Keen Utility vs Danner Work Boots- Which One is Better?  

Safety shoes are not only required by law, they play a crucial role in ensuring your safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates that workers wear secure work boots whenever there is a risk, and it is absolutely important to choose appropriate work boots for the job.

Today we will look at two very popular boot brands, Keen Utility and Danner, and the kind of work boots that they have to offer. 

Both Keen and Danner make high quality boots, especially work boots, that do a good job in keeping your feet protected. All the basic features that a work boot should have, like safety toes, impact resistance, good grip, shock and water resistance and overall comfort, are present in these boot brands. 

Keen Utility vs Danner Work Boot

We will compare some of the best work boots from both brands. 

First in our comparison list is-

1.) KEEN Utility Chicago Work Boot Vs Danner Mountain Light II Boot

The Keen Utility outdoor work boots are incredible, especially in terms of the comfort and safety features. 

They are as comfortable as a true work boot can be. Touch, sight, and try-on experience all reveal the construction quality.

The product stands out thanks to its precise stitching, neat, straight lines, and generous use of full-grain leather accented with high-quality hook and hole hardware.

Full-grain leather and Cordura Denier nylon make up the strong Danner Light II Boot’s upper portion. The boot’s resistance to scratches and tears is primarily due to the nylon, whereas its strength and durability are primarily due to the leather that it is constructed with. 

Additionally, it has GORE-TEX liners that make it waterproof and breathable. The boot can thus release sweat and moisture from the inside even though water cannot get inside of it.

KEEN Utility Chicago  Danner Mountain Light II 
Material  Full grain leather Leather and nylon blend
Sole Slip and chemical resistance Vibram
Midsole Compression resisting mid sole Plush dual density
Safety feature Carbon toe Nylon shank
Waterproof Yes Yes
Goodyear Welt Construction Yes It is stitchdown, no goodyear welt.
Insulation No, but traps heat which means it

can work on moderate low temperatures. 

No 
Cost $400 $315-$400
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2.) KEEN Utility Milwaukee Work Boots Vs Danner Steel Yard Construction Boot

Work boots for safety must offer protection and fortunately, these Keen Utility Milwaukee work boots provide that. They come with features such as leather that is resistant to abrasion and water, and keeps the toes dry and safe from outside dangers.

Steel toe caps that keep toes completely secure and exceptional traction on slick surfaces is made possible by outsoles that are oil and slip resistant.

Starting at the bottom, a sturdy Goodyear welt connects the full-grain leather upper to the oil- and slip-resistant outsole in this Danner Steel yard model.

The build makes use of Danner’s DCS, or Danner Comfort System, though not nearly as much as softer EVA foam, the midsole has some level of comfort to it. On the plus side, it absorbs vibrations well and will last longer than EVA. 

The comfort level is largely tied together by the insole. The cushioning on this replaceable inner is about a half-inch thick in the heel and gets significantly thinner as it goes forward. To prevent moisture from accumulating, the bottom has airflow channels.

KEEN Utility Milwaukee  Danner Steel Yard 
Material Leather Full grain leather
Sole Oil and slip resistant rubber outsoles Rubber sole
Construction Flexible Keen welt construction Goodyear Welt 
Waterproof Yes Yes
Insulation No Available in some models
Safety features Steel toe Steel toe
Cost $120-$360 $120-$170
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3.) KEEN Utility Cincinnati Wedge Work Boot Vs Danner Vicious Work Boot

Keen Cincinnati Boots give you a larger surface area to contact the ground because of the presence of wedge style soles. Working on hard surfaces like concrete, steel, asphalt, and other materials is typically more comfortable. 

These boots have safety toes, which adds a little weight in exchange for the added protection. With the use of carbon fiber as the material of choice, Keen Utility greatly reduces that risk. It combines a more aggressive outsole design than most wedges with the comfort of a wedge, enhanced by a softer midsole.

Wearing work boots made with reliable features, like the Danner Vicious safety boots, is the best way to feel secure while working, especially in a hazardous environment. 

For once, they have composite safety toes that ensure workers’ toes won’t be damaged. Additionally, the boots include outsoles with perfect traction on unlevel and rocky surfaces that are oil and slip-resistant. 

