Comfort meets style in the Danner Mountain 600 hiking boots. Photo: Rebecca Parsons
We recently ran a review on the best hiking boots for women. Through the review, I had the opportunity to research and test over a dozen different pairs of hiking boots over the course of a few months. Due to their reputation for being one of the top boot manufacturers in the industry, we knew Danner had to be included in our list. The Danner Mountain 600 hiking boots were our pick for ‘most stylish,’ but they are so much more than just a stylish pair of boots, earning top marks for comfort and protection out on the trails.
First Impressions
There’s a reason the Danner Mountain 600 was our pick for most stylish – these boots are easy on the eyes. With a full-leather upper and stylish, contrasting laces, they look similar to the boots Cheryl Strayed wore in Wild. I was eager to hit the trails to find out if these boots were as practical as they were stylish.
Our tester, taking the Danner Mountain 600 out for a hike near her home on Oahu. Photo: Rebecca Parsons
Features and Construction
Like any good pair of all-weather, all-terrain hiking boots, the Danner Mountain 600 are waterproof. They feature waterproof suede leather uppers with Danner’s signature Danner Dry waterproof breathable membrane. They also sport TPU heel frames, OrthoLite footbed, Vibram SPE midsoles, and Vibram Fuga outsoles. The ankle height boots have a lace-up closure and weigh in at 1 pound 14 ounces.
| Weight | 1 lb. 14 oz. |
| Upper | Suede leather |
| Lining | Synthetic |
| Outsole | Vibram Megagrip |
| Waterproofing | Danner dry waterproof breathable membrane |
The Trail Test
In order to test out these boots, I hit the trails near my home on Oahu, Hawaii. Hawaii gets a lot of rain, so the trails are often muddy and wet and many of them are steep. Like most leather boots, these felt a little stiff when I first tried them on, so I opted for a short hike to break them in.
For leather boots, they felt pretty comfortable out of the gates. They were a little stiff, but still comfortable and I didn’t have any issues with rubbing or blisters. As I continued to hike in the boots, they got more comfortable with each wear.
The Danner Mountain 600 in the wild. Photo: Rebecca Parsons
Although leather takes longer to break in, it is one of the most durable boot materials out there. The quality of these boots is evident and I have no doubt they will last for years to come.
With plenty of muddy trails and creek crossings, I was able to get a feel for the waterproofing and it’s definitely reliable – these are a great pair of boots for both day hike sand multi day treks. Waterproofing is great for muddy terrain, but these boots weren’t as breathable as some of the other options I tried.
I don’t really have any ankle issues, but with all of the roots and vines in Hawaii, it’s easy to twist an ankle, so the reliable ankle support was much appreciated. The boots felt plenty supportive underfoot and the Vibram Megargrip outsole proved to provide great traction on both wet and dry conditions. Although they aren’t the heaviest boots , they do feel a little on the heavy side. For more info on boot weight, check out the comparison table in our guide to the Best Hiking Boots for Women.
| Pros | Cons |
| Super stylish (good for wearing on the trail and around town) | Require some break in time |
| Vibram Megagrip outsole | Not the most breathable boot |
| Durable | Feel a little heavy |
The Fit
Danner recommends sizing a half size down from what you typically wear. But against their advice, I ordered my typical size and found that they fit pretty true to size. I like having a little bit of wiggle room in my boots because feet tend to swell when working out.
Stylish shoes meet stunning backdrop. Photo: Rebecca Parsons
Final Thoughts
Having a stylish pair of hiking boots is unnecessary, but when your boots are both stylish and comfortable it’s the dream. The Danner Mountain 600 are comfortable, durable, and incredibly functional, making them a great pair of boots for both day hikes and multi hikes. And when you’re finished with your adventures, they double nicely as town boots too.
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