Rising out of the Great Depression, Charles Danner was optimistic, to say the least. He knew that people such as lumberjacks and ranchers still needed boots on their feet. And so, he set up shop in 1932 in the Pacific Northwest, where his brand remains to this day, although it’s expanded its range quite a bit. In 1979, Danner debuted the Light boot, a hiking boot with some town-to-trail appeal.
Known today for its sleek and minimalist camping gear, Japanese outfit Snow Peak has teamed up with the American heritage brand on a version of their Light II hikers, but with a twist…
If you consider Snow Peak’s knack for the outdoors, the Light II is the perfect choice for a collaborative effort. Swapping the waxed canvas of the regular Light boot with a 1,000D nylon upper surrounded by nubuck leather, the Light II are even more hiking-focused. Of course, you also have your GORE-TEX lining for waterproof yet breathable protection on the trail, while the same Vibram Kletterlift outsole is a lightweight way to provide you with tons of traction no matter how wet or dry the terrain is.
Now for the twist: For this version of the Light II hiking boot, Snow Peak has helped Danner achieve fire resistance by employing a special fire-resistant cow leather “designed for use by the campfire” — although the specifics of such a method and/or material are not given to us. Like the regular Light II, the leather is paired with the 1,000D nylon. However, I found it interesting that the Vibram Kletterlift that’s typically underneath was swapped with the more grippy and ubiquitous Vibram Megagrip.
While all the other Danner hallmarks are on the boot, such as the stitchdown construction for resoling later on, the Airthotic footbed, the fiberglass shank, and even the 61-ounce weight (heavy, I know), Snow Peak puts its branding on the back of the heel as well as the lace lock on top.
This is not Danner and Snow Peak’s first team-up. They’ve collaborated in the past on the former’s Trail Field Pro boot.
Type: Hiking
Uppers: Fire-resistant cow leather and 1,000D nylon
Lining: GORE-TEX
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip
Weight: 61oz
Height: 6”
Limited Edition?: Yes, unspecified
Only $10 more than the standard Light II, the Snow Peak x Danner Light II is priced at $450 and currently available in limited quantities from Snow Peak’s website.
American heritage bootmaker Danner collabs with Japanese camping brand Snow Peak on this fire-resistant, campfire-proof version of the Light II hiking boots.
