The original Danner Mountain 600 is one of the iconic brand’s most popular boots—and while it’s more than capable on day hikes, continued testing and customer feedback helped the Portland bootmaker realize it needed a little more oomph if it was going to withstand the wear and tear that comes with the extra weight of a backpacking trip. So, Danner created a new version of the Gore-tex boot—the Mountain 600 Evo—designed specifically for backpackers.
I’ve tested this backpack-ready, waterproof hiking boot on the local trails around my Southern California home as well as backpacking through Yosemite National Park, and have a few thoughts on the Mountain 600 Evo’s capabilities—as well as its drawbacks. Keep reading for my full Danner Mountain 600 Evo review.
The Danner Mountain 600 Evo is comfortable right out of the box
Thanks to a TPU shank, full-grain leather upper, removable Ortholite Eco footbed and rubberized EVA Vibram SPE midsole, the Mountain 600 Evo is a pleasure to wear right out of the box—and a supportive ride on long haul hikes. Built with the rigors of backpacking in mind, the Mountain Evo 600’s design prioritizes an even distribution of weight underfoot and stability over uneven terrain. The cushioning and rebound in the midsole were substantial enough that I didn’t have any discomfort on my three-day backpacking trip in the Yosemite Valley (other than my toes, but we’ll get to that below).
One tip I’d like to share: the Mountain 600 Evo comes with two sets of laces, one round and one flat. I tested both prior to my backpacking trip, and opted for the flat. Not only are they easier to tie, but they stayed tight and in place over the long miles I hiked from Glacier Point to the summit of Half Dome. Others in my group chose the rounded laces, and were tying and retying them frequently on trail.
There’s room to spare in the Mountain 600 Evo
One of the benefits of a boot that doesn’t require breaking in is that it’s comfortable almost immediately; however, that initial comfort can bite you in the ass when you’ve officially broken the boot in and it ends up being too roomy. That was my experience with the Mountain 600 Evo—the full-grain leather upper is elegant, durable and strong, but the toe box stretched out a bit once I officially broke the boots in. While some feet may welcome this extra room, I found my feet sliding around a bit in the boot on descents, the discomfort of which was amplified by the 35 pound pack on my back.
If I could do it again, I would order the boots a half size smaller than I typically wear, and endure the initial discomfort of breaking them in to ensure that they’d be the perfect fit after packing out a bit.
The Mountain 600 Evo is a durable and capable boot
Danner didn’t just build the Mountain 600 Evo to reflect the aesthetics of quality and heritage, it also designed the boot to be as durable and capable on trail as possible. At two pounds per pair, these boots aren’t for lightweight hiking by any means—but thanks to the combo of the supportive TPU shank underfoot and the responsive and cushioned midsole, the weighty feeling is mitigated. And the extra ounces go a long way supporting the extra weight of a traditionally packed backpack.
The Danner Mountain 600 Evo features a 100 percent waterproof (and 45 percent recycled) Gore-Tex liner, which I found very handy on the multiple stream crossings while testing. The liner didn’t interfere with breathability, which I appreciated, and with thunderstorms in the forecast for our trip, I was grateful to have the extra waterproofing, should I have needed it.
Final Verdict: Is the Danner Mountain 600 Evo Worth It?
The heritage styling, quality build, and overall comfort on-trail of the Mountain 600 Evo make it a worthy investment—especially if you’re a frequent backpacker. While this new design may be a bit over-built (possibly even over-priced) for a day hiker, it certainly holds its own on trails short and long. Because I found the boot to grow roomier after initial break-in, I would personally recommend trying them on if you can and potentially even sizing down a half size; but remember to take your foot shape, and personal preferences, into account before making that decision.
Overall, the Mountain 600 Evo is an enjoyable and comfortable backpacking boot I would recommend. The modern hiker is easy on the eyes and fully capable of holding its own on trail.
Available in men's and women's sizing for $250
Published 10-01-2024
