I can’t even fathom what number of climbing routes have been discovered and peaks bagged in a pair of Danners. I simply semi-retired a 7-year-old pair of the Danner Jags. There’s nonetheless life left in them. However not sufficient to place them via the extent of abuse I used to.
In 2016, Danner launched us to its Mountain 600 — a light-hiking boot developed along side Vibram. It featured each a Vibram SPE midsole and Fuga outsole for stability and luxury. It additionally had Danner Dry lining to maintain water at bay.
Final yr, Danner expanded its Mountain 600 line to incorporate the Mountain 600 Leaf. The Leaf affords the identical Vibram midsole and outsole, however as an alternative of the Danner Dry lining, it makes use of a GORE-TEX liner and may very well be recrafted. That means that when the boot reached the tip of its life, Danner may rebuild it for you.
This yr, Danner added a 3rd variant to its Mountain 600 sequence: the Mountain 600 EVO. This new boot is analogous in type and performance to its predecessors, but it surely’s the primary boot within the sequence to be rated for backpacking. So, I loaded up a pack, laced up my Mountain 600 EVOs, and headed for the hills with a heavy load to place these boots via their paces.
In brief: Danner has turned a light-weight climbing boot into a snug and light-weight backpacking boot with its Mountain 600 EVO. It’s made with full-grain leather-based, a burly Vibram sole, and Megagrip and Traction Lug applied sciences. This boot is a pleasant center floor between Danner’s heavier backpacking and lighter climbing choices. It can be recrafted when it’s been worn right down to the tip of its life, so theoretically, you by no means must retire these boots.
To see how this boot stacks up towards the competitors, try our information to one of the best climbing boots.
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Weight
2 lbs., 6 oz. -
Materials
Full-grain leather-based -
Greatest Use
Climbing, backpacking -
Prime Attributes
Vibram Fuga Traction outsole, TPU shank
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All of the Vibram expertise baked into the boots -
Ample cushioning with out the majority of a cushioned boot -
Means to be resoled
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They do not include the traditional pink or inexperienced laces
Danner Mountain 600 EVO Evaluate
Design & Options
The Danner Mountain 600 EVOs are the third providing in Danner’s efficiency heritage Mountain 600 sequence. All three boots function the Vibram Fuga Traction Outsole, which makes use of its Megagrip and Traction Lug applied sciences. In unison, each options provide elevated grip on moist and dry surfaces and enhance the general floor space of the outsole for higher traction.
Moreover, all three boots function the Vibram SPE Midsole, which is designed for elevated stability and prolonged consolation. It’s additionally longer-lasting in comparison with different midsoles utilized in at this time’s climbing boots.
Cushion & Waterproofing
The thickness of the Mountain 600’s cushioning is surprisingly minimal. With all the options that Danner has baked into these boots, it has discovered a technique to hold the load of its boots down, make them much less cumbersome, and protect the cushioned really feel you want for the lengthy haul.
Just like the Mountain 600 Leaf, the Mountain 600 EVO has a GORE-TEX liner to maintain moisture out.
Added Stability
Within the Mountain 600 EVO, Danner upgraded to a TPU shank over the nylon-based shank discovered within the different two Mountain fashions. In comparison with nylon, TPU is designed to last more and is rated for extra aggressive terrain and the next weight load. This upgraded shank is the important thing to your capacity to strap on a pack and take these boots backpacking.
Recraftable
Like the opposite boots within the Mountain 600 sequence, the Mountain 600 EVO boots will be recrafted while you’ve worn them to the tip of their helpful life. That ought to take years. However when the time comes, you ship your boots into Danner’s recrafting division, and it’ll rebuild the boots for you.
Type & Perform
In the event you take all three variations of the Mountain 600 sequence of climbing boots and line them up subsequent to at least one one other, you may not see a lot distinction. All three variations have seven eyelets and are swooping from the toe as much as the ankle. The EVO uppers are additionally a single-piece development, whereas the unique 600s and the 600 Leaf function panel development are additionally completely different.
