Men’s Danner Trail 2650 Review

Bottom Line

The Danner Trail 2650 is as stylish as it is capable, earning it a spot on our Best Hiking Shoes for Men list. Named for the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Coast Trail, this hiking shoe is comfy, durable, and responsive – whether you’re hiking across the country or walking the dog to the coffee shop.

We’ve put these shoes through their paces. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has racked up over 400 miles testing this model from 13,000’ Colorado peaks to deep, sandy Utah slot canyons – as well as the distilleries and burger spots we visited afterward. Lightweight and breathable, this Danner features a nimble, comfy feel right out of the box.

However, they aren’t the most durable in the pack. Additionally, they dry very slowly once wet, making them less ideal for consistently soggy and damp conditions. And the tread is stellar almost everywhere – except on wet surfaces. That said, this is fashionable, high-performance footwear for those who want hiking shoes that transition effortlessly from the backcountry to the brewery.

Comfort

The Danner Trail 2650 is a comfortable, lightweight shoe with a cushy insole and semi-firm midsole that make it easy to wear right out of the box. During testing, we found the midsole foam comfortable but not as thick as other trail shoes we’ve tested. That means you’ll feel the ground – including rocks and roots – more than many other shoes. This shoe maintains an agile and fairly responsive feel even though it features a burly toe, heel guard, and TPU Shank in the midsole for added protection.

Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer took these on a 16-mile loop through two slot canyons in Utah’s San Rafael Swell for their inaugural run. Overall, they felt decently cushioned and offered a snug fit. Even for such a long distance that involved moderate scrambling, plenty of sand, and steep, off-camber rock, he didn’t develop any foot pain or hot spots. 

Ian has considerably narrow feet and found the toe box in his Goldilocks Zone: it was just big enough for toes to spread out and allowed his feet to flex easily. Editor Jory Brass has found Danner’s wide to be a true wide. Overall, we rated this shoe average for comfort. We like it best for moderate trails and city play. 

Traction

Gear Analyst Ian Krammer found the Trail 2650 performed best on flatter and moderately angled routes with occasionally loose sections of rock and gravel. That’s where the triangular Vibram tread helped bite the ground for better grip. That said, the tread really excelled on packed dirt trails, sandy terrain, and grass, where the average lug depth and slightly flexible outsole provided secure footing.

On moderate to steep uphills, the strong tread pattern at the forefoot helped Ian keep strong footing, but that wasn’t as true on descents. The heel of these shoes aren’t as effective for braking due to shallower lugs and a somewhat busy pattern. Ian found this was true when navigating off-camber and gravel-filled routes in late summer in the Gore Range of Colorado, where he fell several times on loose ascent and descents. We occasionally found ourselves slipping on steep downclimbs and sharp descents – even with packed dirt – so these shoes demand a bit more care when headed downhill. 

This pattern also isn’t as effective on wet or slippery surfaces. After getting caught in a meaningful downpour in Goblin Valley State Park in Utah, the area was full of slick mud and slimy rocks. Our testing during this hike was another place where the Trail 2650 felt a bit unreliable. If the forecast looks wet or you’ll be crossing lots of streams or late-season snowfields, you may want to look elsewhere.

Weight

The Danner Trail 2650s weigh in at one pound and eight ounces for the pair – the middle of the pack for the hiking shoes and trail runners we’ve tested. This represents a sweet spot between durability and agility. The Trail 2650 is robust enough for rugged trails yet allows for fairly fast and responsive movement.  Ian Krammer has  taken these on daily walks with the dog around town, short local dayhikes close to Denver, and 15+ mile mountain hikes in the summer in the high Rockies. This testing shows they have a more spry, responsive ride reminiscent of a classic trail runner like the Brooks Cascadia 18 – which weigh about an ounce less.The leather uppers, substantial rock guard, and beefy rubber outsoles contribute to their heft, but they still manage to feel nimble on most adventures. They aren’t the lightest shoes out there, but the 2650 provides good performance on trail without feeling heavy.

Durability

The Danner Trail 2650 has some outstanding durability features. The suede uppers on the version we tested effectively resisted abrasions especially well for the first half of the shoe’s life. Plus, Vibram outsoles stand the test of time – even after miles of boulder fields full of sharp scree and rough gravel, the outsoles continue to perform.

However, the Trail 2650’s combination of style and function comes with a trade-off in long-term durability. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer had concerns about the shoe’s laces and the toe cap and rubber heel bumper beginning to lift off the shoes after miles of rough testing in Colorado’s high country – a place full of gravel, sand, and loose rock. These rubber components are still working and remain attached, but it’s yet to be determined for how much longer.

Weather Resistance

Danner’s Trail 2650 lineup includes styles with GORE-TEX. However, our gear analyst tested the non-waterproof suede version of these shoes on a dozen summer day hikes in the Colorado Rockies. They performed exceptionally well on 60°F to 90°F days, where he had no trouble moderating the temperature – even on an especially long day with over 7,000 of vert to summit multiple peaks over 13,000 feet. 

The downside of the suede version: once it gets wet, it stays wet. We learned the hard way the suede 2650s can take many hours – even days – before they fully dry out. During an 18-mile, 10-hour peakbagging dayhike in Colorado’s rugged San Juans mountains in mid-July, Ian mis-stepped into a creek at the 6-mile mark, fully soaking both shoes. They didn’t dry for the rest of the hike – leading to cold, wet feet – and didn’t fully dry until 36 hours later.That said, as long as you’re staying on drier trails, we love the suede version for its breathability. If you’re attempting hikes with creek crossings, puddles, or unexpected weather, Danner offers the 2650 in both waterproof GORE-TEX versions and more breathable, lighter mesh versions.

Should You Buy the Danner Trail 2650?

The Danner Trail 2650 works well for moderate hiking trails and urban adventures. Whether you’re heading out for a weekend backpacking trip, spending the day on your local trails, or just want a dynamic and stylish pair of shoes for the coffee shop or dinner on a patio, the 2650 is the rare shoe that can do it all.  Just don’t expect this shoe to hold up on rugged, wet, or long-distance treks – it’s better suited for mellow to moderate hikes rather than serious backcountry adventures. That said, anyone looking for a stylish, comfortable option that transitions seamlessly from dirt paths to social events, BBQs, or even casual work functions, this shoe fits the bill.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

For other options, feel free to browse our picks for Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Best Trail Running Shoes for Men. 

KEEN Targhee IV WP Review: This KEENs model is a great alternative to the Danner 2650 with its superior durability, solid waterproofing, and more robust protection for tougher trails.

Merrell Moab 3 Review: The Merrell Moab 3 shares the Danner 2650’s focus on comfort and versatility but has superior durability and a more affordable price tag.

Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Review: The Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX offers superior support and stability, making it a better option for hikers seeking more structured and secure footwear.