Danner Mountain Light II Review

"I'm on my second pair now...had a pair before and didn't even put a dent in 'em after 6 years of wear. My feet grew another half inch, so I just had to get another pair. Can't beat 'em. They're worth the price."

"In 1985 I bought my first pair of Danners. 60 day survival trip in the Bitterroots, 1000m no problem. Didn't have climbing shoes so climbed in my Danners...no problem. They stayed waterproof and comfortable through 15 states and until their death in 95 with minimal care. Replaced with Danner hunting boots in 95. Waterproof today 01/2005. Hunting, Fishing, Snow, you name it. Just bought another pair for a 30 day OB in California and Mexico. No Break in, good right out of the box, will never buy anything else. No affiliation to Danner. Fishing guide, Wilderness program director, Avid hunter and fisherman."

"Bought my first pair in 1996 and I'm thinking of retiring them. Can't believe how long they lasted. People think $200 is too much but they paid $1000 over the same time frame on crappy boots. Buy the Danner's and you'll have one less thing to worry about plus happy feet! I am in no way affilitated with Danner. I just want the company to stay around so I can buy their boots in the future!"

"I've had my Danners for more than 2 years now and they are unquestionably the best boots I've ever owned. The fit is excellent, with the lace-to-toe styling you can really personalize the boot to your needs. I stepped up to Danners after owning Vasques and Merrells, which had the support of flip-flops after a few months. My Danners are just as supportive now as when new. The sole is stiff through the arch but somewhat flexible at the ball. The leather is super-supple making the boot hug your foot like a glove. There is no cheap, flimsy rubber insole in these boots. Just a fixed, lightly-padded footbed and the awesome Airthotic heel and arch support (removable). So the footbed actually conforms to the contours of your foot. Normal insoles just give padding, the Mountain Lights give real support. The only drawback is that the outsole is made of a softer rubber. This is great for traction on any terrain but it makes them wear down quicker. In my opinion you cannot do better than these boots for an all-around hiking/backpacking boot."

"I purchased my first pair of Danner's after hiking for 30 years (!) in a pair of Galibier Randos. I just finished my first trip (20 miles/11,000 ft elev. gain/loss over 3 days). The boots performed remarkably! I had one minor irritation on my achilles tendon (these were new boots, remember), otherwise my feet were very comfortable and happy! Highly recommended."

"I bought these boots in 1999 and have hiked well over a 1000 miles in them. I have used them daily each summer while conducting field work on bird populations, as well on extended backpacking trips. These boots are amazing. They are comfortable and sturdy, and I forget that I am wearing them even in the heat of Tennessee's summer. I am going to buy another pair now because I blew out the leather. This was my fault, however, as I slacked on treating the leather, even though I was hiking daily through a wet forest. I have no complaints about these boots, but be aware that debris sometimes gets thrown over the lip of the boot since the ankle is not padded. Nonetheless, these are the best boots I have ever owned."

"I'm currently on my third pair of mountain lights. I purchased my first pair in the early 1980s. Although I've blown through other new-fangled boots in my climbing lifetime, I've always returned to these boots. Definately worth the money invested in these boots. Will take a "pounding" and still keep ticking.

From the Adirondacks, to the Olympics (Washington State), to the European Alps and Indonesia. These boots have saved my ragged feet from failing (and bleeding)."

"I've had these boots for about a year and I have hiked a few hundred miles in them and I feel I can finally put in a review. First the good stuff. They have very heavy duty hardware. They look very cool and illicit compliments all the time. they will last a long tome. Quality construction. For me this is where it ends. The problems really lie in the design of the boot. It took me a long time to break them in. And they still don't fit well. they have a narrow toe box and in the heel the area where the leather meets the lining gets bunched up and causes irritation. The tongue design is not very good. The leather bunches up on the top of the boot and presses down on the toe. Also because the tongue fold is so low they are not waterproof to the top of the boot. Water can leak in about 2/3rds of the way up the boot. Forget about wearing them in the show without gaiters. Also the sole seems a bit soft but offers little padding. The soles are already staring to wear a bit thin so they will have to be resoled soon. Finally they don't offer great ankle support because they are low (5 inches) when carrying even a medium sized pack over uneven terrain or scree. I have other boots i like more and I don't hate these they are still great for work and for short hikes but not good for any heavy stuff. My other boots (LL Bean Cresta Hikers are Much better in my opinion). I also thought that I might have weird shaped feet but i have Never had a problem with any other footwear I have ever bought so ..."