Pros: Great fit and customer service; recrafting service; good for military, police, et al.
Cons: Soles mark certain floor materials
The Bottom Line: Fantastic customer service and a great product will have me coming back again. Definitely worth the price, especially since it's "Made in the USA".
crystalattice's Full Review: Danner Acadia Steel Toe 8" Work Boots for Men
I am a Sailor in the Navy, having worked on submarines and surface ships. Several years ago, I got my foot caught in a submarine hatch and caused damage to the joint of the big toe.
It soon became painful for me to walk long distances. Various doctors gave me different diagnoses, ranging from arthritis to a bunion. I tried custom orthotic insoles, wider shoes, and cortisone injections, but nothing permanently worked.
One reason, I suspect, is because the normal boots sold in the Navy Exchange are relatively cheap, usually less than $180 for steel toed safety shoes. The steel caps in the boots extend quite far down the foot, resulting in the edge of the cap resting right on the big toe joint. Hence, working and walking aggravated the pain in my toe as the steel cap continually ground against the joint.
Back to the Danner boots. When I was deployed to Iraq, I considered buying a good pair of desert boots, as opposed to the standard military issue boots. Ultimately, I did not buy any new boots but I did get the recommendation from a tactical equipment dealer that Danner boots were some of the best on the market.
After I came back from Iraq, I remembered this advice when I needed to purchase new safety boots. I looked at the Danner web site and was shocked at the price (nearly $270). This cost was almost twice as much as the boots from the Navy Exchange.
Then I realized that this is one of the few times when paying for quality actually applies. I already knew how the cheap stuff affected me so I was willing to pay a bit more for my next pair. Plus, the company will "refurbish" any of their boots when they get worn, meaning I could keep the same pair of boots forever.
Danner boots are made in Portland, Oregon, one of the few products that still seems to be made in America. The Acadia boots are their top-of-the-line steel-toed boots. What I find great is the steel toe cap is shorter than other boots I've owned, meaning I don't have any rubbing or pressure on my toe joint. It also means that the leather of the boot can stretch at the toe joint, rather than being confined by the steel, leading to more comfort over time.
The boots are 8 inches tall, much taller than most of other boots I have seen. This is a plus for people who have to wear fatigue pants since the pants can be properly bloused over the boots.
Since there are few seams on the boots, and the tongue is uni-constructed with the rest of the boot (rather than being separate like street shoes), the boots are inherently water-resistant. Adding to this, the boots are lined with Gore-Tex, meaning they breath a lot better than other boots but have enhanced water-resistance. The Gore-Tex also helps provide some insulation, keeping your feet warmer than other boots.
The soles are a single unit instead of having a separate heel tacked on. Personally, I really like this since I had a bad experience with a separate heel: when I was coming down a ladderwell on an aircraft carrier, my heel caught the edge of a step and ripped off. Luckily I was holding onto a ledge so I didn't fall down or get hurt, but my boot was a total write-off. So, having a uni-body design for the soles is a significant safety feature for me.
The insoles for the boots are quite good. Normally I replace the insoles with gel insoles, due to the amount of walking I have to do. But these insoles are very comfortable and have caused no problems for me.
A nice touch to the boots are the lace "positioners". These are small, metal tags placed on the laces between the bottom holes on the boots. They prevent the laces from being pulled out easily, so you never have to worry about the laces being mis-aligned or completely yanked out except when you purposely do it.
My only complaint with the boots is the lack of a non-marking sole. Normally, the boots don't leave marks on objects, such as concrete. But for some reason linoleum has the right "stickyness" to grab the rubber, leaving huge black marks everywhere. The marks come off will minimal fuss but it's still a pain. So if you where your boots around the house, be careful in the kitchen.
A final point to touch on is Danner's recrafting service. This was the tipping point for me, considering how many boots I have gone through in my Naval career. Any Danner boots you buy are eligible for recrafting; a small fee is required but it's much less than buying a new pair of boots. Prices range from $45 to $150, depending on how much work you want done. Packages can include minor repairs, such as restitching and leather reconditioning, to essentially overhauling the boots and replacing everything. If you are hard on your boots, this service is invaluable, especially when you realize that it's nearly impossible to find a cobbler nowadays.
Finally, I would like to commend the customer service of the Danner company. I had sent them an email, simply telling them that I greatly enjoyed my boots. In return, I received a personal letter thanking me for my kind words and a T-shirt. I have heard of companies doing this, but have never actually had it happen to me. This struck me as being a somewhat uncharacteristic, customer-oriented attitude compared to most other companies in the world.
This version of the Danner Acadia 8" is crafted with an ANSI-approved steel toe to create a highly protective uniform boot. Also compatible with Danne...More at Shoebuy.com
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