Danner MTN45 Hiking Shoes Review

My Danner Mountain Light IIs were my go-to adventure shoes for years, and accompanied me on countless hikes, treks, and motorcycle journeys. However, I eventually parted ways with them because, as you age, your feet tend to change shape and even size (often by one or two sizes over one’s adulthood). What started as a good fit became a tight fit years later. So I moved on to roomier hikers, like the Mountain 600 Evos.

But when Danner announced the MTN45, my ears perked up. This low-top hiker has classic Danner heritage looks, but borrows from running sneaker DNA with its 8mm heel-to-toe drop and a wider forefoot. It’s like a Mountain Light and a trail runner had a baby.

I tested the MTN45 this spring on hikes, rucks, and bike commutes to see if it could measure up to the Danner reputation and become an icon in its own right.

In short: The Danner MTN45 ($220) has a plush EnduroFoam midsole, Vibram outsole, roomy fit, and an 8mm heel-to-toe drop. It sports a classic look and is surprisingly lightweight for a leather hiker. It is well constructed, breathable, and provides fantastic traction, making it a great option for hiking and daily wear. While some consumers have reported heel slip issues, overall, this is a solid hiker for short to mid-distance hikes and daily wear.

Check out GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Shoes.

Danner MTN45 Hiking Shoes Review

Trail-Forward Fit

My foot size used to skew 10-10.5 in my footwear, but now I’m a 10.5-11, though I usually go with 11s. I’ve found Danners run a bit larger than other brands, so I went with 10.5s in the MTN45. It was the right choice. The wider forefoot gave me plenty of space. That’s especially appreciated because not only do feet expand over a lifetime, but they also tend to swell over the course of a hike or trail run as well.

Wearing the MTN45s, I never felt my foot was constricted, and the wider forefoot provided room for my foot to expand during longer rucks or hikes.

Lightweight Versatility

The MTN45s weigh in at 2 pounds, 1 ounce (33 ounces) per pair. Compared to the shoes in GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Hiking Shoes, that’s on the heavier side for a low-cut hiker. However, compared to other low-cut hikers made with Nubuck leather, they’re fairly lightweight.

These shoes have the look of a substantial hiker, with a rockplate, Vibram Megagrip sole, and Nubuck leather upper. But they feel nimble on foot. Hiking boots can feel overbuilt for everyday activities.

However, I found myself wearing the MTN45s all over. I wore them on the bike and at the playground with the kids. I even wore them to physical therapy, where I engaged in various exercises, as if they were sneakers.

The everyday versatility was definitely appreciated. Their lightweight, low-top design makes them feel perfectly acceptable in situations where a boot might not. To that extent, they are a great choice for the shoulder season.

They seem to excel in those instances when a boot is too much, but it isn’t quite sneaker weather. The Nubuck added a little extra warmth on cooler days, making it a relatively lightweight option that could still handle lower temps.

EnduroFoam Midsole

The Danners I have owned in the past have been comfortable … eventually. Like most burly leather boots, a break-in period is recommended.

The MTN45 features Danner’s EnduroFoam midsole, and it is a welcome and exceedingly comfortable change from the stiffer midsoles of Danner’s past. They were designed to provide greater energy return, and that they do. I felt a springiness that I haven’t had in any other hiking shoes I’ve tried. The shoes feel supportive and cushy right out of the box. 

It’s the kind of midsole that often appears in a running shoe. It makes you wonder why more hiking shoes don’t borrow from running shoes, particularly considering how many thru-hikers opt for trail runners instead of boots. That message seems to be one Danner is heeding with the MTN45 design.

In the Field

The MTN45 is not waterproof at all. I found this out when hiking to a pond with my kids. Once we arrived, my son and I started throwing branches javelin-style into the pond, and on an overly ambitious throw, I stepped into the shallows by accident, and my foot got soaked. They get wet fast, but they dried surprisingly quickly, too.

Danner’s MTN45 Nubuck leather outer is suede-like. It feels more breathable than full-grain leather boots or shoes, but there’s no way to reliably measure that. The upper will also tend to show stains more than full-grain leather.

The interior of the MTN45 shoe features a mesh lining. However, it is somewhat slippery, and I found my heel dancing around a bit. Though the shoe has thus far received mostly high reviews on the Danner site, some users have also mentioned heel slippage. Given that many did not, perhaps this issue only affects certain foot shapes.

I found the heel slippage could be mostly addressed by lacing the shoes tightly. But that put some uncomfortable pressure on a more sensitive part of my foot. It never became painful or too uncomfortable, but it was noticeable.

While I wouldn’t hesitate to wear the MTN45 for everyday use, this issue might give me pause on longer hikes or when wearing a heavier pack. I would probably stick to my Mountain 600 Evos in those cases. With more ankle support and heel lock, they would be better suited to support the whole foot and bear greater weight.

Danner MTN45: Who Is It For?

For those who appreciate the capabilities of a boot but want the comfort of a lighter hiker, the MTN45 has potential. It can act as a more rugged daily companion than a sneaker. It also works as a less bulky alternative to boots for day hikes or rucking sessions. With its Nubuck leather upper, it wouldn’t be out of place going out to dinner or around town, either.

People with medium to wide feet will enjoy the MTN45’s design. If you prefer a narrower fit, you may want to look elsewhere. Also, depending on the shape of your foot, there might be some slippage at the heel (which could alter how you use the shoe). 

It would be interesting to see if the brand can provide greater heel security in future iterations, either by changing the shape of the heel cup or by modifying the lacing system to reduce pressure on the instep. 

Overall, though, the MTN45 was a comfortable and versatile hiking shoe. I wouldn’t be surprised if it became another iconic offering in Danner’s lineup.