Danner Trail 2650 review: best-in-class hiking shoes for summer trails

Danner footwear is the brainchild of Charles Danner, who began making rugged boots for loggers in Wisconsin nearly 100 years ago before relocating to Portland, Oregon, where the company is still headquartered. These days, Danner boots and shoes are a popular choice on Pacific Northwest Trails and are increasingly finding their way onto feet in the UK.

I’ve tested a lot of pairs of Danners over the past few years, and though they’re nearly always the classiest shoes on the trail, I feel that there’s always something holding them back from their potential, whether that’s a long breaking-in period required or a substandard grip. The Trail 2650, however, are easily the best walking shoes from the brand I’ve hiked in.

Named for the 2,650 miles of the famous Pacific Crest Trail, these shoes are built for mileage, combining comfort and lightweight construction with good protection and traction.

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As has been the case with many Danner shoes, I instantly loved their aesthetic, which is quite modern by the brand’s standards – it’s known for full-grain leather (see also: Danner Mountain Light II review) and colourful laces – but thanks to materials like suede uppers, they’re not too sporty for my liking.

But any time a shoe is pretty, I’m instantly sceptical. Can it really hold up to the demands of hiking in the Scottish Highlands, where I usually romp? I’ve worn them up Ben Lui, a grand Munro in Scotland, and across the Isle of Mull this spring to put them through their paces.

Danner Trail 2650 review

Price and availability

Available in men’s and women’s sizing in a wide array of tasteful colours (I tested them in Oil Green, which is a nice shade of olive), the Danner Trail 2650 is available directly from the brand’s website with an MSRP of £190.

That is pricey compared to most other hiking shoes on test – £65 more than the Keen Hightrail EXP, which we rated as Best Overall in our guide to the best hiking shoes.

But it’s on par with Danner’s pricing, which does reflect the use of premium materials (it used to also reflect that the shoes and boots were made in the USA, but these shoes are made in Vietnam, sadly).

Design and materials

These shoes fit like a trainer with a traditional lace-up closure, and they look quite at home on city streets – I’ve been wearing them around Glasgow ever since I got my hands on them.

But don’t worry, there are plenty of technical details that make these stand out on the trail, starting with the choice of Vibram 460 rubber outsoles instead of an own-brand version, which ensures traction in muddy and wet conditions.

Above that sits a plush Danner PlyoGo Midsole made with ultralight EVA foam for all-day comfort, with a Trailguard TPU shank to provide stability on rough ground. Then there’s a removable OrthoLite Footbed to improve comfort and breathability.

To top it all off, the upper is made from a blend of suede and textile fabric with holes to let heat and water escape, a breathable liner for hot days, and reinforcements at the toes and heels, which I was thankful for when tripping over rocks and roots on Ben Lui.

Performance and comfort

My feet aren’t wide or narrow, but I have quite high arches, and this has historically been an issue for me with some Danner shoes (I couldn’t even get the Trail 2650 Campo on without a shoehorn).

The first time I tried to put these on, my heart sank as I thought it was going to be the same old story, but I persevered, and the very next time I wore them, they had stretched out nicely, and I’ve had no problems since.

Once on, I was impressed by how secure they are and how easy it is to get a lockdown fit with the lacing system, which features nice, long laces that by and large stay tied, which frankly is an underrated feature in a hiking shoe.

Straight away, I knew they were going to be comfortable. The midsole just feels absolutely fantastic underfoot, with loads of cushioning that translates into zero foot fatigue after hours on the trail, and a really stable ride even when I’m moving quickly on quite challenging terrain.

You might think that suede uppers translate into heavier shoes, but the size 4 I tested weighs only 249g per shoe, which is lighter than my Merrell Moab 3s. The toe box doesn’t look especially wide compared to my Moabs, which usually sets off an alarm bell for me, but they feel surprisingly roomy on.

I’ve been testing them in mild and warm weather, which is what they’re built for, and I’m loving their breathability. They feel positively airy, and the suede uppers have holes that let sweat escape, which also means they drain quickly when I have to cross a river or encounter boggy terrain.

The downside, I suppose, is that they’re not waterproof (though a GTX version is available), and honestly, that does somewhat curtail their usefulness here in the UK, but I’ll definitely be bringing them along on trekking holidays and reaching for them first for straightforward walking.

I’ve actually spent the whole day wearing them wet – I fell into a river on Monday, then had to wear them wet on Tuesday while hiking in boggy conditions for four hours – and honestly, it didn’t pose any real issues. They didn’t rub, they weren’t uncomfortable, and when they do fill up with water, they drain quickly even if they don’t dry particularly quickly.

Mine got really muddy walking up Ben Lui, which is one of the sloppier Munros I’ve encountered, and I was a bit unsure I’d be able to wear them around town again. Much to my surprise (and pleasure), a quick dip in the river on the walk back to the car left them looking clean again.

Now, for the feature that’s absolutely essential for sloppy UK trails: traction. I’ve been less than impressed with Danner’s own-brand outsoles in the past, but a Vibram sole all but guarantees good grip.

The Vibram 460 is popular as a trail-running shoe and features 4mm angled multi-directional lugs that adapt to changing conditions such as sand, mud, and hard-packed trails. I’ve tested these out in slick muddy conditions, dry trails and bog, all on very steep slopes, and I’ve yet to lose my footing.

Verdict

The Danner Trail 2650 hiking shoes are a best-in-class design for anyone seeking a lightweight hiker that can cover a lot of miles while still standing up to the demands of technical trails.

Danner isn’t shying away from the fact that, if you choose the non-waterproof version, they’re intended for fairer conditions than we often experience in the UK, and you’ll sacrifice breathability if you opt for the GORE-TEX liner.

But if you have any trekking holidays planned this summer in bog-free countries, these should be a serious contender.

Also consider

The Keen Hightrail EXP Waterproof is surprisingly lightweight for a waterproof shoe and offers a more accommodating fit. Compared to the Danner, you sacrifice some of that premium styling and plush underfoot feel, but you gain all-weather versatility and save some money. It's the option I'd recommend for UK walkers who want one shoe to do everything.

If you need a shoe for British conditions, the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX is a strong alternative. Its Gore-Tex membrane, supportive chassis and excellent grip make it better suited to wet hillsides and muddy paths than the Trail 2650. It isn't quite as airy or casual-looking as the Danner, but it's a more capable year-round hiking companion.