Jason, take your boots to an old school shoe repair. To have the zippers/excess material removed then with remaining seam sewn closed and covered. Then repair any worn spots on the boots. I have two sets of Danner 200 weight insulated "Fort Lewis" boots. Both had heavy duty brass side zippers installed. Using a silicone based lubricant on the zippers. They work great and have never let me down in the ten years I've owned them. A high quality pair of gators would be a good choice. Also, consider a good walking stick. 2" diameter by 6 feet in length. Using it to probe over logs. Before you step over them. If there's a Rattlesnake on the back side of a log that you don't see. He'll let you he's there most times. Make sure said walking stick is a piece of Oak, Maple or Birch. It can serve as an effective defensive weapon in well trained hands. Just sayin. Who dares wins. Cheers, Mate.
I feel like the R&D staff at Danner are going to be talking about this very video over their morning coffee soon. Wouldn't surprise me if they offer a non-zippered, lace-up 17" soon. Great review and too bad because they really do seem ideal other than the zipper.
Have you tried contacting Danner about repairing just the upper part? LL Bean will replace the bottom of their Bean boots for $40 just send them the boots and they repair and return. You may have already known this or their boots may not work for you in your lifestyle and environment. Just FYI. Thanks for the video they're great as always.
I know we all know this happens but I hadn’t even finished watching this video, multi-tasking and opened up IG on my phone and there is a Danner add for this very boot in my feed! Damn that was fast! 😂
Jason, I have the non-zip 17” Sharptails and your concern about hotspots is 100% valid. That’s my number one complaint about them. I’ve had them for 5 years and have worn them in the rugged West Texas terrain. They have held up well but my foot is constantly sliding around.
Have you thought about sending them back to Danner for repair or even a discounted replacement-they are excellent in customer service? I have used gaiters for years and absolutely love them-try First Lite, cus I noticed your wearing their merino wool tops.
Gators work great. I roll them up and stick them in the bottom of my pack when not needed. I decided to spend some money on good winter boots this last year and bought Schnee’s out of Montana. Great boots hand made.
I bought their flip flops and blew through 2 pairs in a year. Worst flip flops I've ever had but man did I love them. They were the coolest flip flops I ever had.
That sucks about the zipper. I've own Danner boots.. but they started to get uncomfortable so I switched to another brand. Gators are pretty awesome! Thanks for the video
Hi Jason. I ride fat bikes or snow bikes and use a water-resistant gator with a boot that is like the shorter ones you have shown. Good luck with the issues. Great content!
Those zippers are a fairly easy fix, the toggle that zippes up and down is wore out. There is a kit on Amazon to fix broken zippers, I have used it quite a bit
Last pair of Danners I tried were Steelyards. They fell apart on me after less than a year working on machines indoors. The toes just disappeared and exposed the steel caps, the soles started separating on both (one at the side, one at the front toe box), and the leather collapsed/deformed so badly that they became uncomfortable. Mind you, this was 2019 before COVID supply chain/labor issues even. It seems like the company has been losing its way on QC/QA for years now.
Gators are great in the snow!...can't answer about any other things like sand or ash cause I always forget to bring them when I'm hiking east of the mountains here in Washington or when I hiked Mt St Helen's etc. lol
Thx for the review Jason.. I've wondered why side zippered boots are necessary...possibly taking boots off without untying laces ? I have desert boots with side zips and I never use the zippers ...boots will not come off without untying laces. Gaters are the way to go.
There is a good boot repair shop in Eugene Oregon. They could probably replace the zipper or do what you did but a little better. If you like the boot it might be worth repairing it if you believe you can get a few more years out of them
In order to increase their profit margins, Danner has made the decision to have all but their top-of-the-line boots made in Asia, and imported. Their world renowned "made in the USA" quality is now a thing of the past. Still, their customer service is very good. They would probably repair/replace your boot for free or at very low cost.
I used/use gaiters which is fine however having a high boot can be easier. I used a high LL Bean boot on a couple hunting trips bit they are not super comfy if hiking distance. I recently picked up a pair of Cabela Snake boots but again same failure point and I don't think as supple as the Danner. Wish I could recall the boot company I believe in MT that a busy of mine used. High top lace up with no zipper and options of sole design. Bummer to toss broken in boots. Hopefully Danner will get in touch with you.
