Danner Panorama Mid Hiking Boot Review: Verdict After 2 Years of Use

Pros / Reasons to Buy

• Rugged build
• Clean, minimal styling

Cons / Reasons to Avoid

• We wish there was a little more ankle support
• Took a little while to break in

Verdict

These Panorama Mid boots definitely take their design cues from classic hiking boots, but they reinterpret this in a truly modern way which is why I’ve rated them so highly in our best waterproof hiking shoes round up.

I love their minimalist, but still modern styling and, whilst they did have a bit of breaking in period, they have become exceptionally comfortable.

After wearing these boots repeatedly in my rotation for the last two years since initially getting them, I would say that they’re one of the most versatile, comfortable pairs of hiking boots I’ve ever had. I have no hesitation in recommending these boots for general hiking. 

Compare to Similar Products

• Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe
• Regatta Vendeavour Pro
• Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex
• Check out our full guide: Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes

Get a closer look: Danner Panorama Mid

Analysis and Test Results

Danner have a long history of making well regarded outdoor footwear. They did take a little while to break in, but this wasn’t a tough process and very soon I found them to be exceptionally comfortable.

This has also stood the test of time, whilst this initial break in period was something I noted, they’ve become more and more comfortable over the years. They just feel well made and this transfers to just how much I reach for them on general hikes. 

Whilst they are certainly not in the same class as rigid B rated boots, these Danner Panorama mid boots are at the sturdier end of the waterproof hiking shoes I’ve tested out in this round up and they are well suited for hill walking on slightly more demanding trails as well as general hiking and walking.

These boots take their design cues from classic hiking boots, but reinterpret this in a modern way. In some ways, I wish these boots had a little more ankle support – which would make them suitable for even more intense terrain, but then that would transform them into a different product entirely.

When I first tested them out initially for this review, I stated that I ‘had no doubt these boots are super durable and they will surely give many long years of wear’. I can attest to the fact that they really don’t show any signs of giving up any time soon.

Sure they look dirtier now, but that’s cosmetic, and they’ve been on some pretty incredible trails around the world with me in that time to places like Lassen Volcanic National Park, Great Basin National Park, hiking in the Grand Canyon, hiking in Sedona, Durmitor National Park and I even wore them in places like Beijing more recently. 

Performance Comparison

Traction

The Danner Panorama Mid features Danner’s own in-house sole. It’s made of slightly soft rubber – which I’ve found strikes up a good balance between long-term durability and grip on slippery surfaces such as wet rocks.

The thread pattern is, perhaps surprisingly, not particularly deep, but none the less, it still offers a good and confident level of grip and traction across pretty much all surfaces I’ve tested it on.

This is not the hiking boot I reach for when I’m going hiking in the snow, it just isn’t right for that, but for pretty much three seasons, and for summer hikes where you want that extra protection, they wear really well. 

Many of the shoes and boots in this round up feature outsoles from third-party manufacturers. Vibram dominates the market here, but it’s also not uncommon to see soles form major tire manufacturers such as Continental and Michelin (which makes perfect sense if you think about it).

Whilst these soles are no doubt another feature that can be marketed, I don’t think they are an essential feature by a long-shot.

Danner make use of third-party soles in some of their other items of footwear (including the Women’s Trail 2650 which Fay has reviewed for this same round up and loved), but in the time I have had these shoes, their in-house sole has not let me down in terms of traction.

Breathability

Outwardly, the breathability on these boots doesn’t look great. The upper is largely made of unventilated sued and there are only a few sections of synthetic mesh – largely on the tongue.

None the less, I’ve hiked with these boots in very warm conditions and have not found that they overheat unduly due to lack of breathability. In fact, I find these boots are one of my favorite options for warmer hikes when I want more support (I generally find myself wanting support around my ankles as I’m clumsy). 

I’d say that unless you’re regularly hiking in very warm conditions – the breathability of these boots should not be a concern. These boots also feature a Gore-Tex membrane so the breathable sections are also water resistant.

Ankle Support

The Danner Panorama Mid have a mid-height design. They remind me of a classic basketball shoe. The design does offer some ankle support and, whilst not as much or as adjustable as you’d get on some of the more technical hiking boots we’ve tested out, such as the Scarpa Ribelle Lite HD, the support is still clearly there and, I have found this to be a definite plus.

As I hinted at earlier, for some hikes, like crossing difficult terrain or technical mountaineering – good ankle support is a bonus and sometimes even a necessity, but for general hiking or walking it’s not an essential and comes down more to personal preference.

Whilst the ankle cuff on these boots isn’t completely rigid, it does provide enough support that it could help prevent a twisted ankle if you lost your footing on the trail.

Arch Support

The inner of the Danner Panorama Mid is very subtly shaped to offer arch support. This shaping is very gentle and we were not specifically aware of it whilst wearing the shoes.

The level of arch support you need is a very personal choice and with this in mind, it makes sense that Danner – like most of the other manufacturers in this round up – have provided a ‘neutral’ option with these shoes. If you need additional arch support, after-market insoles are readily and inexpensively available to provide a solution.

Fit

Danner offer the Panorama Mid in two widths: standard and wide fit. Standard is good for narrow/normal width feet and is what I have as I have slightly narrow feet. I’ve found this to be a perfect fit with still some room available. 

The boots are available in sizes from US 7/ UK 6.5/EU 40 up to US 15/UK 14.5/ EU 50.6, and we’re happy to see options for those with larger feet. Fit wise, I found the sizing was true and the boots did not run small or large.

On the foot, I think these are some of the most comfortable boots you can buy (pretty similar with my experience with all Danner boots actually). Initially, they felt a little stiff – which I anticipated, given their construction – but the break-in period was very short and not problematic at all.

