Danner Mountain Light
Danner Mountain Light hiking boots are by far, without a doubt, no question - my all time favorite hiking boots. Sure, I haven’t worn every boot out there, but personally, I’ve yet to ever put a hiking boot on that was anywhere close.
Why do I love them so much? They fit like a glove and only get better with age. They are handmade in the USA and are recraftable. What does that mean? If you wear out the sole you can have a new one put on, keeping the same foot formed moccasin feeling leather uppers.
Danner recommends sizing down a half size. That worked great for me. Paired with the right sock (I only wear Darn Tough socks), it will be very difficult to get a blister in these boots.
I bought mine about a month before my hike from Lake Superior to Lake Michigan. The first time I put on my boots they felt a bit clunky. The rubber sole is strong and didn’t have a ton of give. That improves the more you wear them. I basically broke them in during my UP hike. Four days of hiking in rain, sleet, and snow. Even though they are waterproof, my feet were very wet. Water came in from my soaked pants and socks. It didn’t matter. My feet were never uncomfortable and I thrived throughout the trip without a single blister.
A couple of years ago I had mine modified to reduce the heel lift. Most manufacturers put a slight lift in the heel of boots and shoes. Typical running shoes have about a 12 millimeter lift. I run quite a bit, and wear running shoes with only a 4 millimeter lift. I walk around the house barefoot or with socks, and prefer a more natural shoe. Because the Danner Mountain Light is recraftable, I was able to take it to my favorite cobbler to make the adjustments. It’s subtle, but when you travel as much as I do you notice the little differences. The boot was already my favorite, but the fact that I can have it customized sealed the deal.
Keep them clean and oiled for optimal performance and longevity. I don’t wear my Mountain Lights in the winter where salt has been laid. For those conditions I switch to my Danner Crater Rim.