This Book Inspired Thousands of Road Trips — Why Wild and Danner Boots Belong on Your Adventure List

From Book to Boot: How Danner’s Became the Go-To Gear for Adventurers Everywhere

“If your Nerve, deny you— / Go above your Nerve” — Emily Dickinson

The movie Wild caught my attention while I was grappling with a major decision about the direction my life was taking.

Netflix suggested the movie, and since I’ve always liked Reese Witherspoon, it piqued my interest. It looked intriguing, so I decided to give it a watch. Looking back, watching it still stirs my sentimental side. In 2022, my life was unknowingly mirroring Cheryl Strayed’s in ways I didn’t realize when I clicked play on the remote.

Cheryl’s trek was born out of personal trauma, much like my own journey. I had recently gone through something similar. She was hitting the road on a cross-country journey in response to her pain, and so was I. Like Cheryl, I would ultimately discover my own strength and blaze my own trail on the trip.

“The best view comes after the hardest climb.”

In my humble opinion, Reese Witherspoon’s portrayal in Wild was one of her most genuine and authentic performances. She captured the book’s raw emotion and handled the physicality of the role like a pro.

Everything about the movie spoke to me—the 90s aesthetics, Reese’s angst-filled acting that fit the era so well, the fantastic soundtrack, and, of course, those iconic boots.

Cheryl’s path to redemption was made on foot in a pair of Danner Mountain Light Cascade boots. Danner re-envisioned the boots for the movie after being contacted by the producers, who needed multiple pairs for various takes.

The Danner-Mountain Light Cascade had its movie-star moment during a particularly raw scene—one of pure frustration, the kind we all experience in life. It’s that moment where frustration takes over, and things end up worse than they started. In Cheryl’s case, she loses her boots and has to trek to her next stop with sandals strapped to her feet by duct tape.

“What if all those things I did, were the things that got me here?”– Cheryl Strayed

Thanks to the trustworthy Danner company, she receives a fresh pair of Danner Mountain Light Cascades, sent to her right at her next post along her journey.

Although my trip was made in a 2015 Jeep Cherokee, there were parallels between our journeys. We both eventually set foot in the same place, though heading in opposite directions—she was going north, ending her trek in Washington, while I was heading south to Mexico.

What’s even crazier is that Wild seemed to follow me on my trip. It was playing in a hotel I stayed at in Tucson, and then a year later, on my way back home, it was on again in a hotel in Redding, California.

At that crossroads in my life, relating to Cheryl’s character reaffirmed that sometimes what seems like loss can actually turn into victory. If you’re at a crossroads too, I recommend the Bible first and foremost and watching or reading Wild if an epic journey is part of your story.

“The earth has music for those who listen.” – William Shakespeare

As I watched Reese bring Cheryl’s raw, painful, and ultimately redemptive story to life, I realized that the screen adaptation of the New York Times bestseller,  wasn’t just about survival—it was about discovering identity.

This theme of grit and authenticity was reflected in all the visual elements of Wild—from the rugged landscapes to the gear and even the wardrobe. Since I’ve always been passionate about fashion, I particularly enjoyed the clothing in the film.

The outfits captured the gritty, neo-hippie vibe of my childhood, as did the alternative lifestyles. Neo-hippie or grunge looks were everywhere—think Doc Martens, baggy t-shirts, leather jackets, and plaid. They all made appearances in the movie, adding to the era’s authenticity.

Reese’s most prominent look was iconic—her hiking fit. The standard t-shirt, shorts, a massive backpack, and, of course, those strikingly iconic hiking boots.

Now, I know someone reading this might roll their eyes, but for a shoe fanatic like me, those boots were everything. Bright red laces against smooth tan leather were the perfect choice for hiking along the PCT trail.

The boots Reese and Cheryl wore were reminiscent of some of the most versatile looks from my formative years.

Street fashion lovers will remember when the Lugz company released their stylized hiking boots in the 90s, followed by Timberlands in the early 2000s. I rocked both brands, although my hikes weren’t through the Mojave Desert—the style looked great in any environment.

Boots will always be a staple in any wardrobe, for any occasion. So it was no surprise that the Danner hiking boots caught my eye when watching Wild.

While Timberlands and Lugz were making waves in streetwear, appearing in popular hip-hop magazines like The Source, Hype, and Vibe, they were fashion boots, not the go-to brands for serious hiking enthusiasts.

Danner, however, had been making hiking boots since its inception in 1932. Charles Danner founded the company to create shoes that reflected his outdoorsy lifestyle. Drawn to the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Danner envisioned a boot that could handle any terrain

Cheryl Strayed’s Danner Mountain Light Cascade boots brought well-deserved mainstream attention to the company for their stylish design, durability, and comfort.

While researching for this article, the shoe lover in me was absolutely giddy about what I found on their website. The versatility, the style, the quality—they have it all across the board. Why had I not heard of them before? They offer footwear for all your outdoor adventures—hiking, work, lifestyle, military, tactical—you name it. And they look great doing it.

Watch the making of the Danner Wild Boot Below.

Thanks for Reading!

If you’ve enjoyed this post, be sure to check out my other adventures or share your favorite hiking gear in the comments!