Danner Mountain 600
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Technically a hiking boot, these have enough grip and support for the jobsite as well.
Play slideshowI’m always on the lookout for a good work boot. When the weather gets warm, I prefer a hiking-style shoe that provides support but is lightweight and not hot. Over the years, I’ve worn hiking boots from Keen, Merrel, and Redwing, and cheap skateboarding shoes, but I find the hiking style to be best because they are more supportive. I reached out to Danner this spring to try out its Mountain 600 Enduroweave after hearing a coworker rave about them; he wore a version of them for hiking.
Breathable Fabric That’s Durable
What caught my eye was the EnduroWeave. I have found that summertime heat is hard on boots and they usually don’t last me past the warm season. According to Danner, this boot is lighter than the other versions in the Mountain 600 series. The reason is the EnduroWeave. This textile is a breathable fabric that has been “carbon washed for added abrasion resistance.”
Since I need good grip as a framer, the boot with the Vibram Fuga outsole with Megagrip sounded appealing. I can say after wearing this shoe sheathing the roof that they are super grippy; I think the grippiest shoes I’ve ever worn on the roof.
Ample Support and Cushion
Since I’m not a light guy and wearing tool bags adds weight, I need a shoe that is shock absorbing, as I walk 10,000 plus steps per day on the job. The Vibram SPE (Specialized Performance Elastomer) Midsole provides the cushioning I need while climbing ladders.
I’ve been wearing these on the job and hiking and I can’t find anything negative to say about them. Recently my wife and I visited Palouse Falls in southeastern Washington to take photos, and climbing around the rim, I was very glad to have grippy shoes. They are super lightweight and extremely grippy and they seem like they are going to last. I did have to send back the first pair because they were a little big, so size down a ½ size. You can find them online for $160.
This article originally appeared in Tools of the Trade.
