In 1932, the Danner Shoe Manufacturing Company opened its doors in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin making quality, affordable, handcrafted boots and footwear. That company is better known today as Danner, and Charles Danner founded it 75+ years ago. Charles Danner's mission was to make the absolute best boots and footwear possible; a mission the company still carries out to this day.
By 1936, Mr. Danner moved the company to the Pacific Northwest and set up shop in Portland, Oregon, where Danner is still based today. Mr. Danner moved the company to the Pacific Northwest because he found a large market of loggers and pioneers who needed quality boots to help them do their jobs. He also found that he could sell a pair of Danner boots for $20, a lot of money in 1936.
When Charles Danner moved the company from Wisconsin to Oregon, he knew he was taking a big risk, especially considering this was right in the middle of the worst economic crisis the US had ever faced, the Great Depression. The gamble paid off however, and in the decades and years to follow, Danner grew by leaps and bounds. Danner soon established a reputation for making boots and footwear of the absolute best craftsmanship and quality.
With the passing of time comes change, and so it was for Danner when the company was handed down from father to sons. In 1957, after more than 20 years since its founding, Bill and John Danner took over the company from their father, Charles, and started a new era. By the 1960's & 1970's, Danner embarked on a new horizon and began designing and making hiking boots for the first time.
Danner started making hiking boots in part due to the rising popularity of outdoor sports and activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, and backpacking. It was the introduction of its first hiking boot, the Mountain Light that really set the tone for what was to come. The Danner Mountain Light is considered by many to be one of the forerunners of the modern hiking boots, and is still sold by the company today.
Soon after the Mountain Light was first introduced, Danner collaborated with Gore-Tex, then known as W.L. Gore & Associates, to make the Mountain Light the world's first pair of completely waterproof hiking boots. Gore-Tex still works with Danner to this day and makes 100% waterproof and breathable liners for the company's line of boots and footwear. More change would come in the early 1980's when Bill Danner sold the company to Eric Merck.
Although Danner was no longer in family hands for the first time in over 50 years, its new owner was committed to upholding the company's long history and heritage of making high quality boots and footwear. In fact, Mr. Merck would enact his own quality control standards that would make Danner and its line of boots even better. Over a decade later, another big change would occur when LaCrosse Footwear bought and merged with Danner. At the time, LaCrosse was best known for there line of quality, handcrafted rubber footwear.
Presently, Danner still makes high-quality boots, hiking boots, and footwear using the best materials and practices available. Danner offers a complete line of boots and footwear for men and women in a multitude of models and choices. Also, Danner recently started their Stumptown collection: a line of boots with a look that is both vintage and modern. Danner also continues to make footwear for the military and law enforcement, as well as for outdoor activities and work.
By 1936, Mr. Danner moved the company to the Pacific Northwest and set up shop in Portland, Oregon, where Danner is still based today. Mr. Danner moved the company to the Pacific Northwest because he found a large market of loggers and pioneers who needed quality boots to help them do their jobs. He also found that he could sell a pair of Danner boots for $20, a lot of money in 1936.
When Charles Danner moved the company from Wisconsin to Oregon, he knew he was taking a big risk, especially considering this was right in the middle of the worst economic crisis the US had ever faced, the Great Depression. The gamble paid off however, and in the decades and years to follow, Danner grew by leaps and bounds. Danner soon established a reputation for making boots and footwear of the absolute best craftsmanship and quality.
With the passing of time comes change, and so it was for Danner when the company was handed down from father to sons. In 1957, after more than 20 years since its founding, Bill and John Danner took over the company from their father, Charles, and started a new era. By the 1960's & 1970's, Danner embarked on a new horizon and began designing and making hiking boots for the first time.
Danner started making hiking boots in part due to the rising popularity of outdoor sports and activities such as mountain climbing, hiking, and backpacking. It was the introduction of its first hiking boot, the Mountain Light that really set the tone for what was to come. The Danner Mountain Light is considered by many to be one of the forerunners of the modern hiking boots, and is still sold by the company today.
Soon after the Mountain Light was first introduced, Danner collaborated with Gore-Tex, then known as W.L. Gore & Associates, to make the Mountain Light the world's first pair of completely waterproof hiking boots. Gore-Tex still works with Danner to this day and makes 100% waterproof and breathable liners for the company's line of boots and footwear. More change would come in the early 1980's when Bill Danner sold the company to Eric Merck.
Although Danner was no longer in family hands for the first time in over 50 years, its new owner was committed to upholding the company's long history and heritage of making high quality boots and footwear. In fact, Mr. Merck would enact his own quality control standards that would make Danner and its line of boots even better. Over a decade later, another big change would occur when LaCrosse Footwear bought and merged with Danner. At the time, LaCrosse was best known for there line of quality, handcrafted rubber footwear.
Presently, Danner still makes high-quality boots, hiking boots, and footwear using the best materials and practices available. Danner offers a complete line of boots and footwear for men and women in a multitude of models and choices. Also, Danner recently started their Stumptown collection: a line of boots with a look that is both vintage and modern. Danner also continues to make footwear for the military and law enforcement, as well as for outdoor activities and work.
About the Author:
Before buying a pair of Danner Boots, go to Robert Greenfield's newest blog, where he provides in-depth information on how Danner Boots & Footwear are made.
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