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.
After their formative years in the 30's & 40's, and after 25 years at the helm, Charles Danner relinquished control of the company to his sons Bill and John. Bill would later buy his brothers portion of Danner and become the sole owner. It was during this time of change that Danner began a new era and started making hiking boots some time in the 1960's.
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.
When Danner initially introduced the Mountain Light Hiking Boot, they partnered with W.L. Gore & Associates to make an inner boot liner that would be totally waterproof and breathable. It was the first waterproof boot liner in footwear history and started a revolution in the hiking boot community. That company is of course better known today as Gore-Tex, and they still work with Danner to make 100% waterproof and breathable boot liners. In 1983, Danner was sold to the businessman 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.
After their formative years in the 30's & 40's, and after 25 years at the helm, Charles Danner relinquished control of the company to his sons Bill and John. Bill would later buy his brothers portion of Danner and become the sole owner. It was during this time of change that Danner began a new era and started making hiking boots some time in the 1960's.
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.
When Danner initially introduced the Mountain Light Hiking Boot, they partnered with W.L. Gore & Associates to make an inner boot liner that would be totally waterproof and breathable. It was the first waterproof boot liner in footwear history and started a revolution in the hiking boot community. That company is of course better known today as Gore-Tex, and they still work with Danner to make 100% waterproof and breathable boot liners. In 1983, Danner was sold to the businessman 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:
Robert Greenfield is a writer who specializes in fashion and style. You can visit his newest blog right here, where he provides unbiased reviews and information on how Danner designs & manufactures their boots.
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