Chris Townsend thinks the Danner MTN45 are well-made and good for wide feet. Read the rest of his review.
Everything about these Danner MTN45 shoes sounds good. A wide fit option, no waterproof membrane, Vibram sole, durable leather upper.
Chris Townsend’s verdict
These are well-made from good quality materials and should last well.- two widths
- no waterproof membrane
- very stiff
- quite heavy
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: $220 | £200 (available from Danner) Weight: 978g (size 9 Wide) Material: Nubuck leather. EnduroFoam Plus midsole, Vibram Megagrip N45+ outsole Features: TPU rock plate, TPU mudguard Heel to Toe Drop: 8mm Lug Depth: 6mm Waterproof?: no Sizes: UK6-13 Women’s version: yes global.danner.com |
I really wanted to like them. But once the test pair arrived I found what I think is a big negative. The sole is just about rigid. It’s as stiff as boots designed for winter mountaineering. The other features are as good as I expected. The leather upper has a soft feel – Danner says it’s sanded to give it a slight nap – and is protected by a wide TPU rand. The toe bumper and heel counter are hard. Breathability is good and the shoes have kept out rain so far. The cushioning is excellent and the same as on other Danner footwear I’ve walked many miles in. The Vibram sole grips well.
The wide fit is perfect for me – roomy at the forefoot but fairly narrow at the heel. However, that stiffness means they’re not comfortable if I wear them for long. My feet fight the stiffness because they want to flex and as the forefoot won’t bend my heels rise and rub. However tight I lace the shoes up this happens. I didn’t expect a pair of shoes to remind me why I don’t wear stiff boots! Danner says they have a TPU rock plate to provide “stability and underfoot protection on rough, uneven terrain”. I guess this runs the length of the shoe and is rigid. Of course, some people like very stiff footwear. If that’s you and you’re looking for shoes rather than boots these could be for you. They are expensive and quite heavy but they are well-made from good quality materials and should last well.
How we tested
Chris wore the shoes on lowland and moorland walks in the Cairngorms over the autumn, winter, and into spring over varying terrain and in all weather conditions. Chris is a UK9 and has a wide forefoot and narrow heel. This review was first published in the August 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. Compare it with others in our guide to the best hiking shoes.
