I can’t even fathom what number of mountaineering routes have been discovered and peaks bagged in a pair of Danners. I simply semi-retired a 7-year-old pair of the Danner Jags. There’s nonetheless life left in them. However not sufficient to place them by means of the extent of abuse I used to.
In 2016, Danner launched us to its Mountain 600 — a light-hiking boot developed along side Vibram. It featured each a Vibram SPE midsole and Fuga outsole for stability and luxury. It additionally had Danner Dry lining to maintain water at bay.
Final yr, Danner expanded its Mountain 600 line to incorporate the Mountain 600 Leaf. The Leaf presents the identical Vibram midsole and outsole, however as a substitute of the Danner Dry lining, it makes use of a GORE-TEX liner and might be recrafted. Which means that when the boot reached the top of its life, Danner might rebuild it for you.
This yr, Danner added a 3rd variant to its Mountain 600 collection: the Mountain 600 EVO. This new boot is analogous in kind and performance to its predecessors, but it surely’s the primary boot within the collection to be rated for backpacking. So, I loaded up a pack, laced up my Mountain 600 EVOs, and headed for the hills with a heavy load to place these boots by means of their paces.
In brief: Danner has turned a lightweight mountaineering boot into a snug and light-weight backpacking boot with its Mountain 600 EVO. It’s made with full-grain leather-based, a burly Vibram sole, and Megagrip and Traction Lug applied sciences. This boot is a pleasant center floor between Danner’s heavier backpacking and lighter mountaineering choices. It can be recrafted when it’s been worn right down to the top of its life, so theoretically, you by no means need to retire these boots.
To see how this boot stacks up in opposition to the competitors, try our information to the very best mountaineering boots.
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Weight
2 lbs., 6 oz. -
Materials
Full-grain leather-based -
Finest Use
Climbing, backpacking -
High Attributes
Vibram Fuga Traction outsole, TPU shank
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All of the Vibram expertise baked into the boots -
Ample cushioning with out the majority of a cushioned boot -
Potential to be resoled
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They do not include the traditional crimson or inexperienced laces
Danner Mountain 600 EVO Evaluate
Design & Options
The Danner Mountain 600 EVOs are the third providing in Danner’s efficiency heritage Mountain 600 collection. All three boots function the Vibram Fuga Traction Outsole, which makes use of its Megagrip and Traction Lug applied sciences. In unison, each options supply elevated grip on moist and dry surfaces and improve the general floor space of the outsole for higher traction.
Moreover, all three boots function the Vibram SPE Midsole, which is designed for elevated stability and prolonged consolation. It’s additionally longer-lasting in comparison with different midsoles utilized in in the present day’s mountaineering boots.
Cushion & Waterproofing
The thickness of the Mountain 600’s cushioning is surprisingly minimal. With all the options that Danner has baked into these boots, it has discovered a technique to maintain the burden of its boots down, make them much less cumbersome, and protect the cushioned really feel you want for the lengthy haul.
Just like the Mountain 600 Leaf, the Mountain 600 EVO has a GORE-TEX liner to maintain moisture out.
Added Stability
Within the Mountain 600 EVO, Danner upgraded to a TPU shank over the nylon-based shank discovered within the different two Mountain fashions. In comparison with nylon, TPU is designed to last more and is rated for extra aggressive terrain and the next weight load. This upgraded shank is the important thing to your capacity to strap on a pack and take these boots backpacking.
Recraftable
Like the opposite boots within the Mountain 600 collection, the Mountain 600 EVO boots may be recrafted if you’ve worn them to the top of their helpful life. That ought to take years. However when the time comes, you ship your boots into Danner’s recrafting division, and it’ll rebuild the boots for you.
Kind & Perform
In the event you take all three variations of the Mountain 600 collection of mountaineering boots and line them up subsequent to 1 one other, you won’t see a lot distinction. All three variations have seven eyelets and are swooping from the toe as much as the ankle. The EVO uppers are additionally a single-piece development, whereas the unique 600s and the 600 Leaf function panel development are additionally completely different.
