Men's Explorer 6" Gore-Tex Hiking Boot

I'd like to preface by saying very rarely do I take time out of my day to write reviews, but if I feel strongly enough about a product then I'll share my thoughts. I've had these boots for over 2 months now and wear them all day on a daily basis. My job requires me to put my gear through vigorous use during each shift. My job requires me to jump in and out of vehicles, sprint, crawl, and carry heavy loads. I'm stepping in and over just about everything you can imagine and I also go for the occasional hike. These boots handle it all and then some! FIT/SIZING: Before buying, I did a lot of research and I've also tried on a pair of Danner Bull Runs in the past which made me familiar with how narrow they run. I made my decision between these and the Mountain Light iis, which many of my coworkers wear. However, the thing that sealed the deal for me is the Explorers are an inch taller and I figured that might mean avoiding the dreaded Achilles issues Mountain Lights are notorious for. I'm happy to say I've had 0 Achilles issues with these boots. The explorers also weigh slightly less than the Mountain Lights, I'm guessing due to construction, but I really haven't found them to be "heavy." No they are not as light as your tennis shoes, but they don't feel like Dumbbells strapped to your ankles either. If anything, they feel sturdy and that's exactly how I want my boots to feel for this price. If you've made it this far, listen closely because here is the major trick with these boots; if you have even a moderately wide foot BUY EE, if you have a majorly wide foot, I'd definitely try these on in person before buying. I have never in my life needed wide sized shoes in any brand or any style, but Danner sizes their hikers small for stability purposes, which you can read directly on their website. As for length, I find them to be true in size for a hiker. You're supposed to have a little room near the toes for downhill portions of trails. I usually wear them with wool socks and have never had any issues regarding fit. BREAK IN PERIOD: Virtually non existent. The leather was very supple and of the highest quality. I played with the laces a little bit because if you pull them too tight you'll get some pressure points, but once the leather starts molding to your foot you can tighten them up a bit more. Again, I've heard the Moutain Light iis have a bit of a break in period compared to these. I'm not sure if that's due to different construction materials or what, but I've had worse break ins with dress boots if you can believe that. QUALITY: In a market flooded by brands selling out their work to overseas factories (I'm looking at you Vasque), the quality of these boots is unmatched. It appears Danner may have also solved the fiberglass shank issues as none of the more recent reviews mention it. So far no issues for me either and my boots have a manufacture date of Dec. 2014, which is after most of the shank issue reviews. OVERALL: They look like your grandfathers boots. They look rough and ready, which is exactly what they are. I'm happy to know that for a fraction of the original cost I'll be able to mail these boots off to Danner to get resoled when they finally break down on me, but I'm not expecting that to happen for many years to come. These boots have quickly become my favorite part of my uniform and something just feels good about wearing boots made in the USA. I'll do my best to give an update down the road, but so far, 2 major thumbs up! —————- UPDATE ——————— Over a year and a half later of wearing these boots 4-5 times a week for 8-10 hours per day and they are still going strong. No blown stitches, Vibram outtersole is holding up, no broken fiberglass shanks, leather is still supple (with regular care), even the laces are still just fine. These boots have seen dirty/muddy trails, sandy beaches, asphalt, saltwater, rivers and everything in between and they are still awesome! Danner has a customer for life.

First off, I got these boots for hiking, but ended up using them as my daily workboot in an auto shop. The quality of Danner boots is premium and it definitely shows with this boot. I've had these boots over 3 years and they are still going strong. I've walked through streams with these, they are 100% waterproof as advertised. The Vibram soles are just starting to get to the point of replacement. Keeping them well oiled has kept the leather in good shape. It took a couple weeks to get them broken in at first, which should be expected when buying high quality, real leather work boots. They do run slightly narrow with a slightly tapered and narrow toe box, so I suggest buying your regular size, not half a size down and get the wide version (EE is what the label would say, I think), if your feet run on the wider side at all. Very comfortable with the plastic heel insert they provide, but about a year ago, I switched the insole from an old pair of worn out hiking shoes, because the one they give you only covers the heel, and once you've worn them a while, the little bit of padding under the ball of your foot gets flattened. Great ankle support. Rugged, long lasting boot, but also very lightweight for the category of work boot it runs with. Still comfortable to wear over 8 hours a day on concrete after 3 years and more years of hard use to come.

I have worn various versions of Danner boots for decades. I first started wearing them when they were authorized for my unit in USMC for field/deployment/operational use back in mid 80s. Some of us make a living on our feet and we understand that in various parts of the world a pair of trusty boots can literally be the difference between life and death (sometimes). Boots need to be a trusted piece of gear every bit as important as other pieces of kit. Danner is my go to boot maker for this are for me. Oddly enough in parts of Africa and Asia even though you might be in some out of the way village or city like Lagos or Lahore for example- you are still expected to wear suits when meeting with local elders or officials. Danner uses quality leather and if you take care of your boots they can be worn with a suit and not look out of place and they are certainly more practical than dress shoes. One of the best features of this style of Danner boot is the lacing goes so far forward on the foot. It gives you the ability to really dial in the fit and ensure maximum comfort and support. Even better it gives you the ability to sort of lock your foot in place so when you are going down a step hill with a bunch of gear on your back your foot isn't shifting forward to the point where your toes are coming in contact with the end of the boot. Even a small bit of contact can do bad things to your feet if you are stomping many miles through hilly/mountainous terrain. The fit and finish of the boot is exceptional as is expected by Danner. In short Danner is my boot of choice for hard wearing boot that serves me well in global travels and has done so for a very long time.

