Danner boots:-(

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kicker

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-20-05 AT 11:10AM (MST)[p]Never thought i would say it but Danner has gone downhill bad. I have owned ten different pairs of Danners over the years and have loved them. I swore by them until this last pair i bought two years ago. From the beggining they have been falling apart faster than i can get them repaired. They squeek horribly every step i take and the whole sole has finally seperated from the upper. They already leak water and i am just very dissapointed in them. Am i alone in this or has anyone else noticed the decline in quality???

Just wondering what an alternative to Danner is for a good comfortable, RUGGED boot?

Kicker
 
I have the Danner/Cabelas Elk Hunters. I am on my second pair (had to return the first) and am not impressed. The seams wear in a hurry. That is why I returned the first pair. Now the second pair is doing it. Also, they are absolutely terrible in cold weather because the leather literally freezes. Maybe that is just this particular pair.

This October I bought a pair of the Meindl Perfekt Hunters after trying out the Perfekt Hikers on my September archery hunt. Those seem like solid boots.
 
Ditto what glacial said. I bought the Meindls also to replace my Danner "Busted Ankle" Elk Hunters.
 
Got a new pair of perfect hikers in the box. Plan to break them in shed hunting. They appear to be good SRONG boots.

Archer
 
I noticed my danners are starting to squeak...I own the danners pronghorns. Any ideas why they would be doing this. I bought them in August however they look like they are 4 years old. I treat them with the recommended stuff but I bet they won't make it another year.
 
I agree Danner's stink. I hunted in a pair for a year and wore them out. My feet hurt so bad it felt like I was hiking bare foot. I bought a pair of Vasque boots and swear by them. Two years and they are holding strong. Never again for the Danners.
 
I also have a pair of pronghorns that are a few years old. I have conditioned them but my feet still get wet. They are also falling apart. I am going to try the Meindls.
 
Glad to see i'm not the only one having problems. I'll look into the Meindls as well as the Vasques. Thanks for the help guy's.

Kicker
 
I have Danners and they seem to work fairly well for me, I have heard that Whites are another excellent pair of boots. Good luck..
 
I have a pair of pronghorn as well they are really starting to fall apart and I have had them less than a year! I will not buy another pair either. I sure like the lacrosse boots they held up extremely well I still have a pair that is 5 years old and they still work great, I just can't seem to find them in the stores anymore!
 
Danners used to be good boots. I have owned a few pairs but never again. I am looking for a new pair of boots as well. The stitching is breaking, they leak and the sole is separating from the boot. They are a waste of money anymore.
CHRIS
 
I quite buying Danners for the same reason as you. They just don't hold together. The leather on the last pair I had (5 or 6 years back) began to come apart at the stitching and the leather itself began cracking and tearing....even with keeping up good leather boot maintanance. And the sole began falling apart as well and the Gore-tex only lasted a month or so! Wasn't worth the $220 or so I spent on them.

I would not recommend Danner boots to anyone.
 
Mine are squeaky as well. Other than that, they have been a good boot. I have worn them for several years and have not had a problem with them falling apart or leaking.
 
I have a pair of winter lights. Their tuff as nails. I got them about 10 years ago, things must have changed.
 
i've got a set of rocky's that i love. had them for a few years, go through water, dont get wet, dont squeak or anything, and pretty comfortable.
 
I spoke to a Danner rep at Cabelas about 2 years ago. He said that if you are a real hunter ie do drive your atv to a blind then you need to buy the boots made here in the US. They have some of their lower priced boots made out of the country and he said they would not hold up to hunting rough country. They are essentially dude boots.

I bought the boots that are sold by Cabelas. I can't remember the style (I'm at work). They are the equvilent of the Duty Boot made by Danner for the military. He said the main difference is in the stitching on the sole.

I bought mine 2 years ago and am extremely pleased with them. I would suggest you go to the Danner web sight or give them a call and make sure the boots you are looking at are made here. I talked to a lady there and she was very helpful. FWIW

Happy Holidays
 
I LACE UP MY BOOTS EVERYDAY. PURCHASED A PAIR OF DANNERS THROUGH CABELAS STARTED TO BREAK DOWN WITHIN A MONTH SENT THEM BACK AND GOT A PAIR OF THE CABELAS LOGGER STYLE THEY RUN AROUND $150 WITH GORTEX AND THINSULATE. I GET A YEAR TO YEAR AND HALF OUT OF THEM AND THEN TOSS THEM. IM NOT A BIG FAN OF ROCKYS EITHER. WHITES ARE GOOD, CHECK OUT HOFFMANS WHO ALSO MAKES EXCELLENT PACK BOOTS
 
