KEEN Women's Targhee 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots

Product Information

The Keen Targhee III Low is the latest in a long line of Targhee shoes, a design that has been very popular amongst day hikers and backpackers.

Keen Targhee III Waterproof Hiking Shoes - Cool of Review: Keen Targhee III Waterproof Hiking Shoes - Cool of

Targhee EXP: The upper material is predominately mesh (synthetic), with leather trim to the collar for added comfort and durability. While the ankle is well-secured, though, the rest of the foot moves around quite easily, as it has one of the roomiest fits of any shoe we tested. This most certainly adds to the comfort element of the boot and may not be an issue for easy day hiking, but if you’re really pushing your footwear, a ton of roominess is not a desirable feature. Similar to its predecessor, this contender offers a good blend of comfort and traction in such a light package, impressing reviewers again with features like a toe bumper.However, we did find that this translates to a little less protection underfoot, especially on rough terrain (for that, it’s worth checking out the burlier Salomon Quest 4D).

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In short, this isn’t your hardcore boot for steep or rocky trails or long days with heavy loads, but it’s a cushy option for easy-to-moderate day hiking and the occasional overnight. For more serious day hiking and backpacking, there are a plethora of models we prefer over the Durand including the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX. I was travelling in New Zealand and desperately needed something rugged and robust that I could live in. This outsole performs well enough on wet and dry trails, with average traction thanks to its medium-sized lug pattern. It can withstand sloshing through the infrequent stream or a mud puddle, but those who spend prolonged time in wet climates where higher levels of protection are indicated should look to a boot with a taller flood level.

I hope this review was helpful for you to understand whether the Targhee II or III would be the best choice for your own needs and desires. As the Targhees are not especially lightweight when it comes to hiking shoes, they actually provide decent stability at the ankles, despite their low cut.

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As expected, the big old Targhee bumpers make me feel a little bit invincible when stomping along rocky trails. Keen uses an ESS shank insert to allow the boot to travel comfortably over rough and rocky trails on a more stable platform, where others caused foot pain from feeling the jagged rocks through the sole. There’s also ample padding around the ankle to provide comfort, though nothing out of the ordinary in terms of plushness. The oil treatment on the nubuck leather gives added protection from water, but once the oil dries out, additional treatments should be applied so that the outer material sheds water effectively and allows the inner membrane to function as it should.

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. The fit is on the wider side, however, so we often resorted to wearing thick socks to take up some of that volume that the lacing system was unable to account for. The downside of the Moab is that it’s heavy on mesh and tends to break down a little quicker than the mostly-leather Targhee. This is not a problem for wide-footed individuals who often struggle to find a fitting hiking shoe but should be noted by those with narrow to medium feet.