Danner N45 review

We are convinced that the Danner N45 is a worthy investment for hikers who:

• want a highly stable and durable hiking shoe with the cushioning of a trail runner
• are ready to pay more for high-quality materials and excellent durability
• need a reliable outsole that can traverse mixed, technical, and uneven terrain

Even though Danner claims the N45 is a roomier option, our lab tests showed it still lacks the forefoot space to accommodate wide feet. A truly spacious, foot-shaped hiking shoe would be the Altra Olympus 6 Hike Low GTX.

We also found that the N45 is not quite as summer-ready as its product description suggests. For warm temperatures, consider the KEEN NXIS Speed instead.

Nitrogen-infused foams continue to seep into hiking footwear, and Danner treated us to its innovative EnduroFoam in the N45's midsole.

This supercritical foam provided a pleasant underfoot experience despite the N45's rigid construction, reflecting in the shoe's exceptionally high shock absorption of 126 SA! It soaks up impact significantly better than most other hiking shoes and is actually on par with max-cushion trail runners like the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4!

The platform of this Danner shoe makes long-distance hikes so much easier on your legs and joints!

However, the shoe's EnduroFoam isn't as responsive as one might expect from a nitrogen-infused foam. Showing a moderate energy return of 49.3%, the N45 didn't stand out among the hiking shoes we've tested.

But we wouldn't call its ride dead either. The shoe feels stable and grounded, but a touch of rebound prevents it from feeling static.

The Danner N45's platform rises slightly above average, with a stack height of 35.3 mm at the heel. It's not too towering to compromise stability, but it keeps the foot fairly isolated from trail debris.

The shoe's forefoot stack also proved to be taller than average. At 24.0 mm, it offers added protection for the ball of the foot and the toe joints.

According to the brand's product description, the N45 features an 8-mm offset from heel to toe. However, our own caliper measurements showed a slightly higher reading of 11.3 mm.

But even though it's a notable deviation, it still falls within the same drop range in terms of on-foot experience. Both setups support a natural foot striking pattern, taking the strain off the Achilles and calves and keeping the heels better cushioned.

Pressing our Shore A durometer against the N45's EnduroFoam, we were surprised to see a below-average reading of 35.7 AC.

The number indicates moderate softness, whereas the shoe's ride feels on the firm side.

The firmness is attributed to a full-length TPU rock plate sandwiched between the shoe's foam midsole and rubber outsole. Highly rigid, it adds underfoot protection on rough and obstacle-laden terrain.

Danner promises 'slightly more width in the forefoot' in the N45, and we are here to check that statement by creating a one-to-one gel cast of the shoe.

Once the replica solidified, we used a digital caliper to measure its forefoot dimensions. The widest part showed 93.8 mm, which is a standard width for our lab-tested hiking shoes. Not as roomy as the shoe's description suggests. And it is available in D medium width only.

The brand also mentions using the DT-6 last for the N45, which is the same last that was used for the Danner Trail 2650 hiking shoe. However, the latter showed a slightly narrower reading of 89.9 mm in the ball-of-foot area.

Measuring the gel cast in the big toe area, we didn't find any extra room either. At 70.4 mm, it even borders on narrow.

And what makes the N45 feel even more restricting is its very low toebox height of 21.8 mm.

With a tough rand around the toes and limited vertical space, this Danner shoe can put some undesirable pressure on the toes, especially for hikers with toe deformities.

The Danner N45 is named after the Vibram N45 outsole, which was designed exclusively for this shoe. And we are impressed with just how sticky it is!

Brushing the shoe's outsole against wet concrete in our traction testing machine, we recorded a particularly high friction coefficient of 0.76! This is one of the best results among the hiking shoes in our lab, offering a strong bite on smooth and even wet rocks and boulders.

The shoe's lugs also proved to be moderately deep with a caliper reading of 3.9 mm.

This is a sweet spot for mixed terrain where you encounter anything from gravel and light mud to mossy logs and scree. Versatile enough to compromise between rocky and softer ground.

The shoe's lugs are chevron-shaped, facing forward in the forefoot and backward in the heel, to accommodate ascents and descents on hilly terrain. A closer look at them also reveals tiny Vibram Megagrip bumps on the lug edges that enhance bite on both dry and wet terrain.

The presence of a TPU rock plate and the shoe's higher forefoot stack naturally limit its forefoot flexibility.

Our shoe-bending test confirmed that it takes 24% force to bend the Danner N45 by 30 degrees (22.4N) than it does to bend an average hiking shoe!

Although it hinders natural foot movement, the added stiffness contributes to the shoe's stability on tricky terrain. It also makes energy transfer more efficient, especially when hiking with a heavier load.

We are pleasantly surprised with how moderate the Danner N45's weight is, considering its tough materials and structured design.

Tipping the scales at 12.5 oz (354g), it is lighter than the average hiking shoe but not quite as light as trail running shoes can get. The use of advanced technologies like the supercritical EnduroFoam surely helped keep its weight down.

