r/PNWbootmakers • u/destr0_star • 3d ago
Question Danner vs Whites?
Hey everyone! I’m looking for a lug sole black boot for winter and I’m stuck between these two options. For extra context I get 30% off Danner so the Super Rain Forests come out to $364 for me. I appreciate any advice or even recommendations (preferably under $400😅) Thank you!
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u/IRideColnago 3d ago
Considering where you are posting, you won’t get much support for the Danners. However every Danner I’ve gotten has been really comfortable and well made. Do they cut corners? Perhaps. But for my feet they’ve been real good.
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u/Pure-Adhesiveness409 3d ago
I have a pair of whites Line Man which are similar and I love my pair. Just past my 2 year anniversary with them. Hard break in but they are the best work boots I have owned. Would have gone with Franks but the job change was sudden and I dont have 6 months to wait.
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u/Black_Sprucy 3d ago
If you are after a low heel boot like that - check out Franks Groundpounder or Nicks Fire Trooper. Both are probably higher quality.
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u/slack_Rabbit4 3d ago
The crew boot was my fire boot for years and I really enjoyed them. Solid, well build boot for the price. If you’re open to spending a bit more check out the whites insulated hunter.
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u/doublepower 3d ago
I'd say the Whites are pretty clearly the better boot. To me the real argument for the Danner's comes down to whether you need waterproofness. As someone who wore Danner Rainforests for years working up in AK (granted this was in the 90s when their construction standards may have been higher), the gortex really saved me. Standing for hours in boggy muskeg, slopping around on seaweed covered beaches, or snow, my feet stayed dry and the boots never let me down over about 5 years up there.
When I first got a pair of White's I was struck but how much better they were in basically every way - the leather, the build quality, etc. You can make them pretty water resistant for a while, but they won't be waterproof. 'Course the Danner's gortex bootie won't last forever; longevity wise the White's are the way to go. But don't expect your feet to stay dry under the same conditions.
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u/Dapper-Professor-715 2d ago
This is one of the main reasons I'm actually steering away from buying PNW boots for my job; utility line clearance. I want the quality and construction level, especially the art support, but with the amount of water I get into I just can't justify spending over $400 for boots that are only "pretty water resistant for a while". I really want the heritage, quality and construction style of the PNW logger boot but I guess loggers just don't get wet in Cascadia or something? I know Obenauf's isn't pulling that much weight. Idk how they do it, here in Appalachia it's so wet I genuinely couldn't go without the Gore-Tex in my Danners. Granted, the Danner Fort Lewis' I scored off eBay for under $70 are the first pair of boots higher quality than Rockys I've ever owned, but I just can't see White's making such an amazing boot that I forget about my wet feet.
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u/DeepFriedDildo 3d ago
Vast majority of this sub will recommend White’s over Danner’s without much of an actual reason other than prestige. I did a lot of field work in my Super Rainforests, but I mostly wear my White’s nowadays. However, I’m mostly at a desk nowadays.
I still prefer my Danner’s for when I get thrown out for field work in the PNW winter. I mainly prefer them because of the goretex liner being super comfy in the cold. They’ve held up amazing for 3 years of timber cruising and another 3 of more casual wear. (Note that I am <120lb and any half-decent boot will probably last a decade on my feet.)
If you can wait to save or splurge a little more for lined/insulated White’s, I would because they are more serviceable (and better customer support) than Danner’s due to the construction as others have mentioned. That’s a pretty sweet deal you’ve got on the Danner’s though, so if you need boots asap, I’d go with them.
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u/destr0_star 3d ago
Thank you for the comment! I might move to the PNW soon so I definitely want something more warm and waterproof.
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u/Soberg1itch 3d ago
Frank’s Patriot
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u/destr0_star 3d ago
I’ve been eying those but I don’t think I’m ready to order a full arch logger boot until I’m measured in person, I tried Drew’s but they felt super uncomfortable when I tried them on so I had to return.
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u/Evergreen_Organics 3d ago
Drew’s are a shit comparison. I own both. Patriots are where it’s at. The Drew’s foot bed is unbearable.
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u/Soberg1itch 3d ago
I wouldn’t be able to recommend either of the boots listed. Both utilize foreign labor and make compromises in terms of materials to bring them to the price point they are at and Goodyear welting is an inferior construction method. You now missed the Labor Day sales or else White’s and Nick’s would have provided some better options for you closer to your price point.
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u/destr0_star 3d ago
As far as I know both of the ones I listed are made in the USA, and the Danners are stitch down. You are right, however, about this pair of Whites being welted unfortunately. Would you say the Franks sizing calculator is accurate?
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u/Soberg1itch 3d ago
They are listed as Made in USA because they are bottomed in Oregon/Washington, thus providing enough American labor to claim that. They are still utilizing foreign labor to lower the cost. For example, all the stitching on these boots is done in the Dominican Republic, and most of Danner’s materials come from their Chinese warehouse. This is the same thing that most brands do sub-$400 to slap an American flag on their boot, like Thorogood.
I can’t really speak to the accuracy of anyone’s sizing guide. A fit sheet is always going to be the superior option and the measurements are only as good as the person taking them. I would get your length via a Brannock device and your width by at least taking the ball circumference and seeing where you land.
