Danner Trail 2650 GTX Hiking Shoes are light-weight leather-based and textile climbing footwear lined with waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex. They’re a very good shoulder season (late fall, early spring) different to mesh path runners whenever you need footwear that’s hotter than path runners and offers extra moisture safety. They run slim however they’re additionally obtainable in broad sizes. This similar mannequin can also be obtainable in all mesh, partial mesh/leather-based, and nonwaterproof leather-based footwear in addition to mid-height climbing boots so you possibly can use the completely different fashions in numerous seasons if you want.
Specs at a Glance
- Upper: Leather
- Waterproof/Breathable: Yes, Gore-Tex membrane
- Height: 3″
- Drop: 8mm
- Sole: Vibram Megagrip
In addition to added heat, I made a decision to attempt these Danner climbing footwear as a result of I’ve lastly gotten sick of changing my mesh path runners when the toe field will get ripped up from climbing the rocky and mountainous trails in New Hampshire and Southern Maine. I really like the breathability, grippy soles, and drainage supplied by mesh path runners, however I’m bored with changing them after solely 200-250 miles as a result of they get so badly holed, nicely earlier than the soles get near carrying down. I’ve put up with these sturdiness points for over 10 years with La Sportiva Ultra Raptors and now with Saucony Peregrines, however I’ve been on the hunt for path runners or climbing footwear that last more. I can’t afford to spend $800 yearly on new path runners. There needs to be a greater approach.
The Danner Trail 2650 GTX has leather-based uppers which can be perforated alongside the perimeters to reinforce air flow. They have a burly toe kick up entrance and a toe cap that extends down the perimeters of the toe field for elevated abrasion resistance. The Vibram Megagrip soles are flat with out an arch however have a slight entrance and heel rocker that makes them simpler to stroll with. The lugs are average in size with grooves reduce into the soles to assist shed water. The sole has a TPU shank for help and EVA foam for cushioning. The heel is nicely protected and the tongue is hooked up to the mesh-lined inside shoe, with the sock-like suit you discover in lots of path runners.
I’ve discovered the Trail 2650 to be a really steady shoe that sits low and flat on the bottom and not using a tendency to roll. It’s hotter than my mesh path runners on chilly mornings when there may be frost on the bottom, however comfortably so with out feeling too heat. They repel water properly when we’ve got to plow by moist leaves and dust. I’ve to say I’m very impressed with the Gore-Tex lining for the reason that footwear dry shortly, even after a whole soaking if you must proceed climbing in them. I by no means thought I’d say that about any Gore-Tex-lined shoe.
Despite their suede leather-based uppers, these Danner Trail 2650 climbing footwear want just about no breaking in. You can put on them out of the field for climbing, however the uppers take about 10 miles to melt up fully, permitting the forefoot to flex extra when scrambling up rock. Similarly, the grip of the soles improves when you’ve roughened the lugs up naturally.
When I acquired these Danner 2650’s, the very first thing I did was modify them by sticking an enormous piece of velcro on the heel so I may put on soiled lady gaiters with these footwear. There’s not a brilliant flat place on the again of the shoe to do that, however my velcro strips are nonetheless holding on fairly nicely regardless of this. The warmer-weather Danner Trail 2650 Campo and Danner Trail 2650 Campo GTX fashions include manufacturing facility heel gaiter attachments.
The subsequent factor I did was to take away the cheapo manufacturing facility foam insoles and substitute them with Superfeet insoles which have the next arch to stop Plantar Fasciitis. The footwear themselves should not have an inner arch in any respect. I’m inclined to Plantar Fasciitis and can do absolutely anything to keep away from it. It can happen when your arch doesn’t have sufficient help or your heel strikes round an excessive amount of. An excellent insole prevents each of these triggers.
The laces on the Trail 2650 GTX are commonplace flat textile laces, however there isn’t an elastic strip or pocket to tuck them into to maintain them out of the way in which. I simply triple-knot them and canopy them with my gaiters to stop them from coming unraveled. That works nicely sufficient.
The match is decidedly slim within the mid-foot, however the toe field offers sufficient room in your toes to splay out and loosen up. Wide sizes can be found, nevertheless, within the Trail 2650 GTX in addition to the opposite non-waterproof, mesh, and hotter climate variants of this shoe that Danner provides.
Recommendation
The Danner Trail 2650 GTX is a light-weight waterproof/breathable climbing shoe that’s one step up from mesh path runners in safety and sturdiness, however much less inflexible and “blocky” than different climbing footwear together with the Merrill Moab 2 or Moab 3. If you’re in search of a climbing shoe that’s not as chilly as a mesh path runner for shoulder season climbing and offers higher moisture safety, the Danner Trail 2650 is a slam dunk. It’s very comfy, agile, and requires little or no break-in time. It even seems to be good off-trail too!
Disclosure: The creator bought this product.
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Last up to date: 2022-11-02 02:43:33
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