Keen.Dry waterproofing is serviceable but falls short of Gore-Tex. Therefore, moisture buildup can be issue when hiking for extended periods in warm conditions (the non-waterproof Vent model may be the better choice in those situations). There’s also ample padding around the ankle to provide comfort, though nothing out of the ordinary in terms of plushness. Laces Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company. I am curious about some of your conclusions, however. The Keen rep said the III “has a more flexible sole (more like an athletic shoe).” Your conclusion was that “Targhee III provides superior traction, stability and water resistance” and you recommend the III for hiking (as opposed to mixed use). Your conclusion seems to disagree with the Keen rep’s statements. Can you clarify?

Keen Targhee III Mid Hiking Boot Review | Switchback Travel Keen Targhee III Mid Hiking Boot Review | Switchback Travel

This is the definition of a solid hiking shoe, and is a perfect choice for those not wanting to compromise on off-trail performanceThanks again for posting this research and for any clarification you can provide about your findings. New and improved is the Keen Targhee III Waterproof Hiking Boot, which is an update on the brand’s iconic range. Unfortunately, a few years into my love affair with my first Targhee’s, we had to part ways. We’d spent a romantic evening by a campfire (my Targhee’s and I), and things literally got a little too steamy. I put my Targhee clad feet too close to the fire and managed to melt the sides of one of them. The big old bumpers protected my toes from the flames wonderfully. Too well, perhaps, as I couldn’t feel the heat from the fire! The leather uppers, combined with the KEEN.Dry membrane, offer excellent waterproofness that hasn’t let me down so far. Versatility These are some of the most comfortable hiking shoes we have worn, and they are great for pounding out the miles

Keen Targhee II vs III - OutdoorCrunch Keen Targhee II vs III - OutdoorCrunch

At 2 pounds 2.8 ounces, the Keen Targhee III falls into our “lightweight” hiking boot category. In use, the Targhee III feels light on the foot, and we experienced no fatigue or feelings of clunkiness that sometimes occurs with heavier boots. For comparison, the Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP is slightly heavier at 2 pounds 4 ounces, although that boot offers more in the way of stability (more on that below). Others in this category, including the Oboz Bridger Mid BDry (2 lbs. 6 oz.) and Vasque Talus AT UltraDry (2 lbs. 3 oz.) also slightly outweigh the Keen. Salomon’s X Ultra 3 Mid GTX is lighter at 1 pound 15.7 ounces, but that boot is less protective underfoot. And for a burlier option for challenging trails and longer days, the midweight category features heavy hitters like the Lowa Renegade (2 lbs. 7 oz.) and Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX (2 lbs. 13.2 oz.), both of which are considerably more expensive than the Keen. I am 185 lbs and have a wide 9.5 – 10 trail boot size. The 2’s in standard width fit perfect with plenty of wiggle room for the toes without having to size up to a clown shoe in length. Thank you so much for the comparison and review. I’m a newbie hiker and want to make the best initial investment in my hiking gear. I was torn between these two models and am now convinced of the Targhee 2. The Targhee lll’s feel clunky and more like work boots. I have several pair of steel toed work boots and these feel very similar. They are too restrictive for my feet. I also find them to be a much hotter boot with less breathability. The 3’s were also much stiffer than my 2’s out of the box and took more break in time. The insoles are removable and form good arch support. They are also, rather cleverly, good at not getting too stinky! This is thanks to the probiotic technology that they are treated with: Eco Anti-odour. This is free from chemicals and heavy metals and naturally breaks down odour and sweat to keep your feet (and shoes) smelling fresh. Uppers

I don’t know if a different insert would help in the heel area. My experience was that the arch support would wear out and start to bother my knees. I discovered an insert from Tread Labs. They are not inexpensive, but they last a long time. I am going on a year and a half in the same pair of II with the same inserts. (I did replace the cover for the inserts, they don’t cost much). Note: As you see, MID suffix points out to boots. There was a time when Keen used LOW suffix for shoes, but it seems like they changed their mind about it and now don't use any suffix for them. I love the fit of the Targhee II and have worn them for a number of years. My problem with them is that the support in the foot/heel area wears out way before the tread wears out. As soon as this happens (after around 6-12 months of wear), my Achilles’ tendon starts acting up and I have to get new boots. In my opinion, this is not long enough given the price. I would like Keen to fix this issue. I have come across other hikers who have had the same experience with the foot bed breaking down after a number of months.

KEEN | Cotswold Outdoor KEEN | Cotswold Outdoor

The Targhee III is a revamped version of the Targhee II. Handles most terrains, is more streamlined, less bulky, and has a more flexible sole (more like an athletic shoe). It has a bit less volume in the toe and has a little bit narrower fit than the Targhee II. Runs true to size. The Targhee III Mid weighs 15.4 oz per shoe. I have hiked in Dominica with one pair of Targhee III boots for six months. Then they broke in multiple ways. For example the mesh just ripped. The sole came adrift from the rest of the boot. Even the stitching around the top near the ankle split. And unlike the II, the III does not have a loop on the tongue. Summary? A major disappointment. The Targhee III, however, does succeed in trimming down the cut of the boot somewhat. It still fits on the wide end of the spectrum, but our size 12 was snugger overall and the toe box felt more proportional to the rest of the boot. We still don’t recommend the Targhee III for those with narrow feet, but it should work well for medium to wide feet and those who don’t mind a little extra room. And for those with really wide feet, the Keen Targhee III is offered in a wide version.Features of the Keen Targhee III Hiking Shoes Outsoles With 4mm deep lugs that have a multi-directional tread pattern, the outsoles provide superb traction and grip on even steep and challenging terrain. The super grippy KEEN All-Terrain rubber also helps with this. Targhee II Waterproof [ Men's- Men's Wide- Women's]: Your best bet for commuting and casual purposes. Fits very well and decent supporting offers highest comfort among other Targhee's. It's also p robably the prettiest of all. Women's Magnet/Periwinkle colorand Men's Gargoyle/Midnight Navy colorare especially loved by many - including me. The downside is that it's less water resistant (if you care about that). Hey, what's up? Canberk here. A former General Electric Aviation Design Engineer. Academically involved in cold weather outdoor gear, particularly wearable heating systems using conductive polyester and polyamide yarns. Read more about me. Keen Targhee II vs III With you every step of the way on your next adventure is the Keen Targhee III Waterproof Hiking Boot. With an in-built metatomical footbed, an ESS shank and a TPU heel capture system, the supportive boot holds your foot in place securely.