A good set of boots is a wardrobe staple and in recent years, the workwear boot has walked more into the mainstream. While these boots have their grounding as industry-ready footwear, more often than not, they’re now finding their way into pubs, restaurants and into Hollywood films and shows. The Danner Bull Run Moc Toe is just such a set of boots.

Designed as a true utilitarian work boot, the Bull Run is a mainstay of the Danner range and acts as one of its true links between past and present. Available in a variety of heights, we’re testing the Bull Run out in classic eight-inch specification finished in tobacco shade. 

But at £290, the Bull Runs command a premium and can definitely be treated as an investment. So if you’re looking for a new set of boots, should you be considering these Danners? We’ve been taking them through all walks of life to find out. 

Sphere Score 3.5/5

For

• Classic design
• More lightweight than you’d expect
• Leather has a robust feeling to it
• Easier to lace up than you’d think

Against

• Quite expensive
• Leather doesn’t feel as sturdy as in rival offerings
• Sizing isn’t in line with other Danner models

Tech specs 

• £495
• Non-insulated design with oil leather upper
• Danner wedge outsole
• Removable Ortholite Footbed
• Non-conductive electric shock-resistant soles and heels

What do Danner’s Bull Run Moc Toe have to offer?

As touched upon, the Danner Bull Run Moc Toe is slap-bang in the American brand’s range. It’s a talisman boot, this one, and is one which is ‘finished’ in the brand’s headquarters in Portland, Oregon, albeit with components which are part-assembled overseas. 

But geography aside, what else have we got to look at here? There’s a full-grain leather upper and it’s unlined, too, to help keep weight down and make the boots more comfortable in various temperatures. They’ll be cooler in the summertime, yet can be warmed up with thicker socks when it’s cold outside. 

At the base of the shoe’s inside is an OrthoLite footbed designed to boost comfort, but it can be removed to help with the overall fit. From there, you’ve got a non-marking Danner Wedge outsole crafted from soft polyurethane. Plus, because of the Bull Run’s stitchdown construction, you should be able to get these boots resoled when they wear out. As with other boots made with this type of sole, they do tend to smooth out rather quickly. 

One of the key rivals in the way of the Bull Run is, of course, the classic Red Wing Moc Toe, which costs a similar amount to the Danners. That said, with taxes and import costs applied, the Bull Runs do come in at a scary £451, up from the £290 you’d pay without those extras included. 

The Bull Run is also offered in shorter heights for a somewhat easier-lacing experience, as well as a rounded toe design replacing the more eye-catching Moc Toe style. 

Wearing – what are the Danner Bull Run Moc Toe like?

Take one look at the Danner Bull Run Moc Toe and you’d think that a long and arduous break-in experience lies ahead. However, in my experience, these are some of the comfiest out-of-the-box work boots and leagues ahead of Red Wings. 

The leather is reasonably pliable from the off and even the soles have a decent level of flex to them, which combine to make them more supple than you’d think, even in those opening miles. In terms of fit, I went down half a size to my usual – I’m a UK 8.5 in Red Wings, and an 8.5 in other Danner products – but oddly enough, the right boot feels tighter than the left.

In hindsight, following Danner’s ‘true to size’ recommendation might have been better, but past experience suggested dropping half a size – it goes to show how important a full try-on can be. 

But slight tightness at the toes aside, how else do the Moc Toes feel? Well, far lighter than I initially expected. There’s loads of flexibility on offer and despite these eight-inch boots having that higher design, you don’t feel any more constricted than any other boot. Even the lacing is quite easy, thanks to logically placed eyelets and hooks. It would be nice if the laces themselves were a little thicker, mind you. 

The leather itself doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as it does in other Danner products, like the Mountain Light, for instance, but it’s quite a worthy trade-off given how much easier these boots are to live with. Of course, if you want a much simpler lacing process, then go for the shorter boot, but for other activities such as motorcycling, this eight-inch version feels way more supportive. 

When you’re out and about, the foam sole does a great job of absorbing lumps and bumps. We did have to ditch the insole in order to make the shoes a little roomier, but even without this, the Bull Runs still feel comfortable and shock-absorbing. 

Design is a very personal thing, but we’d argue that the Mocs do look the part and while they’re certainly on the more casual end of the boot spectrum, they still work with all types of outfits. We’ve taken them motorcycling and even to a summer festival and they felt appropriate wherever they went. At present, there’s just one colour available of this Moc Toe – Tobacco – and while it does have a classic look, it might be nice to have a few more options out there. 

To finish

The Danner Bull Run Moc Toe certainly feels like a boot which is built to last. While the leather might not feel quite as robust as it does on other models from within the Portland brand’s range, I can’t fault the comfort that you get out of the box. This is certainly a pair of boots that is ready from the get-go. 

I’d recommend doing some homework on sizing to avoid pinch points like I have – I’ve since ordered a shoe stretcher to eke out some extra space – but get this nailed and there’s no reason why the Danner Bull Run Moc Toe can’t prove to be a reliable partner on your next adventure.