Japan-exclusive. Two words we hate to see. When it comes to expertly crafted pieces like jeans, leather jackets, and boots, the Japanese market seems to produce some truly stunning products that, quite frankly, we simply don’t deserve. With Danner falling comfortably within the category of expertly crafted boots, it’s no surprise that the Portland-based brand has a following in Japan that has inspired them to design a range of footwear produced exclusively for the Japanese market.
Following on from our rundown of overseas-exclusive Red Wings, we’re taking a look at the Danner boots that are only available in Japan. As it turns out, Danner has a plethora of boots and shoes available only to customers in the far east – so we’ve narrowed it down and picked out some of our favorites.
6″ Lace Up (Stumptown Exclusive)
Image via Danner Jp
Made exclusively for Japanese boot outlet, Stumptown, the 6″ Lace Up is an archetypal mid-century workboot. This sturdy boot is crafted from a highly textured bovine leather, which sits upon a leather midsole and Vibram 705 outsole. Handcrafted in Japan, these handsome boots come complete with embossed Danner Branding on the shaft.
Available at Stumptown Japan
Antigo
Image via Danner Jp
A classic semi-dress style executed perfectly by Danner. Made in Japan, the Antigo features a full-grain Horween leather upper, stitched down onto a leather midsole and Vibram rubber outsole. Simple yet effective, this Danner chukka boot is a versatile number that blends Danner’s rugged construction with clean details.
Available at Stumptown Japan
Bonneville (Stumptown Exclusive)
Image via Danner Jp
Another bespoke Danner Boot made exclusively for Slumptown Japan (you’re probably sensing a theme here!), the Danner Bonneville is a pair of classic work boots named after the dam in the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington. The Bonneville is crafted in Japan, with an upper made from a contrasting blend of slick Horween Chromexcel leather and American suede. Taking inspiration from mid-century logging and hunting boots, these boots have a lower vamp than the aforementioned 6″Lace Up, with added speed hooks.
Available at Stumptown Japan
Danner Field
Image via Danner Jp
Reminiscent of the Danner Light, the Danner Field is a retro hiker boot from the Portland brand that is currently only available in Japan. Constructed from full-grain leather and sturdy nylon, the Danner Field is fitted with a robust Vibram Kletterlift outsole that is fully replaceable. In addition, these weather-ready boots are bolstered with a Gore-Tex lining, making them waterproof.
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Danner Light Cordovan (Stumptown Exclusive)
Image via Danner Jp
Designed in the golden era of backpacking, the Danner Light is a classic Danner silhouette that has remained a staple part of the brand’s collection for over 40 years. And while the Danner Light is not a Japanese-exclusive model, these shell cordovan versions are. Made in the USA exclusively for (you guessed it) Stumptown Japan, these Danner Lights are crafted from a Cordovan leather that takes over 6 months to produce in the esteemed Horween Tannery in Chicago. Coming in black, navy, and burgundy, each pair is finished with a Made in U.S.A. label on the shaft.
Available at Stumptown Japan
Danner Light x FDMTL (Washougal)
Image via Stumptown Japan
In collaboration with the Tokyo-based FDMTL, Danner released this Sashiko-laden rendition of the classic Danner Light boot. Seen here in an array of lush indigo tones, this boot perfectly embodies the heritage of both Danner and FDMTL, blending vintage Americana hiking style with the ancient Japanese craft of Sashiko.
Dekum
Image via Stumptown Japan
The Danner Dekum is a handsome 7-hole service boot with a leather midsole and Vibram rubber outsole. With the model already exclusive to the Japanese market, this special edition is made up in Horween Cordovan Leather, a hide that demands a meticulous 6-month tanning process to achieve a lustrous, glossy sheen that fades beautifully with age and wear. In addition, these boots are lined with an extra layer of leather for comfort.
Engineer (Stumptown Exclusive)
Image via Stumptown Japan
A boot that needs no introduction, the Engineer Boot is an undisputed workwear classic that has navigated into the wardrobes of bikers and heritage-nuts alike. Out of all the footwear in this list, it’s safe to say that this Danner Engineer would do well in the Western market, but they’re currently exclusive to Stumptown Japan. Made in Japan these boots are built from heavyweight Horween Chromexcel leather, sat upon a substantial leather midsole and Vibram 705 rubber outsole. And if you’re capable of wearing through these robust sole units, they can be easily replaced thanks to Goodyear welt construction.
