I have always been a student of history, especially when it comes to companies and products that I use daily. That is why I will tell you about the story of one of my favorite companies that produce shoes and boots: Danner. I have a vested interest and love for Danner, which is mainly due to the fact that for many years I have owned several shoes. Danner is a great company that, in my opinion, makes today one of the best boots and shoes on the market. They are steeped in history and continue to adhere to the same traditions and practices established by their founder, Charles Danner. In 1932, Charles Danner founded the Danner Shoe Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. His mission was to make quality boots and shoes that were inexpensive for the average American. The interesting thing is that he did it right in the middle of the Great Depression; pretty risky at the time if you ask me.
Mr. Danner has always believed that boots must be made by hand using the best materials and the highest quality. Because of this faith, he moved the Danner Choe Company and his family to the Portland, Oregon, in 1936. The reason for this was his discovery that a certain type of boot was made and sold for $ 20 in the Pacific Northwest. He concluded that there was a market for high-quality boots and shoes, and he felt that this was the ideal environment for his new company. It was another risk for Mr. Dunner and his company, but one that has ever paid off. Since 1936, Danner Shoe has continued to grow and expand. After World War II, Danner strengthened its reputation as a company with extremely high standards. He also continued his original practice and beliefs in the quality craftsmanship established by Charles Danner many years ago.
In 1957, another major change occurred when Charles Danner transferred the reign of the company to his two sons, John and Bill Danner. A few years later, in the 60s, Bill Danner bought a share of his brothers in the company and became the sole owner. The 60 and 70 received even more changes at the Danner Shoe Company. Danner began making hiking boots in response to the increased demand and popularity of outdoor activities, which have become more common. Their very first hiking boot was Mount Darne. At that time, Mountain Light was considered revolutionary, and to this day it is considered one of the pioneers in the world of hiking boots. One of the biggest events happened in 1979, when Danner collaborated with WL Gore & Associates to make the first waterproof hiking boot: Mountain Light.
Danner's collaboration with WL Gore & Associates laid the foundation for a partnership that continues to this day. Danner underwent another leadership change in 1983, when Eric Merck bought the company. In 1994, Danner Shoe Company merged with LaCrosse Footwear, another company with a long history of manufacturing quality shoes. In 1997, Danner celebrated its 65th anniversary, including the 100th anniversary of LaCrosse. Today, Danner’s original mission of making high-quality boots and shoes is still very effective and alive. Danner recently branched out and created his own Stumptown line; a line of vintage and modern boots for a crowd of style / fashion that look great on the street and the trail. In addition to its line of hiking boots, Danner also offers a complete line of footwear for military, law enforcement, hunting, work, hunting and outdoor activities.
