($2090) Unboxing: What's the difference in Danner Mountain Boots 

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Gonna be a interesting video. Danner is looking like they cutting corners everywhere they can. Gonna be very surprised if they havnt !

Warning, very long comment. First, thank you so much for this video. I'm a big fan of Danner boots, and it is impossible to discern between many of the hiking boots on their website. I also really love that you included the Elk Hunters. I have come to the same conclusion that it is a good competitor to their hiking boots and I have a colleague who wears them hiking, hunting, and even backpacking and swears by them...despite their weight. I want to give a quick thanks to you for just doing what you do. I have learned so much watching your channels and although some alternative feedback may follow, I am extremely grateful for these boot-ectomy analysis videos and the comparative analysis, especially within different price ranges. OK, now for the "alternative" feedback. I completely understand the preference for the highest quality materials and showing us how high quality and long-lasting boots can and should be made. But, not every boot is designed or intended as a logger/fire boot with thick leather inside and out. These Danner Mountain boots for example are either intended as hiking boots or are lifestyle boots inspired by classic hiking boots. I think instead of comparing to a heavy-duty outdoor work boot it would be great to identify some of the best hiking boots in the world, or maybe other popular actual hiking boots in the same price range. What do hikers and backpackers actually wear? What performs well for them. Is it 100% leather linings and leather mid soles? I suspect it's more synthetic materials and waterproof linings. Even mountaineering boots now generally have synthetic linings and mid-soles. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of waterproof "booty" linings and would prefer a leather lining, but that seems impossible to find in even the high end hiking boots, actually designed for hiking. But backpacking with wet feet is really terrible and I don't wonder why hikers and backpackers demand a waterproof lining. Before I started watching your videos, I generally thought of Danners as being a really high end boot. They have definitely fallen a bit for me, but I still think they are often a great market compromise boot, at least many of the USA boots anyway. Watching this, I wish they would simplify their hiking boot line a bit and be more transparent about what is an actual hiking boot and what is a lifestyle boot. It seems like they could offer one leather lined with an actual hiking sole, one waterproof for the modernists and hikers who really prioritize dry feet, and if they are going to offer a lifestyle version, why not build it on a wider last. I have wide feet and none of these boots will fit me. I too took advantage of Danner's black Friday sale and ended up with a pair of their new Cascade Crest hikers in full leather. I think that boot is a good intermediate between the 600, which is a very popular light duty hiker, and the mountain/explorer style boots. Thanks again very much for doing what you do, it is greatly appreciated. But I don't think it's necessarily fair to criticize a hiking boot for not being built like a heavy duty outdoor work boot designed for a different purpose.

I own both Mountain light 2 (since 2012) and Mountain light cascade (since 2017). I have to say, although they came with no insole, they are still tough and durable after all these years. At the very beginning, I thought the internal material of the boots would gradually wear out or even tear over time. But after 10 years, I live in Paris where I wear boots half of the time every year, both pairs of Danner boots have not been damaged in any way. Of course, sometimes I wear them outdoors, and there are some scratches on the surface. Maybe there are overpriced today, but still, they are solid boots.

Dude, you really need to try out some of those real mountain/hiking boots which are still produced in Europe - meindl, zamberlan, hanwag, etc... Double stiched, leather lined (often), and purpose built, no casual bullshit.

Have owned a dozen Danner stitch down boots over the last 30+ years. Loved em all but the price lately is too high. Jim Green dropped a new video today for their newest boot, out Feb 2024....watching how they're made, they look pure quality....for $249, which looks like it would be as good as a 400$ Danner. You need to cut those up!

A really great comparison to these after you've cut them apart would be Fracap boots. They're a similar style but are handmade in Italy and for a much more stomachable price.

I like the idea of the longer comparison video idea. I’ve had the danner Mountain Light 2 for about five years and love the heck out of em, I do have to say the stitch down style feels like it doesn’t pair well with crampons though. I always felt like I was damaging the leather upper and stitching.

I've had my Danner Lights for years of serious use, and i love them. They've been great, and i can sing their praises all day. One thing I will say is that i like the cloth lining. I know you prefer leather, but these have been good enough that Danner changed my mind on that.

When I got my Danner Ft. Lewis back in '94. They didn't come with an insole. They came with plastic arch supports those who needed it.(like yours). They also came with thermal and waterproof lining. I had to have the lining replaced two years ago because they started to let water.

I have owned the Mountain Pass - goretex - lined boot for two years. Have hiked several mountains in Banff, both in winter at -35 C and summer. Waterproof can be confirmed as I walked for at least 10 mins in 4” deep water without a single drop getting in. Boots have been caked with mud many times and cleaned up to look nearly new again each time. No cracks in leather and no rips on the goretex lining yet. Highly recommend. I added a wool insole to use during the winter and wool socks combination and feet stayed warm and dry.