Interesting post!! Im also pissed at danner too. I've been wearing their boots for about 20 years and I thought they were the greatest until recently. I went on a Dall sheep hunt in Alaska so I bought a lite pair of Pronghorns to save weight MISTAKE! I wore the boots out in that single hunt in 6 days. I sent them back and they replaced them with another pair. I thought that was pretty good service despite the boots still fell apart. Then I bought a pair of spendy Super rain forest boots for work. These boots only get worn about 10 times a year and they are two years old. So a couple weeks ago I noticed that the sole was seperating from the leather. I sent them in to get them repaired and they sent them back saying they were unrepairable, somthing like not enough welt or somthing! So there was a ONE TIME OFFER of 20% off an online purchace. Have you seen there prices online, 20% makes them about 10 bucks more than you can get them just about anywhere. So I took the boots to a boot shop in Bend Oregon and he said he could fix them no problem, and did a great job. So im done with Downer I mean Danner too!

Koyote
 
I had a pair of Danners and did not like them, feet were sore all of the time. So in 2000 bought a pair of Meindls thru Cabelas and were so comfortable the first time I put them on and huntd with them without breaking them in.

Just two weeks ago while going through storage cabinet in garage, I found those Danners in the back and could have gave them to Goodwill or Salvation Army, but why make some poor soul have bad feet or blisters trying to wear them, so did the next best thing.........GARBAGE CAN with the rest of the junk.

Brian
 
Danners only lasted me about a month, I have a pair of the mendel's and they will at least last a couple of seasons. But the best boots I have owned so far are the Cabela's mountain hunters. The only boot I have tried that have lasted a full two seasons. And I hunt every day from September 1 through December 18.
 
I'll stick with Danner. But I've only had the high end boot's. However, I'm not a fan of not having d-rings on the uppers. Was in the bargain cave at Cabela's a year or so ago. The guy told told me Danner's were their least returned boot.
 
There is still one good Danner Boot

I cannot remember the model, but it is stitched on the bottom. It is ugly as well, but it works. I chukar hunt 40to 50 days a year in Nevada and I hunt Big Game as well. Nothing chews a boot up like hiking in Rimrock all day.

The Pronghorns are a joke and so are mot of their lightweight boots. They last for about 5 to 10 chukar hunts.

If you are looking for a good all around hunting boot, I would look into the Montrail's. They advertise as a hiking boot, but I have found them to be a wonderful boot that lasts longer than average. They are very comfortable and half-way reasonable. By the way, if you are a serious hunter, you will probably go through at least a couple of pair of boots a year. I also had good luck with Asolo's, but you will pay more.

As far as noise goes, I have a pair of Meidi's I purchased years ago through Cabelas (dark green color.) They have worn excellently, but they have always been squeaky and not very comfortable.

I'm sure it goes without saying, but make sure you wear a good pair of waterprrof, breathable gators and the goretex will last a lot longer in your boots -- you need to keep the water out of the inside.
 
I hunt southern to central idaho from Aug. to Dec. and then it's onto horn hunting in the lava rock for at least 2 months and then onto turkey hunting. Any time in between is spend photographing and scouting. I have always purchased the top of the line Danners. In years past with proper care, my Danners would last me 3 years easy. In the last 4 years though they have only been lasting me a season and maybe a half. I'm not complaining about the cheapo danner models. I'm talking about their top of the line boots. If you have ever hunted Idaho you know it is rocky, steep, rugged sh#$. Danners have always done the trick for me, but no more.

I will not waste another penny on Danners. I believe that Danners USE TO BE the least returned boot. I wonder about now. I'd rather apply my $200+ to another brand of boot. I don't care what they cost as long as they make the grade. Nothing more frustrating than boots failing you when your miles back in on the hunt you have waited all year for.
 
I'm not happy with my Danners either. I bought a pair of $200.00 dollar boots (can't remember the model) and they leaked after about the 3rd time out. Other than that I liked them. I decided to give Danner one more try. I bought a pair of lightweight hikers last fall. They leaked on about the 4th time out. So Danners are out for good now.

The very best boot I have ever had was a pair of Vasque Sun downers.
 
I bought danner pronghorns 2 months ago and they also look like they are 4 years old. I hope they make it a year and I will be trading them in on a yearly basis, to take advantage of the one year warranty.
 
My Danners say made in the USA also. But the things look haggard after a season and a half. Leak like crazy and squeek a funky tune when i walk.

Kicker
 
I bought a pair of Danners, it must have been 12 years ago. I hunted with them for about 10 years, and went on three backpacking trips of at least 30 miles each. I now wear them for mowing the lawn. They are so comfortable, I wore them on my hunt to the Ruby Mountains this year. They are butt ugly but still holding together well. Maybe they're "petrified" LOL

My "new" boots hurt my feet. They are some kind of Cabelas brand.

