As usual for this time of year, social media group pages are full of "What kind of hunting boots do you recommend?" posts. With fall elk and deer seasons right around the corner, you're running out of time to find, order, and break in a new pair of boots.
There are so many options that it can be overwhelming to decide what is best. And what's best will depend on the type of hunting you plan to do, the terrain, weather, and many other factors.
Several years ago, I wrote a review of the Danner Wayfinder boots. I love those boots so much that I have three pairs. However, after a while, they were no longer waterproof, which was problematic for my hunting. So, I wanted to purchase a pair of leather boots that would be more waterproof. Since I have loved the Wayfinders, I decided to stick with Danner and purchased the Danner Mountain 600 boots.
Since I've been wearing them for over a year, I decided to do a review to help other women with their boot purchases.
Features (from Danner.com)
32 oz per pair
4.5" height
Waterproof full-grain leather upper
OrthoLite footbed
Vibram® SPE midsole
Vibram® Fuga Outsole
Danner Dry 100% waterproof barrier
Manufacturing: Vietnam
Size and Fit
The customer reviews indicate that the Mountain 600 boots fit to size. However, the Wayfinders run small, so I ordered the Mountain 600 boots in the same size as my Wayfinders. I usually wear a size 9, but I ordered a size 9.5 to see how they fit (Danner offers free returns).
Once they arrived, I tried them on with my regular hiking socks, and they were a perfect fit. I wore them around the house for a little while to see how comfortable they were and ensure there weren't any immediate issues before wearing them outside. They seemed fine.
One concern when I ordered them was the height. I have grown used to wearing the Wayfinders, which are 8" high, and prefer that for mountain hunting and hiking because they offer excellent ankle support and stability. The Mountain 600 only comes in 4.5" height, which is much shorter and doesn't offer near the amount of support. I also wasn't sure where they would hit my ankle and if that height would cause discomfort since my ankles are kind of bony. So far, it's all good, and I haven't had any issues.
Functionality
Comfort
These boots felt comfortable right out of the box. They are very lightweight, unlike many Western hunting boots (i.e., Kenetrek, Lowa, Crispi, etc.). I've been wearing them on hikes and hunts for the past year and have put quite a few miles on them so far. They are still very comfortable to wear, and I have never experienced any pain while hiking in them. I have worn them on many days with temperatures in the 80s and 90s, and my feet do not sweat in them any more than they would in any shoe when it's that hot.
Tread
I hike and hunt areas with muddy creeks, dry and cracked flats, forest beds with brush and branches, steep hillsides, loose rocks, and everything in between. Having boots with good tread is an absolute must. The tread on the Mountain 600s has always performed well, and I have not had any issues with traction. After a year of wear, the tread is still in great condition.
Waterproof
Having waterproof footwear was the primary reason I started looking for new boots to replace my Wayfinders. After a few seasons, the Wayfinders were no longer waterproof, which was disappointing. I felt that full leather boots would offer better protection against water, which is why I decided on the Mountain 600. So far, they have proven to be waterproof. While I tend to steep over creeks whenever possible, I still walk through a lot of marshy and wet areas and hike in snow and rain. At this point, I have not had wet feet.
When hunting, I usually wear leg gaiters to help keep my pants dry when walking through wet areas. The gaiters also help keep my feet dry since they prevent water from coming in over the top of the boot. I was concerned about this since these boots are much shorter than the Wayfinders I was used to wearing.
Options and Price
Available sizes: Women's 5-11, medium width
8 color options, but no camouflage colors
Price: $190 to $210, depending on the color. I paid $157.50 since I purchased them during a site-wide sale.
As an added benefit, Danner offers free 2-day shipping and free returns. Because of this, I recommend purchasing directly from the Danner website instead of buying through other retailers.
Overall Thoughts
So far, the Mountain 600 boots have met my expectations. I've owned them for over a year, hunted an entire elk season (archery and rifle), and hiked many miles during the summer, fall, and spring seasons, and they hardly show any signs of wear other than a few scratches in the leather. I have oiled them once with Atsko Sno Seal wax.
The biggest negative for me is the height. After wearing the Wayfinders, I have found that I prefer the higher shaft height for mountain hunting, especially when carrying a heavy pack or packing meat or bear bait. The Mountain 600 boots do not offer the same level of ankle stability as a 4.5" height. The only full leather women's boot Danner offers that is taller is the Arctic 600 Side-Zip, which looks like the Mountain 600 but is insulated. This would be a good option for later season or cold weather hunts, but I primarily hunt early season when it is too warm for insulated boots.
Final Recommendation
Yes! I recommend these boots to other outdoorswomen who are looking for comfort, function, and style in a hiking or hunting boot.
Sarah Honadel is an avid outdoorswoman from Kentucky and now lives in southeast Idaho. She enjoys hunting elk, deer, turkey, pronghorn, and waterfowl. She is the Social Media Specialist with Huntress View and a member of the Browning Trail Cameras Pro Staff. Follow her outdoor adventures on Instagram @sarah.honadel.outdoors and @arrowridgecreations.
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