Women’s Danner Wallowa Hiking Sandal Review

Bottom Line

The Wallowa marks Danner’s foray into hiking sandals, and their background in making high-quality boots is readily apparent. These are some of the sturdiest sandals available, featuring a thick sole that provides excellent stability on uneven terrain. All of the materials are beefy and made to last, allowing the sandals to withstand rough, long-term use. The Vibram outsole offers excellent grip over a range of surfaces, and it’s thick enough to protect the foot from protruding roots and rocks.

However, these sandals unapologetically favor durability and stability over weight and packability. The bulk was noticeable as the miles added up, and our tester experienced some initial rubbing and discomfort. These are not the sandals to take right out of the box onto a multi-day backpacking trip. 

Drawbacks aside, if you’re carrying a heavy pack or simply prefer the feel of a hiking boot, the Wallowas are about as close as you can get for a sandal. If you’re looking for something lighter and lower-profile, there are plenty of alternatives in our gear guide to the best women’s hiking sandals.

How We Tested

Gear analyst Marion Tucker took to the trails of eastern California in these sandals, exploring forested alpine environments and high-desert scrub to gauge their trail-readiness. Familiar with Danner’s hiking boots, Marion was curious to see if the brand’s sandals featured the same level of craftsmanship and long-term reliability (spoiler: They did). She also evaluated performance metrics like comfort, stability, traction, and ease of use.

Comfort

The Danner Wallowas combine the reliable feel of a hiking boot with the open-toed design of a sandal. The thick sole initially felt stiff and somewhat clunky, but it gently cups the heel and arch, comfortably supporting the foot. It promotes great stability and offers ample protection from sharp objects underfoot. The height of the sandal also raises the foot slightly off the ground, minimizing the chances of scratches or stubbed toes. Our feet felt less vulnerable in the Wallowas, even when moving through rougher terrain. 

The textured, contoured footbed allows for adequate airflow alongside structured support. Our tester has high arches and appreciated the targeted, foot-hugging shape.

The Wallowas have a burly, padded ankle strap that keeps the sandal securely connected to the foot. The straps are smooth, although we did experience some rubbing at the ankle that led to a blister on our first outing. The loop holding the strap near the forefoot also hit our foot at an uncomfortable angle. Not everyone will have these issues, but we recommend planning for a break-in period with these sandals.

We also found the Wallowas run large. Our tester normally wears a women’s U.S. size 7.5 or 8 but found the latter in the Wallowas to be too big. The sandal was longer than expected, and the extra room at the toe caused the sandal to catch on the ground occasionally while hiking. 

Stability

Very few sandals can match the Wallowa’s level of support. In addition to the already thick platform, the sandals incorporate a polypropylene board that runs the length of the foot for added structure. Consequently, the sandals are noticeably rigid with hardly any bend or flex. They don’t feel as nimble underfoot or offer as much ground feel as minimalist options. This could be a plus if you’re shuttling a lot of weight or simply need the additional support, but some will find it overkill.

The Wallowa’s structured platform promotes stable footing, even on uneven ground. The thickness of the sole protects the foot from protruding objects (like rocks or roots) on the trail. Our only complaint is that side-to-side support could be better. Plastic triangles at either side connect the straps and offer some ankle support, but it’s not enough to fully eliminate lateral wobble when traversing off-camber terrain.

Traction

For a sandal that can keep you secure on all terrain, the Wallowa’s hiking boot-inspired outsole has you covered. Made with long-lasting Vibram Traction Cascade rubber, the sole features multi-directional lugs that promote confidence-inspiring grip – even on loose or wet surfaces. The deep lugs extend all the way to the toe and heel, minimizing slippage on steep slopes.

We wore the Wallowas on terrain ranging from sloping gravel trails to muddy riverbanks and found them to be very reliable. Though not the stickiest rubber compound available, they fared well on everything from wet surfaces to moderate grades – just don’t expect any miracles on steep or technical scrambles.

Durability

Danner is known for the high level of craftsmanship, and the Wallowas live up to that reputation. Of all the sandals tested, these felt the best-equipped to withstand rugged conditions and extended use. We slogged through rocky river crossings, scrambled over coarse granite boulders, and pushed through prickly desert scrub without any sign of impact. 

The sole is designed to resist compressing over time. The tread will inevitably wear down at some point, in which case you can send the shoes into Danner for resoling through their Recrafting program. We appreciate that Danner intentionally crafted the Wallowa with longevity in mind. They are certainly bulkier than many alternatives, but the benefit is that they hold up incredibly well.

Weight & Packability

At 1 pound, 8 ounces per pair, the Wallowas are unapologetically heavy – they feel like a hiking boot in this regard. Though they never made us feel like we were dragging dead weight, the heft and bulk were noticeable as the miles added up. 

When packing the Wallowas, the straps compress easily, although the thick sole requires more space and thought when stashing in a backpack or duffel bag. Ultralight enthusiasts will want to look elsewhere, but those who value long-term durability may not mind the added weight and bulk.

Ease of Use

The Danner Wallowas keep things simple with a single-point adjustment system that’s easy and intuitive. A single bar buckle allows you to tighten or loosen the Z-shaped strap crisscrossing the shoe. The buckle can also be unclipped, disconnecting the straps to allow for a quick foot release. We hardly used the clip mechanism, finding it faster to loosen and tighten the strap manually. Even when wet, the sandals are simple to put on and remove.

The single adjustment points makes it easy to don and doff the shoes, but it doesn’t offer the most customizability. We had difficulty finding a strap positioning that balanced snugness perfectly around each area of our foot. For those in need of a tailored fit, it may be worth opting for a sandal with more adjustability.

Should You Buy the Danner Wallowa?

For tackling the gnarliest trails, the Danner Wallowa is up to the challenge. Those who like the firm support and protection of a hiking boot will appreciate the sturdy design and thick sole. The sandals’ tough, hardy build stands up well to rough use, and they can be resoled to maximize their lifespan. The aggressive lugs and Vibram rubber provide solid traction, even on challenging surfaces.

Those aimed at keeping ounces to the absolute minimum or wanting a more flexible and low-profile fit should look elsewhere. These sandals are relatively hefty and bulky, favoring all-out durability and stability over lightness and ground feel. They also only have one adjustment point, so those with hard-to-fit feet may want to consider a more customizable option.

What Other Women’s Hiking Sandals Should You Consider?

If you’re not quite sold on the Danner Wallowa, check out the options below, or head to our women’s hiking sandals gear guide for a wider look at the market.

Chaco Z/1 Classic Review: The Chaco Z/1 provides a similarly stable base as the Wallowa, but with more contoured support and additional cushioning. A longstanding favorite among hikers, the Z/1 is more flexible than the Wallowa without compromising on traction or stability.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Review: The Hurricanes have a wide footbed that offers a similarly stable platform as the Wallowa. They also feature three adjustment points, making it easier to dial in a perfect foot. The Wallowas are easier to trust on tricky surfaces, but the Tevas are lighter, less bulky, and still very supportive.

KEEN Newport H2 Review: A burly closed-toe option that’s a cross between sneaker and sandal, the Newport is an excellent choice for the water. The full-coverage upper offers comprehensive protection, and the beefy outsole inspires confidence on most terrain.