Keen Men’s Targhee III Waterproof Shoe Review

Hardworking, all-purpose trail shoe.

Versatile, Waterproof

I’ve been wearing Keen’s Men’s Targhee III Waterproof Shoe for a couple of months, and I am so happy to have a durable, rugged, waterproof trail shoe for hiking and long power walks in Seattle’s rainy winter weather. 

I cover a lot of ground during my outings: cement, gravel, grass, dirt paths, pebble beaches, and more. The Keen Men’s Targhee III Waterproof Shoe has provided exceptional stability and traction on all types of terrain, thanks to its external shanked sole and serious tread. The midsole is thick enough to protect my feet from impact and rocks but lightweight enough to feel like I’m wearing an athletic shoe.

Keen’s Men’s Targhee III Waterproof Shoe is a rare find for me. Most lightweight outdoor shoes are entirely too flexible though the forefoot to remain comfortable after an hour of walking or hiking, never mind a full day on my feet. Keen manages to give the Targhee III Waterproof Shoe a thick, stable midsole that remains firm (but not rigid) mile after mile. I have old injuries in my feet, so I really appreciate the protective midsole and the hiking boot-style tread.

Fantastic Fit

I’ve been a Keen fan for a long time because their shoes are round at the end, shaped to feet real feet and nice and wide through the forefoot. My feet never feel pinched, and my toes never feel cramped. Instead, my foot sits in the shoe very naturally, with plenty of space to wiggle my toes. The removable insoles are quite cushy, but I replaced mine with full-length orthotics. The Targhee III Waterproof Shoe is deep enough to accommodate the orthotics, as well as a brace on my left foot. 

It is so nice to have comfortable hiking shoes that fit my feet and provide incredible support and stability. I can walk around for hours – on trails, on city streets, through airports – and my feet never feel fatigued. I tested the Triple Black colored Targhee shoes, and I really like having a hiking shoe that is not immediately recognized as a such for wearing around town and for travel. 

The Keen Targhee III Waterproof Shoe was comfortable right out of the box. Most people might say this shoe doesn’t need any break-in time, but I think it’s always important to wear new shoes around the house for a few days before heading out to the trail just to be safe. 

Feet Stay Dry

The other night I was out on an urban hike with a friend, and she warned me that I was about to step into a huge (and deep) puddle. I told her that I knew what I was stepping into; I wanted to see how waterproof the Targhee III Waterproof Shoe was. It has kept my feet dry on many rainy hikes and power walks, but I hadn’t really stepped into an inches deep puddle. So I marched through the puddle without a care. The water came up over the sides and toe, and I wondered if the gusseted tongue would be able to keep my feet dry as the deep water seemed to shallow my shoes. It did! 

Thrilled by the results, I decided to step into every large puddle for the next mile, and I got the same results: dry feet. The waterproofing was effective at preventing water from entering the sides or tops of my shoes. Good to know! If my feet stay dry I can be outside much longer.

Bottom Line

I love the Keen Targhee III Waterproof Shoe. It’s comfortable, versatile, and durable. It’s a bonus having waterproof trail shoes because I never have to cut my activities short because of wet feet. 

Details

Available in men’s sizes 7-17, in four colors: Steel Grey/Captain’s Blue, Bungee Cord/Black,

Black Olive/Golden Brown, and Triple Black. Also available in wide. Keen also makes a women’s Targhee III Waterproof Shoe in sizes 5-11, available in three colors: Magnet/Atlantic Blue, Weiss/Boysenberry, and Toasted Coconut/Porcelain.

Manufacturer: keen footwear.com

$155 $93 Currently 40% off.