Danner Hiking Boots: Mountain 600 vs Trail 2650 and Who Each Suits

Danner Hiking Boots at a Glance

Six Danner hiking boots and shoes that independent outlets review. Tap a photo or the button to see the boot on Amazon. For other brands, see our best hiking boots guide.

Price category reflects current US listings: budget is roughly under $150, mid-range roughly $150 to $200, premium above $200. Prices change, so confirm on the product page.

Reported Scores and Weights for Danner Boots

These are the scores and weights each outlet published. The scales differ, so compare within an outlet, not across them.

Which Danner for Which Hiker (and Who Should Skip Each)

Who should skip each boot

Danner Leather Hiking Boots

Danner’s leather Mountain 600 is the boot the outlets cover most, and the Cascade Crest is the premium option.

Danner Mountain 600 Leaf (Men’s)

Best for: rugged day hikes and light backpacking with a wide foot

RunRepeat names the Mountain 600 its best overall Danner at 84, calling it supportive, durable and great out of the box. OutdoorGearLab scores the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX 75, ranked 7 of 18, and measured 3.03 lb per pair in size 14, praising comfort (8.0), water resistance (8.0) and durability (8.0) and calling the fit very accommodating for wide and high-volume feet.

What this means for you: two outlets agree it is a durable, comfortable leather boot, and it is heavy by trail standards.

Fit and sizing: OutdoorGearLab lists regular and wide and says Danner suggests sizing down half a size for a snugger ride.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. OutdoorGearLab measured 3.03 lb per pair for the men’s Leaf GTX in size 14, while CleverHiker lists 2 lb 4 oz per pair for the women’s from Danner. GearJunkie weighed an earlier men’s Mountain 600 at 18 oz per boot.

Watch for: RunRepeat lists debris getting into the boot and says it is not for technical hiking. OutdoorGearLab lists average traction on loose material and a vague fit for narrow feet.

Skip it if: you have narrow feet, want a light boot or hike technical terrain.

Danner Mountain 600 (Women’s)

Best for: rugged, wet women’s day hikes

CleverHiker rates the women’s Mountain 600 Leaf GTX 4.1 out of 5, praising exceptional waterproofing, a durable leather build, strong Vibram traction and secure ankle support. It lists 2 lb 4 oz per pair from Danner and 2 lb 2 oz on its own scale.

What this means for you: a heavy but protective boot for wet, rugged ground. Only CleverHiker among our sources reviews the women’s boot.

Fit and sizing: CleverHiker lists full and half sizes in medium and wide widths.

Men’s and women’s versions: Women’s version. CleverHiker reviewed the women’s Leaf GTX at 2 lb 4 oz per pair from Danner. The page does not compare it to a men’s boot.

Watch for: CleverHiker lists a long break-in period, heaviness on long hikes and warm running in hot weather. It saw water leak through the tongue gusset when standing still and advises gaiters for snow or heavy crossings.

Skip it if: you hike in hot, dry climates or want a light boot.

Danner Cascade Crest (Men’s)

Best for: wide feet and rough, wet ground

RunRepeat names it Danner’s best for wide feet and scores it 84, praising a hard-wearing build, world-class Gore-Tex waterproofing, a stable platform and the ability to be resoled.

What this means for you: a premium made-in-USA boot for mild cold. Only RunRepeat among our sources covers it.

Watch for: RunRepeat lists a weight much heavier than average, a very high price and slower drying than average.

Skip it if: you want a light boot or are on a tight budget.

Light Danner Options

The Trail 2650 line is the light, shoe-like side of Danner.

Danner Trail 2650 (Men’s)

Best for: light, nimble day hikes on established trails

Switchback Travel rates it 4.5, calling it very comfortable out of the box with excellent toe and heel protection and a trail-runner feel with better traction. Treeline Review reports it stayed durable over 600 miles with the toe cap never delaminating, with no break-in needed and a roomy toe box. OutdoorGearLab scored the GTX version 59, calling it a great choice for the weekend day hiker.

What this means for you: three outlets agree it is comfortable and protective, and that support is average.

Fit and sizing: Switchback Travel says it runs narrow and long and suggests sizing down half a size, though its reviewer found the regular too tight and the wide too wide.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. Switchback Travel lists 1 lb 8 oz per pair for the men’s shoe and 1 lb 2 oz for the women’s, with identical build and price. Treeline Review lists men’s sizes 7 to 15 in D width and 8 to 14 in EE, and women’s 5 to 11 in D only.

Watch for: Switchback Travel lists average support and stability, a thin rubber toe coating that is peeling and a thin leather upper. Treeline Review says the footbed lost cushion after 300 to 500 miles.

Skip it if: you need ankle support, carry heavy packs or hike technical terrain.

Danner Trail 2650 (Women’s)

Best for: light women’s day hikes on established trails

Switchback Travel rates the Trail 2650 4.5 and lists the women’s shoe at 1 lb 2 oz per pair against the men’s at 1 lb 8 oz, with the same build, price and features. It recommends the shoe for fast-and-light trekkers and thru-hikers who value comfort.

What this means for you: a very light women’s shoe that the outlet rates highly for comfort. Switchback Travel tested the non-waterproof model.

Fit and sizing: Treeline Review lists women’s sizes 5 to 11 in D width only, with no wide option.

Men’s and women’s versions: Women’s version. Switchback Travel lists 1 lb 2 oz per pair against the men’s 1 lb 8 oz, in different colors, and Treeline Review lists no wide option for women.

Watch for: Switchback Travel lists average support and stability and notes the shoe is not recommended for those prone to ankle twisting.

Skip it if: you are prone to ankle rolls or carry heavy packs.

