I have a favorite pair of Danner Mountain 600 insulated hiking boots that I’ve worn for all my cold-weather adventures in recent years. The last time I wore them, I made the mistake of leaving them in the garage next to a bunch of bags of clothing to be donated, and my husband mistakenly thought the boots were to go, too.
After a brief period in mourning for my trusty boots, I realized I had to get a new pair. This time, I opted for the Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zip boots. While I haven’t gone through nearly as many adventures with them as with my previous boots, I’m enjoying wearing them.
The Arctic 600 boots are 7 inches high, which is more than the 4.5-inch height of the Mountain 600 boots. The additional height helps keep my feet warm and dry, but doesn’t rub on my Achilles, thank goodness. Designed for versatility, the boots have a low profile for everyday wear, with enough room for comfort while maintaining a sleek profile. They help me do hardcore things, but they’re not burly boots.
Also essential in keeping my feet warm and dry, the suede uppers have PrimaLoft Gold insulation and the 100% Danner Dry waterproof barrier lets moisture out without letting water in. The OrthoLite footbed, made of open-cell polyurethane for better heat dissipation and air circulation is removable, so you can air it out between adventures. The rubberized Vibram EVA midsole is extremely durable, letting you wear your boots longer.
The outsole, with a split heel and Vibram Arctic Grip AT, provides excellent traction in wet and icy conditions—keeping you from slipping around when you need to stay on your feet.
I still miss my old boots, but I’m happy to be adventuring in my Danner Arctic 600 Side-Zips this winter.
The Arctic 600 Side-Zip Boots come in driftwood/yellow, brown/red, black/spark blue, and jet black/Mojave and list for $240 on the Danner site.
Hi Jill, just a question on fit. Looking at these boots for my wife (I won’t throw them out on her) for a winter in Tromso Norway and wondering how they handle thick socks. The side-zip is particularly attractive for on- off convenience whenever we leave the house. I’m thinking 1/2 size up, or have Danner already made allowances? Coming from coastal Australia where our winters rarely even see a frost, any advice would be gratefully received. We both have wide feet and I would choose the wide option available in men’s sizes.