Men's Danner Mountain Light II Boots Tactical Reviews, Deals, Problems and Guides

This review is for those who need a wider, medium duty hiking boot. I wear 9 4E in sneakers. At 9 2E, and with thick socks these Danner Mountain Light II boots are very comfortable. My experience with Goodyear welt and Vibram soled leather boots includes super stiff Vasque and Alico Summits. I am (or was) a heavy pack hiker needing excellent support only stiff boots like this can provide. The Vasques and Alicos are wonderful for heavy pack hiking in mountainous terrain. But in my old age, these Danner Mountain Lights are better since I can no longer carry a pack. The Danners are lighter. They are more flexible and they are not padded or insulated. The GoreTex lining is effective. During several hikes, my feet stayed reasonably cool. Leather quality is excellent. They come supplied with some odd but very comfortable hard plastic orthotics. I did not think these would work but they are great.

As to stiffness, these boots cannot compare to the Vasques or Alicos. But for general use they are much better than the sneaker based rubber soled, so called "hiking boots" that most manufactures have switched to. Now, I know there are those who think that light duty hiking boots are acceptable for long hard hikes. I can tell you, at age 59 I out hiked a bunch of younger folks wearing sneaker boots. Their feet were so sore they could barely walk. If you are planning any kind of serious hiking, especially with a pack, you need stiff soled boots. The Danners are not that kind of boot. But they will walk the guts out of any sneaker boot. If you do buy those super stiff boots, wear them around for at least a month so your feet can acclimate to them. The Danners won't need much break in. They are great for regular no-pack hiking. Two additional pluses: these are USA made. Also, resolable. Nice.

I have two complaints. The boot tops need a little padding. I got used to them fairly soon so no big deal. Also, the tongue gusset stops at shoe top height. This is why I gave these four instead of five stars. Serious hiking in the rough demands a full height gusset. Otherwise, the boots fill up with dirt. This does make them easier to put on and take off, so there is some benefit.

Unfortunately, 2E wide boots like this are getting harder to find. I will definately buy these again after I wear this pair out in 15-20 years.

Update after trip to Glacier National Park:

After hiking approx. 25 miles through very rocky terrain, I am very impressed with these boots. Good light weight hiking boots. This was over sharp rocky trails and rock hopping.

These nubuck beauties just happen to be my 5th pair of Danners; I will not buy Non-American-Made-Danners!!! Buy American-Made Danners only. The nubuck is soft and supple to the touch and my foot simply feels at home in every pair of Danners I own; these are no different. I thought the denier would have some sort of different feel, but nothing to report on that, which, again, IMO, feeling is everything. They are rugged yet light and because of the nubuck, I find myself wanting to be more careful not to scathe, scratch, or bump or bruise them. They have a dress appeal to them that leaves you (me) with the conscious effort not to do the things you normally do with a "Hiking Boot". They broke in beautifully; the wear lines do not take away from their appeal; they simply feel more expensive. What can I say...I love them. Buy them; I'm positive you'll agree.

These were a gift for my husband. He had his last pair of Danner boots for 13 years, and wore them daily through harsh winters, hiking trips, all over Europe, had them resoled at least two times. Finally, this year, he was ready for a new pair. He insisted on getting exactly the same kind, and even waited several months after Christmas, for his size to come in. He is thrilled with his new pair, and hasn't even needed a breaking-in period. These are high quality, waterproof boots--built to last!

GOOD CONSTRUCTON. VERY GOOD BOOT, COMFORTABLE AND TRUE TO SIZE.

Great transaction, terrific price, fast shipping.