Keen Targhee IV Mid Review

The Keen Targhee IV Mid is a dependable hiking boot that should appeal to a wide audience, especially those who appreciate not cramming their feet into a narrow boot. Out on the trail it can be nice to have your toes free to move around and to swell, and this boot design can make days on the trail more tolerable. They are supportive and resist ankle rolling, but only have average traction and are fairly heavy even if they are made from durable materials.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

We found the Keen Targhee IV boots to ultimately be pretty comfortable, but they did require a bit of a break-in period to get there. The upper material above the forefoot and the tongue pressed into the foot for a few miles, causing unwanted discomfort before adapting to the foot. After about 15 miles of walking in these boots, this discomfort mostly went away. We also found the insole to be strangely lop-sided, giving us discomfort on the outstep, yet providing no support under the arch. We replaced the insole with one from a different boot and had a much better result, which is an easy fix to a small problem.

These fit true to size in length, and the heel and midfoot are medium width, though the toe box is wider and is difficult to lace any tighter, so those with wide feet will rejoice while those with narrow feet will find it a challenge to feel secure in the boot.

Support

The LuftCell midsole that is used in the Targhee IV boots is supportive and responsive. We felt like most jarring impact were absorbed by this well-designed midsole construction. It is stiff, but the stability shank is not stiff enough to keep the foot from flexing along with the boot. We found them to be stable thanks to the height of the mid-top ankle cuff that was easy to snug up while in demanding terrain but loosen while hiking on more simple trails. The security of the boot while sidehilling felt impacted by the width of the boot for our lead tester, who has a narrower foot, but for those who can fill this volume up this may not be as pronounced.

Traction

The Targhee uses a proprietary rubber compound called KEEN.RUGGED to comprise the outsole, which provides average traction but is purported to be extra durable abrasion tests. The lugs are four millimeters deep, and have a sharp edge that bites fairly well into loose terrain, though the orientation of the lug pattern is best for going straight up or down the trail, and side-to-side traction did not feel as secure.

Water Resistance

To make these boots water resistant, Keen uses its in-house membrane known as KEEN.DRY. The first line of defense is the nubuck leather upper which provides a natural barrier to moisture provided it is kept clean and treated with leather conditioner from time to time. We waded through a shallow spot in the river when we found the bridge was out, and our feet stayed dry! During our more standardized water bucket test, however, the boots did show some signs of leaking around the toe box.

Weight

Weighing in at 2.98 pounds per pair in a size 11, these boots are definitely on the heavier side, though a boot made from leather and built on a solid midsole is going to be heavier than one made entirely from mesh and synthetic materials. The weight is noticeable on longer hikes, but if you are prioritizing durability then a boot weighing almost three pounds might be worth it.

Durability

Made of quality Nubuck leather, the Targhee IV is well-suited to resist wear and tear. One brand new feature of this model is the guarantee that the sole and upper will never delaminate, as Keen has begun to use a fusing process rather than using glue to connect these integral parts. Time will tell as to how well they hold up, but being backed by a guarantee always makes us feel better about making a big investment!

Should You Buy the Keen Targhee IV Mid?

We feel like the Targhee IV Mid boots are a good value. They are quality boots and after breaking them in they provided good overall performance in moderate hiking terrain. If they fit your foot you will enjoy them, however those with narrow feet might look elsewhere.

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?