Open main menu

Danner Mountain Assault

rated 5.0 of 5 stars
photo: Danner Mountain Assault backpacking boot

Sturdy, bulit like a tank, comfortable, supportive, little too heavy.

Pros

  • Nubuck leather, good lacing
  • Anatomical footbed
  • Stiff sole

Cons

  • 72 oz
  • Too warm in summer

I've tried other Danner boots and these are the most comfortable. I've tried Hiker 453 and Radical 452. They were nice, but their footbeds seemed just flat and therefore were not cushy enough for me. I am about 50 years old and I need some padding under my feet.

Mountain Assaults use DHL 01 footbed which is anatomically shaped, and I can definitely feel the difference between these and some cheaper boots where no effort is made to design the midsole so that it conforms to the shape of human foot.

I hiked in these through some very rocky trail (I've only had them for a month) and my feet came through feeling totally fresh. I also have Merrells (Yokota) which leave my feet aching and bruised after rocky terrain. The only other footwear which works for me (not that I tried all of them) is Hoka trail runners.

But of course the Mountain Assaults are waterproof and way more sturdy. Your feet feel absolutely safe being enclosed in this high boot with the rubber rand and nubuck leather (which doesn't need any conditioning). They are a kind of like good Italian hikers when it comes to being comfortable and stiff at the same time, which is what you need for difficult trails. They are technically a hunting boot, but in hunting you need to hike first too.

They only drawback is they are a little heavy, but it would be hard to find more solid boots. I'm counting on them to break in eventually. Right now I've put about 20 miles on them and went on a medium difficult hike with the boots still being quite stiff, and I got no blisters. About halfway on the hike they started pinching in a couple of spots so I loosened the laces and I was fine.

You can lace up all the way to the top. Then they feel almost like a ski boot. Or you can leave the top hooks open. BTW lacing is well designed too with these hooks that grasp and hold the lace.

Overall I am very happy with them and looking forward to many hikes on tough trails and in difficult weather.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $240

Great boots, sturdy support, water tight! Take a beating and still look good!

Pros

  • Sturdy support
  • Good lacing

Cons

  • Expensive

I have had these boots for about four years. They have held up very well under rough use.

They compare to some of the Lowa boots I have (Tibet, Hunter Evo, Baffin Pro, etc). The toe box seemed low volume in a 14EE but broke in nicely with a little use. Love them for hiking, hunting, and woods play in cool or wet weather.

Awesome with a big pack, very sturdy. With good socks good to freezing or below if active.

Would buy another pair on sale in a heartbeat! Quality for made in Vietnam. Only pair of Danners I own not MADE IN USA!!

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $101

Your Review

Where to Buy

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.

You May Like

Specs

Price Historic Range: $139.98-$299.95
Reviewers Paid: $101.00-$240.00
Product Details from Danner »

Recently on Trailspace

Call for Reviews: Your Favorite Spring Gear