These are the new Danner Jasper sandals. While Danner might be best known for its range of hard-wearing and recraftable boots, in the summertime you often want a more breezy, laid-back option which is where these sandals come into play.
However, in typical Danner fashion, they’ve been designed to incorporate some features which can help them go a little further off the beaten track than your traditional sandal. Plus, we’re expecting big things from the Joseph’s build quality. Wonder where that name comes from, too? It harks back to the town of Joseph in the northeastern side of Oregon – where Danner has its foundations.
What are they made of?
As you might expect, the straps are made from high-grade leather so they should last for years to come and patina nicely as they do so. If you’re looking for an alternative to leather, then Danner also offers a Wallowa sandal which is crafted from Nylon. It might be a good option if you’re planning on getting your sandals wet more frequently, too. This leather is tanned without toxic chemicals, too.
Rather than a somewhat flexible footbed, the Josephs utilise a chunkier one-piece footbed with a Vibram traction outsole that’ll aim to provide loads of traction on all types of surfaces, be that scrambling over rocks or trekking along dusty tracks. The soles are replaceable, too, which is another big plus point when it comes to the longevity of these sandals.
What features do they have?
One of the main features of the Joseph is the Fidlock magnetic buckle. It’s snap-type of buckle that provides a secure fit when in place, but is easy to open up when you want to remove the sandals in a hurry. We’re big fans of the statement red tab, too, which seems to mimic those used in a lot of aerospace environments.
There’s also a padded heel strap which makes sure that your foot sits securely in place while adding a little extra comfort to take the strain out of those longer walks.
What are they designed for?
Like all sandals, the Josephs will be a great option for those who need a warm-weather shoe which still provides a good level of traction.
Underpinned by that handy Vibram outsole, the Jaspar sandals might make just as much of an impact at a UK festival as they would hiking around a Mediterranean island.
How much do they cost?
At present, the Joseph sandals will set you back £140. That’s a decent chunk of money for a pair of sandals, though this is off-set by their high-quality materials and recraftable ability which does mean you’ll be able to renew them once they’re worn out. It’s also in line with Danner’s pricing elsewhere.
What sizes are they available in?
Currently, Danner stocks women’s US sizes between 5 and 11, while the men’s variant can be had in sizes ranging from 7 to 14. They’re available in two colours – pecan, as you see here, or midnight, which replaces the tan-coloured straps for black alternatives.
How’s the initial fit?
It’s taking a little bit of time to get up to speed with the Joseph. We’ve got a regular size 9 and they do feel tight to begin with, though it’s expected that the leather will loosen up over time. It takes a bit of tweaking to get the straps to lie comfortably on the foot, too, particularly on the crossover section at the front which can often sit proud and cause a bit of discomfort.
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