Not looking forward to trying to find a new pair of boots.

Steve
 
Steve,
Get or try on a pair of Meindl's I got mine through Cabelas back in 2000 or 2001 and never put them on till I got up to Idaho to hunt. There are the most comfortable pair of boots I have ever put on my feet. If and when they do need replacing it will be another pair of Meindl's.

Brian
 
Lots of good words are being said for the Meindl Perfekts.
I purchased a pair of Lowa Tibets from Schnees and like them better than any Danner I've had. They offer better support and sole stiffness, are comfortable, and have a rand.

Doug~RR
 
My dad and I have four pairs of Danner's they are all made in the U.S. and have held up extremely well. Right now my dad wears the Trophy's and I wear the Buffalo. I will probably be purchasing a pair of trophys for next year as my Buffalos have been worked over the last four years and the airbobs are starting to disappear.
 
I always liked Danners, for comfort but did have my favorite pair start squeaking in the heals out of the blue. My previous pair (with Gortex) leaked pretty good, so I have wondered a bit. Of course 2 pair of rocky Bear Claws had the soles dry rot-not good. To replace my 1000 grn Bear Claws that dry rotted this year I got new Danner Elk Hunters. VERY comfortable out of the box, so if they don't skeak or leak later I'll be happy.

Makes me really think about these Meindles (SP?) that are getting good reviews. Might be German built-good thing!

Merry Xmas Trophy Hunters!

CM
 
Are your elk hunters the 10" models? I am looking hard at the elk hunters, and I am trying to decide between the 8" or 10" models. I just don't want them to pinch my calves when walking uphill.
 
Have used my uninsulated Danner Pronhorns over 180 days the last two years without a hitch. Also have some insulated Meindl Ibex...have used them in wet rough stuff with no complaints.
 
I've had my Danner elk hunters for three years now and they've held up well and will probably get another season out of them before I get another pair. I hunt big game and upland birds (mostly chukar)her in Idaho in them and wouldn't get any other kind of boot. However, my buddy got the antelope style and they didn't hold up due to the type of leather on them. They get skinned up on the rocky hillsides we hunt.

The elk hunters are great for ankle support while chukar hunting and I've used them also in Nevada and Utah hunting big game for no less then 6 days at a time and never had problems. Unless something has changed in the last two years I will continue to buy Danner.
 
I've had good luck with the Danner elk hunters as well. Break-in was painless and the soles are top notch in my opinion. I have no experience with Danners not made for Cabela's.
 
To bring a little light to the degrade of Danner boots, i bought a pair of Raptors from the sportsmens warehouse in Kenniwick, Wa. I hunted Deer, Elk, went on a 7 day hiking trip,and the ussual wandering around and have been very pleased. They were $260, but sometimes you pay for what you get. Danner has not been like that in the past so i don't know what to say. All i know is that if the start to wear down i will return them, But so far they are still prime. I had a friend who bought the phronghorns and from the start the seemed like cheap boots. I don't know but i hope danner decides to keep the quality of there boots on top of the totem pole like they always have been before.

Jordan
 
I just bought another pair of Georgia Sport and Trail Boots.
The last ones lasted 12 years of hard elk, deer, etc. hunting.
The model G8182 is nearly identical to the other pair.
I bought them at Big R for about $110 on sale.
I bought a pair of Danners and returned them before I wore them.

Here is a link to see them.
http://www.wyomingmade.com/sport_boot_page_two.htm
Ken
 
YOU DO NOT GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR with Danner anymore. The boot that i speak of that started this post is the Danner Raptor! I paid $270.00 for mine and they are falling apart rapidly. I do not know about the Danners that are said to be made by Cabelas. But I have spent my last penny on anything Danner.

It's Lowa boots for me now. Superior quality and awesome comfort out of the box.

Kicker
 
I purchased Danner Pronghorns earlier this year. Although they broke in quickly and are darn comfy, they now squeak like hell and after hunting elk for 6 whole days in AZ 6A, the color pretty much wore off-they look white now.

I'm not impressed, and will go back to Vasque just as soon as they start making a tall boot again.

I'm resoling my Vasque boots next year for the first time since I've owned them-10 years. They don't leak, squeak and still look in good shape. They just are way too HOT with Thinsulate for early season hunts.
 
