A complete review of the Danner Mountain 600 hiking boots for men

I have a lot of experience hiking, decades really, from full on backpacking for days on end, to trekking through our local forests. As one would expect, I’ve gone through a lot of boots over the years. Some new, others hand-me-downs, pairs that lasted a long time, and others which fell apart after only a few wears. After all this, you can trust me when I say the Danner Mountain 600’s are, by far, the best hiking boots I’ve owned!

The Best Hiking Boots For Men: Danner Mountain 600

The Danner Mountain 600’s come in a multitude of colors, and I chose the Chocolate Chip/Golden Oak which come with orange laces, as well as a brown alternate lace. Made with a full-grain leather upper, these boots are lightweight, but durable, ready to take you deep into the backcountry or to your local park trails.

How good is the traction on the Danner Mountain 600’s?

My Danner Mountain 600’s were put through the test! From climbing over boulders or logs, slick rocks in streams and hugging the edge of a ravine with squishy leaf litter underfoot, we trekked over just about every terrain.

The Vibram Midsole is cushioned and durable, providing comfort and support with enhanced rebound that prevents your feet from feeling worn out. The Vibram Fuga outsole has self-adapting lugs and flex lines built for excellent grip on a variety surfaces. With a fairly aggressive tread that provided grip and stability on both wet and dry surfaces, the Mountain 600’s performed exceptionally, and I felt confident in every step.

Are Danner’s Mountain 600 Hiking Boots Waterproof?

Danner designed the Mountain 600s with the Pacific Northwest in mind. Lightweight leathers were selected for their waterproof properties and abrasion resistance, and minimal seams were used to prevent water from entering the boot and the interior is lined with Danner Dry. Danner Dry is a 100% waterproof barrier that allows moisture to escape, and keep your feet dry.

How well do the Danner Mountain 600 boots perform in hot/cold weather?

While not technically insulated for cold weather, the Danner Mountain 600’s are well designed. They were comfortable on the trail in 90 degree heat and high humidity, but I could see them also being comfortable to wear in the fall and winter, especially paired with wool socks for extra warmth.

How do the Danner Mountain 600’s fit?

Danner notes “the Mountain 600 fits slightly large and we recommend sizing down a half size for best fit”. However, I ordered my regular size (11.5) and found they fit true-to-size. I wouldn’t recommend sizing up or down, as they have enough room to allow for thicker socks in the winter, without being loose and unsupportive in the summer.

The Mountain 600’s have a low profile for everyday wear, about 4.5”. Though lower on the ankle than some boots I’ve owned, by taking the time to properly lace up I felt protected and supported while navigating over rocks and logs, and didn’t have to worry about my ankle rolling. The lace rings are made of quality materials and sturdily attached to the boot.

They’re easy to take on and off which is key when camping, or if you go from dry to wet activities like kayaking.

How comfortable are Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots?

I broke the golden rule of boots and hiked with these straight out the box. I was initially a bit nervous that my feet would be worn out and blistered after a short hike, but over the course of three days and many hours of hiking I was pleasantly surprised that there was no break-in period. There’s enough room in the toe-box to not crowd your toes, but the boot is formed enough on the heel to prevent slipping. I’ve never had a hiking shoe that fit so well, provided such good traction, looks great and is clearly built to last.