Keen Targhee III Low - Women's Review

A tough and durable nubuck leather upper paired with a solid, grippy, and wide base makes the Targhee III Low a good choice for those with wide feet. However, the waterproof design seriously lacks any breathability, while the overall weight and bulk reduce responsiveness underfoot when moving through technical terrain. That said, the wide and stable base offers enough support for carrying a pack, and the burly toe cap, padded cushion surrounding the ankle, and durable lacing system will help support your feet during extended days on the trail. Just bear in mind these shoes are hot, which should be considered when planning the location for your next hiking adventure.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Comfort is highly subjective because our feet are all different shapes and sizes. That said, the Targhee III Low favors those with a wide foot shape, especially considering its roomy design from front to back. However, our B-width reviewer also had no problem achieving a perfect fit by adding aftermarket Superfeet insoles, which can change a shoe's volume and the final position of the foot on the inside. Since the Targhee has a very firm — yet highly supportive — footbed with minimal cushioning, we think an extra insert is likely to help you achieve the most comfortable trail-ready fit, regardless of width.

Though the spacious toe box favors those with a wider foot, this is also something to consider if you plan to hike in warmer climates, even if you prefer a narrow fit. Often times our feet can swell and require extra space to expand after being exposed to extended periods of heat — and this shoe is constructed from nubuck leather and seriously lacks breathability. The tongue is also a bit narrow and required additional adjustments for a comfortable fit, regardless of foot width. And for one tester, the ankle collar sat just low enough to cut into her ankle on varied terrain. All that said, we found this shoe to run true to size, requiring an average break-in time and/or potentially swapping out the insole to find a more comfortable and customized fit.

Support

Compared with other shoes in our review, the Targhee III Low provides average support due to the wide and sturdy base. When twisting the shoe laterally from side to side, it showed high rigidity when rotated from big toe to heel and back again from pinky toe to heel. Rigidity translates into excellent side-to-side support, resulting in less foot and ankle fatigue. It also means that your foot will have to work less to recover should you start to roll your ankle.

While this rigid design provides excellent lateral support, we also felt like it limited our range of motion, preventing any speedy ascents or responsiveness on technical terrain due to limited flexion in the forefoot. This limited flexion will also result in slightly less support directly under the balls of your feet. Ultimately, we found the lack of support beneath the forefoot and the heavy and rigid design limiting, causing our feet to experience some early fatigue on the trails.

Traction

The Targhee III Low gave an average performance in this category, proving that their proprietary sole with multi-directional lugs works pretty well thanks to the added volume and stable base. We were impressed with how well these shoes kept up on most terrain challenges we threw their way. We had confidence underfoot when scrambling on textured granite summit blocks, moving through crusty and wind-affected snow, as well as sloppy and muddy trails as the snow receded in the spring. However, when navigating polished granite and sandstone in high-traffic areas, the outsole couldn't perform as well, often causing our tester to lose energy each time her foot would slide out from under, requiring a quick response to stay upright. While the Keen All-Terrain rubber gave a moderate performance on most terrain, we still prefer Vibram soles for their reliability.

Weight

When we receive shoes for our reviews, we always weigh them on our own scale rather than trusting the manufacturer's listed weights. The Targhee III Low weighs 1.78 pounds in a US women's size 8.5 for the pair. This is almost the heaviest shoe that we tested.

Weight is often a trade-off with durability and features, so the heft of the Targhee III is likely due to the leather uppers, waterproof membrane, and burly tread. Though we're appreciative of the added features, the shoe simply feels heavy and limiting. If speedy hikes or technical terrain are the goals, this is not our first choice. However, if weight and bulk aren't an issue, this durable design will protect your feet from any trail debris or inclement weather you encounter during your hike.

Water Resistance

To evaluate water resistance, we subject each pair of shoes to a 5-minute submersion test either in a local stream or in a bucket filled with 3 inches of water at home. With Keen's Dry waterproof membrane and the lack of breathability in the nubuck leather upper, we weren't surprised that the Targhee III Low did pretty well in this metric.

The shoe proved to be waterproof across all our tests, though it did absorb a little water in some cases just around the ankle collar (a vulnerability shared by all low-rise hikers) that measures 3.5 inches above the burly sole. But unless you are doing a river crossing, in which case water will likely breach almost any low-rise shoe (or even a boot), this shouldn't be a concern.

Durability

With burly leather uppers and a thick tread, the Targhee III Low is built to protect your feet from any trail debris that you encounter during your hike. A beefy outsole is topped with a hefty and bulky rubberized toe cap to protect your toes and offer more security underfoot. A series of leather and performance mesh reinforcements are double-stitched across the top, including around vulnerable outer edges and under the lacing at the top of the tongue (where one is likely to use extra pressure to secure the shoe using the runner's loop eyelet). We just wish the final eyelet surrounding the ankle offered a metal eyelet rather than mesh for increased durability after continual tightening and adjustments.

These shoes are definitely designed to take a beating on the trail, and we're happy to report that we experienced only minor aesthetic abrasions on the nubuck leather upper throughout our extensive testing period.

Should You Buy the Keen Targhee III Low?

If you have a wide foot and are in the market for a durable and supportive waterproof shoe, the Targhee III is a good option at a mid-range price. It provides decent stability and traction on most terrain, though it would not be our first choice for technical scrambling nor for extended hikes in warmer climates due to lack of breathability. While the shoe does favor a wide foot, it can accommodate a broader range of foot shapes with the help of an aftermarket insole. Looking for more stability and ankle support? The mid-height version of this shoe retails for only a little more.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?