danner boots

[jstamp]

I have always been a big fan of danner boots until recently. danners used to say made in usa on the boot and the box. now they say made in china. they used to be waterproof and never leaked when taken care of. now i'm lucky to get a month out of them before they leak. last year i took a pair back after they started leaking on the first hunt out of the box. they replaced them with same pair of boots and voided the warranty on the new pair. i didn't care too much about the voided warranty, as i never plan on buying another pair again. I also wear danners for work (i don't buy them) the last two pairs i've had issued, both leak. the last pair is also the most uncomfortable boots i've ever worn.

just wondering if anyone else has the same problem, or am i just unlucky and got the only four pieces of crap that danner has produced.

[huntnphool]

I love mine and will buy again, never an issue or leak.

You might read this thread it has some comments on Danners both good and bad.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,723.0.html

[BlackTail]

They still make some in the USA and those are still great boots!

[follow maggie]

I only wear the made in USA boots they sell, and have never had a problem.  Same goes with my friends.

[bucklucky]

The cheaper boots are usually the made in china ones I think. I got the canadians which are the old style lace to toe all leather. 3 years and they are ready for some overhaul. I need to send them in to get the s bootie redone and  back of the heal redone it has colapsed on me. Well the liner actually came undone inside I believe , they are still waterproof .

[Timberstalker]

Canadians are the best overall boot Danner makes.  Comfortable but they wear like Iron.

[jadeball1]

I agree. my canadians are 10 years old and have only pulled 1 stitch. Awesome boots. I lived in my rainforests till I had to buy a new pair, and the new ones suck. Very uncomfortable. I think they changed them somehow.

[GoldTip]

I've worn the Danner Frontiers the last several years, (first pair is now 5 years old this fall)and their box said made in America.  When I noticed last fall that they were changing the style of the "frontier" model, I bought two pairs of the old style, am breaking in the new ones over the last couple weeks, and still have a pair in the closet, they have been good, waterproof and confortable boots.

[huntnphool]

I've worn the Danner Frontiers the last several years, (first pair is now 5 years old this fall)and their box said made in America.  When I noticed last fall that they were changing the style of the "frontier" model, I bought two pairs of the old style, am breaking in the new ones over the last couple weeks, and still have a pair in the closet, they have been good, waterproof and confortable boots.

I did the same thing but all I could find were insulated ones in my size. They are way too warm to wear so far, will have to try them out this winter in Montana

[BLUEBULLS]

I'm on my 4th pair of pronghorns in 5 years. I've only paid for 1 and the rest were warranty because they leak after about a year.

the only reason i still wear them is the tennis shoe comfort and 3lbs per pair.

[addicted]

just bought the wife some pronghorns. you guys got me to look and now I'm kinda pissed cuz it says "made in china" on the tag on the inside of the tongue.

[jstamp]

I'm on my 4th pair of pronghorns in 5 years. I've only paid for 1 and the rest were warranty because they leak after about a year.

the only reason i still wear them is the tennis shoe comfort and 3lbs per pair.

two of mine were pronghorns

[257 Wby Mag]

I'm on my last pair or Danners, after 15 years buying them. Last 2 pairs have been Elk Hunters, gonna go with Kennetreks next...

[jstamp]

just checked my email and had two from Danner. Yesterday I wrote a rather lengthy complaint to them about the poor quality of boots that i had purchased. today they sent me two replies. they offered to send me free shipping to ship my boots down to portland to have someone evaluate them. Then, if they do leak, and they appear to be in good condition and taken care of they will give me a new pair, or pro-rate a new pair that i can purchase. I replied, and told them that i have 4 pairs that leak and don't want anymore, even if they are free. they also addressed the made in usa issue. they told me that 50% of their boots are made in the usa. my guess is the other 50% are made by 5 year old Chinese kids.

[bucklucky]

I will be trying the Kennetreks or another brand I cant remember next time.

[addicted]

50% are made by 5 year old Chinese kids.

the same 5 year olds they put in the olympics lol

[smdave]

I really like my Danners they are the most comfortable boot I have ever worn.

Dave

[EastWaViking]

Danner Trophy's, Canadians, and Elk Hunters are all still made in the USA.  Let them know you won't buy their chinees crap.

[Bookworm]

I've had two pair that I wear for hunting. The first pair I gave to my brother in law after wearing them for ten years. They never leaked. My newest pair is six or seven years old, still no problems. Just make sure they say made in USA.

[Armadillo]

The "made in Usa" boots by danner are hard to match in quality. My dad has worn the same boots every day for the past ten years and that includes hunting too. They're pricey but I think they are well worth it. I bought the mountain light II's and after almost 200 miles they dont look any different then when they came out of the box and are comfortable as can be 

  http://www.danner.com/product/outdoor+boots/all+terrain/men%26rsquo-s-women%26rsquo-s+mountain+light+ii+hiking+boots.do

[coonhound]

I will never buy another Danner boot, 1 year is about all I can get out of a pair, US or China and every pair I've had have an incurable squeak, stretch like crazy and just fall appart...I would go with any of the European boots.  I just switched to Kenetrek's and love them.

Coon

Yes I have tried several Danner boots, they used to be my standard because I didn't know any better...Now I've seen the light.

[nw_bowhunter]

Yep Danners are great if you want to spend $150 evey year.... they use to be a top notch boot! Does Cabelas sell Kenetreks?

[catdogs]

Kenetreks, Lowa sheep hunters and Miendyls are top notch IMO.  Even the Schnees they sell at Sportsmans Warehouse are made over seas.  To get the USA made boots, you have to order right from the Schnees store.   I can't get a season out of Danners anymore.