A dedicated video for the Elk Hunter makes sense as it’s purpose built as a hunting boot. I’d put it up against brands like Hoffman, Kenetrek, Zamberlan, or Meindl’s hunting boots.

Thank you. Will be watching more on these type of boots.

So happy you made this video! Been waiting for you to review more Danner boots. It would be amazing if you would do the Danner Light and the Danner Light II. I’ve owned and loved the Danner light II for 10 years before laying them to rest. They were in great shape even after ten years. One day I was standing in water and they finally failed on me and took on water. To be fair only one of them took on water. I was mad cause I was planning on having them resoled because I knew it was time. Had I done that they probably would be fine today. All in all they were the best hiking boots I’ve ever owned and I wore them in every situation I’d say about every other day. Very heavily used. Cheers! Please find the time to look into those!

I'd love to see a video ranking different logging boots. You've shown some really nice options from nicks and whites and other higher end brands, but almost like mocktober has a big spread, it would be nice to see the same for other categories. I say loggers specifically because I'm looking at some for hunting/outdoor boots, but tactical boots and any other categories would be helpful. I refer your channel to anyone looking into boots, and I've gained a lot of helpful knowledge from your channel. I never thought I'd care this much about what's on my feet, but here we are.

I’d love to see a longer video with all of them since I’m looking at all of them for hiking/hunting boots

I'm digging my Elk Hunters. My previous Danners lasted over 20 yrs of hard use in Wisconsin.

Finally, ice been waiting for info on the elk hunter since I discovered it in 2021. I was issued danner RAT boots back in 2010. Solid boot, then in 2014/15 marines began complaining about a drop in quality

Very much looking forward to the cutting of these. I too found Danner's variations of the same boot slightly confusing and went with the Mountain Pass as I wanted a universal boot. My main gripe is that they don't make a non-Goretex version (apart from the leather lined one?). These boots are much too nice to trash them and much too rigid and heavy to be a great casual comfy walking boot. So really, leather already offers a level of waterproofing that is plenty for casual use especially if waxed and treated properly. Goretex makes these sweaty in summer and it doesn't matter what they say about "breathabiity". Leather breathes a lot better than any membrane.

The original Danner light and Mountain light (as in my channel photo) had also the heel cups more than 3 decades ago. Mountain light II has darker shoelace D-rings. If you rub or polish the D-rings of the mountain light II, they will be a golden-yellow look.

I’ve had my gtx mtn lights in Clovis for a year. They are beautiful boots and have been very sturdy. I wear them as a hiking boot mostly.

I've been using my elk hunter boots for 3 years now for the hunting season. I do like them but have had some separation of the foam on the sole. They are very broken in now and fantastic. I do wish it was built more like my PNW boots, though. The lug pattern does work well for the woods but not for gravel roads as well.

This is going to be a super interesting video! My grandfather used to wear danner boots logging in New England back in the 70s, kind of sucks they’ve gone down in quality since then. Also, I love the idea of one long danner showdown video!

Another great video! While your doing hiking boots, I'd love to see you do Velasca boots. As for video style. I'm a boot geek and I love your long form videos.

I bet boot companies panic when they see an order from Weston

I love the Vibram Gumlite soles. Amazing for hiking. I have them on my combat boots and on my Russell's.

I probably spent two or three hours trying to figure out the differences between these things based on their website. I'm glad it wasn't me. I thought I was just going crazy.

I just bought my second pair of mountain light 2s, In black for an alternative color. I've owned my 1st pair For over a decade, And used them primarily As a winter hiker in Colorado. These boots are bomber! My 1st pair may be ready for a resole. BTW The hill cup is Danner's Airthotic. Info is available On their website. I usually wear mine With a custom Insole But the airthotic works.

Do a video on the Danner Light and Danner Light II. I’d like to know how well they’re made. Great video covering these.

They all look great. I did miss the Light model in this comparison.

I got a 2nd pair of Mountain Light II this year, and I really love them. I've probably got thousands of miles on my first pair. I'm pretty sure the Mountain Light and the version 2 are on different lasts.

The Danner Mountain Light and Mountain Light II are my favorites. Both have been solid workhorse boots for me. Can't wait to see to see a more thorough review of their Made in the USA product line.

This is cool! Thanks! Could you please do a whole Mountain boot series that includes other brands? Looking at the Paraboot Avoriaz and wondering if it's worth the heavy price tag

I liked my danner rainforests, worth checking those out for work boots

My first backpacking trip was in Danner Mtn. Lites in the 80s. Did the Long Trail in Altras last summer. Still have my old Danners but would never hike in them when there are so many better options.

