KEENmens Targhee 4 Mid Height Durable Comfortable Waterproof

KEEN continues to innovate some of the best boots and shoes in the industry from its US based design center, and builds with craftsmanship, durability, eco-friendly PFAS-free materials, and ethical sourcing. Some of their products are US made, but the Targhee series is designed in the US and expertly made first in Cambodia and now in Thailand. The Targhee line is backed by KEEN’s lifetime warranty against delamination and structural failure. I’ve never had to use their warranty personally but KEEN gets consistently good reviews from many customers for their service and for standing behind their products.In determining which Targhee boots I wanted to purchase, I ordered boots from the three available Targhee series II, III, and IV in regular and wide sizes. With regard to fitment, I found the three Targhee boots to run true to size. I’m 5’9” and 180lbs. I normally wear a 10.5R, and found that size the best fit for me after also trying 10W and 10.5W. I’m also not a true W, I just like a little more room. I usually wear lighter socks than many people do (Darn Tough Micro Crew Lite). The Targhee’s already have a bit more room in the toe box than average boots, so keep that in mind if you are between W and R. They all fit me much better than the more narrow European boots like LOWA or ASOLO do. While shopping for boots this year, I tried multiple styles and sizes of these European boots and none of them worked for me at all, they were all too narrow as well as tight and stiff. I also looked at MERELL’s MOAB series, which is a close competitor of the KEEN. The MOABs are comfortable but a bit more sneaker-like, and the quality and aesthetics wasn’t quite to the KEEN standards for a comparable price.Targhee IISecond generation of a tried and tested comfortable all-around, multi-use boot with a roomy toe box and reliable KEEN.DRY waterproofing and a lug outsole that grips everything from muddy trail to rock. Not a true rock boot, nor designed for heavy load carrying over rough terrain, but better suited to most general use than a firmer, heavier, dedicated mountaineering boot. A good looking boot that can be worn casually and breaks in quickly and is comfortable immediately. Often available at a discount since there are two subsequent models now available. Cloth nylon lace eyelets and a plastic lace speed-hook. 590g weight each boot.Targhee IIILeaned into a sleeker profile, almost 2 oz lighter than the II, or 3 oz lighter than the IV, with a streamlined outsole and midsole. Some synthetic where the II was leather, and leather where II was synthetic. It retains the same waterproofing and all‑terrain traction, yet offers a slightly more versatile profile for both trail and everyday wear. Has the most visible leather of the series. Leather lace eyelets and a metal lace speed-hook. 540g weight each boot, so the III is by far the lightest of the three.Targhee IVCombines the best of both worlds: the II’s supportive yet roomy fit with III’s updates but built taking into account all of what KEEN learned from the prior three iterations of Targhee. The main innovation of this boot is KEEN’s new FUSION construction, which fuses upper and sole without adhesive to prevent delamination, also includes a long‑lasting LuftCell midsole and a rugged outsole designed to outlast its predecessors. The new outsole is also a slightly translucent smoke color vs. the prior opaque black, which looks nice. Three-tone uppers and a lighter olive leather liven and lighten up the appearance. Back to nylon cloth lace eyelets and a metal lace speed-hook. They also gain the weight back the III series dropped. 620 weight each boot, heaviest of the three. While all three KEENs were comfortable right out of the box, I read several reviews about customers adding higher-end KEEN insoles. Subsequently, I bought the K-30, Medium Arch, Outdoor insoles in Large and found them superior to the original insoles. I found they fit precisely after easily trimming to my size along the marked 10.5 line, and provided additional cushion, arch support, and some added lateral stability. While expensive (at a quarter the cost of the boot!!!) the insoles were noticeably better, particularly with gel in the pad and heel. So, should KEEN include them in the first place and just increase the boot price? The original insoles are not bad, just not as good as the upgrades, so it’s hard to say. I’d definitely pay $20 more for the upgrade, but $40 additional as purchased really is a bit much! Also, they weigh the same 57g as the original insoles. In summary, I found things I liked about each of the Targhee models and, while I can appreciate the evolutionary improvements, I’d be happy with any of the three Targhee boots. The Targhee II is a seriously good value since it can often be found at a discount due to newer models being out. The III is noticeably lighter and has a more muted appearance, with more visible leather. However, I ended up keeping the more expensive and heavier IV because of liking the visual style and having an appreciation for the innovations KEEN has made building on their success, and learning from the prior generations. I buy boots very infrequently, so I also didn’t want to save a few bucks and wish I’d gotten the newer model for years after. If you just burn through boots with mileage, the II series is probably where you should look, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the three if something grabs you about one of them. They are all great boots!

This is the first pair of Keen boots I have purchased. After using them for over a month, I am glad I made the purchase. Living in Colorado, these boots work well for rugged terrain and also for just knocking around in town. After wearing them two or three times, they feel well broken in and they are comfortable to wear all day. They run true to size.

Very comfortable and should last a long time but for $170 the laces should stay tied. Unfortunately this is an often overlooked part of shoe design by a few companies I’ve bought shoes from, it seems to be more common with work and hiking boots though. My first hike I had to tighten my laces twice on each foot before I finally double knotted them. I forgot how slippery Keen laces are, it’s been a while since I’ve owned a pair but now I remember replacing the laces on previous pairs. I do like the way these look and once I get a better pair of laces on these they will be just about perfect.

This boot is great for everyday wear. Not necessarily for hunting or real rough terrain, but it’s a comfortable, quality, boot that my husband likes for walking the dog in the desert and an everyday work boot for most everything. Fit is great and comfortable right out of the box.

Love them. I wish they were softer in the sole. They are stiff. But the fit is great and I love the wider toe base. They are durable and break in fast.

I bought the KEEN Targhee 4s because my feet were tired of feeling like I’d walked barefoot across hot lava and gravel every time I stepped outside. These boots didn’t just meet expectations — they laced them up, stomped through a swamp, climbed a mountain, and yelled “LET’S GOOOOO!”Right out of the box, they felt like a firm handshake from a park ranger. Comfortable, supportive, and clearly ready for business. The waterproofing is no joke — I stepped in a puddle so deep I briefly considered calling it a lake, and my socks stayed dry as a dad joke at a BBQ.The traction? Unreal. I could probably scale a vertical wall if I wasn’t held back by my own complete lack of upper body strength. On uneven Alabama trails, they made me feel like a mountain goat with better fashion sense.Style-wise, they say “I hike, but I also know the value of a good sandwich.” Rugged but not trying too hard. The only downside is they make all my other shoes jealous.If you’re looking for boots that are built like a tank but feel like clouds, look no further. Unless you’re a bear — in that case, please keep looking. 👣⛰️

I've had these for about 6 months and they are holding up great. I wasn't sure how the steel toe would be in the hot summer but they are very comfortable and decent at keeping my toes dry from the rain. The laces are really good and hold a knot all day long.

The insoles feel like you're walking on cardboard. Not comfortable at all and need to be replaced with a higher grade insole. I went for a hike, and confirmed. Boots outer are well made and fit as described. High quality material.