Danner Light 40th Anniversary Boot

Danner Light 40th Anniversary Boot

By Silvia Galliani

The Danner story began in 1932, when Charles Danner opened the doors of Danner Shoe Mfg. Company near the town of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. It might have seemed risky to launch a premium footwear brand while America was in the midst of the Great Depression, but Charles Danner believed in the demand for quality, handcrafted footwear. And so with just five employees, he set about producing exactly that.
Back then, Danner’s durable work boots sold for less than $4 a pair. But in the Pacific Northwest, where the logging industry was flourishing, the same boots could be sold for $10 a pair. Sensing an unmissable opportunity to grow his business, Charles Danner transferred his entire operation and family to Portland, Oregon in 1936.
Work boots and military boots, especially during World War II, were the brand’s mainstay until the late 1960s when the great outdoors captured the American public’s imagination and more and more people became passionate about hiking and backpacking. A trend which offered another big growth opportunity for the company – hiking boots.

Danner broke new ground with an introduction of sturdy, multi-purpose hikers – a decision that would prove to be hugely successful. The Danner 6490 model was a strong technical boot that performed well in the outdoors and boasted rugged durability and fine craftsmanship. Backpacker Magazine would later describe it as “close to being our ideal hiking shoe.” Future models of this boot would be called the Mountain Light and would later inspire an entire collection of classic and functional hiking designs.
By 1979 the brand had moved operations to its fourth factory in Oregon, doubling its production capacity. This year, however, would be a milestone in the story of Danner, thanks to another iconic innovation: the collaboration with GORE-TEX®. Danner was the first footwear brand to develop and patent a unique way of making a truly waterproof boot.
Until then, no other brand had ever used that particular waterproof and breathable textile in footwear. Danner turned the market upside down with the introduction of the Danner Light boot, revolutionising the world of technical shoes and the outdoor industry in the process. Especially in Japan, where Danner has a strong customer base, and the Danner Light has a cult-like following in both the fashion and outdoor industries.
The brand has therefore decided to celebrate this iconic boot and its anniversary with a special and exclusive re-edition.
The Danner Light 40th Anniversary Boot pays homage to the original. Each pair, now as then, is handcrafted in Portland, using quality materials and ensuring an excellent level of craftsmanship. Heritage, design, and an ethos centred on creating high-performance footwear ensure Danner remains one of the best outdoor and lifestyle boot brands in the industry.

This classic-inspired, limited-edition boot is aimed at the modern explorer. It is entirely built with a stitchdown construction offering strong stability and comfort underfoot. The upper is made from premium full-grain leather and 1000 Denier nylon, which makes it extremely durable. Liners are 100% waterproof and breathable thanks to GORE-TEX®, which guarantees that no water gets in, while allowing sweat and moisture to get out.
The outsole features Vibram Kletterlift with Megagrip, a material specifically designed for performance and durability. The heel provides superb shock absorption and the rubber compound guarantees great traction and stability on both wet and dry surfaces.
Over the years Danner Boots has branched out from its original Pacific Northwest of the USA base, reaching Europe, Australia and Asia. The company has continued to expand and new stores are opening to meet the growing demand. The brand today operates through many channels, including a wide selection available at danner.com with international shipping options.
The secret of this success? Simply following the same traditions and high-quality standards developed by Charles Danner generations ago. Today, Danner continues to design and produce a complete line of outdoor, uniform, work and lifestyle-inspired boots from its world-class factory in Portland, Oregon, made with the same commitment and skill that the company has been renowned for since 1932.