Danner Mountain 600 EVO Review
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When I think of Danner boots I think of old-school, well-made, classic outdoor boots. When Danner sent along a pair of their most recent Danner Mountain 600 EVO boots for review, my assumptions were confirmed, but a few new adjectives were added to the list. Keep reading to find out more.
The Danner Mountain 600 (non-EVO version – see review HERE) has been around since 2016 and has proven to be a hit for Danner. A lightweight, good-looking, well-made light hiker that could easily do double duty as an around-town player with a pair of jeans and your favorite flannel. Danner introduced the Mountain 600 EVO version just this past year, and although it shares a lot of visual similarities to the standard Mountain 600, it ups the game in the capabilities department.
What does that mean to you? (i.e. TL;DR) Danner has taken the Mountain 600 and turned it into a much more capable backpacking boot that can handle a heavier load and gnarlier terrain. It’s kept all the comfort and relatively low weight of the standard variety 600 while adding more support and comfort via the Vibram SPE midsole and TPU shank as well as serious traction thanks to the much improved Vibram sole and Megagrip traction lugs.
Add in full-grain leather that Danner absolutely nails, and this boot slots in nicely between Danner’s heavier backpacking boots like the Crater Rim or Mountain Light and their lighter hiking options like the standard Mountain 600 or classic Jag. The EVO can also be recrafted (rebuilt by Danner) when it decides to give up the ghost, so you can effectively think of these as a long-term footwear investment.
Test Conditions
Going up with TONS of grip
Tested on trails along Colorado’s Front Range as well as around town in the Denver area. Hikes were as short as 90 minutes and as long as 8 hours. The weather was, for the most part, warm and sunny with one short session of cool, gloomy skies at altitude.
Specs
- Weight: 2 lbs., 8 oz.
- Material: Full-grain leather
- Best Use: Hiking, backpacking, brewpub
- Favorite Attributes: Vibram Fuga + Traction outsole, TPU shank, GORE-TEX liner
Design & Aesthetics:
(9.5 out of 10 (this is wildly subjective))
As mentioned above, Danner comes across as a classic footwear brand in my mind…and that’s a good thing. I appreciate the classic, if-it-aint-broke-don’t-fix-it kind of style, and the EVOs definitely deliver, but with a few twists.
Upon unboxing them, I was immediately struck by just how nice the leather is. Danner specs some of the finest leather out there and they put it through a rigorous 5-point inspection process before it even makes it onto your next pair of boots. Most of this is done in their Portland, OR manufacturing facility, but their dedication to premium materials shines through on their footwear made overseas as well.
Such nice leather
I can tell the leather will age like a fine wine. Looking forward to seeing how these boots develop their own unique, broken-in hue and look over time. If you’ve ever had a well-made pair of leather shoes, jacket, baseball glove, etc., you know what I mean. There’s just something about how premium leather ages that almost elicits an emotional connection.
The Mocha Brown/Rhodo Red pair I have on test scream classic. The brown is so deep and caramel-y and the red adds a nice pop of color. Danner ships the Mountain 600 EVO with 2 sets of laces, so you can mix and match depending on whether you like the round style or prefer the wide flat variety. Each gives off a distinctly different look as well.
The Danner Mountain 600 EVOs work great in a casual setting as well
The Vibram® SPE Midsole outsole is an off-white/cream color with some black specs in it that adds a little interest, as well as masks light dirt nicely in case you find yourself at the local craft brewery trying to impress the opposite sex.
Danner Mountain 600 EVO Features:
(9 out of 10)
Weight
Weighing in at about 2.5 lbs., the Danner Mountain 600 EVO is noticeably lighter weight than many other hiking/backpacking boots out there. That lower weight is soooo welcomed as you get into hours 3, 4, 5, and beyond as you don’t seem to have that ever-present feeling of ‘I NEED TO GET THESE OFF!’ The only downside to the lighter weight is it does limit their weight-carrying ability a bit. For my money, (as well as my flimsy chicken ankles), I’d probably cap the weight on my back to 35 or 40 pounds with the EVOs. More than that and I could see how the strain would start to overwhelm the ankle on these boots as it’s more flexible than a burlier pair of alpine-rated kicks.
Comfort
Although the standard Ortholite insoles are nothing to write home about, (I immediately swapped it out for a pair of SOLE Active Thick insoles and that made a huge difference), the Vibram® SPE Midsole is. This rubberized EVA midsole maintains the same cushioning properties as traditional EVA, but is more durable and won’t break down as easily. This technology enhances rebound, comfort, and support, which is both welcomed and noticed in the EVO version. These boots really are incredibly comfortable right out of the box with nearly zero break-in required.
