Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Danner Elk Hunter

I hear you, Bra.

I got mine on sale (I think it was on Camofire) $279 +USPS.
I have never treated them with anything......ever.
Unreal waterproof capability.

If you don't need waterproof and hunt flatland, you don't need these boots.

Lol.
I'll pay the freight........

to my door.

I used to wear pronghorns in the fall....always.
Very comfortable and didn't leak....(with "normal" maintenance).
The last pair I bought (same ones I gave away in Namibia last week) were made in China.
I asked the boot shop owner wtf? He said if they leak bring them back and I'll refund your money.
(He too was used to quality Danner boots)
I hunted them that fall.
I got wet.
A lot.
Saw him at a function in the spring. Mentioned to him my boots sucked and my feet got wet......
No mention of refund.
Guess I wasn't the only dis-satisfied customer.

Sucks really. They have a very comfortable design.

You'll want to check out the schnees mountain boots. Not as popular but i believe every bit as good as the other top brands.

FWIW, I have meidle perfekts, schnee beartooths and danner canadiens, and the danners are not only super warm but perfect for walking all day without a significant load.

Shortly after I started elk hunting at (33) I used Redwings and Danner lites. One of my partners used Elk Hunters and goit me started on them. I used the combination of Elk Hunters and Sorel Pac boots for about 14 years, They worked really well in the Blue Mountains of Oregon and I still have them and they work fine for hilly ground. I also bought two new pair when they discontinued them. One insulated, the other not. They have never been used.

For steeper , rockier stuff I prefer Lowa GTX's. They are a bit stiffer, very comfortable and their soles work better than the airbobs on rock and hardpan.

I absolutely hate these boots . I have broken them on a hunt.

I had a couple pair over the years although I never worn them actually elk hunting. The problem I experienced was that as the leather broke in and softened the area where it joined the sole made them sloppy. Like the sole was to heavy for the thickness of the leather allowing too much side to side ankle movement. They felt good on because I like the boxy toe. But I need the ankle stability having sprained both several times over the years and these did not provide that after a while. Too bad because I like them otherwise, if the leather was a little stiffer/thicker.

For bow season I would look more towards a heavy back packing or light mountaineering boot. Lighter, better support, and foot/ankle protection. I have two pair of US Danners the Pronghorn and I think the Pioneer which looks like an insulated version of the elk hunter. Both have been good but the pronghorns are starting to leak and the pioneers the soles came off completely, looks like ozone rot. I did get more than ten years of service out of each and the pioneers can be resoled by Danner. Same complaint as DogsL on sloppiness of the Danner pioneer this was aggravated by the insulation too.

I like the hikers and lt. mountaineering boots from Galibia, Lowa, Vasque, Alico, and Garmont. I think the technology is ahead of the typical hunting boot. Better support and foot protection and lighter weight. Check outlets like Sierra trading post for some good deals. Look at the Alico Summit for a good old school type of boot. My Garmont boots have held up really well as did the Lowas and the Vasque. The Vasque went through three pairs of vibram soles before retirement. That was also a couple of thousand miles.

Stitch down boots can be made fairly waterproof with pure melted bees wax and the rest of the boot treated with the Obenaufs wax. Early season I prefer non goretex boots unless crossing a lot of streams or swamps. You can also wear goretex socks for water crossings.

2 prs Danners, 1 pr the Elk Hunter, developed loud squeaks at low miles between the airbob and the boot sole. No warranty. Done.

Thanks for all the great input everyone, I'm passing on the Danners . I tend to stay with old school products but I don't need a full leather boot for archery season. One of the hiker types is what I'll go with.

BP - watch E-Bay for Kenetreks - they post their customer returns on there. You can find a good deal, but waiting for the right size can take a while.

I like Danners, still have several pairs, BUT they are now Eastern hunting boots, I won't wear them out West after my Kenetreks and Crispis.

My experience, the Danners aren't stiff enough after a few trips, and they don't support my ankles enough to not risk an ankle sprain.

I used to wear a pair of thick leather soled moccasins for bow hunting. They weren't good for steep country or rocks but if the terrain was right, they were comfortable and QUIET. I sneaked right in on more than 1 deer with them. They could be slick on wet grass, though.

not the elk hunters, but I just received my Filson Uplander boots back from their second re-sole in 13 years. Awesome boots. I picked up a second pair a few years ago. These are by far my favorite boots, and I also have Red wings, wolverines, etc...

Same experience that I had. Worst pair of boots I’ve ever owned. 1st day I wore them I got caught in a rain in North Idaho hunting thick timber. First thing, both feet soaked and freezing. Then, those Elk Hunter boots developed the damnedest loud squeak you could imagine. Both boots! Feet were soaked and boots squeaking like mad I took them off and used my knife to cut the liners and stuffed bear grass into them to try to shut them up. Slogged my way back to camp, took them off and never wore them again.

I’ll be happy to sell you mine! 20 years old and only 5 miles on them. Come with custom bear grass insulation! Haven’t leaked or squeaked in over 20 years!

What a joke. Total garbage.

I have two pair of Danner’s I bought around ‘94 mostly for elk hunting but I wear them around here during deer season. I think they were a “Cabela’s” brand and they’re very light with 200 (?) grams of insulation. One has a standard vibram and another with air bob soles. They’re the type with leather toe, heel and tongue/eyelet strip,lace to toe and cordura side panels. They also have a Gore-tex liner. I’ve had the soles replaced once on both of them and two islets replaced.

I’ve got a narrow foot and these have been perfect for me. Good wear, waterproof and fit for 25 years. Hard to beat.

I’ve been wearing Danner Canadian boots for many moons for big game hunting. An excellent boot for rough environments. Made in US.
😎

That's because you are a resident of Oregon , they make them special just for you.

I went with the Lowa GTX, decision made easier by Blackovis 38% off sale . They have some good deals for the 4th of July sale.

Im going to have a tough time buying anything from Oregon in the future.

If you live where you can get to a real mountain shop, or even an REI you will find that boots/ shoes for the mountains have evolved a great deal in the last 5 years. Light, anatomically correct, waterproof and tough are all available in 1 boot but you have to try them on to insure proper fit. For me , if not in snow or very wet I really prefer trail running shoes specifically the Altra Lone Pines. I do not carry a pack of >25 lbs.


mike r