Posted by Tara Yant // May 31, 2024
High Alpine and Glacier Hike Review of Danner’s new Crag Rat EVO
Words by Tara Yant
Images by Justin Kauffman
With very little time to break in the new Crag Rat EVO from Danner, I embarked on a heli-hiking trip, deep in the Canadian Rockies just outside of Golden, BC last fall. Fresh out of the box, I donned my new boots and laced them up for the incredible 
flight to Icefall Lodge – a location I highly recommend checking out and considering for your next summer hike or winter ski touring adventure. Once we settled into our rooms, it was time to get hiking with the one-and-only Walter—our fearless guide. As we left Icefall, we hiked along the green, tree-lined mountainside, crossed a stream or two, and eventually gained enough altitude to emerge amongst the scree as we made our way further up to our destination of Tiger Glacier.
What I noticed most underfoot was complete confidence in my step no matter what the terrain entailed – wet, dry, hard and scraggly or soft, and even ice – 
the Vibram outsole was perfectly supportive with the right amount of grip through it all. And although this boot would be great in the winter with its crampon-compatibility and AeroGel toecap, the Perspair side panels allowed for enough breathability on this nice fall day that my feet never felt too hot. This leads me to believe it’s a great year-around backpacking boot, complete with a Gore-Tex liner for any unexpected rainy days along the way.
All in all, my feet were perfectly comfortable in these brand-new boots that, although stiffer than I’m typically used to for day hiking since these are specifically built for higher alpine terrain and are more of a mountaineering style, proved to really not require the break-in I feared I may have missed out on. They’ve of course become even more comfortable the more I wear them, but out of the gate I had no blisters and no complaints. They feel highly technical and performance driven and I’m sure they are going to last me for years to come.
About the Author
Tara Yant
Tara has almost 20 years of action sports and outdoor industry experience from starting off on the editorial side at Transworld Snowboarding to 6 years as Ride Snowboards’ Marketing Manager, then ultimately landing in the world of PR and now working with clients such as lululemon men, Danner and LaCrosse Footwear, and Helly Hansen. Growing up in Encinitas, CA, graduating from CU Boulder with a Magna Cum Laude degree in Communication and now living in the Pacific Northwest, Tara is an all-around outdoor enthusiast with a passion for adventure, travel, yoga, good food and leading a healthy, active life with her husband, two kids and dog, from the ocean to the mountains.