
Danner Boots
Danner, a quintessential American footwear brand, has built a legacy of uncompromising quality since 1932, producing handmade boots with the finest materials and craftsmanship. With a rich heritage and classic designs, Danner is also innovative, pioneering the use of Gore-Tex and Vibram to create lightweight yet capable boots. Its products are an investment, with fans hailing them as the best boots they've ever owned, and the company's recrafting service ensures that Danners can last a lifetime, reducing waste and keeping them on feet wherever adventure takes owners.

Danner was founded in 1932 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, a region rich in water due to the Great Lakes, which supported a thriving tannery industry for leather production. The area's geographic conditions and cultural context also made hunting a popular activity. It was amidst this backdrop that William Weyenberg and his son-in-law Charles Danner established the Danner Shoe Mfg. Co., marking the beginning of the iconic footwear brand's history.

In 1936, Charles Danner relocated the company to Portland, Oregon, where he was joined by his sons Bill and John. They saw an opportunity to capitalise on the region's growth and began manufacturing work boots with spiked soles that quickly gained popularity among loggers, timber workers, shipyard employees, and others. These durable boots earned the affectionate nickname "shipyard shoes" and became widely used by many.

In the 1950s, Danner shifted its focus from work boots to trekking boots, adopting European designs and Vibram soles from Italy, which was a leading trend in mountaineering footwear at the time. This marked the beginning of Danner's transition to producing trekking and hiking shoes. The introduction of the ELK HUNTER boots in 1956 paved the way for future trekking boots and hiking shoes, solidifying the brand's reputation in the outdoor industry.

During the 1960s, the call to "go out for leisure more for health" under President John F. Kennedy's administration led to a surge in demand for outdoor boots. As a result, Danner's designs evolved significantly over the next two decades. During this period, the company released the MOUNTAIN TRAIL boot, which shares a similar design with the soon-to-be-released MOUNTAIN LIGHT boot.

The Danner 6490 Mountain Trail, designed specifically for hiking, quickly gained popularity among walkers and adventurers due to its exceptional comfort, durability, and lightness compared to other boots of the era. Praised in outdoor magazines, it featured a one-piece leather upper with D-ring eyelets that reduced break-in time, allowing hikers to get comfortable quickly. The design's success inspired many future hiking boots, and Danner's production increased to 480 pairs a day, all handcrafted in Portland.

The 6490 boot, now renamed the Mountain Light, underwent an update with the addition of a Gore-Tex membrane, providing enhanced water resistance. This innovative move to create lightweight, breathable, and waterproof boots revolutionised the hiking boot industry, with other prominent brands like Vasque and Viberg taking note of Danner's success and subsequently introducing similar models.

Danner continues to manufacture and market its extensive range of footwear, catering to various industries including hiking, military, hunting, and work, maintaining its production base in Portland, Oregon. Its dedication to quality has earned it a reputation among both style-conscious individuals who value authentic craftsmanship and adventurers who require boots that excel in any condition.
















