Danner has been building boots since 1932, and the Portland brand has never been shy about reinventing itself. From pioneering the world’s first GORE-TEX hiking boot back in 1979 to decades of crafting the legendary Mountain Light, Danner has a long track record of doing things right before the rest of the industry catches up. The new MTN45 Low is the latest proof of that. It’s a low-cut hiker that borrows its DNA from trail running geometry and pairs it with the brand’s heritage leather craftsmanship, blending wilderness capability and everyday versatility, and it’ll surely become a fan-favorite on the trail.
MOUNTAIN LIGHT MEETS MODERN TRAIL
The MTN45 Low traces its lineage directly back to the Mountain Light, Danner’s iconic 1981 hiker that set the bar for the category and still influences the brand’s design language today. The connection is visible in the nubuck leather upper, which is top-grain leather sanded to a velvet-like finish for a shorter break-in period than traditional full-grain. Over that sits a PU-coated leather mudguard for abrasion resistance. The foam-core fabric tongue and gusset wrap the foot snugly to keep out debris. It doesn’t set out to reinvent the wheel, just perfect it.
Available in Desert Moss and all-black, the MTN45 looks just as good, if not better, than anything else out there at the moment. It’s also worth noting that Huckberry’s in-house label Proof has already tapped the MTN45 Low for a limited collaboration, releasing an exclusive “Nacreous Clouds” colorway inspired by the iridescent stratospheric clouds that form at high altitude.
THE STACK
The real story here is what’s happening underfoot. Danner built the MTN45 Low around its new EnduroFoam Plus midsole, an innovative nitrogen-infused supercritical foam running on a wider, thicker platform than previous iterations. The result is noticeably better energy return step-over-step to keep you on your feet longer. Paired with a TPU rock plate for underfoot protection on technical terrain, the stack is rounded out by a removable OrthoLite footbed with open-cell construction for airflow and pressure management throughout the day.
The outsole, of course, is Vibram’s N45 Plus with Megagrip compound and Traction Lug technology, which has always performed well on both wet and dry terrain. Danner’s DT6 last, borrowed from trail running, gives the MTN45 Low an 8mm heel-to-toe drop and slightly more forefoot volume for stability without sacrificing the trimmer look that keeps these shoes wearable off the trail as well.
We should also mention that these are not waterproof, but you can expect that Danner is already working on a GORE-TEX-lined version (we hope).
BUILT TO LAST, AND TO BE REBUILT
Like other shoes from the brand, the MTN45 Low is fully recraftable, which in Danner’s case means you can ship worn-out soles back to Portland for resoling when the time comes. This is a long-standing differentiator for the brand and one that continues to justify the price premium over comparable shoes in the category. Merrell and Salomon make superb hikers, but they’re not offering this.
SPEC SHEET
Model: MTN45 Low
Upper: Nubuck leather with PU-coated leather mudguard
Midsole: EnduroFoam Plus (nitrogen-infused supercritical foam)
Outsole: Vibram N45 Plus with Megagrip & Traction Lug
Footbed: Removable OrthoLite open-cell
Shank: TPU rock plate
Last: DT6 (8mm heel-to-toe drop, wide forefoot)
Lining: Breathable mesh
Waterproofing: Non-waterproof
Weight: 33oz per pair (size 10)
Height: 3″
Price: $220
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The Danner MTN45 Low is available now for $220 from the brand’s website, offered in Men’s sizing from 7 to 14 in both standard D and wide EE widths.
Recap
Danner MTN45 Low Hiking Shoe
Danner’s new MTN45 Low is a low-cut hiker that pulls from the brand’s trail running playbook while staying true to its leather heritage, built around a nitrogen-infused EnduroFoam Plus midsole, Vibram N45 Plus outsole, and full recraftability for $220. It’s also already caught the attention of Huckberry’s Proof label, which dropped a limited “Nacreous Clouds” collab colorway.
