Thorogood vs Danner Boots

Shopping for the best boots can be quite challenging if the brands (and styles) you’re eyeing have a lot of similarities.

Thorogood and Danner both manufacture at least some of their products in the US, making both brands preferred by people who want to ensure the uncompromised quality and materials of their footwear choices.

These brands are known for their lines of durable boots designed to keep up with different work environments, with options to extend the performance of certain styles through recrafting services. In this article, we’ll take a more intimate look at the details that make Danner and Thorogood boots so popular among those after dependable, hardworking boots. As you discover the similarities and differences between the two brands, it will be much easier to pick the boots that will deliver maximum benefits for your specific needs.

Key Takeaways

• Thorogood and Danner boots have made in the US product lines, with both brands having specific styles that can be recrafted to prolong their performance after the non-leather components have deteriorated.
• Thorogood boots have durable, restorable structures that feature cushioned footbeds, supportive shanks, moisture resistance, and rugged styling. They are typically comfortable out of the box, so there’s no need to break them in.
• Though these boots’ rugged designs can look out of place in more formal settings (or dressy outfits), their footbeds don’t mold to the feet for a customized feel.
• Danner boots are durable, with most designs suitable for recrafting, leather uppers that conform to the feet’s contours, comfortable structures, moisture-resistant and breathable components, and classic work boot good looks.
• However, the boots often need a lengthy break-in period, and the outsoles’ quality could be better.

Thorogood

Thorogood is an employee-owned company that started with the name Weinbrenner Shoe Co. in 1892 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s one of the oldest shoe manufacturers in the US and was a major contributor of hard-wearing boots to the US Army during World War I and II.

Now, it continues to show a great love of country by featuring a line called American Heritage, which is dedicated to crafting US-made, high-quality boots with classic styles.

Thorogood boots are built to tough it out in challenging environments, maintaining their reliable strength without succumbing to damage, even with heavy use.

Key Advantages of Thorogood

Crafted for harsh conditions

Thorogood boots come in robust designs that won’t easily give up even in difficult surroundings, unlike other boots that tend to break apart with extensive use.

They’re built to last in different work environments but don’t compromise comfort and performance, so they can keep the feet comfortable and protected for a long time.

Zero to minimal break-in period required

Depending on the design, Thorogood boots are typically comfortable out of the box. Even the styles that need to be broken in only require short break-in periods.

Unlike other boots that are exceptionally stiff and need to be softened for a long time, the boots made by Thorogood are built with relatively flexible uppers and soles. This structural design makes the boots easier and more comfortable to wear after they’re purchased since they don’t require a lengthy break-in time.

Cushioned footbed

Thorogood boots feature a cushioned insole that adds supportive softness to cradle the foot. The insole ensures that the foot doesn’t directly feel the hardness of the floors and other surfaces, even with long periods of continuous walking, while preventing the foot from rubbing painfully against the sole.

Shock absorption

Walking and staying upright for most of the day can take their toll on feet.

Thorogood boots address this issue by using the Ultimate Shock Absorption insole to soak up most of the impact of walking on unyielding surfaces. The shock is then distributed to protect the foot from fatigue, especially after staying upright for long hours.

Can be restored

Thorogood uses Goodyear welt construction to seal liquids and increase the boots’ strength. In addition, this construction allows the boots to be re-soled, allowing them to be maximized further even after their soles have worn down or after signs of damage.

The company offers restoration services for replacing boots’ outsoles and midsoles (whenever appropriate), as well as the insoles, laces, and stitching if required. This means that you can still enjoy the benefits of the boots – even after they’ve deteriorated – through the proper restoration procedure.

Durable

Thorogood boots are designed to stand the test of time, with strong construction and high-quality materials working together to maintain exceptional structural integrity. As a result, these boots can be relied on for rigorous activities in tough surroundings without falling apart, so they can continue delivering great function in different work conditions.

Strong moisture resistance

The thick leather used in Thorogood boots results in increased moisture resistance – even in styles that aren’t completely waterproof. In addition, high-quality leather uppers stop moisture from instantly penetrating the boots. Meanwhile, the Goodyear welt construction ensures a strong bond between the upper and the sole while preventing liquids from seeping in.

Supportive shank

Most Thorogood boots are equipped with a nonmetallic shank that helps maintain the boot’s rigidity, providing the support that the foot needs to walk securely over different ground conditions. The fiberglass shank offers improved structural strength but doesn’t significantly add to the boot’s total weight, so it can still be used for all-day walking without feeling too bulky.

Rugged appeal

Thorogood boots may not be the most elegant or stylish pair, but they have a distinctively rugged appeal that’s enticing.

The ruggedness of the boots’ style blends well with casual work wear and even with outfits off the job, so it’s quite easy to make the most of these boots in different settings.

Key Disadvantages of Thorogood

Footbed doesn’t offer a customized fit

Thorogood boots typically have cushioned footbeds that soften the base to keep the feet comfortable.

However, the soft foam cushioning doesn’t conform to the feet’s shape, so the footbeds don’t have that personalized feel.

This is unlike the customized fit offered by leather footbeds that mold to the feet’s contours and feel more comfortable the more the boots are used.

Can look too rugged

Thorogood boots may have heavy-duty good looks, but they’re not suited for indoor use and formal settings. These boots look too rugged to be used with formal attire and can look awkward when paired with dressy outfits that call for more elegant footwear options.

Uses of Thorogood

Thorogood boots are designed to deliver reliable function in various work settings. They’re built to last through challenging scenarios, making them ideal for the following jobs:

• Construction workers
• Manufacturing personnel
• Heavy equipment operators
• Linemen

Danner

Danner has manufactured high-performance boots since 1932 and continues to build superior-quality footwear using the best materials and remarkable craftsmanship. Danner boots are designed to keep up with the demanding jobs and activities of people on the go, with styles that specifically address the need for foot protection and support indoors or outdoors.