My first outing with the Danner Mountain 600 EVOs was on a relatively steep, loose over hard trail that had plenty of rock scrambling required and the EVOs felt like they’d been on my feet for years. I wouldn’t dare do that sort of thing with some other, stiffer boots without some serious break-in time.
The fit is spot on what I look for in a hiking boot. I hover around 185 lbs. with a size 11.5 standard foot size but typically run a size 12 in hikers. The size 12 Mountain EVOs slotted in exactly as I’d suspect a size 12 should on my feet…just enough toe room to not cause the dreaded black toenail, but also not causing any heel slip. I’d call the toe box roomy without being obnoxious. You could roll with a pair of heavier-weight hiking socks for a more filled-out feeling or a lighter pair of socks if you prefer to have your piggies wiggling.
The lacing system did its job as expected without causing any hot spots or numbness. A lot of this goes to say that there’s very little break-in required with the EVOs and comfort is dialed right out of the box…at least for my typical 11.5 sized foot.
GORE-TEX goodness
Weather-proofness
There isn’t much to say here, the GORE-TEX liner on the Danner Mountain 600 EVO does exactly what its supposed to. If you’ve worn GORE-TEX footwear in the past, you know what to expect…it’ll do its job to keep moisture out, but if the temps get up above 70 degrees or so, you might find moisture having a harder time getting out. Personally, I’m willing to sacrifice a little sweaty feet syndrome for the assurance of being able to wade through a stream without getting soaked.
Stability
Danner upgraded to a TPU shank in the EVO over the nylon-based shank found in the standard Mountain 600 model. Compared to nylon, TPU is designed to last longer and is rated for more aggressive terrain and a higher weight load. This invisible addition to the midsole of the boot is integral in making it capable of strapping on a 40-pound pack and hiking into your favorite campsite, scrambling up a scree field, or lugging your gear into that hidden fishing hole. And in my experience, it doesn’t really affect the flexibility of the boot in any noticeable way. Score!
Look at that tasty grip
GRIP!!!
Ok, I realize getting overly excited about ‘grip’ seems a bit silly, but I was truly blown away by the Vibram® Fuga Traction Outsole. When I first pulled the boots out of the box I didn’t think much of the tread as it seemed fairly run-of-the-mill using the ever-accurate eyeball test (insert eye roll here). But once out on the trail, holy cow, these outsoles GRIP!
Being that several of my hikes were on very dry, loose, washed-out trails being that it’s been rather dry in Colorado as of late, I expected some slippin’ and slidin’. Not the case with the EVOs. With its self-adapting lugs and specially formulated Megagrip compound, this outsole provides incredible grip on both wet and dry surfaces. Vibram® Traction Lug technology increases the outsole’s surface area for greater traction as well. All of those words are to simply state that the Danner Mountain 600 EVOs grip like they have claws. I even tried to make them slip at times with no luck. The confidence these outsoles provide is stellar and marries nicely with the intended use of the EVOs.
Super Grippy Vibram outsole
Durability
As mentioned above, Danner built the Mountain 600 EVO to last as they’ve certified it ‘recraftable’. What does that mean to you? It means these boots are built to explore for the long haul. Danner realizes that even a well-built boot will likely need resoling or reconditioning if it’s being put through its paces. Danner’s Recrafting team can extend the life of your boots while preserving the unique character that makes them yours.
Beyond their recraftability, Danner offers a 365-day warranty on the EVOs (and on their entire footwear and apparel lines) so if you notice something off in that first year of ownership, Danner’s got your back.
Summary: (9.5 out of 10)
A classically styled light/mid-weight hiker that isn’t just capable on a steep backpacking trail carrying a pack, but looks good around town with durability in spades.
The Danner Mountain 600 EVO is a stylish, capable boot that looks good whether you’re carrying a 40-pound load over a mountain pass on your next backpacking trip or kickin’ it at the bar with your crew after a day out.
It’s clear Danner has put a lot of time into infusing modern hiking footwear with the latest in technological advances without looking like you’re from the future. To this old soul, that’s much appreciated.
Specs/MSRP:
Available in 2 colorways (Mocha Brown and Topsoil Brown (think more of a grayish olive green) and men’s and women’s sizes ranging from 7 to 15, the Danner Mountain 600 EVO retails for $250 and that seems like a solid bargain considering what you’re getting for the money and potential longevity of these boots. To learn more or check out a pair for yourself, visit www.rei.com or www.amazon.com.
