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With over 90 years experience spent supplying rugged, long lasting boots to hikers, backpackers, brave wildland firefighters, and more, Portland, Oregon bootmaker Danner knows a thing or two about building high-quality boots that go the distance and don’t quit. The brand’s best-selling Mountain 600 line continues this tradition, blending a classic, heritage hiking boot style with modern construction techniques to create a boot that’s comfortable right out of the box—forgoing the break-in period traditional leather boots typically require to be “trail-ready.”
Never one to rest on its laurels, Danner has improved on the beloved boot by bringing a sustainable design approach to the Mountain 600 with the new Mountain 600 Leaf GTX, an upgraded version now capable of resole and reconditioning services provided by the Danner Recrafting Program. The improved boot design also received a material update to lower its carbon footprint, like the 100% waterproof GORE-TEX liner made from 45% post-consumer materials and the 100% recycled collar liner. Underfoot, the same Vibram® Megagrip outsole provides plenty of grip and comfort for short and long day hikes.
With the same sleek look, durability, and adventure-ready construction as its predecessors, the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX is a go-to option for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a handsome boot capable of performing as well around town as on the trail. And with the innovative design updates that now allow for resoling and reconditioning, Danner is helping hikers hold onto their favorite boots longer—while ensuring less material lands in the landfill, too.
Kate Maciejowski, senior marketing manager for Danner, explains, ”We’ve put the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX through the same rigorous testing that all our boots undergo, everything from raw materials to on-trail testing. We’re proud to say it performs to our high standards, while also incorporating recycled materials.”
Models like the Mountain Light have been eligible for recrafting and resoling by the Danner Recrafting Program for decades, and the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX was designed with this need chiefly in mind. The process is simple: hike in your boots until the soles are worn down, contact Danner to arrange service, then mail them to their Portland factory store. Once you’ve received your boots back from Danner, freshly rejuvenated, restart the cycle and hit your favorite trail.
While some brands may not see any incentive to make improvements if sales are good, we commend Danner for putting resources into elevating the sustainability of an already best-selling pair of hiking boots.
The Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX is now available in three colorways for men and women from Danner and its exclusive retail partner for this release, REI.
Published 06-12-2023
