Keen Mens Targhee Ii Mid Hiking Boot Reviews
Keen Targhee II Review
This shoe is a fan favorite among backpackers for its support and comfort over varied terrain
Price: $155 List | Check Price at REI
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros: Fantabulous back up, extra toe protection, dainty lacing system, wide toe box
Cons: Heavy, leaked in our waterproof test, a bit wide for narrow feet
Manufacturer: Bully
By Ross Robinson ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Mar six, 2022
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Our Verdict
A longtime favorite of altitude hikers, the Nifty Targhee II doesn't need much introduction. Its low price and extremely capable pattern have upheld its ranking as an extremely popular hiking shoe. Foot back up and condolement are top priorities in this shoe's design. In that location are few trails you should fear when wearing this Keen model, even when carrying a medium pack. The toe protection is almost-legendary, and then you tin can forget stubbed toes on unseen rocks and roots when trails get rough. This year, 2 key aspects kept this shoe off the podium — poor water resistance and heavyweight. Overall, though, this shoe remains a great value for many hikers.
Editor's Note: We updated this review with new sections to help in your hiking shoe decision-making process. This update occurred on March half dozen, 2022.
Compare to Similar Products
| This Product | Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex | Hoka One One Toa Gore-Tex | The North Face Ultra 111 WP | Vasque Juxt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | Bank check Cost at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $170 List Cheque Price at REI | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $109.94 at Amazon Compare at two sellers |
Overall Score | |||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Excellent back up, extra toe protection, overnice lacing system, broad toe box | Excellent performance, lightweight, great traction, water resistance, support | Extremely comfortable, lightweight, supportive | Corking value, waterproof, versatile | Lightweight, breathable, great dry traction, inexpensive |
| Cons | Heavy, leaked in our waterproof test, a bit broad for narrow anxiety | Cuff can be uncomfortable on ankle for some, Quicklace lacing not everyone's favorite | Non every bit cushioned equally previous Hoka models, some traction issues | Average support, lacks long-term durability | Durability concerns, not good for wet weather condition |
| Bottom Line | This shoe is a fan favorite among backpackers for its support and comfort over varied terrain | This is a rugged hiking shoe that can do everything from solar day hikes to tackling long multiday backpacking trips | A blend of height-notch comfort with back up in a lightweight package that makes them an excellent pick for long-distance hikers looking to shave weight and increase mobility | This shoe is a smashing value for the accommodating performance as well equally waterproofness that it provides | A budget-friendly hiking shoe that is a perfect choice for those hiking in dry out climates |
| Rating Categories | Keen Targhee II | Salomon X Ultra 4 Yard... | Hoka 1 One Toa Go... | The North Confront Ultr... | Vasque Juxt |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Weight (25%) | |||||
| Support (15%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Versatility (10%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (5%) | |||||
| Durability (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Keen Targhee II | Salomon X Ultra four G... | Hoka Ane One Toa Go... | The North Face Ultr... | Vasque Juxt |
| Weight of Size 11 Pair | ii.40 lbs | one.76 lbs | 2.03 lbs | 2.04 lbs | 1.90 lbs |
| Upper | Waterproof nubuck leather and mesh | Constructed, textile | Synthetic | Performance mesh | Suede leather |
| Width Options | Regular, wide | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | KEEN.Dry waterproof breathable membrane | Gore-Tex membrane | Gore-Tex membrane | DryVent membrane | None, just gusted tongue |
| Alluvion Level (inches) | four.5 in | 3.25 in | v in | 3.25 in | 2.five in |
| Concluding Board/Shank | Torsion stability ESS | ADV-C chassis | EVA | ESS | Torsion stability TSS |
| Midsole | Dual density compression molded EVA | EnergyCell | Rubberized | EVA | EVA |
| Outsole | Non-mark rubber | Contagrip MA rubber | Vibram MegaGrip | UtrATAC | Vasque OTG |
Show full specification details Hide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Keen Targhee 2 is a solid option for lite to medium backpacking trips and rugged day hikes and costs $130 retail. It has a nubuck leather and mesh upper that covers the Corking. Dry waterproof breathable membrane. The sole consists of a dual-density compression-molded EVA midsole, a torsion stability ESS, and a proprietary rubber outsole.
Performance Comparison
Wherever your feet atomic number 82 you lot, we want you lot to have the best shoes for the task. Happy feet, happy hiking, happy souls!
Credit: Rachel Wiggins
Comfort
The Targhee II provides a comfortable, supportive ride, which is largely what drives their popularity. Many features contribute to the comfort of this model. The tongue is well padded, the footbed feels balanced, and the roomy toe box keeps toes fresh on long descents with plenty of room for socks. Human foot protection is superior to every model in this review, with a beefy rubber toe cover and stiff soles to quell discomfort on pointy, rocky terrain. We wish the footbed had a little bit more curvation support, merely otherwise, it is a comfortable shoe.
Reviewer Ross Robinson laces up the Targhees afterwards lunch to crisis more miles.
Credit: Rachel Wiggins
This model's four-eyelet lacing organization is top-notch. Three widely-spaced lower webbing eyelets lace the kicking over the fore and midfoot. This broad spacing allows folks with narrower feet to snug the upper down. The upper webbing eyelet extends down and effectually the shoe's heel, creating the ability to cinch your heel down in the heel cup. Many hikers praise this feature. The forefoot can be laced loose for comfort with a little experimenting, while the heel can be cinched into the heel cup for security.
Nosotros like the adjustable heel box allowed by the webbing system that links up with the laces for a custom fit.
Credit: Ross Robinson
The Groovy.DRY membrane wasn't the most breathable model. Later our treadmill examination, our feet were quite sweaty warm, and our socks were damp. The generally leather uppers trap estrus inside. Hiking in absurd weather condition with these shoes is more enjoyable than hot summer hikes. For amend ventilation within the shoe, unlined shoes fared better.