When first slipping my feet into these new boots, it was apparent that they really fit like a glove - a snug glove. The length is perfect to the appropriate size (10D in my case), and the width does seem to be slightly narrower than a medium width (typically called "D"). I love how they really hug my feet snugly (in width), because everyone knows that over time a good leather boot should "step out" and break in to your feet as the leather loosens up to create a perfectly molded fit. Like another reviewer said, my first impression was that these felt like cheap plastic-leather excuses for a boot...but I gave them a try and after wearing them around for a few days on carpet, it was apparent that the leather was in fact real and seemed to be just the right weight for a great casual everyday boot (I wear mine daily to and from and at my office and for casual wear). As other reviewers stated, I am having trouble with some rubbing of the leather seams above my forefoot (to the rear of my toes, in front of the forward eyelet). Left boot was fine, right boot had some rubbing. At first, I thought it may have been wrinkles in the liner, but after wearing for while, it was for sure the leather seems that come together in that area. After wearing them for a couple weeks, I felt like I really needed to get a replacement set that wasn't going to rub...so I went through Amazon to have another pair sent. By the time they arrived (with another 8-10 days of daily wear and break-in), most of the rubbing seemed to have dissipated...but the new pair does seem to have slightly more volume in the foot box with no noticeable rubbing from the start. It was apparent that the replacement pair was previously tried by someone (creases in the leather and tongue). The new pair was also made from slightly thicker leather around the front, sides, and tongue (noticeably stiffer). I too feel like Danner may have some quality control issues as there were slight but noticeable differences between the pairs (and in individual boots) with just 8 months difference in the date of manufacture. All in all, I think that these boots will break in fine without any issues and be a great office/casual boot...but also owning other better quality hiking boots (like Asolo), I would never use these for hiking, hard work, or harsh outdoor activities (do yourself a favor and get a great hiking/backpacking boot or custom firefighting boot for the same price or just a bit more). These boots fit like a glove and support the arch somewhat with the snug side leather of the boot, but they really don't have dedicated arch support since no insoles come with them. I wear all my boots with a Superfeet or Spenco Max insole (trimmed to fit), so with the high arch support of aftermarket insoles they fit and feel wonderful. For those of us who have and wear custom work boots that are truly heavy duty (made of 9-12 iron leather), this boot is a medium weight boot at best but should last a long time for my intended use at the office/casual.

History: I researched hiking boots extensively before deciding on the Explorer. I've usually chosen Lowa boots (made in Germany) because of their reputation and the positive results I've gotten out of the 4-5 pairs I've owned. However, it's become increasingly important to me to support American businesses. After all, when enough people save a few dollars to buy something (usually of inferior quality) made in China, American businesses eventually go under. That being said, it was still important that I get a quality, comfortable boot. I've been in the Army for over 20 years and have owned several pairs of Danner combat boots. Each one held up to the punishment that operations can dish out, still looking and feeling good years later. I even had several pairs re-soled. This also factored into my decision, and I narrowed the list down to the Explorer. Quality: I've had the boots about a month now, and must say I disagree with the review that claimed they were uncomfortable (I believe he said that, paying this price, they should feel great right out of the box). It depends on what type of boot you prefer. If you prefer the tennis shoe type, with the more rounded outsoles, then this may feel uncomfortable at first. This is a sturdy BOOT; not an altered high-top sneaker. The sole feels indestructible, whereas the leather is a great combination of pliability and toughness. If you've had leather boots in the past, you'll be able to tell that they put a lot of work into these. The seams are tight and blend well with the leather. The eyelets are strong, with no sharp protrusions that will impact the leather. Even the laces they chose show that this is a superior boot. My only complaint is that the collar should be padded a bit more. It's great if you're wearing boot/hiking socks, but if you're just wearing white socks (like I did to work), it's less comfortable. Performance: Last week, I visited the backcountry of the Colorado Rockies for about 4 days. The boot held up well traversing streams and occasional boggy areas, and my feet remained dry. The insides aired out quickly once we made camp each evening. The arch supports they included (easily removable) must have done a great job, because I had no issues with tender feet. Finally, it cleaned up well with little effort. You'd never be able to tell that it just returned from scraping on boulders and going 10+ trail miles per day. Bottom Line: Not to sound cliche', but you get what you pay for. These boots were a great purchase. I've had natural and synthetic boots and, while each has its advantages, I prefer natural leather. This boot will take care of you as long as you take care of it (a reason I think many prefer the carefree nature of synthetic; no maintenance). Danner even has craftsmen that will refurbish the boots for you to make them as good as new. If the past month is any indication, I won't need to send these in for a long, long time.