However you solely determine that out after watching them for therefore lengthy. The place the massive visible distinction happens is within the outsole. Each the unique Mountain 600 and the 600 Leaf have extra of a sneaker-style outsole. This makes them distinctly extra for day climbing and on a regular basis put on. The 600 EVOs have a particular climbing book-style sole that separates the heel from the remaining.
Backpacking and mountaineering boots have lengthy utilized the sort of sole. It permits for the usage of crampons, snowshoes, or gaiters.
First Impressions
An actual sucker for a well-made full-grain higher climbing boot, I used to be drawn to the Mountain 600 EVO the minute I noticed them.
Many moons in the past, I used to be supplied the chance to check and overview the unique Mountain 600 boots. However I didn’t like how they appeared. They have been an excessive amount of like sneakers to me. That’s once I scored these stellar Jags I discussed earlier. And I bought somewhat sentimental once I noticed the outlined heel within the sole and the swooping ankle collar in these 600 EVOs.
Danner included two pairs of laces with its EVOs, one spherical and one flat. Seeing they weren’t the traditional pink or inexperienced that Danner’s older boots are identified for, I swapped them out for some 550 paracords with ample reflective properties.
Within the Discipline
At 265 kilos, I’m a beefy man who requires a climbing boot that received’t break down and quit on me. Once I throw a 35 or 45L pack on my again, I will be pushing the boundaries of a few of these trendy climbing boots.
Realizing what I do know concerning the Vibram Fuga Traction Outsole, Vibram SPE Midsole, and TPU Shank, I didn’t hesitate to contemplate bringing some additional stuff in my pack to see if I may push my luck.
The Match
My first outing with the EVOs was my second time carrying them. Whereas I didn’t actually expertise a break-in interval, I recognized a few issues concerning the match proper off the bat. The primary was somewhat tightness on the perimeters of the toebox — nothing severe. In reality, I bought used to it by the point I reached the trailhead.
The second was the eye to element Danner put into the ankle of this boot. It’s not too free or tight. As a result of there’s not a number of padding there, there’s an surprising — albeit welcomed — factor of flexibility.
On the finish of the primary day of backpacking, I used to be drained and sore, however my toes felt advantageous. There have been no scorching spots and no want to tug out the moleskin. Moreover, there was no ache in my arches or ankles the place nearly all of the give and take was taking place because the boots flexed on the path. 13 miles later, I’m completely satisfied to report that the outcomes have been the identical as they have been on mile one.
Model Factors
Since that point, I’ve worn the EVOs on quite a few events each climbing and simply dwelling my trendy life. They go properly with a great pair of Carhatts and a few chunky Smartwool Midweight Climbing Socks.
On the time of this writing, I’m headed out to see my daughter carry out in her fifth-grade refrain live performance. I’m opting to put on the EVOs as an alternative of my Crocs. (It is a main progress second. Please congratulate me the following time you see me.)
In Conclusion: Danner Mountain 600 EVO Climbing Boots
My first job was at an area tenting retailer promoting climbing boots. I by no means understood the necessity for a light-weight hiker versus a full-blown climbing boot. It wasn’t till Merrell hit the scene that I may actually recognize the rationale for the 2 classes.
Nonetheless, as a lot as I get pleasure from a pleasant mild climbing boot designed for a shorter day hike, there’ll at all times be a much bigger want in my life for a climbing boot designed for demanding, multiday expeditions. I’ve skilled each the Mountain Mild II and the Jag. I can confidently name the EVOs a strong center floor.
That stated, with the Mountain 600 line, Danner has discovered a technique to mix the 2 kinds of shoe. And the model has executed it elegantly.
It’s greater than apparent that Danner has spent a number of time discovering methods to enhance on trendy climbing boot design. Its use of a Vibram midsole and outsole and the incorporation of recycled supplies is each modern and forward-thinking. At $250 with the power to be recrafted, it’s a worthy funding.
