Danner Mountain Light Overton Boots

Though they’re designed in the image of the original Mountain Lights—among the most iconic hiking boots of all time—the Mountain Light Overtons veer away from the trail and onto the street. Rather than the full-grain leather upper featured on the originals, they’re made with a tan suede upper. And in place of the tread-heavy Vibram Kletterlift outsole, the Overtons feature a carpet-friendly Vibram Cristy outsole. It still provide excellent traction, but minimizes buildup of dirt, mud, and other detritus.

Danner knows not to mess with a good thing. Like the originals, the Overtons are made with a stitchdown construction that allows the shoes to be resoled at the company’s factory, in Portland. And because they’re made on Danner’s roomy 650 EE last, like their trail-friendly counterparts, they offer excellent stability and a slightly roomy fit. They’re even lined with a waterproof yet breathable Gore-Tex layer, providing excellent internal protection against the elements. And like all Danner boots, the Overtons are made in the USA.

It was all about the boots, in 1932, when Charles Danner opened his first workshop in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. It was the height of the Great Depression, and with the help of five employees, Danner made a name for himself crafting handmade work boots, which he sold for less than $4 a pop. Four years later, he moved west to Portland, where loggers were willing to pay as much as $20 for a pair of waterproof boots. It was then that Danner became synonymous with quality. Today, after patenting the first waterproof boot and becoming the first American shoemaker to earn ISO 9002 certification, the company still calls Portland home—and the pursuit of quality is no less urgent.