Agreed, zippers are a needless point of failure on a boot. In the infantry, we would never have zippered boots. Just didn't make any sense to chance critical gear failing in the field. We called zippered boots "tanker" boots. Yea, gators work great as well.
I've used Gators before. They're great for snow, but they're not going to help keep you dry walking through streams. If you get some, get some good ones so you're not fidgeting with them staying on your boot. Definitely not going to be as nice as a high top boot. And of course they're not going to be a benefit for stopping snake bites.
Danner has been known for fairly robust customer service and repair/refurbishing. Was it worth contacting them? I get sometimes the hassle of sending things back sucks.
I do like a taller boot in the woods, but they need to be lace-up. I'm not a fan of the zippers either. I don't think I'd like the moc-toe either.. I'm concerned about the rim sticking up and being a wear point. There is a guy that custom makes leather boots, I believe he's in Washington State.. I thought he had a TH-cam channel , but I can't seem to locate it right now.
Why don't you just buy the same tall boot, but just don't use the zipper. Leave them zipped up and use the laces. The tall ones look good for snake bite protection, which is more important because you're out there alone. Thanks for the video.
Drink some more of that alcohol you're always drinking, and you won't need any boots. Your feet will be numb. Lol. Actually, Danner boots went to shit several years ago.
Jason, take your boots to an old school shoe repair. To have the zippers/excess material removed then with remaining seam sewn closed and covered.
Then repair any worn spots on the boots. I have two sets of Danner 200 weight insulated "Fort Lewis" boots. Both had heavy duty brass side zippers installed.
Using a silicone based lubricant on the zippers. They work great and have never let me down in the ten years I've owned them.
A high quality pair of gators would be a good choice. Also, consider a good walking stick. 2" diameter by 6 feet in length. Using it to probe over logs.
Before you step over them. If there's a Rattlesnake on the back side of a log that you don't see. He'll let you he's there most times.
Make sure said walking stick is a piece of Oak, Maple or Birch. It can serve as an effective defensive weapon in well trained hands. Just sayin. Who dares wins. Cheers, Mate.
Gators rock! Use them in any winter activities that will have deep snow. Have been using them all my 57 years of winter activities.
I feel like the R&D staff at Danner are going to be talking about this very video over their morning coffee soon. Wouldn't surprise me if they offer a non-zippered, lace-up 17" soon. Great review and too bad because they really do seem ideal other than the zipper.
Have you tried contacting Danner about repairing just the upper part? LL Bean will replace the bottom of their Bean boots for $40 just send them the boots and they repair and return. You may have already known this or their boots may not work for you in your lifestyle and environment. Just FYI. Thanks for the video they're great as always.
The smell of Hubbards boot grease makes me back to my childhood. My dad always wore Redwing leather boots and used Hubbards to keep them waterproof.
I know we all know this happens but I hadn’t even finished watching this video, multi-tasking and opened up IG on my phone and there is a Danner add for this very boot in my feed! Damn that was fast! 😂
I have gators, Outdoor research brand. I love them and have walked through rivers and snow up to my knees and never had an issue.
OR gaiters are the best. My Gore-tex ones have lasted for 3 decades.
Jason, I have the non-zip 17” Sharptails and your concern about hotspots is 100% valid. That’s my number one complaint about them. I’ve had them for 5 years and have worn them in the rugged West Texas terrain. They have held up well but my foot is constantly sliding around.
Have you thought about sending them back to Danner for repair or even a discounted replacement-they are excellent in customer service? I have used gaiters for years and absolutely love them-try First Lite, cus I noticed your wearing their merino wool tops.
Gators work great. I roll them up and stick them in the bottom of my pack when not needed. I decided to spend some money on good winter boots this last year and bought Schnee’s out of Montana. Great boots hand made.
Agree. I've been using gators for decades. Not just for snow, but wet brush too.
I learned much about weather and boots... I had no idea .. thanks.
I bought their flip flops and blew through 2 pairs in a year. Worst flip flops I've ever had but man did I love them. They were the coolest flip flops I ever had.
Jason, did you reach out to Danner? They do recrafting, maybe they can repair the zipper. Worth a chance to see if they do.
That sucks about the zipper. I've own Danner boots.. but they started to get uncomfortable so I switched to another brand.
Gators are pretty awesome!
Thanks for the video
Hi Jason. I ride fat bikes or snow bikes and use a water-resistant gator with a boot that is like the shorter ones you have shown. Good luck with the issues. Great content!
