Danner N45 Timberwolf: Low-Rise Hiking Shoe Reviewed

Carrying their signature recraftable soles, the newest addition to their product lineup aims to be a do-it-all shoe. Like an all-terrain tire, it’s meant to cruise the city streets with ease while being durable enough to withstand and conquer any terrain underfoot.

The Danner N45 Timberwolf is an extremely lightweight and slim alternative to standard high-rise hiking boots. Featuring a Vibram N45 outsole with Megagrip technology, it offers great traction on both wet and dry surfaces.

Paired with Danner’s Endurofoam midsole, the N45 delivers the performance of a true hiking boot without the added bulk. The shoe also includes a foam-core gusset that provides comfort and durability while hugging the foot to prevent hotspots and a removable OrthoLite footbed made up of multiple layers of varying density.

A Versatile Travel Companion

I recently packed these on a trip to Flagstaff, Arizona on my way to Overland Expo West. Conscious of the precious limited space in my backpack and carry-on, I appreciated the opportunity of having a dependable shoe that could handle Arizona’s varied terrain—from desert flats to the trails of Prescott National Forest—without needing to pack a second pair.

They worked just as well for navigating the airport and city streets as they did on a couple of rugged outdoor trails. 

Arizona’s variable terrain and unpredictable weather made it an ideal testing ground, and the N45s performed admirably, from hot blacktop to dusty trails, surprisingly keeping my feet cool and my socks dry.

I equated this success directly to the footbed’s construction, where Danner utilizes open-cell polyurethane that promotes better heat dissipation and airflow.

Light on Weight, Heavy on Performance

At just 22 ounces per pair, the shoes feel exceptionally responsive. As a low-rise hiking boot, it blends the ruggedness of a traditional hiking boot with a sleeker profile found in trail-running shoes.

The wider footprint adds noticeable stability, making it a great travel shoe, durable enough for spontaneous trail hikes, yet comfortable for more urban settings.

An added benefit is the shoe’s unique geometry, which encourages a natural toe spread, something known to reduce foot fatigue and promote a more natural gait, a necessary feature in any shoe purchase.

That’s a major advantage whether you’re logging serious miles on a backpacking trip or walking 10,000 steps exploring a new city. Combined with Danner’s thoughtful materials and design choices in the footbed and midsole, I didn’t experience any hotspots throughout my testing.

One design detail I especially appreciate is the reinforced toe area that extends up onto the top of the foot. This zone typically sees the most wear and tear on my boots, and the extra layer of protection is great, especially in wetter climates or muddier terrain, which is always a bonus on the trail.

If I want to get into the super nitty-gritty, the lace lengths are a tad too long for my preference. However, they have a unique texture that I’d best describe as if you could powder-coat laces and still keep them pliable. That grippy texture really helps when tying them with wet hands and prevents loose laces on the trail—a small but noticeably cool detail.

The overall aesthetic of the shoes also made packing that much easier. You get the performance of a hiking boot, but with a look that doesn’t feel out of place when paired with shorts, joggers, or hiking pants.

The Break-In Period: Worth the Wait

The shoes feature a Perspair upper that is quick-drying and provides superior abrasion resistance and durability in a lightweight construction. This was the only area where I experienced some initial discomfort.

On the first day of breaking in the shoes—wearing them for a 12-hour period—the upper area of the right shoe was digging into my ankle bone. I attributed this to the shoes being fresh out of the box, with the upper edge likely curling slightly during packaging and transport.

I view this as a one-off issue, and not a reflection of the overall design. This kind of discomfort is actually common for me when breaking in low-rise shoes, something I’ve often encountered while trying to find a comfortable cycling cleat. But that’s a story for another time.

After a couple of days, the upper material became more pliable, bending with the contours of my foot and flaring out just enough to relieve pressure on the ankle bone. If you run into a similar issue, I recommend wearing thicker socks during the break-in period to help reduce initial discomfort.

That’s the trade-off with premium materials, they may take a little longer to break in, but their long-term durability means this shoe will likely outlast most others on your rack.

Verdict: Travel-Ready, Trail-Worthy

Living up to the brand’s high standards for quality, the N45 hiking shoes are extremely breathable and lightweight, where the offset from the heel to toe creates a desirable toe box, allowing the toes to freely wiggle without feeling too loose. Add in the ability to resole these shoes through Danner’s recrafting services, you’re looking at a pair that could far outlast your expectations.

The N45 is available in five colorways: Timberwolf, Green/Bronze, Jet Black, Spruce, and a Huckberry x Danner Coyote collab.

Danner N45 Timberwolf MSRP: $200

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