Danner Inquire Chukka hiking boots review for women

My husband grew up hiking and camping often. Let’s just say it’s grown on me. These days, we’re casual day hikers, spending anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day hiking trails and mountains with varying levels of difficulty.

Lately I’ve found myself wanting to spend more time on the trail and connecting with nature. Previously only having hiked in inadequate footwear — and struggling on trails because of it — I realized how important it is to have a proper, well-fitting hiking shoe. As I have no plans to go backpacking for days on end in extreme weather conditions, I didn’t need anything too serious, but needed something lightweight, waterproof, durable, with excellent grip and traction. And of course having a shoe that looks just as good as it performs is a plus!

Best Hiking Boots For Women: Danner Inquire Chukka

I took the Danner Inquire Chukka boots on our recent trip to the Appalachia, where they were put to the test! Danner describes these boots as a “lightweight hiker with a durable suede upper and an outsole featuring Vibram Megagrip”. From hiking steep slopes that lead to waterfall views, through muddy terrain, and even walking shallow water to go kayaking, they exceeded my (very high) expectations.

How good is the traction on Danner hiking boots?

Up until now, I’ve hiked in LL Bean Duck Boots or whatever sneakers I had on at the time. The difference is night and day! The soles on the Danner Inquire Chukka boots are made from Vibram, which is widely used by many high-quality brands. Danner says this about the traction: “This exclusive outsole features multi-directional lugs and a split heel for adaptive traction with Vibram’s Megagrip compound for incredible grip on wet and dry surfaces“. While hiking to several waterfalls, there were many trail sections that were steep, rocky, and not well maintained, and yet slipping was nonexistent and the boots gripped well, keeping me stable even while going downhill.

Is the Danner Inquire Chukka boot waterproof?

Yes! The Danner Inquire Chukka boots have a full-grain leather upper and the waterproof lining is made with Danner Dry, which their website describes as a waterproof barrier that “allows moisture to escape without letting water in, keeping your feet dry and comfortable all day long“. I didn’t only wear these on land, but while kayaking, and even after stepping in shallow water, the inside of the boot stayed dry.

Do Danner Inquire Chukka boots perform well in cold weather?

This style of boot is non-insulated. I wear these boots with thick socks, and don’t find them uncomfortable for summer hikes. While they’ll keep your feet warm and dry in cooler months, if you’ll be hiking in low temperatures you may need opt for an insulated boot.

How do the Danner Inquire Chukka hiking boots fit?

I’m typically a size 9, but got these in 9.5 to accommodate thick socks, and find they run true-to-size, leaving room in the toe-box, but not so much that the toes slide forward and rub or bruise from going downhill. Its great for those that prefer barefoot styles or generally foot-health. A sleek, low profile makes the Danner Inquire chukka boot great for everyday wear — from the trail to urban exploring — offering ankle support without hindering mobility or making bulk an issue.

How comfortable are Danner’s Inquire Chukka hiking boots?

The part you’ve been waiting for — because uncomfortable hiking boots are a surefire way to ruin your trip!

While I wouldn’t call these a slip-on style due to the laces, they come just about as close as you can. I fully expected to have to wiggle my foot into the shoe and maybe tug the back to get them on, but was shocked at how easily my foot slid in from the first wear, and even more-so by the pillow-like cushion that I’d never experienced in a boot. It was like walking on a cloud!

They felt broken in right out of the box, and that didn’t change with wear — I hiked in these for three consecutive days, sun up to dun down, and experienced no soreness or blisters. I have bunions that are sometimes uncomfortable, but the roomy toe-box meant I had no pain.

I’ve never had a better pair of shoes to hike in. These may be my first pair of Danner’s, but they definitely won’t be my last!