Danner has been making shoes and boots ready for adventure since 1932. And just as soon as we can all start exploring the outdoors again, I’ll be wearing my new Danner Rivercomber shoes for my water-centric summer adventures. I have a river rafting trip planned, and I know these hydro-ready sneakers will be perfect for going from raft to hiking trail to campsite.
Great for both rivers and lakes, Danner’s Rivercomber features a knit upper constructed entirely from breathable, abrasion-resistant Cordura. It’s soft and flexible, so your foot feels like it’s in a sandal, while you can still have the protection of a sneaker. The removable footbed offers three layers of varying density and cushioning, which allows your arch to feel fully supported. The entire footbed is made of open-cell polyurethane, which means heat doesn’t stay trapped in the shoe and you get some air circulation when you’re not in the water.
The midsole is fully drainable, and the outsole uses Vibram’s Wavegrip technology to direct water away from the foot. You get great grip on wet surfaces, from slippery river rocks to logs to dory boat decks. The shoe fits snugly–like I said, it feels like a sneaker–with a minimal 4mm offset from heel to toe. This is a slip-on shoe (without laces that tighten) but you wouldn’t know it while wearing it.
So far, I’ve tested the Rivercomber on day trips to the river (practicing social distancing), where I was easily able to navigate the river shore in uncertain spring conditions. It does equally well on moderate trails; I didn’t feel the need for a sock, though I’d recommend waiting to hike when your feet are dry to help prevent blisters.
The Rivercomber retails for $120 on the Danner site in women’s sizes 5-11 and men’s sizes 7-14. You get your pick between regular and wide width, and both gendered shoes have two color combination options.