Explorer OG
Image via Danner Jp
The Explorer OG is a reissue of the original Explorer silhouette, allowing Danner to channel 70s/80s vibes from their archive with this Japan-exclusive release. Made in the USA with stitch-down construction, the Explorer OG is crafted from a mix of smooth cowhide and contrasting suede panels, offset with colored laces and a charming Made In USA tab on the collar. Utilizing a Gore-tex boot-liner and a sturdy Vibram Kletterlift sole, these Danner boots are ready for any all sorts of explorin’.
Manawa
Image via Danner Jp
Here’s something we definitely don’t see form Danner in the western hemisphere—a semi-dress oxford. The Danner Manawa is a 5-hole plain-toe crafted from full-grain Horween leather with single-stitch-down construction. Blending the smart and the rugged, Danner has reinforced the vamp with quadruple stitching and fitted these shoes with a Vibram gum sole that will provide comfort and traction from the first wear. Each pair comes complete with embossed Danner branding.
Postman/Postman Boots
Images via Danner Jp
Based on mid-century utilitarian plain-toe shoes supplied to postal workers, the Danner Postman comes in low and hi variations, seen here in Danner’s ‘glass’ leather. Made in Japan, each pair is crafted with Goodyear welting making for easy sole replacement. Similar to Red Wing Postmans, the Danner logo has been embossed onto the side of these utilitarian classics so you know they come from the Portland bootmakers. Pair these with some wide-leg chinos and a work shirt and you are good to go.
Romeo
Romeo (left) & Work Romeo (Right) – Images via Danner Jp
Reminiscent of the archetypal Chelsea boot, the Danner Romeo is a semi-dress number that’s balanced with a rugged Vibram sole. These boots are constructed with elasticated gussets and a heel pull-tab and each pair is built from Horween Chromexcel leather that has the potential to develop a charming patina as the years go by.
Slusher (5/Pull-on)
Slusher 5-Eye (left) & Slusher Pull-On (right) images via Bootsman Jp (Rakuten)
Who doesn’t love a duck boot? Well.. probably not ducks. But alas, Danner’s rendition of the Duck Boot pioneered by L.L. Bean is a beauty. Christened the ‘Slusher’, these boots come in lace up and pull-on styles as pictured above. These ice-stompers are built from high-quality full-grain leather, with a hand-molded rubber sole. Each pair is lined with a Thinsulate liner to keep your feet warm in the winter months. L.L. Bean may have us covered in the Western hemisphere, but we can still appreciate these Danner duck boots from afar.
Tirolean Shoe
Image via Danner Jp
Hand-crafted in Japan from oiled leather, the Danner Tirolean Shoe is a sturdy mocassin-esque that is similar to the Paraboot Michael that has proven so popular in recent years. Blurring the lines between smart and casual, you can beat these boots up for a rugged look or polish them regularly to keep them clean and slick. Fitted onto a Vibram commando-style sole, these shoes are finished with contrast stitching throughout and a crimped moc toe seam which adds a new level of flair to this semi-dress staple.
Toledo (Stumptown Exclusive)
Image via Stumptown Japan
The Danner Toledo is Danner’s homage to the classic Clarks Wallabee. Handsewn in Japan, this mocassin classic is crafted from cowhide suede, with a contrasting smooth leather heel collar. The sole is made from natural crepe rubber which will provide great grip and traction from the get-go. Coming in low and hi styles, the Toledo is exclusive to Stumptown Japan.
Willamette
Image via ABC Mart
The Danner Willamette is almost like a low-top version of a Field Light. Built from contrasting panels of oiled Horween leather and Cordura nylon, the Willamette is water-resistant and comes fitted onto a Vibram Evaflex sole which provides a good measure of traction. Made in Japan, Danner has lined these stompers with lightweight pigskin for extra comfort, ensured sole-replacement is possible through their signature stitch down construction.
Work Chukka Top
Image via Danner Jp
The Work Chukka Top is Danner’s answer to the archetypal semi-dress chukka boot. Constructed from oiled full-grain leather, the clean upper of these chukkas is stitched onto a Vibram Tiegum sole using Goodyear welting that allows the boot to be recrafted at any time. Each pair comes complete with embossed Danner branding on the shaft. Blurring the lines between smart and casual, you can beat these boots up for a rugged look or polish them regularly to keep them clean and slick.
Workforce Boot
Image via Stumptown Japan
One of the slightly less conventional boots in our line-up is these Danner Workforce Boots. Made in Japan and exclusive to the Japanese market, the Danner Workforce is an ankle-height workboot with an interesting side-zip closure. Featuring the infamous, lightweight Vibram Christy sole that is utilized on so many popular workboots, the Danner Workforce is crafted with Horween leather built with Danner’s signature stitch down construction.
