If your hiking boots are uncomfortable, you could have a hard time outside. No one wants to deal with this, so people are always on the lookout for shoes that fit well and are comfortable.
If you are also the one looking to get the next pair of hiking boots, you should consider two famous brands Merrell and Danner.
Both are known for their long history of providing durable outdoor shoes, however, in this article, we will compare them to help you choose a more suitable one.
Comparison Table Between Danner And Merrel:
| Danner | Merrell |
|---|---|
| Founded in 1932 | Founded in 1981 |
| For heavy-duty | For beginners to experienced hikers |
| Pricey | Less Expensive |
| Stich-down construction | Welt Construction |
| Offers a more stylish Variety | Subtle and simple designs |
| Need a break in period | Mostly comfortable out of the box |
| Runs Narrow | True to size |
| Airthotic Footbed | M-select Fit |
| Gore-Tex lining | Gore-Tex and Tesivel 3-bar knit lining |
| Vibram’s SPE midsole | EVA |
Overview of Danner:
Danner Boots have changed a lot since they were first made 90 years ago, but they still have a classic look and the quality remains much the same.
Charles Danner started this company in 1932 intending to make the best boots at the most affordable rates.
The emerging logging business of that time gave him the perfect chance, and he moved to Portland to sell the best logging boots on the market to people in the Pacific Northwest.
After 10 years, the company grew when the government hired Charles Danner to make work boots for the military during World War II and after the war, his two sons took over the business.
As the 1960s kicked off, hiking and other outdoor activities became widely common, and Danner established itself as a brand of hiking boots, pursuing quality while remaining handcrafted.
Danner collaborated with Gore-Tex in 1979 to produce the first completely waterproof bestselling “Danner Light boots” which have a sock-like waterproof lining and was a revolutionary step forward for hiking boots.
Furthermore, the brand is dedicated to ensuring that its customers can wear the same pair of shoe lifetime and offer its well-known recrafting program. Under this initiative, from new soles to even refurbishing the leather, a team in Portland works hard to make sure that all Danner boots can maintain their legacy for the rest of their lives.
Overview of Merrell:
Merrell is a footwear and apparel company founded in 1981 by Clark Matis, John Schweizer, and Randy Merrell. John and Clark have considerable background in outdoor travel gave them a boost in building a successful company, Randy, on the other hand, had the appropriate shoemaking skills.
The main goal of this friendly and cooperative partnership was to design, manufacture, and market high-quality outdoor shoes and boots without sacrificing the wearer’s comfort or productivity.
There’s a lot to like about all of the phenomenal Merrell shoes, and their best-selling Merrell Moab 2 Waterproof Shoes are durable, provide great grip, and feel very comfortable on most types of trails.
Due to their exceptional footwear brand got worldwide appreciation and millions of nature enthusiasts all around the world still consider Merrell a top-tier shoe company.
Despite the brand’s success, Randy Merrell preferred to sell his share of the company a few years later, and in 1997 it became a part of the Wolverine World Wide label.
Presently, Merrell’s footwear is still crafted from superior materials, exactly as it was in the 1980s, however, the brand now designs and sells a variety of other products.
Merrell has always a strong commitment to quality and safety in its manufacturing processes, has believe in the shoes they manufacture, and aims to inspire and encourage its customers by providing them with reliable footwear.
Major Differences between the brands:
In this section, we will help you make the decision easier by weighing the pros and cons of Danner vs Merrell hiking boots. So, Let’s begin.
1) Comfort:
Merrell takes the wearer’s comfort into account at every stage of the design process, starting with the outsole and continuing through each material used in the construction of the shoe.
The primary factor that makes their hiking boots comfortable is how light they are, since your feet take in the bulk of the weight while you hike, shedding a few ounces from your footwear will allow you to move more quickly and confidently on any trail.
Moreover, Merrell’s proprietary footbed, the M-Select FIT, plays a pivotal role in the company’s commitment to offering all-day comfort.
