Danner has been making boots for the trail, work and life since 1932. In that time, the Portland, Oregon-based company has earned a reputation for quality, comfort, timeless style and innovation. But unlike other heritage brands, Danner is not resting on its past. As masters of boot design, Danner strives to utilize the latest technologies and studies to bring the best fits to the market. That’s why the brand has spent years researching, testing and developing Precision Fit – a fit that is perfectly tailored to the needs of women’s footwear. To find out more about Precision Fit and the care that went into its development, we spoke to long-time Danner product manager Pamela Lo.
Outside: Why was it important to develop a shoe that is suitable for women?
Pamela Lo: Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and supported in a shoe that fits properly. The foot morphology of women is not the same as that of men. Danner’s commitment to developing a true women’s fit helps meet the need for diverse options for use on the trail, at work, deep in the backcountry or strolling around town. Compared to Danner’s standard fit boots, the new Precision Fit lasts – the foot-shaped mold used in bootmaking – have a narrower heel, wider forefoot and lower rise from toe to ankle to accommodate the biometric shape of women’s feet.
Which shoe models are offered in Precision Fit?
Precision Fit is available in three styles: Inquire (Mid and Chukka), Jag II and Sandy Ridge. Learn more about each style by clicking on the feature below.
What kind of research was done to bring Precision Fit to life?
Danner worked for three years to bring Precision Fit to life. We conducted numerous fit clinics with women of different ages and backgrounds, collaborated with renowned last manufacturers in the footwear industry and gathered important research and data on women’s foot morphology. The information gathered helped us identify the root cause of women’s discomfort in standard shoes and gave us direction for the new fit. Here are some of the insights we gained:
🥾 The heel shape of women’s boots is often too wide, causing friction and blisters.
The toe box of women’s shoes is often too narrow, which can lead to discomfort or injury.
Biometric foot data from more than 40,000 women has shown that women need a lower rise from the toes to the ankle for optimal support.
How did Danner test the Precision Fit models during the design process?
We focused on the pressure points of best-selling women’s boots, including our own, to identify the discomfort-causing features and fits across the industry. Using our in-house AETREX foot scanner machine, we were able to capture our testers’ exact foot measurements and precise pressure point information. Armed with detailed information about 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, using both qualitative and quantitative data to adjust the fit before achieving the desired result: The precision fit.
What are the advantages of a better fitting shoe?
The obvious benefit is, of course, comfort, but that’s not all. You’ll find that your heel feels more secure and the width wraps your foot perfectly – no heel slippage and no pinching of the foot. The fit ensures a snug fit while providing a roomy toe box. Whether you’re hiking off-road in the Inquire, working on a construction site in the Sandy Ridge or going to brunch in the Jag II, Precision Fit lets you spend your day in a shoe that feels like an extension of yourself.
Precision Fit will gradually cover all of Danner’s footwear categories, including our hiking, work, hunting, military, tactical, lifestyle and outdoor lines. We look forward to offering women better fitting boots for all their needs and adventures, giving them the ability to go anywhere in comfort.
For nearly a century, Danner has been making boots with purpose and integrity to equip those who choose the unlikely path, who blaze new trails, who are pioneers. Whether you’re hiking, working or just walking around town, Danner boots are made to take you somewhere. Lace up a pair and go.