But if you're after a lighter shoe for more quick-paced adventures, the Danner Trail 2650 is by far the brand's lightest hiking shoe at 11 oz (312g).

Danner positions the N45 as a shoe 'designed to keep you cool on a sunny city trail or on dry desert rocks.' However, our own breathability test mismatches part of that statement.

Testing the shoe's non-waterproof version, we observed only faint wisps of smoke billowing through the toebox fabric.

The thick and tightly woven threads of its Perspair upper blocked out even hints of light in our transparency test.

Considering all of the above, we couldn't rate the Danner N45's breathability any higher than 2 out of 5.

P.S. The shoe is also available in a waterproof GTX version for $230 ($10 more).

Its stability and side-to-side support are among the main reasons to choose the Danner N45 over lighter trail runners. The shoe gave us a solid footing on steeper angles and unpredictable rocky stretches without feeling too bulky and overbuilt.

Feeling like a trimmed-down hiking boot, it remained supportive even under a heavier backpack.

Its sturdy upper materials, protective overlays, and a TPU rock plate work together to make the Danner N45 reliably twist-resistant.

The shoe's torsional rigidity is reflected in our torque test, where it scored on par with the average hiking shoe at 16.7 Nm. That way, it's not as unforgivingly stiff, but there is enough support to reduce the likelihood of ankle rolls or awkward foot placements.

Another important element of stability is the N45's rigid heel counter. Assessing its stiffness in our manual test, we didn't hesitate to give it a maximum of 5 out of 5. It cups the heel and ankle very securely, eliminating undesirable movement inside the shoe.

Measuring the forefoot width of this Danner shoe's sole revealed a whopping 119.3 mm, making it the widest of hiking shoe platforms! This large surface area inspires confidence on uneven terrain, but can feel cumbersome in the areas where precise foot placement is preferred.

A standard-width heel balances out the shoe's broad forefoot with a more regular width of 89.4 mm. It's still wide enough to ensure stable landings and prevent impromptu ankle rolls, but not too extended to feel unwieldy.

The Perspair upper fabric of this Danner shoe is definitely one of its major highlights. Made of nylon threads coated in PU, this heavy-duty material resists abrasion better than most other textiles.

Our Dremel test proved this as the material showed very minor damage. This earned the N45 a high toebox durability score of 4 out of 5.

On top of that, the shoe features a rand and tall overlays made of tough, unscratchable material to protect the upper from sharp rocks and thorny trail debris.

But if you prefer tried-and-tested leather uppers, the MTN45 is also available in an all-nubuck leather variant.

The interior mesh, however, is a little less reassuring but still decent for a hiking shoe. Assessing the abrasion left by our Dremel, we gave it a middle-range score of 3 out of 5.

Considering its high-end price, we expected nothing less than fantastic outsole durability from the Danner N45. And fortunately, the shoe met our expectations with excellent Dremel test results!

With a dent as shallow as 0.4 mm, it outperformed most other hiking shoes in our lab, promising long service even on abrasive rocky terrain.

P.S. What's more, Danner offers recrafting services for the N45, meaning that its Vibram outsole can be resoled.

Its outsole thickness also proved to be on par with the average at 2.5 mm, minimizing the chance of premature wear.

Danner uses a thick insole to soften the blow of the shoe's overall rigid build. It is notably thicker than average, measuring 6.8 mm at the heel.

The insole in question is a high-quality OrthoLite Footbed that balances varying densities to provide targeted padding and support where needed. However, it is easily removable if you choose a custom insert.

Unfortunately, Danner's nitrogen-infused EnduroFoam becomes nearly twice as firm in low temperatures. After measuring the shoe's foam softness at room temperature, we kept it in the freezer for 20 minutes and repeated the procedure.

At 43%, the change was quite significant compared to other hiking shoes. The N45 goes from moderately soft to very firm at 51.1 AC.

The shoe doesn't have any prominent reflective elements, but its laces have reflective weaves.

Danner cuts down on internal padding in the N45 to keep the shoe as light and airy as possible.

Our caliper measured its tongue thickness at only 3.1 mm. This can create pressure points on the instep, especially if the laces are cinched tightly.

The shoe's tongue and gussets are made of a neoprene-like fabric ('foam-core' as the brand calls it), offering a more pleasant step-in feel and minimizing the risk of chafing and hot spots.

It also creates a very secure, foot-hugging experience that improves lockdown.

A leather overlay around the heel extends to form a large lip that serves as a pull tab for easier on-and-off.

The Danner N45 is among the most expensive hiking shoes, alongside the highly technical La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II GTX and the max-comfort HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX. We believe that the price is justified as the shoe's exceptionally sturdy and stable build is complemented by an advanced nitrogen-infused foam that helps the N45 stand out from most traditional hiking shoes.