In this review I will be talking about the Danner Mountain Light and Mountain Light II boots and my overall experience and love of Danner boots. I remember the first time I saw a pair of Danner boots when I was 13 or 14 years old. I was a Boy Scout at the time and was on the road with my troop. I remember one of the dads had a slightly worn-out pair of boots that looked really cool. He was ex-military, so many of my fellow explorers looked up to him, including me, and I remember asking him at some point on the trip what kind of boots he was wearing. I think he had a worn-out pair of tennis shoes, hardly the best to wear on an outdoor hiking trip, and he had been wanting a good pair of hiking boots for a while. He told me that his boots were made by a company called Danner and that he had had them for a long time.
To this day I can’t remember what model of boots they were, or even if he told me what model they were, but I do remember that they looked great. He really wanted a pair like his, but when I got home from the trip I found out how much they cost; a small fortune for a 13 year old at the time. I couldn’t get my pair of Danner boots then, but my love affair with Danner had begun.
It wasn’t until I was in high school that I got my first pair of Danner boots. They were the Mountain Light model, and boy did I wear them a ton. I would still have that pair today if my feet hadn’t grown out of them. Today I have a pair of Mountain Light boots and a pair of Mountain Light II boots. I’ve had the Mountain Light boots for 5-6 years, and the Mountain Light II boots for 2-3 years. Both boots are great and have served me very well, and for the most part not much different, although I wear the Mountain Light II boots more often. This is mostly a personal choice, and because my Mountain Light boots are more worn (they could probably use a refurb). The main difference I see between the two boots is that the Mt. Light II is slightly lighter and has a more modern look and feel. Other than that, there isn’t a huge difference between the two.
Let’s take a look at the original Mountain Light boots and my assessment of them. Like many of Danner’s products, these boots are made in the USA by skilled craftsmen at their factory in Portland, Oregon. They weigh 4 pounds, so they’re not exactly the lightest hiking boots you’ll find, but they are very comfortable and durable. You will have to break them up a bit; It only took me a couple of times to wear them to break them out over a period of 3-4 weeks. They are built with a 100% waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex lining that has come in handy many times on weekend trips and around town when it’s rainy and wet. They are remarkably breathable considering the waterproof lining, as most waterproof linings and construction are not very breathable by nature. Its construction is solid and very durable.
Danner uses a stitched construction, which increases stability for your feet and makes the boot re-manufactureable (again, something I probably should do with my boots). What I mean by remanufactureable is that these boots, and any other Danner boots that are remanufactured, can be shipped to Danner’s Portland, Oregon facility and essentially remade to make them almost new again. This means that the Vibram soles can be replaced, as well as other aspects of the boots. This is a great service Danner offers, especially if you’ve had a pair of boots for a long time, and it means you can re-make your boots multiple times if needed.
The Mountain Light II boots are slightly lighter than the Mountain Light boots, weighing in at 3lbs 8oz. If you’re looking for a pair of hiking boots that are super lightweight, then none of the Mountain Light boots are probably what you’re looking for. With that being said, the Mountain Light II boots are surprisingly lightweight considering their size and construction, and offer many of the same benefits and features as the original Mountain Light. As I mentioned earlier, I wear my pair of Mountain Light II boots more often than my other pair, simply out of personal choice, not because they are superior to others.
I have used them on weekend trips, on extended hikes and backpacking trips and adventures, as well as for everyday use. They are perfect when it’s raining and wet outside and I need something to protect my feet from the elements. At this point they are completely tailored and have molded to the shape of my feet and are still very comfortable. Both the Mountain Light and Mountain Light II boots have a narrower fit than normal, so I’ll keep that in mind when ordering them. If your foot is wider than normal, consider buying them in an “EE” size. I would also suggest trying them on to find the right size before you buy or trying them on inside your home for a few hours if you order them online.