[follow maggie]

I've had good luck with American Danners, but after reading the posts, would like to try a pair of Kennetrks.  Does anyone know a place reasonably close to Bremerton that sells them?

[addicted]

ive found that at some point in time they made changes to the danner pronghorn GTX. maybe some with the old style had problems before they improved.

a different one that ive found
http://www.mackspw.com/Item--i-DAN42202S

and these are the ones that ive seen as great boots
http://www.kevinscatalog.com/images/42218.jpg

[jeepasaurusrex]

I have a pair of Danner "Ft Lewis Go Devil" boots I bought while I was stationed in Germany in 1992. Best pair of boots I have ever owned. I have had them resoled twice now, but the rest of the boot has held up well. Even under some of the most adverse conditions you can throw at them. 

[wastickslinger]

I just ordered a pair of the Danner Kestrel 600 gram boots from Cableas. They are in the bargain cave. Normally $199 on sale for $119. I called and they told me that they are made in US.  I guess we'll see once I get them. Good thing about Cabelas is that if I dont like them after a few hikes I will send them back. Also the guy told me that Danner would warranty the boot for a year. He has heard that they never question how old the boot is, just send it back if there is an issue. They weigh 3.6 lbs.

Anyone own this boot?

[NWTFhunter]

Jeep, the "Lewis" Danner was the King of Danners.  I bought a pair in 88 or 89 (im getting old and cant remember)
and still have them !!!  I can wear em too !!   There is a small section on the left inside toe that has come unstitched, but Im not complaining.  I never wore them day in and out, but when it was cold I would switch off between 2 pairs. (someone stole the others)  Never had to resole them either, yes the heel is getting down there too.

But Danner has changed alot over the years.  I dont recall which co they merged with but I think it was Rocky or something.  Yes this has changed their standard.  I think some of the boots that you guys are complaining about might be built by the other company here in the states, but still carry the Danner name ??  Maybe I am completely wrong.

For you guys that are having problems with them leaking.. are you conditioning them often ?
The biggest failure of any boot is water and dirt.  If you dont keep them clean after use, any leather boot is going to fail at some point.  All that wet dirt gets into the cracks and crevice of the leather and wears it down !
I think the main reason my Lewis boots lasted so long is because I was in the service when I got them and we had to keep them clean !!  No going to work with dirty boots !  So that just got me in the habit of cleaning my boots daily, and conditioning them often.

[DeerHarvester]

Leupold is doing the same thing with the Wind River binos and the cheap Rifleman scope series, they are all imported.  Danners and Leupold's are still great brands you just have to get the top of the line models that are made in the USA.  Its like any thing else you get what you pay for.  I love my danners and wouldn't buy anything else, unless they start importing all the models. 

[rasbo]

I heard danner was bought out by lacrosse,since then their boots arnt the same..I love the elk hunters,the bob soles work good for me

[DeerHarvester]

Yeah that is correct, Lacrosse Footwear bought Danner in 1997. 

[rasbo]

I dont know how many of you like the bob soles.They used to put them on the hikers,man I loved that shoe for bow hunting early season..

[Hacksaw]

I have never worn Kenetreks or Lowas, only Danners. Personally, I can't stand insulated boots unless it is really cold out. I have had several pairs of Danner's, but the only good pair was the first I ever bought. They were the old, uninsulated Danner Contractors (similar to what the Rainforest are now, but a little lighter). Wore 'em for work and play for eleven years. Foot always stayed warm and dry and they were as comfortable as a pair of your best slippers.

Someone might have already mentioned this, but Danner has a recrafting department for stitch down boots. I finally decided the old Contractors finally needed some refreshing, so I sent them off for the fullblown recraft - $150 for pretty much new everything except the leather. I know that seems like a lot of money, but what is it worth to keep a pair of boots that haven't given you a blister in hundreds (maybe thousands) of miles? When I gotta 'em back, they looked like new, just already broke in. However, the right heel counter they put in had a sharp edge that rubbed my ankle. I was pissed so I called up the recraft department and told them about it and the fact that I was leaving on a hunting trip in 8 days. They emailed me a free shipping label and said to send them in. Four days later, the UPS man dropped a brand new pair of Rainforests on the front porch. They said the couldn't get to them in time so they just sent me new boots. Good service, but not exactly what I wanted. Now you guys got me wondering if these Rainforest will be worth a damn.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Jeep, the "Lewis" Danner was the King of Danners.  I bought a pair in 88 or 89 (im getting old and cant remember)
and still have them !!!  I can wear em too !!   There is a small section on the left inside toe that has come unstitched, but Im not complaining.  I never wore them day in and out, but when it was cold I would switch off between 2 pairs. (someone stole the others)  Never had to resole them either, yes the heel is getting down there too.

But Danner has changed alot over the years.  I dont recall which co they merged with but I think it was Rocky or something.  Yes this has changed their standard.  I think some of the boots that you guys are complaining about might be built by the other company here in the states, but still carry the Danner name ??  Maybe I am completely wrong.

For you guys that are having problems with them leaking.. are you conditioning them often ?
The biggest failure of any boot is water and dirt.  If you dont keep them clean after use, any leather boot is going to fail at some point.  All that wet dirt gets into the cracks and crevice of the leather and wears it down !
I think the main reason my Lewis boots lasted so long is because I was in the service when I got them and we had to keep them clean !!  No going to work with dirty boots !  So that just got me in the habit of cleaning my boots daily, and conditioning them often.

Exactly. I keep mine clean. I sometimes scrub them with saddle soap, then apply mink oil to keep them soft. They are like a pair of tennis shoes they are so soft.