I have worn Danner Elk Hunter boots for about 12 years now and the only thing I have found wrong with them is the air bobs will start breaking off. I get all my boots from Cabela's and they have been great to stand by there products they sell. I have gotten 3 new pair from them because of the air bobs and as far as the boot itself they have been really good.The only cost was to ship them back for a new pair of boots.They are great in ruff country hunting and a real sure footed boot and I have never had them hurt my feet or let them get wet. I'm sure that there are some other really great boots out there that I haven't tested yet and have read some really good stuff on this post.But the Danners are for me.
 
i wear the Danner Elk Hunters. these boots are breaking in nicely. i wear them to work, out hunting all that good stuff. i really like the 8" of support they provide. i have not put that many miles on them. i think these boots are going to work out well for me.

another pair i have is the browning boots. these are very comfortable but do not provide much ankle support.
Casey
 
I too wear Cabelas Elk Hunters made by Danner. I wear them at least 12 hrs a day everyday. They have been the most comfortable boots I've owned to date. I am a operations manager for a heavy construction company that builds bridges. So I am in wet concrete, walking on dry concrete rubble, in the mud, ect on a daily basis. I have had to wear boots daily for about 24 years and have owned many brands, from wolverine to redwing, rocky,whites, lowa, ect, ect , ect. These boots which I've owned for about a year now have held up great. I hunted in them in California and Idaho for deer and elk and have used them many a time this year while hunting for pheasant. I have to be honest though, I did have to get two pair, because my German Shepherd did eat the first pair. I would have thought it would have been one of my two Labs. Just my $.02 worth if its even worth that.
Brian
 
So it sounds like if you're going to go with a Danner boot you'd better buy the Elk Hunter by Cabela's!? Or you'll be sorry.
 
I've got a pair of Danner Pronghorns and for me they are the most comfortable boot I've ever worn on my foot. I bought them new last year before deer season and never broke them in. After walking my booty off I never once got a blister. This year I wore them to hunt deer and elk and they never have given me any trouble. I don't have any squeaks or water leakage or anything negative going on with them. I try to wear them only when I hunt but I like them so much that I've begun to wear them quite often. fatrooster.
 
I, too, have two pair of Santiams. Bought them at the same time at Ranch and Home in E'burg. They are six years old and I have not had any of the issues listed here. They are comfortable, warm, dry and rugged, just about everything a body needs in boots. My 2 cents....
 
I also bought the Danner Pronghorn uninsulated and so far they are great. They are from this year only and no blisters or break-in problems noted thus far. I'm thinking of also getting the Perfeckt hunter boot from Mendiel. Any comments on them I should be concerned about?
 
I bought a pair of pronghorns and used them for 4 hunting seasons before buying a new pair. They broke in well and were super comfortable and never squeaked or leaked. Bought a new pair cause they were haggard and starting to crack probably because I never treated them once. I hope mine hold up as good as the last ones.
 
My brother bought a pair of Danner's about 12 years ago, they were excellent boots. I couldn't quite afford the Danner's, so I bought a pair of Rocky's. We've compared notes over the years and both pair that we bought lasted 10 years with ROUGH abuse.

I've recommended both brands to friends over the years. Two years ago, two different friends bought Danner's and reported HORROR stories back to me. One of my friends bought Rocky's 3 years ago, they're still fine. Another bought a pair of Cabela's boots (which were made by either Rocky or LaCrosse) and they are performing fine.

All of us walk alot and need waterproof, durable boots. I'll never recommend Danner's again!!!
 
I had a pair of Danner and they were pretty decent but i use meindl canada pro's now and they are a vastly superior boot. I will not go back to Danner for a serious hunting boot. Maybe a light hiker
 
I've never owned a pair of danners, but I gotta call from a buddy up in wayne county not too long ago said they were on sale for half price. Didn't jump on it because I'm a wolverine man myself. But from the sounds of all these i'm glad I didn't. This set of wolverine steel toes I've had for over 2 years now. They have seen probably 10-15 Days of being in concrete, Lord knows how many times they've been in the mud / water and they still are held together just like the day I bought them. Well theres a few nicks and stuff in the toe but I've worn these boots nearly every day to work, from work, at work, Hunting and they still hold strong.




-Cass
 
Danner's are junk! buy Meindl perfect hunters, or Lowe, or Shneeze (sp) sheep hunters. I wont waist another dime on danner boots... they used to be great, but with all the other stuff that's out there that is way better, why buy another pair of avarage boots and risk it?

"Roadless areas, in general, represent some of the best fish and wildlife habitat on public lands. The bad news is that there is nothing positive about a road where fish and wildlife habitat are concerned -- absolutely nothing." (B&C Professor, Jack Ward Thomas, Fair Chase, Fall 2005, p.10).
 
Used the danner pronghorns this last year, they held up great would say I have put maybe 60-70 miles on them, had to put a gel sole in them for the were killing the ball at the base of my big toe. looked them over last night still in great shape, feet never did get wet. had a client buy them for me he did try and sway me to the meindls, from the topic i guess i should have listened.
 

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