KEEN Utility Cincinnati  Danner Vicious 
Material Barnyard resistant Leather Leather
Sole Wedge rubber outsole Vibram outsole
Goodyear Welt  Construction Yes No
Safety feature Carbon fiber toe, EH rated Composite safety toe, EH rated
Insulation No No
Waterproof Yes Yes
Cost $130-$370 $400
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4.) KEEN Utility Flint 2 Work Boots Vs Danner Vital 800g Boots

These are the best insulated boots that both brands have to offer. Thinsulate weighs 600 grams in this Keen Utility work boot as this is regarded as the recommended level of insulation for working in below-freezing temperatures. 

But, at least in terms of comfort, the sole and area around the sole are the main advantages. There is a TSU stability shank, a thick shock-resistant midsole, and a detachable cushioned footbed. Despite having an asymmetrical cut, the composite safety toe at the front complies with ASTM standards. 

Additionally, the boots are electrical hazard protected according to ASTM standards. The outsoles are water and oil resistant slip resistant. 

Danner’s Vital 800g Insulated boots are crafted beautifully and durably. They have full-grain leather, 800 grams of insulation, a tread pattern that allows strong grip on uneven and slippery surfaces, and an absorbent rubber sole for impact resistance.

These Danner insulated boots come with high-performance insulation that doesn’t weigh you down and keeps you warm in the rain and snow. Split leather is impregnated with polyurethane using a unique procedure to produce a leather that is incredibly resilient to abrasion. 

Your feet will stay dry and comfortable all day long thanks to a barrier that is completely waterproof and allows moisture to escape without letting water in.

KEEN Utility Flint 2 Work Boots  Danner Vital 800g Boots
Material Nubuck leather Waterproof leather
Sole Slip resistant rubber outsole Rubber outsoles
Construction No Mesh lined tongue construction
Insulation Yes, 600 g 800 g, higher than Keen Utility Flint boots.
Waterproof Yes Yes
Safety features  EH rated, External Stability Shank for midfoot support. Nylon shank, EH rated
Cost $180-$300 $120-$290
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Features to look for in your work boots-

1.) Slip and oil resistant outsoles 

One is exposed to walking on rocky, uneven surfaces while performing outdoor work. This could quickly become a nightmare where serious injuries occur if the proper boots are not worn. That is why you require boots with good traction. 

2.) Toe caps 

Safety toes are important protective features that are necessary to prevent serious injuries. 

3.) Waterproofing & Insulation 

The best work boots will be utilized outside at a work environment. Because of this, this kind of safety footwear needs to have excellent qualities to shield workers from harsh outdoor conditions. 

To ensure their feet will stay dry and warm while working outside, it is best to get work boots with adequate insulation and waterproof membranes. 

Your efficiency and concentration will be hampered if your feet are cold and wet. 

4.) Comfortable midsoles and cushioned footbeds 

Without good comfort features, a work boot isn’t complete, as it affects your work efficiency. You’ll be using them all day to be on your feet outside taking care of whatever task you have to complete. And for this reason, the best work boots for outdoor use ought to have suitable comfort components like- shock-absorbing midsoles and cushioned footbeds. 

Top 10 Best Keen Work Boots for Men and Women

Keen Vs Danner work boots- what do we think? 

Looking at the list above, we come to a conclusion that work boots by Keen Utility win this round. Keen ensures the durability of their products by using premium materials. Although the same could be said of Danner work boots, we prefer Keen work boots for a variety of reasons.

These Keen Utility outdoor work boots are incredible, especially in terms of the comfort and safety features they provide, such as their: 

  • Dual-density EVA footbeds that provide all-day comfort for the feet. 
  • Maximum toe protection from steel toe and composite toe caps.
  • Rubber outsoles with oil and slip resistance that increase traction on rough and slippery surfaces. 
  • And a variety of options when it comes to work boots and all other footwear in general. 
Stephen Luettgen
I have 12+ years of experience in construction, inspections, handy work, and currently working as a Construction Site Manager. In today’s day we spent a significant part of our time at workplace and a right work gear can have significant impact not only on your safety but also work quality.

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