Danner GETS IT RIGHT, these boots are AMAZING! I'm a big guy, tall and over 270 pounds! I have a wide foot - folks lovingly call me either "Big Foot" or "Sasquatch", lol. My Explorers took about a week to break in and "mold" to conform to my feet. Danner's leather selection (see their web-site videos) are true and they really do pick the finest leather available. The leather is rich, supple, smells like the fine leathers used in the BEST traditions, thirty years ago, and I really do feel like I'm walking on air. they're so comfortable, I hike on muddy trails, steep rocky terrain, and even wear them to work on "dress-down" Fridays. This year has been a little peculiar, with snow, sleet and rain, well into what normally would be "Spring". My feet are dry - really bone dry, and I've hiked through five to six inches of deep mud, five inches of wet, slushy snow, and hiked in the driving rain. These boots are all that was promised by Danner, and more. Traction is good on rock, dirt, mud, snow, grass, and clay. Lastly, in this World of "disposability", cheap, imported crap, and shoddy workmanship, the stitching is perfect, seams "fit", my feet are dry, and the feel and smell of real fine leather all came from AMERICANS, right here in America! And, they're "recraftable" boots, not disposable junk. I always bought American-made Red Wings, before. They're great boots, the Red Wings, but these DANNER Explorers, are BETTER! CRAFTSMANSHIP is still alive and well at DANNER, right here in Portland Oregon - U.S.A. Expensive, maybe, but ABSOLUTELY worth every penny. DANNER, you got it right! I AM a believer!

I purchased a pair of these boots in size 10D after trying on a pair at a local store. They weren't the most comfortable, but everyone I talked to said they needed to be broken in. I figured I would have to wear them for a couple weeks or more to get them where I wanted them. Fortunately for me, the heel shank in one of boots shattered after just a few days (lost half a star for this). I returned them to Amazon, and got a full refund. During this time without boots I did some measuring and reading online about sizing, and thought I would try a pair of 9.5EE instead. Let me tell you - AMAZING difference. What at first seemed like a pair of boots I would just have to get used to is now a pair of boots I'm excited to put on every day. Though I'm pretty sure the "new" pair is a pair another customer returned (no tags, no insert, boxed turned inside out). Considering the no hassle return of my old pair and the reduced price of the "new" pair, I won't complain. All in all, I've put many miles on these boots in the last month and change. Get your foot sized, it is well worth it. And remember that full leather boots need care to keep them in good shape for the long haul. Conditioner and waterproofing will keep them in good shape for years to come. - - - - On a side note, you cannot take the new Danner's to any boot shop to be resoled! My local boot guy told me that they use a heat activated glue and a special "oven" to attach the soles, and that the Danner recrafting shop is the only place that can do it (lost another half star for this). You must send your boots back to Danner to get resoled. This may make a difference to some of you. And if anyone knows any different, please let me know! -R UPDATE MAY 22ND, 2012::::: So after a couple good hikes, overland and through everything in Buck's Lake Wilderness in the Sierra of California, as well as daily use in my study sites in the Klamath Mountains and East of Chico, CA, the heel shanks in both boots had shattered. This caused an obnoxious clicking with every step and wore a hole in the leather on the back of one boot. I honestly don't know if it is something with how I walk or with the boots themselves, though a $300 pair of boots should be able to handle hiking like this without destroying themselves in a matter of >45 miles. I have returned them and will give Danner one more chance with a pair of Mountain Light II's. They are an inch lower on the ankle and have a heel cup, but not a full height heel shank. Down to 3 stars. If these fail, I'm off to try Limmer Boots

When I started shopping for hiking boots, I set out to look for a pair of boots that would be well-made, last for years, and be able to be repaired and used for even more years if necessary. I also really wanted to buy a pair of American-made boots. After a good deal of research, it seemed that Danner boots were a good bet. So, after considering all their options, I settled on the explorer boot. It has lots of good reviews, many saying that the boots have lasted for many years. Also, the boots can be repaired, are made in the US, and have full leather uppers. I know the trend in hiking boots is the tennis-shoe looking, made-in-China type that so many people are wearing these days. But that's not for me, nor for any serious hiker I don't think-- you want a boot that will protect your feet, even if it is a little heavier. These boots will do that. I definitely feel like my feet are protected while wearing these boots. The one complaint I've seen and that I experience with these boots is the tongue gusset. It seems it can pinch some people on the sides of the foot. I too experienced this when I first put on the boots out of the box, but after a few miles of hiking, the boot molded to my foot and the pinching stopped. So, just like any other pair of leather boots, these require a bit of breaking in. After the initial break-in period, the boots really felt molded to me feet, a product, I believe, of their full-leather uppers. All in all, these are great boots, and I'd recommend them to any hiker. I'll post updates as time goes by and more wear and tear goes onto these boots.