Danner is rolling out a new high-speed boot for close quarter combat and quick smash and grab missions. Weighing as little as 30 ounces, it is the lightest they have ever produced.

Danner's newest light-weight boot, the Melee, for close quarter combat and high-speed missions. Photo courtesy of Danner

Called the Melee, it won’t be officially unveiled until January at the SHOT show in Las Vegas, but it is already generating buzz at this year’s Modern Day Marine expo aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. It was designed to offer special operators and other special-purpose troops the option of an extremely light boot for urban operations that, if necessary, can still provide them with the stability and durability to carry heavy loads over long distances, according to Ryan Cade, the company’s product line manager for uniform and military products.

“This boot is all about light and fast,” Cade said. “We stripped out all unnecessary weight. We are trying to provide the lightest footwear without sacrificing lethality.”

It should provide the ruggedness of a boot, but feel more akin to a light-weight athletic shoe, he said. It is a departure from company tradition. Danner is known for making hefty boots that are recognized as some of the industry’s most durable due to features like stitch-down construction which bonds a boot’s sole to the upper with more than just glue. But, company spokesmen say they are confident Danner will maintain what they are best known for — quality — even as they make their latest foray into uncharted territory.

It will be available in three versions: canvas, rough-out tan leather and full-grain black leather. They will be available in three inch, six inch and eight inch versions.

The canvas is the lightest, weighing in at just 30 ounces for the three-inch shoe. But, it doesn’t provide waterproofing or insulation. The leather boots will be available with Gore-Tex.

To increase comfort, the sole is constructed of EVA, but to keep it from being torn up it was given a abrasion-resistant coating. Also the inner arch uses a more durable Vibram compound called V-4 ultra-abrasion rubber that unlike regular EVA will resist wear even during fast roping.

The boot will also be available for women with half sizes sold from three through 12 and full sizes from 13 through 16. All will be available in D and EE widths.

The boots will likely retail for between $120 and 170.