Nearly 85 years ago, Charles Danner had a simple goal: to create and sell a reliable, homegrown, handmade work boot for a reasonable price. He felt quality was missing in the American footwear industry and even in the thick of the Great Depression, he believed his solution would supersede all other options on the market.
The Danner Shoe Mfg. Company was born shortly thereafter in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. And as promised, up for sale was a pair of handmade, domestically sourced boots costing no more than $4 ($70 today). However, sensing an even greater opportunity in the Pacific Northwest logging industry, Danner took his talents out west, moving his family and eponymous company to Portland, Oregon in 1936.
Although much has changed in the world since the 30s, Danner has maintained the same consumer-centric commitment to enduring value. From the 40s onwards, their offerings expanded to serve the military and law enforcement personnel (which caught our eye last month), even more so for hiking, backpacking, hunting and other recreational activities in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. “Quality”, “heritage”, and “craftsmanship” might sound like marketing buzzwords these days, but very few brands back them up with a history like Danner.
More recently, the Portland company has unveiled and refined footwear for those living in urban environments needing to battle the elements. The Portland Select collection draws inspiration from their workwear roots, and made with their founder’s original mission to always overbuild. Two highlights from the collection include the Mountain Pass Cedar Boot and Mountain Light Cascade Clovis Boot.
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Women's Mountain Pass Cedar Boot
- Material: Full-grain leather, GORE-TEX lined
- Outsole: Vibram Kletterlift Thin
- Made in: USA
- Weight: 43oz per pair (25% lighter than the Mountain Light)
- Additional details:
- Stitch-down constructed (meaning outsole can be replaced)
- One-piece leather tongue to keep out water and debris
- Removable Polyurethane footbed
- Bi-fit shank
- 503 last
- Waterproof
- Available at: Danner for $360
Men's Mountain Light Cascade Clovis Boot
- Material: Full-grain leather, GORE-TEX lined
- Outsole: Vibram Kletterlift
- Made in: USA
- Weight: 62oz per pair
- Additional details:
- Danner’s signature hiking model for men
- One-piece leather tongue to keep out water and debris
- Stitch-down constructed (meaning outsole can be replaced)
- Fiberglass shank
- 650 EE last
- Waterproof
- Available at: Danner for $380
Photos by The Harpooner.
