Danner mountain light
Best: For durability
Rating: 10/10
Don’t be fooled by its name: there’s nothing “light” about this absolute beast of a boot from Danner. A traditional hiker with a bombproof build, this commando-soled classic has been handmade in the USA since the 1970s, and the quality is second to none. It’s also surprisingly comfortable right out of the box when compared with similar boots we’ve tested that needed a lot of breaking in.
Yes, £360 is a lot of money. However, with these boots you’re going to see an excellent return on your investment over the years. They’re built to last, which means you won’t be replacing them for a long time. In fact, you might not even need to at all, as Danner offers a full recrafting service to bring even the most battered of boots back to life.
Sizing is our one and only gripe. These boots fit big – we had to go down a full size for the perfect fit and we’d recommend you do the same.