Are Danner Tachyons Worth It? An Honest Review

For years military, law enforcement, and outdoor enthusiasts have been wearing boots made by Danner. As mentioned in another post of mine, The Most Lightweight Tactical Boots, Danner’s Tachyons were listed as the lightest tactical boots! It’s for that reason they are worn by so many men and women in uniform. But even though they’re an ultra-lightweight tactical boot, are they worth it?

The Danner Tachyon boots are definitely worth it if you’re using them as a casual light duty boot or for wearing in garrison. Listed at around $160 at the time of this post, if you put these boots through the most rigorous environments, you might get a year or two out them. But if you’re someone who won’t be wearing these boots in the rigorous field all the time and are only going to be wearing them in an office or you’re the occasional hiker, then these boots should last a very long time. The Danner Tachyon boots were designed to be ultra lightweight and comfortable. Even though they lack the durability of other tactical boots like the Lowa R-8S, the Danner Tachyons cost about half the amount, and if they’re used lightly they should last a while!

Price

At the time of this article, the Danner Tachyon’s are $160 on the Danner website. Also check out Amazon for their latest pricing!

Specs

Weight: 26 ounces/pair
Color: Coyote Brown & Black
Height: 8″
Upper: Roughout Leather/1000D Nylon
Midsole: Lightweight EVA
Footbed: Polyurethane
Outsole: Superior abrasion resistant rubber
Insulation: Non-Insulated
Toe Protection: Plain Toe
AR 670-1 Compliant: Yes (Coyote Brown)

Ultra Lightweight

A big factor when it came to the Tachyons was to create a boot that felt like a shoe. I don’t know about you, but when I pick out a shoe, if it weighs me down, no matter how comfortable or how much protection is might give my feet, I’ll pass on it if it feels like each step takes too much effort. I want a shoe that is light first, and then I look at the protection or support it provides. To keep the boot durable they opted to use 500 Denier Nylon which has one of the lightest strength-to-weight ratios. Because the Tachyons are ultra lightweight, it makes ruck marches much more enjoyable (if I can even say that) and if you ever have to run, it’s much easier on your feet than say a more rugged tactical boot.

The Danner Tachyons are one of – if not the – lightest tactical boots on the market. For this reason alone so many members of the Armed Forces community who are on their feet all day long choose the Tachyons as their everyday boot.

Because of the lightweight material, the Tachyons do breathe very well. This is excellent in hot weather climates where you feet can stay cool and comfortable as long as possible.

Comfort

Overall, the Tachyons definitely get a lot of praise for their overall comfort. Designed to serve the military members, law enforcement personnel, and anyone else that are on their feet all day. If you’re in the combat arms though, especially the infantry, I would probably avoid this boot. Reason being that you’re not only on your feet all day, but you’re most often in harsh and grueling conditions, which due to the lightness and lack of ruggedness in the Tachyon, your feet are going to get sore quickly and your boots will also get worn down fast. I would purchase a more comfortable insole with this boot though to keep your feet from getting too sore.

Are they Waterproof?

The Tachyons do have a waterproof option. This boot is black, so it wouldn’t be AR 670-1 Compliant, but if you’re in the Law Enforcement or serving in the Canadian Forces then this boot would be allowed. Be sure to check with your current dress regulations though, and if you’re ever unsure, just ask your Chain of Command.

The other Tachyon boots, such as the coyote brown version, are not waterproof. There will always be a trade off though between having a boot that is waterproof and having a boot that is breathable. Personally, for comfort, I prefer a non-waterproof boot so that my feet can breathe more. I’ve worn Gore-Tex / waterproof boots during my time in the Armed Forces, and especially during the warmer months my feet would begin to pain after a while. It all comes down to personal preference, but Danner does offer both waterproof and non-waterproof options with the Tachyon boot.

Functionality

The Danner Tachyons are very easy to get on your foot and remove as well. Because they’re so thin and lightweight, you don’t have to pull up with a decent amount of strength to get them on your feet, like I normally have to do with my Lowa R8S Patrols. If you happen to get your feet wet while wearing the Tachyons, they dry extremely fast! This is a must if you’re ever operating in damp environments so that your feet don’t get destroyed.

Are the Tachyons AR-670-1 Compliant?

Yes, the Danner Tachyons are AR-670-1 certified in the Coyote Brown color. Other features that make the Tachyon AR 670-1 Compliant is the cowhide roughout leather, nylon shank, rubber outsole, and plain toe. Danner went out to tailor this boot for members of the US military. Also, if you’re in the Canadian Forces, the Danner Tachyons are CANFORGEN 135/20 Compliant.

What are the problems?

Although the Tachyons are worn by so many members in the Armed Forces and are highlighted for being an ultra lightweight combat boot, there are some negative aspects. Before you decide on whether or not you want to purchase the Tachyons, it’s good you know what isn’t so great about the boot.

First is the ankle support, which it has almost none. The Tachyons were built to be a boot that felt like a shoe. With this goal in mind, I can see why Danner didn’t focus on making the shaft of the boot more rugged to offer more ankle support, because in doing so it would have taken away from the shoe-like feeling you get when wearing them.

Second is that your feet do get cold quickly in colder climates. Now if you live in areas that this isn’t an issue and you live in warmer climates, great! If you happen to live in a colder climate during certain times of the year, then you could just wear the Tachyons for the majority of the year and have a second pair of tactical boots that has insulation and even Gore-Tex lining.

Third is that they can tear or rip easily. This is because the leather on the upper is so thin. If you’re mainly going to be using this boot on garrison then this wont be a problem. But if you’re operating on some austere terrain, then you might get a year or two out of these boots. People who have had them rip or separate from the outsole have just used gorilla glue or some other type of adhesive to fix the problem.

Lastly, if you’re ever going to be using these in wooded areas then your feet may get sore after a while. To rectify this issue I recommend getting a pair of cushioned insoles which will aid in keeping your feet comfortable. In other terrains though your feet should be good to go!

How Good is Danner’s Warranty

Danner offers a 365-day warranty on all their footwear products. If there is any sort of boot defect to the boot then you can send it back to them and they’ll evaluate the boot for the defect. If you’re within the US then Danner offers free shipping on returns, which is nice to know! Be sure to check out Danner’s most current warranty and return policy on their website.

Conclusion

The Danner Tachyon boots are up there as one of the lightest tactical boots on the market today, and also one of the most popular tactical boots worn by the men and women in the Armed Forces. Being known for its comfort, many who have worn this boot have said that they would purchase another pair once the original set wore out. They’re affordability also makes them a very appealing purchase (Check Amazon for the latest pricing). I’ve found that sizing for tactical boots on Amazon can be very limited, but the Tachyons have a wide range of sizes, which is nice.

I hope this honest review of the Danner Tachyons has been helpful! Thanks for reading along. Cheers.