I would like to add that combination shoes with leather and nylon that I bought in 2019 called "ridge" busted within a year near my bunnion where leather meets nylon fablic outer. I sent it to Danner in 2021 to get resole my bibram kletter sole wore out in 2 years after walking about 5 miles every day for 3 month during covid. (paved road) They couldn't stich the busted part they could only glue and it came open right away. Water proof is still works pretty well and very confortable still so my shoes are still in use. However I would proberbly buy all leather next time.

More interested to see fit and feel. I'd like a Danner boot but been told even in EE tight around forefoot. Be good to see some of their canvas leather one's as well.

I was a danner fanboy , but I’m glad I found your channel might open my eyes

Thank you for the video. I’d like to watch Danner Mountain 600 analysis as well

I got big wide feet 4E. I wear the elk hunters for hiking and out and about in the woods. Somehow they don't bother me but I am use to blowing the sides of my shoes out breaking them in and getting them to fit. I wear red wing 875s for work so i am just use to that narrow feel. I like the elk hunters though and think they're the most purposeful of the group.

I'd like to see you look into the Eddie Bauer K-6 and K-8 boots. The K-6 in particular was created for the Whittaker Expedition of Mt. Everest, and were really the first dedicated hiking boots, from which all the Danner Mountain series derive.

Im liking those elk hunters, i have a pair of Danners and they're super comfy .

That's a lot of Danner - one more? I'd love to see your take on the Fort Lewis. Mine are over a decade old and holding up great - the newer releases may not be constructed the same... but would be another look at one of their top-tier products.

Ive desperately wanted the mountain pass for a solid 3 years. The gunmetal one looks amazing

We want Individual long videos, more boots, more cutting ✂️, more content. Love the vids especially the breakdown cutaway series. Would love to see move arch vids. Also would be into cutting rubber boots, ( abit cheaper) which is best waterproof rubber booties ??

I'd love to see you do a Limmer boot, the Danner Acadia, and the Danner Ft. Lewis.

Would like to see you cover some other tramping brands. Most people I know use the Italian brands like SCARPA, La Sportiva and Salewa. Kinda wanna know what their construction is like.

I go way back with the Elk Hunters. I'd love a full breakdown of these.

I have been wearing Mountain Light 2 every shift at my fire department job for 5 years and I've had no splits in the inner lining, and they are still water proof. My feet stay dry even in heavy rain. I have used the plastic heel liners the whole time.

I'm glad you bought some decent Danner boots. But the Explorer and Super Rainforest are the best they sell.

Definitely would enjoy individual videos of each!

I would love to see a video about the Danner Rain Forest and Santiams those seems like pretty robust boots!

Aside from the waterproof versions, they'd be better off with no lining than fabric lining.

My understanding is that Danner pioneered using gore-tex lining in the mountain lights, building the reputation of the gore-tex brand that would later be adopted by other shoe and boot brands. Maybe the boots aren't leather lined because of this heritage? Also, I think one difference between the mountain light and the mountain light 2s, is simply that the 2's are a narrower version of the original lights...I'm sure there are other differences

Love my Danner lites

Danner elk hunter as a standalone video for sure. The site reviews on the boot are almost all satisfactory. I’d like to know why it’s such a successful recraftable boot

I think any one of your 'series videos' are great. So it would be great to see a hiking boot series, work boot series (I'd actually like to know if the Danner Quarry is actually any good for the amount you pay) etc. To give each company the benefit of the sight, several of their boots in one video (like this video) would be great. However, I understand the cost of this would make it difficult.

Goretex boots tend to use "Cambrelle" linings or similar for breathability as having a plastic bag in the boot which probably lets out, at best, 30% of the moisture produced by your foot needs a wicking lining to stop your socks becoming very wet.. Leather lined hiking boots are available but are difficult to find as Goretex boots outsell them massively even if Goretex in a boot creates as many problems as it solves. You can walk in water and bog all day in a decent all leather boot without Goretex, as long as you keep the leather in good condition and proof them with suitable products regularly. The Goretex lined boots also can get punctured but I've personally never had that happen with a leather outer Goretex hiking boot, only fabric ones. Or maybe I've never noticed because I've proofed the leather well enough so the water never reaches the Goretex liner.

I've had the elk hunters for probably 7 years. I hunt deer on the east coast of the US. I love them. The only complaint is the weight of them. Other than that, my feet are always warm and dry.

Can't wait for the Elk Hunter cut down. I've been thinking about buying a pair but a little worried about the price vs. Quality

Another great video. I vote for one video that covers the first two pairs. Same format as usual. Then tease the elk hunting boot. At the end of that one, reflect on how it fit with the first video. Bottom line: you're right that purpose built is the throughline.

what an anticlimactic moment it was to see all the danner boots. Here's this incredbily iconic silhouette, with a blaise blaise readytowear shoe carnival vibe on every single model! geeze. no thanks.