Danner Trail 2650 GTX Mid (Men’s)

Best for: fast-and-light hikes in wet weather

Switchback Travel calls it lightweight for a mid-height boot with great Vibram Megagrip traction and solid toe and heel protection, at 1 lb 12 oz per pair for the men’s boot.

What this means for you: the waterproof mid-cut Trail 2650. Only Switchback Travel among our sources reviews it.

Fit and sizing: Switchback Travel says it runs long and narrow and wishes it had sized down half a size. Men’s wide is available in sizes 9 to 13.

Men’s and women’s versions: Separate women’s version. Switchback Travel lists 1 lb 12 oz per pair for the men’s boot and 1 lb 6 oz for the women’s, at the same price, and says the women’s boot has no wide option.

Watch for: Switchback Travel calls the support and stability weak for a mid-height boot, describing it as floppy, and says it is less comfortable than Salomon and Merrell models on long days. It recommends the low-top version for most hikers.

Skip it if: you want strong ankle support or carry heavy loads.

Also named

RunRepeat also names the Danner Jag as the best lightweight Danner at 80 and 17.0 oz, calling it versatile for city and trail with excellent waterproofing but little cushioning for longer hikes, and the Mountain Pass as best town-to-trail at 69 and 23.7 oz, but not for serious hikes. We have not matched these to a current US Amazon listing, so there are no buy buttons.

Our Danner Evaluation Framework

We score each boot on five questions using only what the named outlets published.

1. Source agreement. How many outlets cover it?
2. Support. Reported stability and ankle support.
3. Weight. Reported weight.
4. Weather. Waterproofing and breathability.
5. Recurring drawbacks. Complaints the outlets raise.

Source agreement counts outlets that reviewed the boot. The rest summarizes what those outlets wrote.

How to Choose a Danner Hiking Boot

• Pick the weight you can carry. The Mountain 600 is heavy, and CleverHiker reports foot fatigue on a 34-mile backpacking trip.
• Check the width. The Mountain 600 and Cascade Crest suit wide feet, while the Trail 2650 runs narrow. See best hiking boots for wide feet.
• Allow a break-in for leather. CleverHiker lists a long one for the Mountain 600.
• Know the waterproof status. The base Trail 2650 is not waterproof per Switchback Travel and Treeline Review. See best waterproof hiking boots.
• Compare with other brands. See our best hiking boots guide.

Where the Expert Reviews Disagree

Trail 2650 fit. Switchback Travel says it runs narrow and long, while Treeline Review calls the toe box roomy and offers it in EE for men.

Trail 2650 traction. Switchback Travel praises the traction, OutdoorGearLab scores the GTX version 5.0, and Treeline Review reports slipping on steep gravel late in the hike.

Mountain 600 weight. GearJunkie weighed an earlier model at 18 oz per boot, while OutdoorGearLab measured 3.03 lb per pair for the Leaf GTX and CleverHiker lists 2 lb 4 oz for the women’s.

Questions About Danner Hiking Boots, Answered

“What is the best Danner hiking boot?”

RunRepeat names the Mountain 600 best overall at 84, and the Cascade Crest also scores 84.

“Are Danner boots good for hiking?”

The outlets praise their build quality and comfort. OutdoorGearLab calls the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX suited to day hikes and backpacking support, but heavy.

“Are Danner boots waterproof?”

The Mountain 600 Leaf, Cascade Crest and Trail 2650 GTX use Gore-Tex. The base Trail 2650 does not.

“Can Danner boots be resoled?”

CleverHiker and RunRepeat both say the Mountain 600 and Cascade Crest can be resoled and recrafted.

“Do Danner boots come in wide?”

OutdoorGearLab lists regular and wide for the Mountain 600 Leaf, and Treeline Review lists EE for the men’s Trail 2650.

Mistakes to Avoid When Buying

• Buying the Mountain 600 for hot weather. CleverHiker says it runs warm.
• Expecting ankle support from the Trail 2650. Switchback Travel lists average support.
• Assuming every Trail 2650 is waterproof. The base model is not.
• Skipping the break-in on leather. CleverHiker reports toe bang before it was broken in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Danner hiking boot?

RunRepeat names the Mountain 600 best overall at 84.

Is the Mountain 600 waterproof?

The Leaf GTX version uses Gore-Tex, and OutdoorGearLab measured a flood height of 5.0.

Do Danner boots run true to size?

Danner suggests sizing down half a size for a snugger fit on the Mountain 600, and Switchback Travel suggests the same for the Trail 2650.

Which Danner is lightest?

Switchback Travel lists 1 lb 2 oz per pair for the women’s Trail 2650.

Do they come in wide?

Yes. OutdoorGearLab lists wide for the Mountain 600 Leaf, and Treeline Review lists EE for the men’s Trail 2650.

Are Danner boots good for backpacking?

OutdoorGearLab says the Mountain 600 Leaf offers backpacking support, but CleverHiker found it heavy on a 34-mile trip.

Do women’s Danner boots weigh less?

Yes. Switchback Travel lists lower women’s weights for the Trail 2650.

Where can I compare other brands?

See our best hiking boots guide.

The Short Version

Choose the Mountain 600 for a durable leather boot, the Trail 2650 for a light day shoe and the Cascade Crest if you have wide feet and a bigger budget. Size down half a size in the Trail 2650.

Keep Reading

Sources

• RunRepeat: Best Danner hiking boots
• OutdoorGearLab: Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX
• CleverHiker: Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX women’s
• GearJunkie: Danner Mountain 600
• Switchback Travel: Danner Trail 2650
• Switchback Travel: Danner Trail 2650 Mid GTX
• OutdoorGearLab: Danner Trail 2650 GTX
• Treeline Review: Danner Trail 2650