Also, their EVA midsoles precisely mold to the shape of the feet, so heels and arches remain well supported, and you will get maximal comfort no matter where the day takes you.
On the other hand, even though the Danner boots are made from tough materials, they are still very comfortable to wear and move around in. The heavier leather options need a few wears to conform to your feet, but the lighter options are super comfortable right away.
In addition, the majority of their boots feature Airthotic, a molded polyurethane instep that cushions the heel and its raised arch support is more rigid than a foam footbed. It will also not compress over time and is perforated for enhanced air circulation and comfort.
Danner seeks to reduce weight and improve comfort in most of their footwear by combining Vibram’s SPE midsole, which features infused natural rubber.
The designers of this brand also minimize the amount of leather used in the construction of the boot and substituted nylon to make it more comfortable yet flexible.
2) Popularity:
Danner footwear is popular among, hikers, workers, and hunters, and in addition to being featured in Forbes and Vogue the brand’s footwear got worldwide appreciation.
Also, Kate Hudson and Megan Fox are among the celebrities who have been spotted wearing Danner, helping to further establish the reputation of the company among fashionistas.
Alternatively, Merrell is a popular choice for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, and the label got the title of “Brand of the Year” at the Footwear News Achievement Awards. Merrell has also been presented with many awards from all over the world.
3) Target Market:
Merrell intends its footwear to anyone interested in outdoor activities; the brand does not specifically target an age group but offers something for everyone who has an active lifestyle like hikers, travelers, professionals, and trail goers.
On the other hand, the original target market for Danner is loggers, who need durable footwear for demanding outdoor labor. Now, the brand intends its footwear for people interested in outdoor activities and most of its customers are between the ages of 14-30.
4) Price:
When comparing the costs of Danner and Merrell hiking boots, you should have an idea that prices vary depending on the model and type of shoe.
Merrell costs anywhere from $50 to $200 and most of their hiking boots have a mid-range price of $100-$180, whereas Danner shoes are more expensive and range from $100 to $220 but some of their Mountain boots can be more than $400.
5) Design:
Danner and Merrell have a solid reputation for quality manufacturing and innovative designs. Both labels offer modern hiking boots that are built to last in contrast to others that use cheap materials. The brands incorporate Vibram soles, which are typically among the most robust and resilient soles found in footwear, so, if durability is your priority, you can rely on both brands.
Moreover, Danner boots, feature a stitch-down construction in which a row of stitches links through the upper and outsole, it has visible sewing that gives it a rugged appearance.
Also, Danner continues to prioritize cutting-edge design and premium materials by teaming up with industry leaders like Gore-Tex.
Overall, their boots are ideal for hiking, hunting, laboring on construction sites, working in the community, and almost any activity.
Merrell hiking boots, on the other hand, feature a welt design in which the leather upper is turned outward and placed above the sole. This results in a more robust-looking exposed stitch construction that is also more waterproof than ordinary welted footwear.
Furthermore, Merrell’s M-Select Dry technology excels as a breathable membrane that prevents water from penetrating the shoe but allows air to circulate freely around the foot making them exceptional.
So, if you’re looking for hiking boots that are suitable for day treks, trail running, mountain exploration, and backpacking on a variety of trails in hot, cold, and wet conditions, go for Merrell.
Conclusion: What Should You Buy?
Considering their unique qualities, both Danner and Merrell are highly recommended brands for hiking boots and offer a wide range of products.
If you’re looking for classic heritage outdoor boots that have the capability to withstand harsh conditions on the trail you should opt for Danner hiking boots.
On the bright side, Merrell is a good option if you care about quality and want well-fitting hiking boots that keep your feet secure and make you comfortable in any situation.
Also, one great thing about the construction of the Danner and Merrell boots is they are repairable and that’s why can last a very long period.
So, now that we’ve gone over the most important differences, you should have a good idea of which shoes are better for your needs.