Weight
The Targhee Ii weighs ii lb. 6.4 oz. on our scale. Some hikers are willing to put up with this actress weight for the added support, stability, and condolement this model provides under a heavy pack. However, if you don't need your hiking shoes to support loads over xxx pounds, there are far lighter models.
These shoes are i of the heaviest models reviewed, but we capeesh the solid support and comfort they provide on long hikes.
Credit: Rachel Wiggins
Back up
Many hiking shoe models are trending toward faster, lighter, slimmer designs, which ofttimes leads to deficits in the back up department. This is not the case with the Targhee II. If you're looking for excellent support in your hiking shoes, this is the pair for you. It outscored almost all other models in this metric.
For increased support and talocrural joint stability, consider a pair of hiking boots.
The Torsion Stability ESS shank combined with the dual-density midsole creates a stiff shoe. The wide footbed creates a solid base for pushing through with each stride, too. The standard insole in this Keen model is the nigh supportive in all shoes tested. It has a flexible forefoot just features an added layer of density from the heel to the forward end of the arch for a stiffer midfoot. The opportunity cost of this solid back up system is ane of the heaviest weight measurements of any model reviewed.
Potent soles and flexible forefeet lead this shoe to the front of the pack in stability.
Credit: Rachel Wiggins
Traction
The lug pattern and design provide a large amount of surface area contact, but for some reason, the Targhee 2 didn't stick to all surfaces also as some of the competition. The proprietary prophylactic sole handled dry granite slabs with excellence and also moved over wet rock with piddling slippage.
The unique lug pattern on the outsole of the Targhee Ii provides in a higher place average traction on varied surfaces.
Credit: Ross Robinson
While winning us over on the solid ground, when the earth underfoot got loose, this model began to slide to the back of the pack, quite literally. The wide, textured lugs weren't enough to bite through loose sediment, mud, or snowy slopes, and gravel seemed to gyre around under the large tread pattern.
Testing dry rock traction on some steep and slabby granite boulders birthed by the Sierras.
Credit: Ross Robinson
Versatility
The mesomorphic and clunky Targhee II does not win any accolades for its looks, but it handles light and crude terrain with a moderate pack like a charm. We similar information technology for twenty-four hour period hiking and backpacking. Models with more than narrow toe boxes and lower weights were much better for picking upward the pace on the trail. Running feels wrong in the Targhees. This is not the shoe you want if you mix in some running on your hikes and the beefy look is a bit much for coincidental wear. For a mix of backpacking and trail running ability, at that place are more running shoe-inspired shoes to choose from.
Burly, leather uppers are heavier but tend to last a long fourth dimension.
Credit: Rachel Wiggins
Water Resistance
The Targhee II fell to the dorsum of the pack in this metric. Its inundation acme is above boilerplate at 4.5 inches, yet the proprietary Swell. Dry out membrane failed our waterproof challenge. Barely reaching two minutes underwater, both shoes began to leak. The correct foot got it worse, soaking the forefoot earlier five minutes were through. Both shoes leaked from to a higher place the fourth toe, where the constructed mesh meets the leather of the upper. The Keen'south resist water but were non the shoes nosotros wanted for wading in water or when rain strikes.
Waterproof testing the Neat'south. Despite having a waterproof lining, this model leaked after just two minutes underwater.
Credit: Ross Robinson
Immovability
The Targhee II has a positive reputation throughout the world of hiking, simply this does not stem from its durability. At the end of our testing period, the midsole was exposed and had several nicks and bites. A handful of loose strings sprouted from the leather upper at the finish of the testing catamenia, which does non provide an statement for quality stitching. Many user reviews of this production written report delamination of the sole as the number 1 outcome with this model. After our testing menstruum, we did notice the midsole separating from the leather upper in a few places, although tiny at this point. In the time to come, we imagine the separation continuing.
There are redeeming qualities of this model. We dearest the protection of the toe box on this model, which surpasses all other models in robustness. The upper as well consists mostly of leather, which has withstood the test of time in countless hiking shoe models as quality material.
We take side-by-side testing seriously. Here we are testing the Juxt against the Targhee II in some sloppy spring mud.
Credit: Ross Robinson
Should Yous Buy the Keen Targhee II?
The Keen Targhee II has earned its positive reputation. Corking establish a design that works and has stuck with it over the years, as have their followers. The broad toe box and great foot protection are awesome on flats, ascents, and descents in varied terrain, and the solid support provided allows for more backpacking possibilities. It's overkill for twenty-four hour period hikes in easy terrain and won't set any speed records. For its intended purpose, it'south a great product. A previous Best Buy winner at OutdoorGearLab, this shoe presents a nifty value for backpackers and long-altitude hikers. Although it won't concluding equally long as another pairs, buying another pair when the time comes is an affordable selection.
Keen continues to offer this great product at an affordable price, which has undoubtedly had a positive effect on its popularity among the hiking customs.
Credit: Ross Robinson
What Other Hiking Shoes Should Yous Consider?
While Keen is a high-quality and rugged shoe, it isn't the shoe for everyone. It is heavy compared to some of the competition, and it scores lower overall than some more impressive options. The Salomon X Ultra four Gore-Tex is significantly lighter and score higher overall. It offers better traction and water resistance than the Keen, with equal condolement and immovability. If a lightweight shoe is of import to you, the Salomon is probably a better choice. Or, if you lot plan to hit the wet trails or move over creeks, the Salmon is significantly more than waterproof and should be a ameliorate choice.
— Ross Robinson
Source: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/shoes-and-boots/hiking-shoes/keen-targhee-ii
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