Performance Comparison
The easy-going style of the Keen Targhee III Low makes it great for casual hikes and use around town.
Comfort
The Keen Targhee III Low offers a comfortable fit right out of the box, with little break in period required. Thanks to the softer, more pliable nubuck leather used on this model, it was easy to walk several miles in with no discomfort. Other shoes with more synthetic materials allowed ease of use as well but without the bulk of the leather outer.
A lightweight ESS shank gives the Targhee III Low its support, though we felt that it was a noticeable loss of stability from previous Targhee iterations, a fact we have also noted in the Targhee III Mid hiking boot review. The addition of the shank does give some protection from sharp and pointy rocks poking into the sole from the trail, though this shoe only offers average performance in overall trail comfort.
The Keen Targhee III is most comfortable on consistent trails like this one.
We like the well-thought-out traditional lacing system used on the Targhee III, as it employs an additional strap that locks the heel in place for a snug fit around the ankle. While the ankle is well-secured, though, the rest of the foot moves around quite easily, as it has one of the roomiest fits of any shoe we tested. This is not a problem for wide-footed individuals who often struggle to find a fitting hiking shoe but should be noted by those with narrow to medium feet.
Weight
With a verified weight of 2.26 pounds for a US men's size 11, the Targhee III Low is not the heaviest shoe in this review but is far from the lightest. Keen is not making any claims that this is a lightweight hiking shoe, rather that it is a rugged hiking shoe designed with durability in mind. That has been achieved to a large degree, and so the almost half pound weight difference between this pair and the lightest hiking shoes in our review is not nearly as much of a red flag is it may seem at first glance.
Support
Keen has updated the Targhee III Low with a soft and supple nubuck leather outer which is softer and less rigid. This improves the break-in period for these shoes but decreases its side-to-side support. This shoe is also one of the widest in our review, and so despite the inventive wrap around heel lacing system that snugs up around the ankle, we were unable to get a very good fit with medium volume feet. No matter how tightly we secured the laces, we ended up with a sloppy and insecure fit - a poor combination when hiking on anything but easy to moderate trails.
The Targhee is supportive enough while on the trail, but start to boulder hop and they begin to show their lack of confidence in side to side edging.
The included footbed is quality, with dual density materials used, and a good supportive arch, so those who do fit this shoe will no doubt feel better support than we were able to.
Traction
For the Targhee III Low, Keen uses a proprietary non-marking rubber compound, a blend which has remained the same since the Targhee II. This outsole performs well enough on wet and dry trails, with average traction thanks to its medium-sized lug pattern. Those who venture far off the trail may find the traction of these shoes lacking in rocky scrambling situations or smearing on wet slabs of rock.
Scrambling up steeper rock slabs is where the Targhee III meets its limits in stability and traction.
Versatility
This shoe is a great basic hiking shoe that can be a daily driver for local day hikes, or even make the transition into overnight backpacks provided that the trail is moderate and the loads are not too heavy. These shoes do not have much ability to cross-over into either trail running or peak scrambling, but if all you are planning on doing is walking and hiking, then these shoes should fit those needs well.
With a leather outer and average traction, these can also comfortably hike through early season snows, as long as it is not too deep.
Water Resistance
Keen has long used their proprietary in-house waterproof membrane called Keen.Dry in their shoes and boots, and we found it to work reasonably well in test conditions. Sloshing through puddles and streams, our feet stayed dry as long as we respected the 4-inch water resistance height. Many shoes have higher flood heights; theTarghee is average in this metric. Prolonged exposure to water does allow seeping water into the toe box, though this was after the 5-minute water submersion test was completed. For the best waterproofing, continue to apply aftermarket treatment to the nubuck leather.
The Keen.Dry membrane does a good job at repelling water, though we noticed some seeping in the toe box after several minutes.
Durability
Keen touts the Targhee III Low hiking shoe as a bold, durable hiking shoe suited to all-terrain adventures. We feel that this is a bit of hyperbole, though the nubuck leather and heavy-duty toe cap certainly adds to its durability. We hiked on and off trail in these shoes for several weeks without noting any major concerns, although other reviewers did submit long-term reviews noting failing rands, soles delaminating and loss of structure within several months of use.
The softer rubber on these shoes will wear down over time, and some have noted delamination issues.
Best Applications
The Targhee III is a great entry level hiking shoe for those with wider or flatter feet which require more room than the average shoe can give. Their average trail performance leads them towards easy and moderate terrain where lots of scrambling is not required, but they have enough support to be a capable day hiker as well as an overnight backpacking shoe.
Value
With a price of $135, these shoes are one of the more budget-friendly shoes we reviewed, and with quality materials and a stylish look, feel that they are a good value.
Conclusion
With out-of-the-box comfort and an updated look, the Keen Targhee III Low is a day-hiking shoe that offers good performance, especially for those who have a hard time finding a pair of shoes that will fit wider feet.