I guess the question is how the zipper failed. I can’t really see how it would failed unless you actually used it. In which case it’s not pointless?
Thanks for the review! I’ve always been curious about those boots, good info.
Those zippers are a fairly easy fix, the toggle that zippes up and down is wore out. There is a kit on Amazon to fix broken zippers, I have used it quite a bit
Last pair of Danners I tried were Steelyards. They fell apart on me after less than a year working on machines indoors. The toes just disappeared and exposed the steel caps, the soles started separating on both (one at the side, one at the front toe box), and the leather collapsed/deformed so badly that they became uncomfortable.
Mind you, this was 2019 before COVID supply chain/labor issues even. It seems like the company has been losing its way on QC/QA for years now.
Gaiters are great. I have the Fjallraven Singi Gaiters and they are excellent. Heavy duty. Easily waxed and so waterproof, but still a bit breathable.
Gators are great in the snow!...can't answer about any other things like sand or ash cause I always forget to bring them when I'm hiking east of the mountains here in Washington or when I hiked Mt St Helen's etc. lol
Thx for the review Jason.. I've wondered why side
zippered boots are necessary...possibly taking boots off without untying laces ?
I have desert boots with side zips and I never use the zippers
...boots will not come off without untying laces.
Gaters are the way to go.
There is a good boot repair shop in Eugene Oregon. They could probably replace the zipper or do what you did but a little better. If you like the boot it might be worth repairing it if you believe you can get a few more years out of them
In order to increase their profit margins, Danner has made the decision to have all but their top-of-the-line boots made in Asia, and imported. Their world renowned "made in the USA" quality is now a thing of the past. Still, their customer service is very good. They would probably repair/replace your boot for free or at very low cost.
I used/use gaiters which is fine however having a high boot can be easier. I used a high LL Bean boot on a couple hunting trips bit they are not super comfy if hiking distance. I recently picked up a pair of Cabela Snake boots but again same failure point and I don't think as supple as the Danner. Wish I could recall the boot company I believe in MT that a busy of mine used. High top lace up with no zipper and options of sole design. Bummer to toss broken in boots. Hopefully Danner will get in touch with you.
Really good review.
Agreed, zippers are a needless point of failure on a boot. In the infantry, we would never have zippered boots. Just didn't make any sense to chance critical gear failing in the field. We called zippered boots "tanker" boots.
Yea, gators work great as well.
I had a pair of Danner Go Devils and they refurbished them twice then they said they don’t do it anymore because they were discontinued 😢.
Gators work great for snow and wet brush in the spring and fall.
Thanks for the review, what brand of gators did you order?
Gaters are great bro, used them for years
Points of failure,I always look for them & potential work arounds.
Check out
Whites, nicks, or jk. All handmade here in the pnw. On the more spendy side but rebuildable.
I've used Gators before. They're great for snow, but they're not going to help keep you dry walking through streams. If you get some, get some good ones so you're not fidgeting with them staying on your boot. Definitely not going to be as nice as a high top boot. And of course they're not going to be a benefit for stopping snake bites.
Get the gators you’ll love them
Hey, there are several TH-cam channels that overhaul boots. How about a channel meetup?
Does Danner even still sell either of those styles? Im looking but cannot find either on their website? Nevermind. Found them
What if you never used the zippers? They would stay new and presumably wouldn’t fail
what do you use to water proof your boots. Thanks in advance
I do love all my danner boots.
Danner has been known for fairly robust customer service and repair/refurbishing. Was it worth contacting them? I get sometimes the hassle of sending things back sucks.
I do like a taller boot in the woods, but they need to be lace-up. I'm not a fan of the zippers either. I don't think I'd like the moc-toe either.. I'm concerned about the rim sticking up and being a wear point. There is a guy that custom makes leather boots, I believe he's in Washington State.. I thought he had a TH-cam channel , but I can't seem to locate it right now.
I would think a good shoe repair place can remove the zipper and sow the side of the boot permanently
I think the zippers are there so you don't have to use the laces, not to make them easier to put on. Either another failure point that isn't needed!
Good morning
Why don't you just buy the same tall boot, but just don't use the zipper. Leave them zipped up and use the laces. The tall ones look good for snake bite protection, which is more important because you're out there alone. Thanks for the video.
Do you see a lot of Rattlesnakes ??
Drink some more of that alcohol you're always drinking, and you won't need any boots. Your feet will be numb. Lol. Actually, Danner boots went to shit several years ago.