How Danner messed up a good pair of boots...

Sufler

Sufler

Gold Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
1,883
I've been reviewing Danner's current offerings on their site and there just isn't that one boot that grabs me and is yelling at me to get it. I'm just looking for an old school American made boot. The Mountain Lights aren't it. If you're wondering why I'm posting this? I'm sharing my frustration with not being able to find the right boot with the company I'd like to buy from. What's up with them only offering EE widths for U.S. made boots also?

Perfect Danner boot for me would be this Jack Chocolate 7", waterproof, with the Vibram® Kletterlift sole (as found on the Danner Light), be recraftable and U.S. made.

http://www.danner.com/boots/danner-jack-7-chocolate.html

34304_DS


I could go for these... but why did they put nylon on, what I think, should be a full leather boot?

http://www.danner.com/boots/danner-light.html

30440_DS


These should be recraftable...

http://www.danner.com/boots/forest-heights-olmsted.html

32616_DS
 
I could go for these... but why did they put nylon on, what I think, should be a full leather boot?
Click to expand...

In my experience, mesquite thorns and cactus needles go right through nylon-sided boots.

The Mountain Lights aren't it
Click to expand...
.
I'm curious why not? Are you looking for a higher top, more work-oriented than hiking-oriented?

Here's my Matterhorn work boots, made in the USA, Vibram soles, and 16" tops. They have a bit of padding but aren't specifically insulated.
(link to manufacturer's website) Retail prices are about $300.
http://www.corcoranandmatterhorn.com/ItemDisplay.asp?Style=12216&CategoryID=33

12216_Single-600.jpg


When you have a pair of these on, you know it. :D
I wouldn't actually recommend these for hiking or wandering the woods, I only mention because the company does make some lower boots too.
 
I think the nylon is to provide ventilation. I personally dislike waterproof boots. My feet get soaked with sweat and steam inside the waterproof boots. Now waterproof boots with nylon vents may be something I should look into as Iim walking through shallow puddles a lot at work.
 
Bob W said:
Are you looking for a higher top, more work-oriented than hiking-oriented?
Click to expand...

Mountain Lights is what caught me onto Danner. But, after watching so many reviews, I realized it's just too enormous of a boot and styling that is very specific. I'm looking for a boot that would veer toward the work-oriented more. That's why the Danner Jack fits that look/performance but doesn't have the characteristics I had mentioned in my original post. It baffles my why Danner would not manufacture this "heritage work boot" (per their online description) in the U.S.

Yeah - I checked out the Matterhorn's before. The original 10" Jump Boot - that's a nice one.
 
Sosa said:
I think the nylon is to provide ventilation. I personally dislike waterproof boots. My feet get soaked with sweat and steam inside the waterproof boots. Now waterproof boots with nylon vents may be something I should look into as Iim walking through shallow puddles a lot at work.
Click to expand...

Breathability as they describe it on their web-site. How much breathability can there be with Gortex waterproofng liners. Wonder if pieces that size also reduce the weight of the boot, if so, it's probably minute.
 
When a child is kidnapped, the parents are the first suspects. When a boot maker removes leather and adds nylon, profit margins are the first suspects. The nylon might actually improve performance, but my guess is that its a means of saving $0.40 per boot.
 
Sufler said:
I'm looking for a boot that would veer toward the work-oriented more. That's why the Danner Jack fits that look/performance but doesn't have the characteristics I had mentioned in my original post. It baffles my why Danner would not manufacture this "heritage work boot" (per their online description) in the U.S.
Click to expand...

I'd like to try a pair of their Quarry GTX boots. Made in the USA. They wouldn't be approved for underground, but I could put them to use elsewhere.
 
Have you looked at Wolverine's options? I believe theirs are recraftable - at least in the 1000 mile collection. Not sure if they are waterproof though. I really liked the Patagonia Tin Shed 8 (or 6) as well - but I don't think they are made here, or recraftable.
 
I had a pair of Wolverine Dura-shock boots that I liked. Pretty sure they were imported, and the soles were not sewn. Good enough for around the shop, and I liked the look and fit of the hiker style.
But the fit was nowhere near as good as Danner, and they didn't last as long. To offset that, they cost about half as much.

Recall paying about $180 from a local boot store.
11098_366_45.jpg
 
I keep a pair of these in Australia for visiting mines down there. Made by Oliver, 14" tops, and amazingly waterproof. But, trust me, if you don't have to wear these, you don't want to. :D

65-691-2.jpg


Here's the standard boot worn by most Aussie workies. Made in Australia by Rossi. About $100.

