KEEN Targhee III Mid Waterproof

After many hours over several days spent researching the best lightweight waterproof mid-height hiking boot for less than $150, this is the pair I chose and so far, a week in, I’m loving them! If you really dig down into the reviews, the jury remains out. The reason for this is that all of the comparable 4+ Star boot reviews (500+ reviews) have major dissensions by a small, but fervent group of daily users. The negative reviews across boot lines point to a general decline in the newest generation of established boot brands. Keen is no different from the rest. People definitely love these boots, the negative ratings come from loyal customers who’re disappointed with what they’ve experienced as a major decline from the first version. Photos of torn stitching and soles that have become decoupled from the boot’s body are a stark reminder of what can become of these...or in fact any comparable boot. My experience with them is that after a week of daily wear on a farm in upstate NY, through water, frost mud and rocks, these boots have been nothing less than wonderful. They’re lightweight, super comfortable with no wear-in needed and not a drop of moisture has penetrated it’s tough outer shell. All stitching remains intact and no indications of stress has appeared on either the soles or bindings. Now, I‘M not either a Bureau of Land Management surveyor nor park ranger who wear these boots for 80 hours per week and longer. At that level of usage, what do you really expect from a $120 boot? It will be interesting to see what shape these will be in three months from now and I plan on reporting their status at that time. Until then, I’m loving these! Epilogue: These boots lasted almost 2-years and are well worth the money for time served. Got my second pair on and love them!

This was my first pair of Targhee III mid waterproof boots. I previously wore Targhee II mid waterproof boots but when the III's came out I thought I would give them a try. I have a fairly wide forefoot (D+) but a very skinny heel (AAA). These boots provide plenty of space for wide feet in the toe box but at a the same time the lacing is such that I can snug them up to hold my skinny heels in place without slipping. The comfort is excellent right out of the box and it just gets better as they break in. Ankle support is also excellent with lots of cushioning. The lace loops are more durable than the II's because they are made of leather rather than nylon. I wore these boots almost daily for more than two years with no sign of wear. I also wore them on a long trip to Israel, Egypt and Jordan and they stood up to everything that was thrown at a them. After lots of long hard use one of the soles finally separated from the upper and I had to bid them a fond farewell. I replaced them with another pair of Targhee III's and am looking forward to more years of great service and comfort.

I've been buying Keen's for 16 years now and have gone through dozens of pairs of their hiking shoes. Lately, I have toned down my hiking, but I still like the Keen shoes for daily wear. I am a loyal Keen enthusiast not only because they make a great shoe, but once, in 2012, I had a pair of Targhee II that had a faulty eyelet that broke the first time I wore it. Keen promptly replaced the boots with no questions asked. That action by them made me a Keen customer for life. These Targhee III's are replacing another pair of Targhee III's that will now be relegated to yardwork only. These hiking boots have a relaxed feel - they are light and nimble (not heavy or clunky). I feel comfortable doing anything in these boots and that is why they are what I wear 80% of the time. My wife wears a more, 'traditional', hiking boot and she only wears those on the trail because they do well on the trail, but aren't great anywhere else. These Keens are champs on the trail and perform well in most other situations as well. I love that they are waterproof and that the soles are grippy. I have never lost my footing because of my Keens. If you've never worn Keens before, the toe box is large and roomy. My feet are narrow near the heel and normal up front - these boots are snug on my heel and leave room for my toes.

Main problem is the left shoe, big toe area leather was not stitched into the rest of the upper. So there was enough room to slide a coin inside and that would also be a huge non waterproof area aside from being subject to tearing apart if I wore them. They felt comfortable and roomy trying them on. If they were stitched up properly I would have kept them. There was also the top eyelet for the laces that was scratched up like someone took a file to it. I'm not confident they were new but the soles looked unused, so it's probably only a defect or something weird happened at the factory with the left side. They were returned because of those issues. I bought another style and those are great.

