Danner Combat Hiker - Built For Afghanistan
Made in Portland, Oregon USA so they are Barry compliant. Every soldier now shipping out to Afghanistan gets a pair of the new Combat Hiker boots from Danner.
I have been a Danner fan for a long time so I was pretty fired up when I learned that I would be getting a pair of their newest boots for evaluation. I had heard bits and pieces about the Combat Hiker but hadn't seen them because they are not yet available to the public. They're not even on the Danner website. Fact is that all of the current production is devoted to our troopers headed for Afghanistan which is exactly the purpose for which these boots were made.
At first glance they look very similar to the Danner Talus GTX but I can tell you now that the Combat Hiker is beefier. I recommend a number of very good light mountaineering and heavy hikers as well as some lightweight trail boots and shoes but there are damn few offerings on the market that do a good job in the middle part of the spectrum. And there are buyers in that space that are looking for a lightweight boot that provides good support and protection. The Talus is a good 'tweener that I know caught the eye of the military procurement people but it is not made in America so it was taboo for anybody but the Special Operations units who enjoy a little more discretionary leeway.
Nice looking, all leather, Gore-Tex liner, Vibram Bifida outsole, 6+ inch height, abrasion resistant rand, upgraded insole and a sturdy but flexible ride. My size US11.5 Regulars weighed in at just under 2 lbs per boot.
Danner responded by taking the Talus, tuning it up and making it in their Portland facility. Presto chango, the Berry Amendment compliant Combat Hiker was born. Apparently the Army liked what it saw because they bought $2 million worth last year and signed a $6.7 million follow on contract this year.
As far as I know, I am one of the first media guys to get a pair for evaluation so I will bump these to the front of the line and publish the results of my evaluation as soon as I can. If Danner wanted to test these boots in Afghanistan like conditions, they should have come to Arizona. From what I read in Not A Good Day To Die and Lone Survivor our terrain and weather is a lot like theirs.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
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Posted by Wade Nelson at 6/6/2009 5:34 PM 
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Tags: danner combat hiking boot barry compliant hiking boots danner combat hiker new danner boot danner combat boot american made hiking boots afghanistan combat boot
Categories: Feet
Tags: danner combat hiking boot barry compliant hiking boots danner combat hiker new danner boot danner combat boot american made hiking boots afghanistan combat boot
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