Danner 453 GTX Boots : A Step Up

When I received my Danner 453 GTX hikers in the mail, I firt thought that the company had shipped the wrong boots. The box was much too light for a boot touted to be more rugged than many of today's popular lightweight hiking boots.

Then I tried them on. They fit well, but they were stiff and required some break-in time. I figured that was a small trade-off for performance they would deliver on the trail.

When I wore them on a hike I soon began to appreciate the lightweight comfort, combined with the more rugged construction of these boots. The 453 boots are also stylish, with soft Nubuck and fabric uppers that offer complete protection in challenging terrain.

A week later I was headed for California's High Sierra, to some secret trout waters at an elevation of nearly 11,000 feet. There were no trails where I was headed, but lots of water, slick granite rock in places, and even some snow on the ground in mid-September.

As we headed off into the Hoover Wilderness, we had to cross several flowing creeks and bogs, then scramble up about 400 feet of granite to reach the Conness Lakes Basin. I was happy my new boots had a GORE-TEX liner as I slogged through grassy bogs; my feet stayed totally dry.

The toe of these boots have a scuff-proof cap that offered extra protection, which came in handy climbing the granite face, often digging in with my toes to get a good foot hold. The TERRA FORCE X soles offered good traction, and also a firm platform when climbing natural rock steps that were often just small notches.

I did encounter a scree slope that I had to scramble up, where I realized the lower profile of these boots (5.5") allowed for some rocks and dirt to get inside. If you are planning to climb in such conditions, a good pair of gators would provide protection while preserving the lightweight value of these great boots.

Bottom Line: The 5.5" Danner 453 GTX is a rugged boot designed for the hiker who may not always be following established trails. This boot was true to size and fit beautifully. After a short break-in period, it offered easy comfort for a full day on the trail. Despite its proven Danner pedigree, they have used modern materials to create a rugged design while maintaining light weight and great waterproof protection. These men's boots are ideal for the hiker carrying a heavier load, or who will be tackling more challenging terrain. -E.C. (Sept. 06)

Price: $160

Manufacturer's Site: www.danner.com

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