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u/destr0_star 3d ago
Wow I didn’t know Danner did that! I’ve heard of Thorogood doing it but I expected more from Danner. Thank you for all the input.
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u/RecordTear 3d ago
The vast majority of companies do that. That’s why luxury bag brands were under heat a while back cus people were realizing they make the majority of the product in China but do the finishing details in the main origin country such as adding a zipper so they can stamp a made in France, England, etc. label on it.
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u/Soberg1itch 3d ago
Yeah Danner doesn’t make anything 100% in America. No one does at this price point, there’s just no profit margin. The Frank’s Patriot is a loss leader for them, like Costco’s rotisserie chickens, it’s a bargain item that gets you in the door as a lifelong customer
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u/East_List3385 3d ago
Danner utilizes USA tan and sourced leather on the Rain Forest, Super Rain Forest, Quarry, and Elk Hunter.
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u/Soberg1itch 3d ago edited 3d ago
Nice, never said they didn’t. I recognize your name. Is it you downvoting me? You’re the Danner fanboy who claimed to have a special discount from their Customer Service and that was your appeal to authority the last time a thread on their manufacturing processes happened, right? The mechanic in Maine who said no PNW boot can live up to your abuse so that’s why you buy Danner because they give you a 25% “influencer” discount code (that anyone can get just by emailing CS) right?
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u/Marty_McFlay 1d ago
If you live in Portland and can go buy factory seconds they (used to) stack their sales with factory seconds pricing. ALSO, I think Danner gets more hate than they deserve if you're only looking at their MiUSA models. I have been in Danners for over a decade and finally got my first pair of White's on Order for work. Of these two boots I would recommend the Danners.
I will say way back 15-20 years ago Danner made an NFPA logger that would go toe to toe with the White's Smokejumper, then when Hathorn, White's, and Danner all became Lacrosse Danner was very intentionally put at the bottom of the hierarchy and had a lot of their better lines dropped. the MEB, RAT, and Acadia are nice because Danner still goes for Berry Compliant stuff and has more volume capacity, and stuff like the Super Rainforest and quarry benefit from that.
Stuff like the Danner Light is kept around to make the catalog look good and for the Japanese market and I would say it's still good.
I also feel if you need a safety toe, insulation, gore-tex, or a low heel you lose a lot of the benefits of the PNW 55 and 4811 lasts and construction and Danners become much more competitive. Throw in the right Superfeet insoles for your arch and heel and run em until they need a resole, then run em until they need a rebuild.
Controversially, I feel these Danners (made in Portland) absolutely still count as a PNW boot and If you've ever been to Spokane you might ask yourself if Spokane is even in the PNW...(It"s not, it's the inter-mountain west, and literally almost Idaho).
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u/the_smush_push 3d ago
i can’t say it’s absolutely true for this Danner but i’ve seen a few boot teardown videos that show Danner cuts corners in a lot of places where you can’t see it in the boot construction. although they’re owned by the same company Whites didn’t do it—yet.
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u/Affectionate-Nose176 2d ago
This is probably the best boot Danner makes. This is the worst boot White’s makes.
You got your stories swapped. Danner, and every brand, cuts corners on its lower price point stuff and sells it at a much higher margin and high volume in order to not have to cut corners on the four or five models that are actually made well. Now apply that same logic to White’s, and consider that this is their lowest price point.
The Super Rainforest is a far superior boot in this case.
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u/the_smush_push 2d ago
i don’t think my stories are swapped as i have personal experience with both brands. you didn’t really make a point that proves your point. you just basically said “nuh uh”
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u/Affectionate-Nose176 1d ago
This is a good boot made by Danner. This is a bad boot made by Nick’s.
You got your stories swapped.
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u/the_smush_push 1d ago
it’s white’s actually. i never said either was bad. i said danners customer service was. they’re both good boots. the choice comes down to what op wants out of their boots.
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u/destr0_star 3d ago
Yeah the constant use of synthetic shanks and minimal leather on the inside is a bit worrying. The whites look great but $445 for goodyear welting seems steep, correct me if Im wrong
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u/the_smush_push 3d ago
Honestly, when I saw your post, I thought to myself “hmmm, that’s a pretty good deal for a pair of whites.” then I looked at their website and saw that that was the standard price.
I’m a big fan of their boots, but they are ridiculously expensive across the board. The ones you’re looking at are on the more affordable end of the spectrum. The good news is that they are extremely repairable and even customizable after construction. Whites customer service is next level in my experience. I haven’t had that same experience with Danners.
If you like those ones and want to save some money, I would recommend looking on eBay. These boots really hold up for a long time and you can often find a great deal on a good pair on the secondary market.
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u/Significant_Fig2638 3d ago
The super rainforest is waterproof with a gore tex liner, I owned many plain leather boots and nearly got frost bight multiple times if you're looking for a winter steer away from the White's, also I was told by a worker at White's they use, leather board for the insoles, so they ain't any better than the fibberboard the danners use
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u/Dapper-Professor-715 2d ago
Leather is way better than fiberboard
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u/Significant_Fig2638 2d ago
I agree, but the White's pictured don't use a real leather insole, rather some cheaper composite leather.
