Danner Gore-Tex Boots

Danner Gore-Tex Boots at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

Danner has been making boots in Portland, Oregon since 1932, and in 1979 the Danner Light became the first hiking boot in the world built with a GORE-TEX liner. That boot is still in the line. Almost fifty years later the principle has not changed: a waterproof, breathable membrane bootie sewn inside a leather upper, so the boot keeps water out without turning into a bag.

This page collects the GORE-TEX models — Mountain Light, Danner Light, Trail and the rest — which is the range to look at if you walk in Dutch weather.

How the waterproofing works

The membrane

A GORE-TEX bootie sits between the leather and the lining. Water cannot get through it from the outside; water vapour from your foot can get out. That is the difference between a waterproof boot and a rubber one, and it is why a GORE-TEX boot stays comfortable on a long day.

Leather still matters

The membrane keeps your foot dry, but the leather above it will soak up water and get heavy if it is not maintained. Treating the leather is not optional maintenance — it is what keeps the boot light and stops the upper breaking down.

Stitchdown construction

Danner's stitchdown models have the upper turned outward and stitched to the midsole, which makes them recraftable: when the sole wears out, the boot can be resoled rather than replaced. Combined with a GORE-TEX liner that stays functional for years, this is a boot you keep.

How to choose

Mountain Light for real hiking on rough ground — full-grain leather, stiff, heavy, and it will outlive most of what else is in your cupboard. Danner Light for the same construction in a slightly more wearable package. The lighter Trail models for walking that involves more distance than terrain, or for wearing every day.

On fit: Danner runs true to length but the toe box is generous on the traditional lasts. Try them with the sock you will actually wear — a thin sock in a boot built for a thick one will let your heel move, which is how blisters start.

What to expect

• Waterproof and breathable — but the leather still needs treating or it will soak up water and get heavy.
• Full-grain leather models need a genuine break-in period. Wear them around the house first.
• Stitchdown models can be resoled, so the boot outlasts several sets of soles.
• These are heavy boots by modern standards. That weight is where the durability lives.

Why buy from Behind The Pines

We sell Danner in Amsterdam next to lighter modern hiking footwear, so we have no reason to push a heavy leather boot at someone who wants to walk 25 kilometres a day. If a trail shoe is the right answer we will say so. Orders ship from Amsterdam.

Frequently asked questions

Are Danner GORE-TEX boots fully waterproof?

The membrane is. Water will not come through the sides or the tongue below the collar. Go in deeper than the cuff and it comes in over the top, as with any boot.

Do I still need to treat the leather?

Yes. The membrane keeps your foot dry but untreated leather absorbs water and becomes heavy, and it dries out and cracks over time. Treat it a few times a season.

How long is the break-in?

For full-grain models like the Mountain Light, expect a couple of weeks of regular wear before the leather moulds to your foot. Lighter models are comfortable much sooner.

Can they be resoled?

Stitchdown models can, which is most of the traditional line. Cemented models generally cannot. The product page states the construction.

What size should I take?

Your usual length, fitted with the sock you will wear. The toe box is roomy on the traditional lasts, so a thin sock can leave your heel loose.

Shop Danner Gore-Tex Boots at Behind The Pines Amsterdam

See all Danner Boots, the full Danner collection, the Mountain Light specifically, or reductions in Danner Sale.