The brand has a line of Made in USA boots crafted in Portland, Oregon, using the same devotion to superior quality while also maximizing modern technology.

Aside from work boots, Danner also produces boots for hiking, hunting, and lifestyle use, as well as military and tactical boots.

Key Advantages of Danner

Can be recrafted

Some Danner boots can be recrafted, so they can still maximize their remarkable appearance and performance even after some parts become worn down.

The company offers a refracting service applicable to specific styles and their corresponding construction methods. In addition, Danner has a team of re-crafters that reconstruct the boots by hand, prolonging their life so they can continue to provide the required function on the job, for lifestyle needs, and for outdoor adventures.

Leather follows the foot’s shape

Danner boots typically use unlined leather that molds to the foot’s shape in time.

The more the boots are used, the better the leather upper will feel as it eventually conforms very closely to the foot’s contours. This results in a personalized fit that feels exceptionally comfortable, with the boot moving closely along with the foot’s motion

Breathable

The unlined leather used in many Danner boots lets more air in, so the interior doesn’t feel overwhelmingly hot, even in humid conditions. Instead, this type of leather keeps the air circulating well inside the boot to maintain a cool, dry feeling for longer – even after the boots are used for the better part of the day.

Traditional work boot look

Most Danner boots showcase the classic work boot silhouette that many prefer for work or lifestyle needs. These boots have hardy structures with a touch of timeless beauty, so they can easily blend into various work settings and even non-work environments.

Comfortable construction

While it’s true that most Danner boots are stiff out of the box, they’re sometimes a pain to use. After the much-needed break-in period, the quality of the components will start to shine through by providing superior foot comfort. Aside from the leather uppers that mold to the feet’s contour (after the break-in phase), cushioned footbeds and supportive outsoles also contribute to the comfortable boot-wearing experience.

Moisture resistance

The leather used by Danner is treated to provide moisture resistance, so small amounts of liquids spilled on the boots won’t result in extremely wet feet.

These water-resistant boots can be improved with the help of waterproofing products, but there are waterproof boots by Danner that can be picked instead for superior waterproofing out of the box.

Durable & Versatile

Danner uses only top-quality leather and fine craftsmanship to create premium versatile boots that can be worn in various settings for various activities.

These heavy-duty boots are made to keep up with challenging conditions outdoors easily and in demanding worksites, performing as they’re designed while resisting structural deterioration simultaneously. In addition, the boots can be recrafted when the components wear down due to heavy use, so you can still make the most out of the worthwhile investment.

Key Disadvantages of Danner

Long break-in period

Danner’s high-quality leather and sturdy construction result in inflexible boots out of the box.

This means that the boots need a long break-in period to soften the leather, making it pliable enough to move with every step without causing pain.

The overall structure of the boots will also benefit from the lengthy break-in time, making walking more effortless and comfortable the more the boots are used,

Sole quality can be improved

Most of the outsoles that are fitted into Danner boots don’t last as long as those that are built into other high-quality work boots. Of course, there’s an option to replace the sole of Danner boots through their recrafting service, but it would be nice if the original soles were sturdy enough to last much longer.

Uses of Danner

Danner boots come with high-quality materials and sturdy structures that can easily keep up with the demands of the following professions:

• Carpenters
• Security personnel
• Hikers
• Auto mechanics

Personal Testing Experience

We had the chance to experience the performance of two premium boots from Thorogood and Danner – the Thorogood American Heritage Moc Toe MAXWear Wedge Boot and Danner Bull Run Moc Toe Boot, which we decided to review side-by-side in this article because of their similarities, starting from being part of their respective brand’s made in US product lines. Thorogood American Heritage Moc Toe MAXWear Wedge Boot has a removable Ultimate Shock Absorption footbed that takes on the shock-absorbing role, protecting against foot fatigue while providing enhanced comfort throughout long hours of walking. The moc toe silhouette adds a stylish ruggedness that can be worn on and off the job site, with a fiberglass shank to support the foot and maintain the boot’s structural strength. The MAXWear Wedge sole is advertised as slip-resistant, but we felt it lacked the strong traction needed to withstand tricky surfaces. Meanwhile, the Danner Bull Run Moc Toe Boot had the same moc toe profile that had a more traditional work boot look than the previous product. The premium design blends nicely with workwear and is stylish enough to pair well with casual attire. The unlined leather upper promotes good air circulation to keep the interior cool for longer, while the OrthoLite footbed offers maximum cushioning without the added bulk. In addition, the Danner Wedge outsole is oil- and slip-resistant. Still, just like Thorogood’s moc toe boot, it didn’t feel grippy enough to prevent slipping in unstable or extremely slippery ground conditions.

Conclusion

Danner and Thorogood are two of the most popular brands manufacturing American-made boots for work, lifestyle, and other purposes. People favor these brands after premium, durable boots, with their US-made boots providing an assurance of uncompromised quality and looks. Thorogood boots are durable – they’re built for tough conditions and can be restored with shock absorption, strong moisture resistance, and supportive shanks. In addition, these boots require minimal to zero break-in periods, with cushioned footbeds to add comfort and rugged good looks to round up the superior quality. However, these boots’ ruggedness makes them unsuited for more formal settings, and their footbeds don’t offer a customized fit. Danner boots are durable and can be recrafted, with leather uppers that follow the feet’s shape, breathable and moisture-resistant materials, comfortable construction, and traditional work boots silhouettes for timeless appeal. It’s worth mentioning that most of these boots need a long break-in period, though, and the outsoles’ quality isn’t the best.