I will’t even fathom what number of climbing routes were discovered and peaks bagged in a couple of Danners. I simply semi-retired a 7-year-old pair of the Danner Jags. There’s nonetheless existence left in them. However now not sufficient to position them throughout the stage of abuse I used to.
In 2016, Danner presented us to its Mountain 600 — a light-hiking boot advanced along side Vibram. It featured each a Vibram SPE midsole and Fuga outsole for balance and luxury. It additionally had Danner Dry lining to stay water at bay.
Closing yr, Danner expanded its Mountain 600 line to incorporate the Mountain 600 Leaf. The Leaf gives the similar Vibram midsole and outsole, however as a substitute of the Danner Dry lining, it makes use of a GORE-TEX liner and may well be recrafted. That means that once the boot reached the top of its existence, Danner may just rebuild it for you.
This yr, Danner added a 3rd variant to its Mountain 600 sequence: the Mountain 600 EVO. This new boot is identical in shape and serve as to its predecessors, however it’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 position those boots via their paces.
Briefly: Danner has grew to become a light-weight climbing boot right into a comfy 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 pleasing heart flooring between Danner’s heavier backpacking and lighter climbing choices. It may also be recrafted when it’s been worn right down to the top of its existence, so theoretically, you by no means need to retire those boots.
To look how this boot stacks up towards the contest, take a look at our information to the most efficient climbing boots.
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Weight
2 lbs., 6 oz.. -
Subject matter
Complete-grain leather-based -
Absolute best Use
Climbing, backpacking -
Best Attributes
Vibram Fuga Traction outsole, TPU shank
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The entire Vibram era baked into the boots -
Considerable cushioning with out the majority of a cushioned boot -
Talent to be resoled
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They do not include the vintage pink or inexperienced laces
Danner Mountain 600 EVO Assessment
Design & Options
The Danner Mountain 600 EVOs are the 3rd providing in Danner’s efficiency heritage Mountain 600 sequence. All 3 boots function the Vibram Fuga Traction Outsole, which makes use of its Megagrip and Traction Lug applied sciences. In unison, each options be offering larger grip on rainy and dry surfaces and build up the total floor house of the outsole for higher traction.
Moreover, all 3 boots function the Vibram SPE Midsole, which is designed for larger balance and prolonged convenience. It’s additionally longer-lasting in comparison to different midsoles utilized in these days’s climbing boots.
Cushion & Waterproofing
The thickness of the Mountain 600’s cushioning is strangely minimum. With the entire options that Danner has baked into those boots, it has discovered a strategy to stay the burden of its boots down, cause them to much less cumbersome, and keep the cushioned really feel you wish to have for the lengthy haul.
Just like the Mountain 600 Leaf, the Mountain 600 EVO has a GORE-TEX liner to stay moisture out.
Added Balance
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 to nylon, TPU is designed to last more and is rated for extra competitive terrain and the next weight load. This upgraded shank is the important thing in your skill to strap on a pack and take those boots backpacking.
Recraftable
Like the opposite boots within the Mountain 600 sequence, the Mountain 600 EVO boots can also be recrafted while you’ve worn them to the top in their helpful existence. That are meant to take years. But if the time comes, you ship your boots into Danner’s recrafting division, and it is going to rebuild the boots for you.
Shape & Serve as
If you are taking all 3 variations of the Mountain 600 sequence of climbing boots and line them up subsequent to each other, it’s possible you’ll now not see a lot distinction. All 3 diversifications have seven eyelets and are swooping from the toe as much as the ankle. The EVO uppers also are a single-piece development, while the unique 600s and the 600 Leaf function panel development also are other.
However you simplest determine that out after observing them for see you later. 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 mountain climbing boots have lengthy applied this kind of sole. It lets in for using crampons, snowshoes, or gaiters.
First Affects
An actual sucker for a well-made full-grain higher climbing boot, I used to be attracted to the Mountain 600 EVO the minute I noticed them.
Many moons in the past, I used to be introduced the chance to check and evaluate the unique Mountain 600 boots. However I didn’t like how they regarded. They have been too just like shoes to me. That’s after I scored the ones stellar Jags I discussed previous. And I were given somewhat sentimental after I noticed the outlined heel within the sole and the swooping ankle collar in those 600 EVOs.
Danner incorporated two pairs of laces with its EVOs, one spherical and one flat. Seeing they weren’t the vintage pink or inexperienced that Danner’s older boots are recognized for, I swapped them out for some 550 paracords with considerable reflective houses.
Within the Box
At 265 kilos, I’m a beefy man who calls for a climbing boot that gained’t smash down and surrender on me. After I throw a 35 or 45L pack on my again, I will be pushing the bounds of a few of these fashionable climbing boots.
Understanding what I do know in regards to the Vibram Fuga Traction Outsole, Vibram SPE Midsole, and TPU Shank, I didn’t hesitate to imagine bringing some further stuff in my pack to peer if I may just push my success.
The Are compatible
My first day out with the EVOs used to be my 2d time dressed in them. Whilst I didn’t in point of fact enjoy a break-in duration, I known a few issues in regards to the have compatibility proper off the bat. The primary used to be somewhat tightness at the aspects of the toebox — not anything severe. In reality, I were given used to it by the point I reached the trailhead.
The second one used to be the eye to element Danner put into the ankle of this boot. It’s now not too unfastened or tight. As a result of there’s now not numerous padding there, there’s an surprising — albeit welcomed — component of suppleness.
On the finish of the primary day of backpacking, I used to be drained and sore, however my ft felt high quality. There have been no scorching spots and no want to pull out the moleskin. Moreover, there used to be no ache in my arches or ankles the place the vast majority of the give and take used to be going down because the boots flexed at the path. 13 miles later, I’m satisfied to record that the effects have been the similar as they have been on mile one.
Taste Issues
Since that point, I’ve worn the EVOs on a lot of events each climbing and simply residing my fashionable existence. They cross properly with a excellent pair of Carhatts and a few chunky Smartwool Midweight Climbing Socks.
On the time of this writing, I’m headed out to peer my daughter carry out in her fifth-grade refrain live performance. I’m opting to put on the EVOs as a substitute of my Crocs. (It is a primary enlargement second. Please congratulate me the following time you spot me.)
In Conclusion: Danner Mountain 600 EVO Climbing Boots
My first task used to be at a neighborhood tenting retailer promoting climbing boots. I by no means understood the desire for a light-weight hiker as opposed to a full-blown climbing boot. It wasn’t till Merrell hit the scene that I may just in point of fact admire the cause of the 2 classes.
On the other hand, up to I experience a pleasing mild climbing boot designed for a shorter day hike, there’ll all the time be a larger want in my existence for a climbing boot designed for difficult, multiday expeditions. I’ve skilled each the Mountain Gentle II and the Jag. I will expectantly name the EVOs a forged heart flooring.
That stated, with the Mountain 600 line, Danner has discovered a strategy to mix the 2 kinds of shoe. And the emblem has finished it elegantly.
It’s greater than glaring that Danner has spent numerous time discovering tactics to enhance on fashionable climbing boot design. Its use of a Vibram midsole and outsole and the incorporation of recycled fabrics is each leading edge and forward-thinking. At $250 being able to be recrafted, it’s a worthy funding.