by Stephen Casimiro | Jul 27, 2022 | Gear | 5 comments

The outdoor and tactical cultures rarely overlap, even though many well-known outdoor brands cater deeply to both. One of those brands is Danner, which makes footwear highly prized by the military. For many years, I’ve wondered, what do they know that we don’t? Tactical packs and molle attachment systems are too heavy for my taste, but what about boots? As a chronic ankle turner, I’ve long thought a high shank might help. Are these things overbuilt for consumer use? Or do they hit a Goldilocks sweet spot between light weight and support?

It’s the latter. I spent months torn between Danner’s Tachyon and Tanicus styles. Both have leather uppers, eight-inch shanks, and are non-waterproof, but the Tachyon is significantly lighter—about 13 ounces per boot compared to 20. In the end, supply chain issues kept the Tachyon out of stock, so I opted for the Tanicus. My 9.5s weigh 22 ounces each, and while they definitely feel boot-like, that weight is well-distributed. Slipping into them is a lot easier than I expected, and they’re way cozier, too, thanks to cushioning all the way up the shank. The lowers are double-stitched leather, the shank is 2,000-denier nylon, and there are two webbing reinforcements, including one that wraps the ankle for stability.

Break-in period was exactly 0.0 seconds. Seriously. I laced the boots up and banged out a five-mile hike through the coastal chaparral without a single hot spot or issue, and what struck me immediately was how well protected my feet and lower legs were. Normally, a thrash through overgrown scrub has me thinking about ticks and ankle-pricking spines and sock-filling sand and snakes, but with the Danners I strode through it all with confidence. The difference was not subtle: I felt like I was wearing seven-league boots, with each stride longer and more confident. Flexion from the heel to the toe is smooth and predictable, and there’s no binding or pinching in the shank, even when your foot is bent at acute angles. Vent holes at the arch help reduce heat, as do perforations in the padding around the shin—it’s warmer than a low shoe, but a lot cooler than a waterproof one.

In short, I love wearing the Tanicus and they’re now my go-to for all lengthy hikes. Do note that their last rewards a wider foot—to keep my skinny feet in place, I have to crank on the laces and then everything’s fine. It does leave me curious about the lighter Tachyon, which Danner calls “boot first, sneaker second.” I do like to run when I hike, and the Tanicus is a little bulky for that. If I check out the lighter model, I’ll let you know how it goes.

Great review, and nice to read someone opine that boots can be better than trail running shoes for traveling in the mountains. It does kind make sense that people who work in the tactical realm need boots that are protective yet allow for fast and comfortable movement, right?

My brother, who went through a Walter Sobchak stage, has been singing the praises of tactical boots for hiking for years. Bonus: If you happen to be in Portland, OR, the Danner outlet store is about 3 miles away from the airport. Crazy good deals on boots that may have a scratch on them that you’d get on the first outing with them.

Nice review, just FYI you keep talking about the “shank” of the boot when you really mean the “shaft” or the “cuff.” The shank is a piece of metal, carbon fiber or hard plastic that goes between the sole and the footbed of the boot and gives it structure and rebound.

Wow, I can’t believe these sky high prices of camping equipment. $200.00 for hiking boots, $735.00 for a tent, $650.00 for a sleeping bag, $500.00 for a back pack. And then there’s hundreds of dollars for other equipment. How do you people do it? All of you have to be millionaires. Good grief, count me out, I will just put up a tarp, grab a few blankets, and sleep outside on the patio of my overpriced apartment!!!

I don’t know anybody paying $700+ for a tent or $600 for a sleeping bag. For $700, you could get a nice backpack AND a nice tent.

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