Trojan%20700%20claret_DSC9308.jpg
 
powernoodle said:
When a child is kidnapped, the parents are the first suspects. When a boot maker removes leather and adds nylon, profit margins are the first suspects. The nylon might actually improve performance, but my guess is that its a means of saving $0.40 per boot.
Click to expand...

Very good reply. :thumbup:

And their answer to that is...

"durable Denier nylon give the Danner Light an updated look, while keeping its classic silhouette. "
 
liamstrain said:
Have you looked at Wolverine's options? I believe theirs are recraftable - at least in the 1000 mile collection. Not sure if they are waterproof though. I really liked the Patagonia Tin Shed 8 (or 6) as well - but I don't think they are made here, or recraftable.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up on the Wolverines. I hadn't looked at them closely enough until now. Very nice boots in the 1000 mile collection - the original, the Wingtip, Whitepine and Courtland, though their outsoles seem more town street oriented.

Yup, the Patagonia Tin Shed 6 caught my eye too. Reviews I've read have been all over the place.
http://www.zappos.com/patagonia-tin-shed-6-waterproof-espresso

First time in a long time that I've liked a pair of Timberlands... their PRO line looks pretty solid too.

http://www.zappos.com/timberland-earthkeepers-rugged-ltd-chukka-sundance-forty

Red Wing's Heritage line has a great looking collection of footwear as well. But, something just keeps drawing me to Danner - maybe it's the factory tour vid on YouTube that did it.
 
Bob W said:
I had a pair of Wolverine Dura-shock boots that I liked. Pretty sure they were imported, and the soles were not sewn.
Click to expand...

Bob... thank you for your recommendations.

Take a look at these two videos to get an idea why some are not sewn - sneaker technology that's being applied to heavy boot manufacturing and it's the type of technology that is too expensive to start up in the U.S. but has developed immensely overseas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h-IR-IrfgQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-DLgA1GFPQ
 
I've been wearing Danners for years. I have a great pair of Elk hunters I have had for about 12 years. I've had a few pairs of hikers that were very comfortable, but couldn't have the soles replaced. I called and mentioned the soles didn't last as long as I thought they should, and was told on the hikers, they use a softer rubber, to make the boots more comfortable for long periods of use...
I've had my Romeos for about 6 years, and they are very comfortable, but need the soles replaced. It really isn't worth it though. New soles = $95. New shoes =$99...

Danner has changed a lot over the last 8-10 years. I don't buy them online though. I drive the 150 miles to Portland, and go to the Danner store and outlet, at the factory :D

Check Cabelas. I bought a pair of hikers from them about 6 years ago. They were by far the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. The sole design actually gave great traction, and they had very good lateral ankle support. I would buy 10 pairs of them if they weren't discontinued :mad:
 
Sufler said:
First time in a long time that I've liked a pair of Timberlands... their PRO line looks pretty solid too.

http://www.zappos.com/timberland-earthkeepers-rugged-ltd-chukka-sundance-forty
Click to expand...

I actually ended up with some of the Timberland Earthkeeper boots this year. I don't see the model I have in that link though - mine look basically like the Patagonia Tin Shed's. Waterproofing has held up nicely - and comfortable enough to wear all day. We'll see how they've held up at the end of the season, but I've been pleasantly surprised thus far.
 
Check Cabelas. I bought a pair of hikers from them about 6 years ago. They were by far the most comfortable boots I have ever owned. The sole design actually gave great traction, and they had very good lateral ankle support. I would buy 10 pairs of them if they weren't discontinued :mad:
Click to expand...

They discontinued my favorite shoes too. :grumpy:

Recently bought a pair of steel toe boots from Cabela's. They are Irish Setter 6" Work Hikers, not Cabela's own brand. They look nice and are comfortable, but the design is horrible: they stupidly used a mesh around the tongue, so water pours in. :mad:

I do not recommend these! :thumbdn:

irish-setter-lightweight-214178.jpg
 
I say get the big Danners and suck it up. The only time I've found a pair of heavy work boots anything less than desirable was the short period when I actually took up jogging. Even just a quarter mile a day I had to wear something else, but as long as I'm at a walk or only sprinting short distances (playing paintball) my heavy duty boots work just fine.

Your feet interact with all the nastiest stuff the world throws at you on a daily basis, I think being overprotective of them is worth it. I also like to double up on the insoles, putting the default foam inserts on top of some nice gels.

http://www.canadawestboots.com/2014bootpages/boots_34379.html
These are what I wear now and as soon as I can find some I'm going to get a pair of these:
http://www.canadawestboots.com/2014bootpages/boots_34394.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top