Danners and am satisfied with their performance. Initially, the toes and midsoles are a bit stiff but they broke in around the second hike.

They do run a tad heavier than some other Gore-Tex mids, but the weight is less noticeable once you get used to them and are broken in. The grip is sufficient and I only experienced slippage on wet rock surfaces, but I have not found a boot that didn’t slip in these conditions.

These boots seem more optimal for groomed trails than technical ones as I they are not well protected against banging vulnerable areas of your feet on trails peppered with a bunch of jagged rocks and debris.

They do offer water protection right before the top two lace eyelets as that’s where the tongue lining ends (like trail runners), so keep that in mind if you need boots with higher protection.

Out of the box, these boots look great! While I haven’t been able to take them on the trails yet, they feel super comfortable and supportive. They’re light, while also being sturdy. If I remember, I will update this review after testing them out on the trails.

But so far, I am very pleased with my purchase.

I bought these boots in black for my son to use for Scouting. The North Face has a great reputation and my winter boots are exceptional, so I figured they would be worth the higher price. The boots run about a half to full size small so I would recommend going up a size, especially if you are wearing a thicker sock.

They were comfortable overall and held up well against water. Like anything that has constant exposure to water they will eventually leak so I wouldn’t say they are waterproof, more water resistant. Unfortunately, the hook eyelets at the top broke the second time he used them.

When he ran the broken hook scratched his leg deep several times. This made the shoes unusable. I can’t return them now because they are used. I expected more from The North Face.

I bought these boots in the Fall of 2020 to wear during the winter. After 3 months the tread on the outsole at the ball of the foot was totally worn off. I walk 3 or 4 miles a day so the boots may have 400 miles on them.

I weigh about 175 pounds so I don’t put unusual stress on the boots. By contrast, the New Balance 608s that I wear for 9 months a year barely show any tread wear after 3 times the distance (the uppers wear.

). Also – the boots are not waterproof. And the laces (break) and lacing system are lousy.

I bought these a month ago and really love them. They are waterproof and have held up well in the couple of snowy days we have had. They are super comfortable and kept my feet warm and dry. The one thing I would add is that they don’t add a lot grip on ice, but this is expected as they do not have spikes.

My favorite things is that they look like normal sneakers (at least the black ones) and pair with many outfits.

I bought these because I really enjoy my On Cloud X running shoes, and liked the idea of a waterproof boot for winter with the plush cushioning of my running shoes. These look and feel comfortable, and definitely have the cushioning that I expected.

However, the first issue I have with them is that they are not waterproof. I?ve been wearing these for the past several months throughout the winter season, and was recently disappointed to feel my feet get damp after walking through some fresh powder from a relatively light snow storm.

The second issue I have is that the sole has worn considerably over the short period of time that I?ve owned them. I?ve only worn them to go to the office and running errands. At the end of the day, these are some good looking and very comfortable boots that fail to live up to their promise of being waterproof, and aren?t really as durable and you?d hope a $200+ pair of boots would be.

Looks wise, these boots are stellar! Partially the reason I bought them, but performance wise and everyday wear I don?t believe they?re worth the money. I have plantar fasciitis so I always look for boots that have more of a tennis shoe/hiking boot profile than the ordinary tactical boot when purchasing boots for work.

I?m on my feet a lot so comfort is a huge thing for me and to me they aren?t worth the hype that this brand has for comfort! They?re lightweight and I haven?t had any issues with my feet getting wet during the rain.

But, they?re not slip resistant at all on smooth surfaces when wet! They?re very tight fitting and have good ankle support, but I wouldn?t suggest even trying these unless you have really narrow feet.

Within the first three weeks of wearing them the little ?on? at the toe had already fallen off which was disappointing. These boots are for hiking so I will say for ankle support they?re good but other than that I haven?t used them for hiking so I can?t speak on them with that intended use.

Also I wear a 9 in tennis shoes, wear a 9. 5 in this boot and I wear compression socks not thick socks.

These are the best all-around shoes ever and the most comfortable. They are perfect for hiking in cold and warmer weather, yet great in rain. I haven’t been in the snow yet, but my feet stayed so dry in the rain, that I believe them when they said good for snow, rain, & hiking.

They are so comfortable. They seem to feel cushy, but with support. I never had to break them in. They were good from the start. The lining is so soft, yet my feet don’t sweat in them. Durable and good looking (I bought in black).

I was looking for a rain boot, but tried 2 different rain boots and the plastic cut my calves (no give & sharp). So tried looking under snow boots and found these with a soft lining. They are even more comfortable than my hiking shoes.

They are a perfect all-weather outdoor shoe! I normally wear a womens size 4 dress shoe, or a 4. 5 sneaker (for sock room), which no one makes (so go to youths sizes 3 or 3. 5). Size 5 womens are usually a little too roomy for me (needing a very thick sock), These fit perfectly, with regular or very thick socks, so maybe it runs true-to-fit to just a tad smaller.

Timberland Mens’ Lincoln Peak Waterproof Hiking boots were a great fit. Good foot support and cushioning. The waterproofing is a great feature for hiking and the high top helps protect the ankle in weird shapes terrain or rocks.

The mesh fabric also helps with breathability, which is a big plus for long hikes and preventing sweaty feet. I also like the weight of the boots and the treads help grab the ground. Though I’m not sure they will last long after a few hikes.

Good protection for front of the tools as well as it has a bit more padding. Thanks I like the boots! Colors could be better though.

I actually purchased a used Pair of the Danner Crater Hiking Boots that were basically new. Having done research before purchasing I was going on other reviews People had made as I could not try on in advance.

I normally wear an 11 (+/-) depending on make & these are actually a 10 1/2 Wide, & since they are W I felt pretty sure they would fit-just barely did, & if they would have been reg. width they wouldn’t have.

As stated these are practically new, so after I “grease them up” & wear them for a while they should fit fine. They are really nice Boots-Quality & Construction wise-can’t say anything about longevity as I just rec’d them Today, but if other Reviews are any indication to that they should last a long time.

I said all that to say this if I were You I’d either go with My normal size in at least a wide or go 1/2 size up if You go with Your normal size in a normal width. I read a couple of reviews that said they ran large-in My case they do not appear to.

May GOD Bless!!! Best, PawPaw C.

Comfortable, good looking boot; and I really want to like these; but they have two huge shortcomings for me: 1: Lacing system is horrible. Only the top eyelet is a locking type, which means I have to keep continuous pressure on the laces, or tie a hospital knot between each eyelet.

It’s really an irritating process. 2: Tongue seems to have a lot of extra material. I have to spend time making sure the tongue leather folds properly in place, or I end up with a bunch of goofy looking, folded material that impacts the tops of my feet.

Overall, getting the shoes on, laced up tight, and fitting properly is way more trouble than it should be, for such great boots. Would not purchase these again.

I love these. The day they fail and need retiring, which is probably like a decade away, I’m buying another pair. They break in fast (all things considered), they’re comfortable, they’re extremely capable.

I’ve worn them just to wear them and I’ve worn them when I absolutely needed them. They’ve yet to let me down and I’ve come to trust these as much as any other piece of gear. I think they’re good looking, though my wife emphatically disagrees.

I know that a lot of people feel some manner of ill will towards Danner for not being the same company they were in the 80’s or whatever. I’ve heard people argue against them for being all hype, or not as technically advanced as their competitors, or some of the manufacturing going overseas, or whatever whatever whatever.

Danner is still in the business of making bombproof boots. This is one of them.