However you solely determine that out after gazing them for thus lengthy. The place the massive visible distinction happens is within the outsole. Each the unique Mountain 600 and the 600 Leaf have extra of a sneaker-style outsole. This makes them distinctly extra for day mountaineering and on a regular basis put on. The 600 EVOs have a particular mountaineering book-style sole that separates the heel from the remaining.
Backpacking and mountaineering boots have lengthy utilized the sort of sole. It permits for using crampons, snowshoes, or gaiters.
First Impressions
An actual sucker for a well-made full-grain higher mountaineering boot, I used to be drawn to the Mountain 600 EVO the minute I noticed them.
Many moons in the past, I used to be supplied the chance to check and evaluate the unique Mountain 600 boots. However I didn’t like how they regarded. They had been an excessive amount of like sneakers to me. That’s once I scored these stellar Jags I discussed earlier. And I received a little bit sentimental once I noticed the outlined heel within the sole and the swooping ankle collar in these 600 EVOs.
Danner included two pairs of laces with its EVOs, one spherical and one flat. Seeing they weren’t the traditional crimson or inexperienced that Danner’s older boots are identified for, I swapped them out for some 550 paracords with ample reflective properties.
Within the Area
At 265 kilos, I’m a beefy man who requires a mountaineering boot that received’t break down and quit on me. Once I throw a 35 or 45L pack on my again, I may be pushing the boundaries of a few of these fashionable mountaineering boots.
Figuring out what I do know in regards to the Vibram Fuga Traction Outsole, Vibram SPE Midsole, and TPU Shank, I didn’t hesitate to contemplate bringing some additional stuff in my pack to see if I might push my luck.
The Match
My first trip with the EVOs was my second time carrying them. Whereas I didn’t actually expertise a break-in interval, I recognized a few issues in regards to the match proper off the bat. The primary was a little bit tightness on the edges of the toebox — nothing critical. The truth is, I received used to it by the point I reached the trailhead.
The second was the eye to element Danner put into the ankle of this boot. It’s not too unfastened or tight. As a result of there’s not plenty of padding there, there may be an surprising — albeit welcomed — ingredient of flexibility.
On the finish of the primary day of backpacking, I used to be drained and sore, however my ft felt wonderful. There have been no sizzling spots and no want to tug out the moleskin. Moreover, there was no ache in my arches or ankles the place nearly all of the give and take was taking place because the boots flexed on the path. 13 miles later, I’m glad to report that the outcomes had been the identical as they had been on mile one.
Model Factors
Since that point, I’ve worn the EVOs on quite a few events each mountaineering and simply dwelling my fashionable life. They go properly with an excellent pair of Carhatts and a few chunky Smartwool Midweight Climbing Socks.
On the time of this writing, I’m headed out to see my daughter carry out in her fifth-grade refrain live performance. I’m opting to put on the EVOs as a substitute of my Crocs. (It is a main progress second. Please congratulate me the subsequent time you see me.)
In Conclusion: Danner Mountain 600 EVO Climbing Boots
My first job was at an area tenting retailer promoting mountaineering boots. I by no means understood the necessity for a lightweight hiker versus a full-blown mountaineering boot. It wasn’t till Merrell hit the scene that I might actually recognize the rationale for the 2 classes.
Nevertheless, as a lot as I take pleasure in a pleasant gentle mountaineering boot designed for a shorter day hike, there’ll at all times be a much bigger want in my life for a mountaineering boot designed for demanding, multiday expeditions. I’ve skilled each the Mountain Mild II and the Jag. I can confidently name the EVOs a strong center floor.
That mentioned, with the Mountain 600 line, Danner has discovered a technique to mix the 2 types of shoe. And the model has accomplished it elegantly.
It’s greater than apparent that Danner has spent plenty of time discovering methods to enhance on fashionable mountaineering boot design. Its use of a Vibram midsole and outsole and the incorporation of recycled supplies is each revolutionary and forward-thinking. At $250 with the power to be recrafted, it’s a worthy funding.