As you’ll see from everything I’ve said before, the fact they’re still one of my favorite hiking boot options, even two years on should say something to you about the comfort they offer. 

Materials

The Danner Panorama mid makes use of a mix of suede leather and synthetic materials. The bulk of the boot’s exterior is suede with the lining, tongue and a section on the back made of synthetic mesh material and there’s a substantial rubber rand around the boot too – the rand is split into two sections for styling purposes, but, for all practical purposes, it’s a continuous rand.

The lower lace holes are reinforced with metal rings and there are metal hooks for the laces towards the top. The boot also features a Gore-Tex membrane which allows the boot’s inner to remain breathable whilst still being water resistant.

Appearance

Appearance and styling come down to personal taste more than anything else, but I’ve got to say I really like the look of the Danner Panorama Mid boot.

Sure after a couple of years of wear they look a bit more disheveled and rough round the edges, but they also don’t look bad in any way. They just look lived in, and they certainly have been. 

The boot’s look is definitely inspired by classic footwear designs: elements like the cut of the suede outer, metal lacing hardware and full rand are lifted from traditional hiking boots and the overall shape and proportions also reminds us of a classic hi-top basketball boot.

Yet, despite these nods to classic shoe design, these Danner boots also manage to look thoroughly modern and I certainly don’t think the styling is nostalgic. The white flashes on the soles are nice against the otherwise muted color scheme.

Danner still offer these boots in two color ways, both of which could be described as ‘earthy’. There are certainly more ‘statement’ designs in this round-up, but I’ve got to say we liked the minimal, but still bang up to date look of these Danner boots. 

Durability

The Danner Panorama Mid boots are solidly made from materials with a reputation for durability. When I originally wrote this review, I was interested to see how they’d handle after years of heavy use. 

At this point I can honestly say I’ve been impressed. Apart from being dirtier now than they were in my original tests for this review, they have held up pretty much impeccably. They’re incredibly strong, incredibly durable and handle well in three seasons. 

Whilst these boots are not intended for the most demanding technical terrain, their design certainly borrows some elements for footwear intended for this purpose and these elements only serve to enhance their durability.

The full rand – essentially a rubber strip that completely encircles the boot – is intended to provide protection from sharp rocks on the trail. This does become a little scuffed from heavy use, but it does a really good job of keeping the suede beneath from being torn. Similarly, the suede upper does discolor after substantial exposure to wet environments, but this is purely cosmetic.

Weight

The Danner Panorama Mid boots weigh in at 1048g/2lb 5oz for a pair. There are far lighter shoes and boots in our round up, but I think that when you consider the solid build and rigidity of these boots, that weight isn’t too bad at all.

Insoles

Danner provide their footwear with a three-layered cushioned insole. It is, of course, removable and can easily be replaced with an after-market option if you want something that offers better arch support, greater cushioning etc. Changing the insoles is also a great way to fine-tune the fit of your footwear.

Break-in Period

The Danner Panorama Mid boots were comfortable to wear straight out of the box. However, they were not as quick to break in as some of the other shoes and boots in our round up.

I found they rubbed a little bit on the first few walks – especially-so when worn with thinner socks. However, this was not a major issue for me and the rubbing did not lead to any blisters.

Everyone’s experience with breaking in a new pair of boots will be different and I wouldn’t recommend you wear brand-new boots on a long-distance trail without first trying them on a few shorter walks first.

That said, the days of hiking boots requiring weeks of painful breaking-in thankfully seem to be long-gone and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly these boots became exceptionally comfortable to wear.

Lacing System

The Danner Panorama Mid boots use good old-fashioned laces. Whilst some hiking boots have moved to more high-tech speed lacing solutions, I still think there’s a lot to be said for traditional laces.

On a mid-high boot like these Danner ones, how you tension the laces can subtly change the fit and this small change can greatly increase your comfort. What’s more, the lacing pattern you use can also have a big impact on how your boots feel. Check out our lacing guide for more info!

Toe Protection

These boots feature some reinforcement around the toes and also include a substantial rand – basically a strip of rubber – around the full boot. Together, these will offer some protection to your toes if you kick into a rock or trip up.

However, the toe section is not fully rigid – and certainly not to the level you’d get on high-altitude mountaineering boots. For more technical hiking, I still think more specialist (and likely heavier) boots would be a better option, but for general hiking and walking, these Danner boots are a great choice.

Hiking Shoes v Hiking Boots

The choice between shoes and boots on the trail is very personal. For general hiking and nature walking, this really comes down to personal preference and what you find more comfortable.

However, as the terrain you are hiking on becomes more uneven and technically demanding, the extra ankle support boots offer can become really valuable as it provides some protections should you slip or stumble.

These Danner Panorama Mid boots are certainly suitable for more demanding terrain – though they are no replacement for more specialized (and heavy and expensive) B rated hiking boots if you’re heading high into the mountains. For general hiking, the extra ankle support these Danner boots give is, in my opinion, very welcome too.

Conclusion

It’s been great to come back and update this review after two years of solid wear in the Danner Panorama Mid boots. I rated them really highly in my initial review and in many ways knew they’d wear well. So I’m really happy to come back and report that they’ve actually exceeded my expectations in terms of comfort, durability and how versatile I’ve found them over this period. 

They haven’t replaced my more specialized B-rated boots for mountaineering or hiking over really technical terrain, but they have really done the job for me with general hiking. Their waterproofing has set them apart here too, and for three season trips outdoors, I find myself reaching for them time and time again.

They’re absolutely built to last, and I thoroughly recommend them!