Danner Jag II hiking boots review: a modern hiker with old-school good looks

Danner Jag II hiking boots: first impressions

The original Danner Jag first hit the trail in the 1980s and the last 40 years have given the Oregon-based brand plenty of time to think about how they want to improve it. Enter the Jag II, which harnesses modern technology to give you lightweight comfort for long days on the trails.

By combining the shank, lasting board, and midsole into a one-piece, the brand says it was able to shave some significant grams off the weight of the boot without sacrificing support, and that means you can wear these all day without suffering from foot fatigue.

We found these retro-styled hiking boots needed no breaking in whatsoever and we’ve been able to walk in them for hours with no rubbing thanks to the dual-density PU midsole and better-supported heel. We’ve waded through shallow streams and bogs in them with dry feet thanks to the waterproof membrane.

Like most, if not all, Danner boots, they’re great-looking and recraftable, so you can keep wearing them for years to come. Danner says this model has a roomier toe box than previous models, but we feel it could be a little roomier still.

Instead of going with a Vibram outsole, the brand has used its own Danner Waffle technology which we found was no match for steep, muddy trails, but the boot is built for light trails and on those, we have no complaints. It’s not the cheapest pair of hiking boots we’ve ever worn, but compared to many Danner models, it comes at a decent price, too.

Danner Jag II hiking boots: on the trails

I’ve been testing these boots out for a couple of months on the trails of Scotland as well as in the Lake District National Park as the weather has gone from mild and dry to cold and wet.

Here’s how they performed:

Sizing, fit and comfort

I went with my usual size – that’s a US 6, which gives me an extra half size to allow my feet room to swell on the trail – and I’d say these fit true to size.

The fit has a really nice cradling effect around my heel and midfoot which makes them feel really secure, and all I really need to do is tie the laces nice and tight around my ankle for a great fit. I wouldn’t say my toes are cramped in them by any means, but I’d like a little more room around the toe box, even though Danner says this has been improved. Or maybe I just need to go up a full size?

As for comfort, unlike the Danner Mountain Pass which were my first boots from the brand and required a bit of breaking in, these were comfortable out of the box and stayed that way for many miles on the trail, thanks to the lighter weight and well-cushioned midsoles.

Protection and breathability

These aren’t your most rugged hiking boots, but they offer a good amount of protection in the places I want it most, like my toes and ankles, and I’ve made sure to wade through a few shallow streams and boggy areas to test out the waterproof membrane, which works a charm and has kept me feet dry despite a really wet few months here.

Waterproof boots do usually mean sweaty feet, but since I’ve been testing these in autumn and winter, I have to admit that hasn’t been a problem. Even in milder weather, my feet haven’t been sweaty but obviously I would choose them for a hot, dry hike anyway.

Traction and stability

Danner sometimes uses Vibram soles (as in the Mountain Pass) and sometimes uses its own technology. In these boots, the brand has gone with a proprietary outsole known as Danner Waffle and even though the lugs aren’t terrifically deep, for my first few hikes, I was pretty pleased with the grip. However, I recently wore them for a very steep climb in particularly muddy conditions and found that on the downhill, they weren’t quite up to scratch.

I want to qualify this by saying that very few outsoles are really a match for this particular hike when it's been raining, but I did slip twice and twisted my knee a little which didn’t leave me with any lasting damage but definitely means I’m saving these for gentler hikes, which in fairness is what they’re designed for.

Thanks to the cradling effect of the design, not too much drop and little flex in the sole, I get nice smooth ride in these boots, even when I’m picking my way from tussock to tussock in a bog. That said, there’s not much in the way of trail feel.

Danner Jag II hiking boots: the bottom line

If you want a pair of hiking boots for everyday trails that are light, comfortable and good-looking, there’s a lot to like about these high-quality boots that you can wear around town as well as on a hike. They’re more suited for hiking than the FP Movement Jag Quilt and cheaper than the Mountain Pass. That said, if you want lightweight boots with better grip, the Helly Hansen Traverse HellyTech Hiking Shoes are worth a look in comparison.

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