Crafting the Perfect Boots for Women

Since 1932, Danner has been making boots for the trail, work, and life. In that time, the Portland, Oregon–based company has earned a reputation for quality, comfort, timeless style, and innovation. But unlike some storied brands, Danner is not resting on its past. As a master of boot design, Danner is committed to using the latest technology and studies to bring the best fits to market. That’s why the brand spent years researching, testing, and creating Precision Fit—a fit that perfectly matches women’s footwear needs. To learn more about Precision Fit and the diligence that went into its development, we heard from longtime Danner product line manager Pamela Lo.

Outside: Why was it important to create a boot fit for women?

Pamela Lo: Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and supported with footwear that fits right. Women’s foot morphology isn’t the same as men’s. And Danner’s dedication to developing a true women’s fit is helping to fill the need for diversified options for use on the trail, at the jobsite, deep in the backcountry, or casually strolling through town. Compared to Danner’s standard fit boots, the new Precision Fit lasts—the foot-shaped mold used during footwear manufacturing—have a narrower heel, wider forefoot, and a lower height increase from toes to ankle to accommodate the biometrics of women’s foot shapes.

What boot styles are offered in Precision Fit?

Precision Fit is available in three styles: Inquire (mid and chukka), Jag II, and Sandy Ridge. Get to know each style by clicking on the feature below.

What kind of research went into bringing Precision Fit to life?

Danner spent three years working to bring Precision Fit to life. We conducted numerous fit clinics with women of various ages and backgrounds, worked with renowned last manufacturers in the footwear industry, and gathered significant research and data regarding women’s foot morphology. The information we collected helped us identify the root of women’s discomfort in standard boot fits, giving us direction for the new fit. Here’s some of what we learned:

🥾 The heel shape in women’s boots is often too wide, causing friction and blisters.

🥾 The toe box in women’s footwear is often too narrow, which can cause discomfort or injury.

🥾 Biometric foot data from more than 40,000 women found that women require a lower height increase from toes to ankle for optimal support.

How did Danner test the Precision Fit styles throughout the design process?

We focused on pressure points across the top-selling women’s boot styles, including our own, to distinguish the discomfort-causing features and fits across the industry. With our in-house AETREX foot-scanning machine, we were able to capture the accurate foot dimensions of our fit testers and precise pressure-point information. Equipped with detailed information on what women’s feet need and what was currently available on the market, we got to work. The Danner team went through several iterations of fit testing, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data to adjust fit, before achieving the desired result: Precision Fit.

What are the benefits of having a better-fitting boot?

The obvious benefit is comfort, of course, but that’s not all. Precision Fit also improves stability and support.You’ll notice how your heel feels more secure and the width perfectly hugs your foot—no heel slipping or foot pinching. The fit accomplishes a locked-in feel while maintaining a spacious toe box. Whether you’re hiking backcountry trails in the Inquire, working on a jobsite in the Sandy Ridge, or walking to brunch in the Jag II, Precision Fit allows you to go about your day in a boot that feels like an extension of you.

Precision Fit will eventually reach all of Danner’s different footwear categories, including our hike, work, hunt, military, tactical, lifestyle, and outdoor lines. We are excited to offer women better-fitting boots for all their needs and adventures, giving them the opportunity to go anywhere in comfort.

For nearly a century, Danner has crafted boots with purpose and integrity footwear to equip those who choose the unlikely path, those who cut fresh trails, those who pioneer. Whether you want to hike, work, or simply walk around town, Danner boots are meant to take you somewhere. Lace a pair up and Go There.