Testing the Danner Mountain 600 boots in Utah. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
Bottom Line
We love the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX boots for hikes in wet, rugged conditions where waterproofing and durability are key. The full-grain, all-leather uppers and GORE-TEX lining offer solid protection during creek crossings or bouts of rain. Paired with Vibram soles, the Mountain 600 Leaf boots are long-lasting and easy to trust. They do not get snagged on branches, show very little wear from kicking rocks, and grip steep terrain exceptionally well.
Downsides include a longer break-in time, heavier weight, and lack of breathability. Between a lack of break-in time beforehand and warm temperatures in Utah, these boots became uncomfortable to wear by the end of our 34-mile backpacking trip. With some patience, however, these boots offer excellent performance for challenging treks.
If you’re looking for something a little different, check out our guide to the best women’s hiking boots.
How We Tested
We tested the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf boots extensively throughout the spring hiking season in Durango, Colorado. We frequently wore them to the office and on walks around town while breaking them in. We also took them on a 34-mile backpacking trip in southeastern Utah’s Canyon Country. The terrain was mostly dry roads with some rough trails and scrambling mixed in.
Quick Specs
Women’s Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX
Most Waterproof Hiking Boots
CleverHiker Rating:
4.1/5.0
Price:
$250
Weight (Pair):
2 lb. 4 oz.
Upper Material:
Full-grain leather/GTX membrane
Pros
Exceptional waterproofingHighly durable leather buildStrong Vibram tractionGreat for rugged terrainSecure ankle supportWide range of sizes availableResists snags and abrasion
Cons
Long break-in periodHeavy on long hikesRuns hot in warm weather
The lugs are not very aggressive on the Danner boots, but the pattern provides good traction. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
Comfort
The Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX boots have full leather uppers, which take some time to break in compared to many modern alternatives (especially those with a lot of mesh). However, the boots softened up nicely with time. We did experience some toe bang on an incline while backpacking in Utah, but this was most likely due to the boots not being fully broken in yet.
We love that the Mountain 600 Leaf boots come in a wide range of full and half sizes. They are also offered in both medium and wide widths, meaning most hikers should be able to find a good fit.
One comfort-related gripe is that the boots are not very breathable. Waterproofing is fantastic, but they are quite warm on hot days, which can lead to sweating and rubbing. By the end of our backpacking trip, the tops of some toes were beginning to rub on the boot. Though not a dealbreaker for most, it’s worth noting that these boots are best suited for milder weather.
By the end of our first big hike wearing the Danner boots, our feet were tired and sore. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
Durability
The full-grain leather upper and Vibram outsole make the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX one of the most durable boots we tested. They feel truly solid and remind us of wearing work boots in many ways. The full-grain leather is strong and stands up well to rocks, branches, and weather. Unlike boots that have mesh uppers, there is nothing for the Mountain 600 to get caught on. When we tripped on branches while hiking down an overgrown trail, the branch slid right off of our boot.
Likewise, Vibram rubber is known for its superior traction and longevity. At the end of testing, we did not find any signs of wear underfoot. The boots also feature sturdy metal eyelets and a high-quality OrthoLite Eco footbed. Finally, the boots are “recraftable,” which means they can be resoled and reconditioned once they start to deteriorate – you’ll just need to send them into Danner for repair.
The Danner boots have sturdy metal lacing eyelets. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
Ankle Support
The Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX boots have moderately stiff collars that provide adequate support for off-trail hiking. The shaft is pretty average at 4.5 inches tall, but it provides enough structure for navigating uneven terrain without feeling restrictive.
It’s easy enough to put the boots on and take them off. When manipulated, the collar bends without too much effort, although it’s certainly stiffer than what you get with most trail runners.
Hiking down a rocky, overgrown doubletrack, we found there was enough support to keep our ankles stable without being painful. We noticed some movement, which aided in dexterity on unstable surfaces. The collar also has a moderate amount of padding, which helps prevent rubbing and provides a nice buffer from rocks. Despite an uncomfortable break-in period, we experienced no ankle pain over the course of 30 miles in two days.
