Hiking Heritage – A Closer Look at the Danner Light & Mountain Light

An in depth look at two of the most iconic silhouettes from legendary Portland-based footwear manufacturer, Danner.

James Smith

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A recent trip to Outsiders Store in London cemented the ubiquity of Danner for me. As a store founded in the rising tide of the ever-evolving gorpcore trend, Outsiders is packed to the gills with all sorts of waterproof garb, campsite accouterments, and technical wear – masterfully curated to sell the idea (and image) of outdoor life to inner-city folk. As I approached the footwear shelves, a pair of Danner Mountain Light boots stood out among the medley of synthetic, heavily branded uppers, radiating heritage with its full-grain leather, lace-to-toe upper. Those other products have their place, of course, but the boot that made me actually want to be outdoors was the Danner Mountain Light.

While hiking boots as we know them today were initially formulated in mountainous regions of Western Europe, there’s no questioning the omnipresence of hiking styles from the Portland bootmaking stalwart. Founded in the late 1930s by Charles Danner, his eponymous brand supplied loggers in the Pacific Northwest and later revolutionized the world of hiking and outdoor leisure with innovative boots that remain iconic today.

The Danner Light & Mountain Light are two of the most influential hiking boots to come out of the USA. Still made in Portland, Oregon, to this day, both of these styles have left their own mark on the world of outdoor adventure in their own way. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Danner Light & Mountain Light boots, how they’re made, and how they became such pillars of rugged outdoor style.

Danner – A Heritage Brand

Danner’s rich heritage spans back to 1932, when the late Charles Danner founded the Danner Shoe Mfg. Co., with the intention of producing affordable logging boots of the highest quality. Initially establishing the company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Charles caught wind of the thriving timber trade in the Pacific Northwest and relocated to Portland, Oregon, where Danner remains headquartered to this day. Danner gained a reputation for high-quality calked (spiked-soled) logging boots that were affordable, long-lasting, and fit for the job, and it wasn’t long before they were one of the top boot manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest. Danner’s reputation earned it military contracts for shipyard workers during World War II, which allowed the company to invest and grow.

Fast-forward to the early 1970s, and the outdoor boom of the USA is in full swing. What was once a more niche pastime had become a mass phenomenon. RVs were all the rage, environmental activism had highlighted the importance and beauty of nature, and technological developments had produced lightweight hiking and camping equipment that was more useful and accessible than ever before. Charles’ sons Bill & John Danner had since joined the company, and the brothers were keen to evolve the brand in line with the changing times. Whether it was loggers, outdoorsmen, shipyard workers, or leisure hikers, Danner wanted to provide best-in-class boots for the job.

The 6490

Danner used its bootmaking expertise to enter the world of hiking with a bang, premiering the 6490 boot in 1973. The 6490 was built with a whole-cut, one-piece upper, which reduced the weight of the boot to make it among the lightest hiking boots at the time. Most hiking boots weighed in at around 5lb in the early 70s, but the 6490 was much lighter at just under 4lb, which was a groundbreaking innovation at the time. The single-piece upper was cleverly folded over the top of the foot to help keep water out, a ‘leaf-proof’ feature akin to the flaps on ski boots.

The 6490 also utilized the lace-to-toe design of Danner’s early logging boots — a lacing system that also defined influential European hiking boots. Lace-to-toe systems are seen on a variety of utilitarian boots for the following reasons:

• More rigidity & stability – Overall, a more secure lacing system which reduces excess flexing and provides a more stable fit. This is great if you have bad ankles.

• Spreads lace tension – Lace-to-toe spreads the lacing system over a larger surface area, reducing pinching on long days out working or on the trail.

• Increases lacing control – Lace-to-toe provides a more customizable, secure, and supportive fit by allowing greater tension adjustment for a snug and personalized fit across the foot and ankle. Before a long descent, one could adjust the lacing around the toebox to secure the front portion of their foot and reduce the probability of toes hitting the end of the boot while descending.

This system, combined with a fairly wide Vibram sole, offered serious stability in a ruggedly handsome trail-ready boot. The 6490 released to glowing reviews from outdoor magazines and retailers, cementing Danner as a leading name in the outdoor space.

Mountain Light

The Mountain Light is the evolution of the iconic 6490. It honors the 6490 in almost all of its elements, from its silhouette to its lace-to-toe system, whole-cut upper, and Vibram outsole.

The key differences are the reduced heel lift and the addition of a waterproof, moisture-wicking GORE-TEX liner. And while GORE-TEX liners are now commonplace in the world of outdoor footwear, Danner is the company credited with pioneering the use of GORE-TEX in footwear in 1979 with the Danner Light boot. After introducing GORE-TEX to great success, they updated the 6490 with a GORE-TEX liner and renamed it the Mountain Light. 

Danner Mountain Light, available at Danner for $470.

Every pair of Mountain Lights is made in Portland, Oregon, using stitchdown construction that allows the boots to be recrafted if the sole wears through. It comes in a range of leathers, including suede, but the most iconic colorway is Cascade Clovis, which comes fitted with a black sole unit. The Mountain Light can also be purchased with an off-white Danner Wedge outsole.

As touched on at the very start of this article, the Danner Mountain Light is seen by many as the quintessential hiking boot. It offers a chunky, retro aesthetic without looking goofy, and can traverse both the trail and city streets alike.

Danner Light

In 1979, the Danner Light ushered in a new generation of outdoor boots by becoming the first piece of footwear to feature the revolutionary technology, GORE-TEX. The Danner Light was designed by Guillaume ‘Willie’ Sacre, who used GORE-TEX laminate to produce a fully waterproof, moisture-wicking lining that put the boot in a league of its own. To put this pivotal development into perspective, the first GORE-TEX jackets had only been introduced 2 years prior in 1977. Danner’s efficiency in deploying GORE-TEX further solidified its place as an innovator in the upper echelons of outdoor footwear, a place it still occupies to this day.

Danner also deployed high-denier nylon panelling that reduced the weight of the 6-8″ boot to an average of roughly 3lb, while also providing water and abrasion resistance. Mixed-material uppers were already commonplace in outdoor boots, but cotton canvas was typically used. While cotton panels did indeed reduce the weight, it was prone to tear, rot, or simply go mouldy — issues that were all but eradicated by introducing military-grade, high-denier panelling.

The Danner Light remains a core part of Danner’s Made in USA lineup. Like the Mountain Light, it features a lace-to-toe system, but one that is narrower, giving rise to a slightly sleeker silhouette. But just like the Mountain Light, it’s made with rugged stitchdown construction that allows the boot to be recrafted if you manage to wear through the Vibram Kletterlift outsole.

Danner Light, available at Danner for $480

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