Anyone have thoughts on Merrell or Danner hiking boots, particularly for wide feet? I hadn’t heard much about Danner before, but I tried some on recently, and now I’m deciding between these two brands. Does anyone have long-term experience with either of them?
Is there a specific reason you’re choosing between these two brands? What type of hiking do you plan to do and in which season?
Axel said:
Is there a specific reason you’re choosing between these two brands? What type of hiking do you plan to do and in which season?
I found both at REI, and they offer wide models. I hike year-round, though I don’t deal with snow too often.
My husband has wide feet and likes Merrell, though he also has Danner boots. The Danners seem to be a bit slippery in wet conditions, whereas the Merrells have better grip. The nice thing about REI is you can try them and return them if they don’t work out.
If you have wide feet, I’d recommend checking out Lowa, Hanwag, or Meindl. Lowa offers traditional shapes with wide options, Hanwag has different lasts that fit wide feet well, and Meindl’s Comfort Fit line is great for wide feet with an anatomically correct footbed. I would avoid Merrell since their quality control has declined. Danner is okay, but the higher-end models are better. Lower-end Danners can be overpriced for what they offer.
Keen Targhee boots are a good option, even their standard fit is pretty wide. Make sure to try them on first.
I have large feet (15-16) and somewhat wide. I’ve found Merrell’s sizing to be all over the place—some models fit great, others are too small or narrow, even though they’re the same size. I like my Moab 2 and Zion Mid hikers, but I’ve returned several other models because of inconsistent sizing.
Danner boots will last longer than Merrells, but they require a break-in period. Wear them for short outings first. Merrells are comfortable out of the box since they’re already soft, but that makes them less durable in the long run.
Go for the Danners made in the USA. I switched from Merrell last year and haven’t looked back.