1.5 stars Overall I had these for < 1 year before they became useless. I wore them a few times a week for maybe 1 hour per wear, mainly walking my dog in a (sometimes) wet pasture. It's a shame because these would likely be my go-to boot purchase. 1/1 star for fit/function - these come in wide sizes and are very comfortable and function well (when brand new) as an all-around hiking & general-use boot 0/2 stars for durability - the dark strip of 'leather' (?) material where the upper meets the soles crumbled off after < 1 year - the soles came unglued after < 1 year 0/1 star for waterproofness - after a few months of use they were no longer waterproof and adding waterproofer did not help 0.5 stars/1 for warranty - Keen gave me a warranty credit towards a new pair of Keen shoes/boots. Unfortunately the replacement pair, a different model of waterproof boot, suffered the exact same issues as the Targhee III's.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The KEEN Men's Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot has redefined my hiking experience, providing unparalleled comfort, support, and performance on the trails. Here's why I give it a solid 5-star rating: Waterproof Protection: The waterproof construction of these boots keeps my feet dry and comfortable in any weather conditions. Whether crossing streams, hiking through rain, or trudging through muddy trails, I can trust the Targhee III to keep my feet protected from moisture. Durable Construction: Crafted from high-quality materials, including waterproof leather and breathable mesh, these boots are built to withstand the rigors of the trail. The rugged outsole provides excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, ensuring stability and confidence with every step. All-Day Comfort: With its supportive mid-height design and cushioned footbed, the Targhee III offers exceptional comfort even on long hikes. The roomy toe box allows for natural toe splay, while the padded collar and tongue provide additional comfort and support around the ankle. Breathable Performance: Despite their waterproofing, these boots remain breathable, allowing for optimal airflow to keep my feet cool and comfortable during strenuous hikes. The moisture-wicking lining helps prevent sweat buildup, reducing the risk of blisters and discomfort. Versatile Design: Whether tackling rugged mountain trails, exploring forest paths, or navigating rocky terrain, the Targhee III excels in a variety of outdoor environments. Its versatile design makes it suitable for a wide range of hiking adventures, from day hikes to multi-day treks. In conclusion, the KEEN Men's Targhee III Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts seeking comfort, durability, and performance on the trails. With its waterproof protection, durable construction, all-day comfort, breathable performance, and versatile design, these boots are the perfect companion for conquering any hiking adventure. Highly recommended for hikers of all levels! 🥾🌲🏞️

I bought late in the planning for a back country hiking trip. No time for breaking in. We did 75 miles without any issues. 0 blisters or rub areas. These may be the best hikers I have ever owned. I just ordered the same pair in low ankle style. Sizing was spot on. I like to have some wiggle room for my toes and they have an ample toe box. So far the show almost zero wear. We stitched and durable.

Update less than one month in: It's pretty obvious to me less than one month later that I purchased a name, not a high quality pair of shoes. They're doing the same thing the cheap Skechers do, coming unglued from the outsole. They hurt my feet walking on concrete floors all day, even with good insoles. The rubber is starting to separate from the softer part. Already no longer waterproof. It leaves me to wonder if Keen work boots are the same, or if they're made to a higher standard. I don't think I'll be risking double the price of these to find out. These may be okay for casual hiking on dirt, but don't get them for soft toe work boots or long walks on concrete! Original review left below for full disclosure: Only 3 days in and I've got to say, I wasn't expecting much for the price but I'm pleasantly surprised. I bought these for work, and while they're very comfortable for walking, when I've got to stand in one place for a couple hours, they do hurt. Not enough padding in the ball of the foot. The toe box is plenty big, and my toes have a bit of wiggle room. They do fit snug right behind the toes, but I expect that from decent hiking boots. What I like about them is grip on wet epoxy floor, can step on a rock on the pavement and barely feel it, and a lot of built in heel cushion. If they last longer than 4 months, they'll be a better value for the money than the previous brand I purchased a few times. I'm sure I can solve the standing in one place issue with better insoles, the ones included are paper thin in the ball of the foot. I'll update this review when my 5 monthly payments are complete.

El producto es muy bueno, resistencia, el agarre, el interior, pero la plantilla es de un material de muy baja calidad lo cual hace el pie resbale dentro y genere todo un caos, antes las plantillas eran una maravilla ahora su calidad es PÉSIMA.

Package got lost with courier for a week, but finally got it.

Perfect fit, even better than its predecessor, the targhee II mid which I had for 4 years. Walked 8 kms on the trails right out of the box and very comfortable, no hot spots or rubbing. Very impressed.

I wore this for hiking Mount Rinjani recently. It was raining a lot and although my socks got wet eventually (as expected from many hours of rain), this shoe held up very well and the insides were not soaked or saturated with water, just wet.

Bought these boots to replace my old boots I use for Nordic walking the comfort and quality of the boots was noticeably size and fit was perfect for my feet and this has been proven over the last few months of wearing them. Waterproof is excellent no problems have arisen while wearing them. Sole grip has been positive and after an exercise session my feet feel like they haven’t been anywhere which is proof of a good pair of boots in my estimation. One more thing to note is the in the summer they also keep your feet cool as well. Great value for money and when the time comes to replace I would definitely buy again if there still available.