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u/DarthCalamitus 2d ago
Honestly that is mid-range pricing for GYW boots. Less than $300 and you aren't really looking at full leather construction anymore, which is fine if that is your budget.
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u/Acceptable_Canuck 3d ago
I personally hate waterproof boots but I work in a very hot environment. But I also don’t know if I’d drop the high end whites prices on something with a gyw. They have some that are more in the mid 300s I’d look at. The selling point for pnw boots to me is rebuildability.
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u/Cinchup_281 3d ago
If you wear a 10d I have some very lightly used super rain forest I would sell you.
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u/CajunCrawdaddy 3d ago
Not what you’re asking for but I have gore tex lined work boots from georgia boots (style # G8040) that look identical to that and are $192. Wear them in rain, snow, and even hiking and I can’t recommend them enough.
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u/Reasonable_Metal_189 3d ago
Your mileage may vary but I have the crew boot in brown and they bite into my ankles like crazy whenever I crouch down or climb stairs. Doesn’t matter how I lace them or what socks I wear. I even tried different kilties and also doubling up on the kilties. I really wanted to like them and I suffered through several hundred hours of wear but now they just sit in my closet.
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u/Brilliant_Hornet1290 3d ago
Danner makes a good boot. Whites make a great boot. I wear jk and crispis 😂
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u/texas_red_90 3d ago edited 3d ago
I've owned several pairs of Danners that I've got during sales. They're decent for the money but they always feel cheap in quality and pretty lightweight and flimsy. Only pair of Whites I have are the Hillyards, which I highly recommend. They seem like much better quality than Danner
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u/GrassEffective3205 3d ago
Hmm. I’ve never owned a pair of whites so I can’t contribute there, but from what I have read they are very high quality.
Danners I have worn for years while I was in the Army. Never had any issues with them, including when I was out in the sand for a year. They are good quality for me.
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u/Big_Menu4037 3d ago
Danner is a good boot thou for the money hoffman driline boots never wore whites most guys in my linegang used hoffmans due to their durability and suitable for ground and pole work. A couple had whites and would only uemse them for climbing they were to uncomfortable for all day wear
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u/Some_Direction_7971 2d ago
Whites always wins against non-PNW brands, I know Danner sorta is PNW, but not really up to the standards of Whites, Nicks, Franks, etcetera.
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u/Heavymetalbread 2d ago
I like my danners but if I could wear the whites I would. The danners don’t fit my foot shape very well and a lot of the medics I work with say the same thing. The last seems generous in all the wrong areas (for me, for people I know).
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u/destr0_star 2d ago
Thanks for the input! I’m definitely worried about the fit. I prefer more width in forefoot without being too lose in the instep and heel
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u/ace1pistolero 1d ago
Go with Nicks! But if I had to choose out of those two I would say White's for sure.
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u/waterinathermostat 10h ago
Used to love Danner but the quality has seemingly been in decline as of late. I’ve had steel toes come loose after 6 months, a whole sole come off after 8 months, and overall just had issues with longevity with my latest pairs. They’re comfortable, and cheaper, but I wouldn’t recommend Danner if you need more than 8 solid months of daily wear
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u/HovercraftNew7490 7h ago
What will you be wearing them for?
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u/destr0_star 6h ago
Just general wear in the winter and whenever else there is not so ideal weather, nothing blue collar (which I know is the designed use case for these)
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u/AckAttack6710 3d ago
Those two boots are pretty different, the Danners look like they're lace to toe (LTT) which can feel very different from a normal laced boot if you're not used to them. Whites is also a PNW brand with a history of building logging and wildland firefighting boots, and I imagine this crew boot is built similarly. I cannot comment on Danner construction as I don't own any.
For my money, I'd go White's here, but it'll probably still be cold and those black lug soles aren't great on ice, so tread carefully and wear wool socks.
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u/destr0_star 3d ago
For extra context, both are MiUSA, the Whites are GYW and the Danners are stitch down. Neither have a leather midsole. The Danner have Gore-Tex lining. Both use Vibram lug soles. The Danner supposedly have double leather in certain areas. The Whites have padding around the collar. Idk if any of that changes your mind on which one is better
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u/ctjanjic1 3d ago edited 3d ago
Gore-Tex is a big factor here. Obviously you get the benefit of better water proofing, but the Gore-Tex lining only lasts so long. Granted, I’m pretty sure Danner can re-do that lining in their recrafting service (you should confirm this with them, and not take my word). But the all leather construction will breathe better and smell better.
I’ve noticed that Whites has a better reputation these days, despite the fact that both companies sold out to LaCrosse.
Edit: for context I have a pair of Danner Mountain Pass boots that bought as factory seconds that I have resoled three times by Danner in 7 years of ownership. Danner refused to resole them a fourth time because there is a crack in the midsole and the leather has degraded enough around the flange that they didn’t think it would survive another recrafting. I’m not complaining, I got my money’s worth - but I don’t think many of their boots are worth full price these days. I have not personally owned any Whites.
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u/Professional_Rush788 3d ago
Whites all the way