Advnture Verdict
The Danner Arctic 600 boots sport the best confidence-giving grip we have found in a winter boot. They offer warm insulation and high comfort levels, and are reliably weatherproof in whatever winter conditions you’re likely to go adventuring in, making them our top winter boot pick. Highly recommended.
Pros
- +
Fully waterproof
- +
Very comfortable
- +
Excellent grip
Cons
- -
Expensive
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First impressions
Danner are best known for their sumptuous, retro-inspired leather hiking boots, but they’ve turned their hand brilliantly to winter boots with the Danner Arctic 600, which packs in some great tried-and-tested technology – warm Primaloft insulation, Danner’s own-brand Danner Dry waterproofing and the star of the show, Vibram’s Arctic Grip soles, which really do stick stubbornly to even the slickest of icy surfaces.
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While you would still want to put on a pair of more rigid boots and crampons for prolonged trekking on seriously ice-covered surfaces, such as on a glacier hike, if you are going to be out all day in variable winter conditions, these comfortable boots give you unparalleled levels of confidence.
•RRP: $220 (US) / £171 (UK) / €190 (EU)
•Insulation: PrimaLoft
•Colours: Brown/tan
•Compatibility: Excellent grip and warmth make these boots perfect for icy terrain
In the field
Freezing weather and icy conditions are no match for these tough-as-nails winter performers, which boast the best grip of all the winter boots we put through their paces. We wore the Danner Arctic 600 out and about in -5°C and didn’t feel the cold at all. We were also very impressed by various design features of this boot, which revealed themselves during the test. We loved the handy side zip, which makes popping the boots on and off so much easier, the snug lace-up fit and good ankle protection. In addition, the tough toe box offers lots of extra protection on rugged terrain, the sole is reassuring grippy on the slippery stuff, and the cushioning footbed moulds nicely to your feet for a real custom fit. These features combined to provide comfort and confidence when walking in cold conditions. Plus, the suede leather outer of the Danner Arctic 600 looks very handsome, and works just as well when worn casually for winter days in the city as on mountain treks, making its price point more palatable.
An award-winning travel and outdoors journalist, presenter and blogger, Sian regularly writes for The Independent, Evening Standard, BBC Countryfile, Coast, Outdoor Enthusiast and Sunday Times Travel. Life as a hiking, camping, wild-swimming adventure-writer has taken her around the world, exploring Bolivian jungles, kayaking in Greenland, diving with turtles in Australia, climbing mountains in Africa and, in Thailand, learning the hard way that peeing on a jellyfish sting doesn’t help. Her blog, thegirloutdoors.co.uk, champions accessible adventures.