Danner Dry Vs Gore Tex | Which Is Better?

In this article, I will be giving my HONEST take on Danner  Dry vs gore tex waterproof membranes. We will be reviewing and comparing the pros and cons of both waterproof membranes in terms of waterproofness, breathability, and durability, and I will be giving my honest take on which waterproof membrane is better. 

I’ve spent hundreds of hours testing every major waterproof membrane across a variety of hiking boots. This case study pulls all that firsthand experience into one place—so you can confidently decide which waterproof membrane performs best.

 I’ve previously tested the Danner Dry waterproof membrane on the Danner Mountain 600 hiking boots. I tested the gore tex waterproof membrane on several hiking boots such as the Hoka Kaha 3, Hoka Anacapa 2, Salomon X Ultra 5 and Salomon X 4 Ultra. In the end, as an experienced hiker, I’ll give my professional and honest opinion.

What Is Danner Dry?

Danner Dry is a in-house waterproof membrane manufactured by the Danner Boot company specifically for their hiking boots and shoes. The Danner Dry Membrane is a mystery, the only information we can compile from Danner’s official website is that Danner Dry “works the same way as a gore-tex membrane does”.

Gore tex is a United States based company that manufactures waterproof membranes, they sell their products to popular companies including Salomon, Hoka, and of course, Danner. In this article, we will only focus on waterproof membranes for hiking boots.

Danner Dry vs Gore Tex Waterproof Membranes

The Danner Dry membrane was designed for the Danner Mountain 600 hiking boot. The Danner Mountain 600 “Leaf” version contains the Gore-tex membrane rather than Danner dry and costs an additional $10. 

We will discover in this article which one is OBJECTIVELY better and is the $ 10 extra dollars worth it for the gore tex version. 

As we stated in our previous article Merrell vs Gore-tex , The main ingredient of gore tex is expanded PTFE. PTFE allows vapors to exit (such sweat), but inhibits water from entering the membrane. 

Danner does specify what the Danner Dry membrane is made of, they state the Danner Dry membrane allows sweat to leave, while keeping water out of the boot itself. 

Waterproofness 

One interesting fact about Danner is they developed the Danner Dry waterproof membrane for their boots only. What is also enticing is they are able to do this at a decreased cost compared to gore tex. 

With that being said, I test the waterproofness of a hiking boot with a 10 minute submersion test in running water ( ie. a low river or creek).

I performed my 10 minute submersion test with the Danner Dry version of the Mountain 600, and multiple submersion tests with similar leather hiking boots containing gore-tex.

After my 10 minute submersion test, neither hiking boots had water leakage into the interior. 

Both these membranes have excellent waterproof ratings without a doubt. 

Danner Dry waterproofness : 5 out of 5

Gore tex waterproofness: 5 out of 5

Winner: Tie

Breathability 

Both waterproof membranes state they are a barrier against water entering the boot but allow sweat to leave. Breathability is a huge issue especially for hikers in warmer climates.

While testing breathability in warmer temps (60°F and up), I found the Danner Mountain 600 with Danner Dry felt noticeably less breathable than Gore-Tex models.

I didn’t have the Danner 600 Leaf on hand—which uses Gore-Tex—but I did test the Keen Targhee IV, which is a solid comparison.

Both boots use similar full-grain leather and, according to my caliper, have the same leather thickness. That gave me a solid apples-to-apples comparison to run this case study under accurate, real-world conditions.

Neither membrane is perfectly breathable, but there’s a clear difference between Danner Dry and Gore-Tex. The Gore-Tex version just ventilates better, especially in warmer conditions. That’s exactly why I recommend going with the Gore-Tex Danner Mountain 600 if you’re hiking in the summer.

Danner Dry Breathability: 3 out of 5

Gore tex Breathability : 4 out of 5

Winner: Gore Tex

Durability

Both of these waterproof membranes are durable. I have tested the Danner Dry membrane for over a year now and have not noted any break in the waterproof membrane. They  still hold up as well since the day I purchased them.

Gore tex membranes are extremely durable as well. All of the hiking boots I have tested have not let me down in terms of durability either. 

Both of these waterproof membranes have extreme durability and can be trusted to last for quite a while without worrying about breakdown.

Danner Dry Durability: 5 out of 5

Gore tex Durability: 5 out of 5

Winner: Tie

Danner Dry vs Gore Tex | Which one is better?

Both waterproof membranes perform great when it comes to keeping water out—that part isn't in question. What really separates them is breathability. The Danner Dry membrane runs a bit thicker, which means it doesn't vent heat and sweat as efficiently as Gore-Tex.

So, is it worth spending the extra $10 for the Gore-Tex version? If you're hiking in warm or hot conditions, we recommend going with the Gore-Tex. That added breathability makes a noticeable difference. But if you're mostly hiking in cooler temps or breathability isn’t a big concern for you, stick with the Danner Dry version and save the money. Both options offer the same solid waterproof protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Danner Boots Waterproof?

Yes! All Danner boots are waterproof, they either come with the waterproof Danner Dry version, or gore tex.

Is Danner Gore Tex waterproof?

Yes! The gore tex version of Danner is waterproof.