When I see these boots, they remind me of Jim Green's Razorback, but the Razorbacks look like they're built more durable. Though I know the comfort isn't comparable so if that's really important then I can see why you would pick the Danners.

I’m a 9e on the Brannock and my Mountain Lights in a 9ee fit perfect

Cut up a pair of Danner Quarry and Power Foremans. Currently wearing a pair of Quarries with 400 grams of thinsulate and Goretex. They keep my feet dry, but the leather seems to be of lower end quality. Honestly, I expected better from the $330 price tag.

If you make individual bids, I will still watch them. If you can do some kind of relay, like sand the soles of the standard Vs foam, break out the flame thrower again. I do miss that.

I think doing individual videos will help folks who are considering each of these boots fing the info they need easier than having to sit through a long video with other boots they aren’t interested in.

Just got my Danner modern firefighter boots with safety toe from their Black Friday sale. Kinda hefty so they’ll challenge your leg muscles and very stiff to start. Second most expensive Danner boots I’ve had; Marine Corps RAT boots still win that category.

I've been using the Quarry for work boots for years. Would love to see it reviewed.

Mini series and then a final review comparing them all maybe on this channel instead of the regular

I am really interested in a standalone review of the elk hunter, I’m on the fence with them…looking for a good insulated hunting boot

I would love if you also looked into Fracap boots. They're the same style of hiking boots as Danner but made in italy and i believe they're leather lined with leather insoles, but it would be great to see them cut in half to get a comparison with the Danner boots (I've been eyeing these for a while and want to know which is the better boot before buying)

The Mountain Lights 2 have been a pair of boots I have wanted to get but the price. 😮 For another $60 dollars, I have decided to go for a pair of off the shelf Standard boots by Limmer Boots.

I have owned a pair of Danner explorer hiking boots for 20 years. I am on my 5th and final pair of soles. The GorTex and liner has held up very well, with no rips or tears. The boot still feels water proof enough to be usable in wester oregon winters. I agree some of Danner's new boots seem like quality has slipped.

Please please do a video on ultimate leather hiking boots! Maybe Russell?

I was just at the danner store in portland and they said the danner mountain lights don't have insoles and instead just have heel lifts.

With your mention of Jim Green, any chance of reviewing their "Numzaan"?

Any chance there will be an upcoming deep dive into Jim Green’s Baobab and Numzaan heritage boots?

I'd like to see the Italian brand Fracap...same design style with military heritage with a ripple sole option

I think you do individual boot video's. but make it a series. Have a final video comparing them all.

I appreciate the preference for a leather lining wherever possible, but when it comes to hiking boots is it actually a desirable feature?

I would like to see some diemme/ fracap/ paraboot hiking boots as well

I had the Elk Hunter boots back in the early 80's they where smooth leather and so well built I wore them almost daily for around 15 years. they looked great with the smooth leather, Vibram lug sole and seemingly better construction than the Cabela's version and now the Danner version which look like crap.

I’d like to see a comparison between The Mountain Lite and much more affordable The Eddie Bauer K6. Imo the K6 is the best value boot (quality for price) available.

One long comparison would be great. Also, would there be an insole that you could buy that mimics a leather one?

Danner series for sure!!!

The Reason all the WP boots are lined with fabric is becasue it is a GoreTex requirement

Seems like the Mountain Trail model might be a good candidate for you guys to recraft with a more durable outsole.

The Mountain Trail is lighter because of the Vibram gum-light sole instead of using Vibram 132 outsole. Starting re-issue 18 years ago for a Japanese fashion brand.

The Mountain Trail is the OG Last year they were selling one in brown chromexcel. Its the original specs of their first boot but they put a lighter sole on it. Mountain Trail will be the best but honestly none of these hit the mark for me, i want a leather insole unlined.

I would like more on the Elk Hunter

Do a Lowa and/or Hanwag vid please!! 🔥

Do one ultimate Danner video! It might not be as profitable as individual ones, but your fans would appreciate that more.

Can you buy some Hanwag boots? They offer many models in leather lined and are all made in Europe. Good boots.

Please do individual videos for each boot, then a final head-to-head comparison video.

I think the issue is that like... If you actually want to hike, you should almost certainly use a more modern boot that weighs less, is much more flexible, and had much more technically capable synthetic materials

You should do a cut comparison of the danner quarry and the super rain forest

I personally think that individual vids on each boot would be better. We get more detail and you get more ad rev, win win!

Almost $500 for a foam soled boot? That's Gucci level quality right there. Hooowee!

Can you review Diemme hiking boots please? Thanks