Danner Path 2650 GTX Mountaineering Footwear are light-weight leather-based and textile mountaineering sneakers lined with waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex. They’re a superb shoulder season (late fall, early spring) different to mesh path runners while you need footwear that’s hotter than path runners and supplies 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 sneakers in addition to mid-height mountaineering boots so you possibly can use the completely different fashions in numerous seasons if you want.
Specs at a Look
- Higher: Leather-based
- Waterproof/Breathable: Sure, Gore-Tex membrane
- Peak: 3″
- Drop: 8mm
- Sole: Vibram Megagrip
Along with added heat, I made a decision to strive these Danner mountaineering sneakers as a result of I’ve lastly gotten sick of changing my mesh path runners when the toe field will get ripped up from mountaineering the rocky and mountainous trails in New Hampshire and Southern Maine. I 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, effectively earlier than the soles get near sporting down. I’ve put up with these sturdiness points for over 10 years with La Sportiva Extremely Raptors and now with Saucony Peregrines, however I’ve been on the hunt for path runners or mountaineering sneakers that last more. I can’t afford to spend $800 yearly on new path runners. There must be a greater manner.
The Danner Path 2650 GTX has leather-based uppers which are perforated alongside the edges to reinforce air flow. They’ve a burly toe kick up entrance and a toe cap that extends down the edges 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 reasonable in size with grooves lower into the soles to assist shed water. The only real has a TPU shank for assist and EVA foam for cushioning. The heel is effectively protected and the tongue is connected to the mesh-lined internal shoe, with the sock-like suit you discover in lots of path runners.
I’ve discovered the Path 2650 to be a really secure shoe that sits low and flat on the bottom with out 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 now we have to plow by means of moist leaves and dust. I’ve to say I’m very impressed with the Gore-Tex lining because the sneakers dry shortly, even after an entire soaking if you must proceed mountaineering in them. I by no means thought I’d say that about any Gore-Tex-lined shoe.
Regardless of their suede leather-based uppers, these Danner Path 2650 mountaineering sneakers want nearly no breaking in. You may put on them out of the field for mountaineering, however the uppers take about 10 miles to melt up fully, permitting the forefoot to flex extra when scrambling up rock. Equally, the grip of the soles improves when you’ve roughened the lugs up naturally.
After I received these Danner 2650’s, the very first thing I did was modify them by sticking a giant piece of velcro on the heel so I may put on soiled lady gaiters with these sneakers. There’s not an excellent flat place on the again of the shoe to do that, however my velcro strips are nonetheless holding on fairly effectively regardless of this. The hotter-weather Danner Path 2650 Campo and Danner Path 2650 Campo GTX fashions include manufacturing facility heel gaiter attachments.
The following 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 forestall Plantar Fasciitis. The sneakers themselves shouldn’t have an inner arch in any respect. I’m inclined to Plantar Fasciitis and can do absolutely anything to keep away from it. It might probably happen when your arch doesn’t have sufficient assist or your heel strikes round an excessive amount of. A very good insole prevents each of these triggers.
The laces on the Path 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 forestall them from coming unraveled. That works effectively sufficient.
The match is decidedly slim within the mid-foot, however the toe field supplies sufficient room on your toes to splay out and calm down. Broad sizes can be found, nevertheless, within the Path 2650 GTX in addition to the opposite non-waterproof, mesh, and hotter climate variants of this shoe that Danner presents.
Suggestion
The Danner Path 2650 GTX is a light-weight waterproof/breathable mountaineering shoe that’s one step up from mesh path runners in safety and sturdiness, however much less inflexible and “blocky” than different mountaineering sneakers together with the Merrill Moab 2 or Moab 3. If you happen to’re searching for a mountaineering shoe that’s not as chilly as a mesh path runner for shoulder season mountaineering and supplies higher moisture safety, the Danner Path 2650 is a slam dunk. It’s very comfy, agile, and requires little or no break-in time. It even seems good off-trail too!
Disclosure: The writer bought this product.
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