Much of Danner’s footwear wouldn’t look out of place on the high street, with its classic American styling offering a distinctive and pleasing look. That’s all well and good, but how does it perform?
First impressions
Well, this is clearly a shoe designed for hikes over challenging terrain, given its design. The suede upper looks nice, but it’ll need a bit more care than synthetic fibres would need and also won’t be as breathable. If you’re looking for a summer walking shoe, you may find these rather warm.
Are they waterproof?
The waterproofing proved effective in our tests, keeping rain and puddle water out well, but the bellows on the tongue finish slightly lower than shoes such as the La Sportiva TX Hike GTX, which is worth being aware of.
Do they grip well?
Underfoot, the outsole proves adept on hard-packed ground, rock and dry mud, but the spaced-out pattern of the wide lugs meant they weren’t so great in wet, muddy conditions. However, combined with the stiff midsole, the flat front section of the outsole would be handy for scrambling.
Will they fit me?
One thing worth noting is that there is a wide and regular fit available in the Panorama Low shoes, with the latter option on test here. The shoes look roomy from the outside and that’s pretty much reflected when you’ve got it laced up. That said, my little toe did sometimes make contact with the edge of the shoe, which would encourage me to consider the wide version if purchasing.
Something is worth drawing attention to is that the lacing system isn’t the best at helping you get a perfect, secure fit. It’s something I’ve noticed with the American brand’s Mountain 600 boots (which I love, otherwise) previously, too. The issue is that when tying them up, it’s a challenge to keep the laces taught throughout the lacing system, which can become frustrating.
Are they comfortable?
As soon as you pull the shoe on you notice that the midsole is pretty stiff. That’s handy if you need support on particularly uneven terrain, but may be overkill if you’re hiking on well maintained tracks. It’s also worth noting that with a stiff sole unit like this, your feet can feel fatigued quicker than with more flexible shoes until you’re used to it.
Best for: tough trails
Facts at a glance: Danner Panorama Low walking shoe
- RRP: £150
- Uppers: Suede
- Outsole: Danner Panorama
- Midsole: Danner Plyolite EVA midsole
- Waterproofing: Danner Dry
- Fit: Regular or wide option available
- Weight: 524g (UK size 11)
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Also consider...
Scarpa Mescalito walking shoe
RRP £185
A lightweight but rugged hiking shoe that can tackle scrambles and climbs. The upper is stiff ‘thermo-embossed’ suede, while the Vibram Megagrip outsole provides solid protection and supreme grip in slippery conditions, from mud slides to wet rock. An EVA midsole means the shoe is very comfortable underfoot, and with a stretch-fit tongue and lacing all the way to the toe, it is possible to get a snug fit, though it may make take many micro-adjustments to find the perfect hold. These shoes are typically for dry weather – the low-cut style and numerous laceholes are not ideal for long walks in rain.
Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX
RRP £140
If you're open to something that looks dramatically different to Danner's traditional suede Panorama Low shoe, or even the soberly designed Scarpa Mscalito, it's worth taking a look at this boldly styled shoe from French brand Scarpa. The quick-lace system helps give you a secure fit, the Gore-Tex membrane protects you from damp, and the EVA midsole is comfortable and supportive underfoot. Our only question mark was durability – read more in our detailed review.
Still can't find what you're looking for? Then head to our round up of 2023's best walking shoes.
