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Danner Goes All-In on Tech with a Hardcore Hiking Boot Built to Conquer Any Trail, Any Time

This off-road-ready footwear is a stylistic departure for the more heritage-leaning brand, but that’s actually a good thing.

A close-up of a wet hiking boot with the brand name "Danner" and a "GORE-TEX" label, featuring a combination of black, blue, and tan materials. The boot is being worn, and water droplets are visible around it, suggesting use in a wet environment.Danner
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By Sean Tirman

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Founded in the 1930s in Wisconsin before eventually moving to Portland, Oregon, Danner has been in the outdoor footwear game for a long time. As such, many of the brand’s offerings are heritage-focused or at least heritage-inspired.

However, one of its latest drops trades heritage for technical prowess. The Danner N45 GTX is a thoroughly modern hiking boot designed for those who like to go the distance.

Pair of black and white Gore-Tex hiking boots with black laces, placed on a wet, smooth rock surrounded by other rocks. The boots have a rugged sole and the brand name "Danner" visible on the side.
These hikers are made for those who like to pack as many miles into their hikes as possible.
Danner

I would walk 500 miles

Per the brand, the “N45 Mid GTX is made to handle mile after mile.” It’s a highly capable boot specifically formulated for hardcore thru-hiking.

To that end, it is fitted with a chunky Vibram outsole with Traction Lug technology and Megagrip traction for stability, alongside EnduroFoam midsole, a “nitrogen-infused supercritical foam,” that offers excellent shock absorption and energy return.

It also has a TPU rock plate for additional stability. Together, they all ensure you can cover nearly any terrain for nearly any distance.

A close-up of a person wearing blue and black hiking boots stepping on a muddy forest trail with wet leaves and green ferns around. The person is dressed in black pants.
The Gore-Tex upper ensures your feet will stay warm and dry in any weather conditions.
Danner

But another aspect makes these boots even better for the long haul: they’re designed to be rebuilt. That means, once you wear them out or run them down, you can fix them back up in working condition and be back on the trails in no time flat.

Between their highly capable materials and construction and their ability to be repaired, these could be the last boots you ever need, even if you hike hundreds and hundreds of miles yearly.

Black and white hiking boots with black soles and laces, worn with black pants, standing on wet, smooth river rocks near flowing water. The boots have the brand name "Danner" visible on the side.
The hikers come in three different colorway options, but these black-and-white ones are the most eye-catching.
Danner

Let the rain fall down

Like the midsole and outsole, the shoe’s upper is also highly technical, capable, and tough. It features an abrasion-resistant mesh upper made from nylon and polyester.

Furthermore, it boasts Gore-Tex Invisible Fit technology, which makes it completely waterproof without bogging the shoe down. They fit and flex just as well as shoes without any weatherproof protection.

A close-up of a person wearing black and white hiking boots standing on a wet rock, with black pants and a hiking pole visible. The background shows more wet rocks and a blurred water surface.
The chunky Vibram outsoles ensure you can conquer even the trickiest terrain.
Danner

While they’re not necessarily insulated enough for winter hikes, these hikers can keep your feet warm, dry and protected in nearly any weather.

They’re also available in a trio of smart colors — black-and-white, black-and-blue and all-black — so you can pick whichever suits your style best.

A pair of blue and gray hiking boots with black laces resting on a moss-covered log in a forest setting. The boots have the brand name "Danner" on the side and a "Gore-Tex" tag, indicating they are waterproof. The background is blurred with autumn colors.
You can’t see it, but the midsole has some clever tech to make hiking even long distances more comfortable.
Danner

Available now

Danner’s N45 GTX hiking boots are now available on the brand’s site for $250.

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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