The Danner boots are adequately supportive for challenging terrain. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
Traction
Though the lugs on the Mountain 600 Leaf are not as aggressive as some others we tested, the Vibram outsoles performed well on steep, rocky terrain. The rubber itself is very sticky, and the multidirectional lug pattern ensures the boots maintain their grip even on tricky surfaces.
During our backpacking trip in southeastern Utah, the boots did great scrambling uphill on a poor trail. They were similarly secure and trustworthy when navigating loose dirt off trail, trudging up a steep and rocky section, and descending rough doubletrack. Overall, we came away impressed by their all-around traction.
The Mountain 600 Leaf boots have surprisingly good traction. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
Weather Resistance
Weather resistance is one of the highlights of the all-leather Mountain 600 Leaf GTX. Thanks to the full-grain leather uppers and GORE-TEX liner, these boots can handle most wet and soggy conditions without issue.
In order to test waterproofing, we purposefully walked through an ankle-deep creek several times while backpacking. The inside of the boots stayed perfectly dry. The only exception was when we paused and stood in the same spot for a few minutes. At this point, some water started to leak through the gusset on the tongue. As with all boots, water can enter above the collar, so gaiters are a good idea if you expect to encounter a lot of snow or water crossings.
One trade-off to the boots’ superior waterproofing is that they run warm on hot days. Our feet became quite sweaty while backpacking in Utah and began to rub due to the heat and friction. This shouldn’t be an issue in milder conditions.
We were able to walk through a stream several times without the inside of these boots getting wet. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
Weight
The Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX is one of the heaviest boots we tested. Danner lists the boots at 2 pounds, 4 ounces per pair, and they came in slightly lighter at 2 pounds, 2 ounces on our kitchen scale. Much of this is due to the robust, weather-ready build that’s much beefier than trail runner-inspired designs that weigh half as much.
On our backpacking trip in southeastern Utah, we did experience foot fatigue from the extra weight. It was not noticeable initially, but by the end of the 34 miles, we were counting down the minutes until we could take off the boots. Most day hikers likely won’t have an issue with the Mountain 600’s heft, but it’s not the best option for multi-day trips, in our opinion.
These beefy hiking boots check in at over 2 pounds for the pair. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
Should You Buy the Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX?
The Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX’s biggest strengths are its reliable waterproofing, well-rounded traction, and long-term durability. However, they run quite warm in hot weather and take time to break in properly.
With that in mind, the Mountain 600 Leaf boots are a great choice for hikers who frequent wet, mild conditions – particularly in more rugged environments like the Pacific Northwest. Those who spend a lot of time hiking in warm, dry climates like Utah will likely want something more breathable. And if you spend most of your time on well-maintained paths, the Danner is realistically overkill – you can get away with a much lighter boot.
Testing the Danner boots on an overnight backpacking trip in southeastern Utah. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
What Other Women’s Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
If the Mountain 600 Leaf boots don’t quite strike the balance you’re looking for, check out the alternatives below, or head to our women’s hiking boots gear guide for more options.
LOWA Renegade EVO GTX Mid Review: One of the top performers in our lineup, the Renegades are well loved by hikers for their strong all-around performance. They’re similar in weight to the Danner boots but will save you a bit of cash.
La Sportiva Nucelo High II GTX Review: Another well-rounded option, the Nucleo boots strike a good balance between weight and durability. They’re considerably lighter than the Danners and noticeably more breathable.
Salomon Quest 4 GTX Review: Like the Danner boots, the Quests offer great stability for carrying a heavy pack or navigating difficult terrain. They’re even heavier than the Danners but feel decently nimble thanks to their well-balanced design.
The Danner boots are made with full-grain leather uppers for good durability and weather resistance. – Photo Credit: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)
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