Danner Trail 2650: My Feet Are Officially Obsessed (and Dry!)
ReviewOkay, serious talk, fellow trail lovers: boots. I’m not kidding around here. For months, I’ve been hammering the Danner Women’s Trail 2650 Mid 4″ Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes – think rocky scrambles at the local park, seriously gloppy trails after a week of solid rain. So, I’m finally ready to spill the beans: these might be the boots now.
First Look & the Nitty-Gritty:
Right out of the box, the Danner 2650s just look…right. That black/khaki leather and textile thing? Stylish, but not screaming for attention. But heads up, these aren’t just pretty faces; they’re loaded. Gore-Tex for “no water allowed,” EVA midsole so light it’s almost cheating, and a Trailguard TPU shank for some serious stability. You can tell Danner was thinking about the Pacific Crest Trail – that beast of a trail with every kind of terrain you can imagine – when they cooked these up. Versatility was clearly the name of the game.
Hitting the Trail (Where the Magic Happens):
First run? A mellow day hike. They felt great from the get-go, no weird pinchy spots. The laces? You can really fine-tune the fit, which, trust me, is gold when you’re trying to dodge blisters on a long haul. What hit me hard was how featherweight they felt. Seriously, they walk the walk when they say “lightweight.” I felt like a mountain goat out there, even when things got dicey on some gnarly, uneven bits.
Then…the big one. A weekend backpacking trip in the mountains. The weather? Let’s just say Mother Nature was having a mood swing. Sunshine one minute, torrential downpour the next. And that’s where the Gore-Tex liner earned its stripes. Bone. Dry. Feet. Hours in soaking grass and ankle-deep streams, and my feet were living the dream. Dry feet? Total game-changer when you’re miles from anywhere.
That Trailguard TPU shank? Rock solid. Especially with a full pack. I was all confidence, even on the rocky stuff and those lung-busting climbs. Plus, the EXO Heel System kept my heel locked down like Fort Knox. No slip-sliding around in there.
Okay, a Couple of Tiny Things (Nobody’s Perfect, Right?):
Look, I’m head-over-heels for these boots, but gotta keep it real. First off, that “Modern” style might be snug if you’ve got wider feet. Try ’em on first if you can, or maybe think about bumping up half a size. Also, while that EVA midsole is comfy, I felt a little foot-achy on day two of the backpacking trip. Nothing a beefier insole wouldn’t fix, but something to think about if you’re planning some monster mileage.
The Bottom Line:
The Danner Women’s Trail 2650 Mid 4″ Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes? Killer choice if you want light, do-anything, waterproof boots. Comfy? Check. Supportive? Double-check. Stylish enough to wear to the coffee shop after your hike? You bet. Thru-hiker or weekend warrior, these boots will have your back. Go try ’em!
The Good Stuff:
- So light, you’ll feel like you can fly
- Waterproof? Like a submarine
- Sturdy and supportive
- Comfy like your favorite slippers (almost)
- Look good, feel good, hike good
The “Meh” Stuff:
- Might be a squeeze if you’ve got wide feet
- For mega-long hikes, maybe think about better insoles