Women's Keen Targhee II Mid Hiking Boots Review

Features:

The Keen Targhee II Mid Hiking Boots are touted as a stable, comfortable day hiker in true Keen fashion. They feature classic Keen rubber toe wrapping, Keen.Dry™ waterproof membrane, waterproof nubuck leather uppers, and removable metatomical dual density EVA footbed. The midheight upper cuff offers ankle stability and support. Available in multiple colors.

Specifications:

Lining: KEEN.DRy™ waterproof membrane
Upper: Leather, webbing and mesh
Collar Height: 5.75 in.
Weight: 14.69 oz.

Initial Thoughts (05/25/11):

I chose the Keen Targhee II Mid Hiking Boot based upon other users' reviews that the boots required no break-in period. Hopeful to find a boot that I could quickly put into play on our many outdoor adventures, I bought them at a local store. The boot features classic keen styling, with patented rubber toe guards and an earthy color scheme. At first glance, the boots appear substantial and durable.

Straight out of the box, these boots were comfortable on my feet. They appeared to be durably made, though I did notice one section along the top of the toe approximately 1/2" wide where the stitching appeared to have come loose. Finding no other such defects, I was not concerned. The leather body and removable metatomical EVA midsoles are stiff, yet comfortable and supportive. Unlike some other keen hikers I tried, the Targhee's padded tongue provides a snug but comfortable fit. Many times, I find myself re-tying my boots because the laces loosen, but not in these Keen's. The Targhee's upper eyelet lace lock system ensures laces remain in place. After wearing these boots around the house for about an hour, I was ready to put them to a real test.

Initial Field Test (05/31/11):

During my first hike in my Keen Targhee II boots, I found them to be comfortable, though slightly too warm. Because of their waterproof membrane and nicely padded upper, they insulate a little too much for my feet. It makes me wonder if the Keen.Dry ™ membrane does a better job keeping you dry than allowing your feet to breathe. Keep in mind, though, that I was wearing a mid-weight hiking sock and ambient temperatures were in the 50s. I hope my feet would be less sweaty on a cooler day or during a damp spring or fall hike. The padded tongues of these boots remained comfortable throughout our hike and seemed to adequately relieve lace pressure. Though very comfortable on my feet, about half way through our six-mile hike to a camp spot, I noticed that the outer edge of my big toes had begun to rub on the sides of the boots. This was more annoying than painful. However, after arriving at camp and removing my boots and sweat-soaked socks, I realized I the large blisters had formed on the outer edges of my big toes. This disappointed me, as a good-fitting pair of hikers normally do not give me blisters.

Hopeful that this was just a fluke, I applied blister dressings the next morning as we set out for home. Again, however, my big toes and additionally my second toes began to feel friction. Upon returning to the car, I removed my boots and socks and found large blisters on at least six different toes. I was disappointed but not yet turned off of the Keen Targhee II Mid boots. Thinking I had perhaps purchased these boots a size too small (and having no prior knowledge of Keen’s fit) I exchanged the boots for a half size larger, hoping to be able to use them on multiple upcoming hikes in Yosemite National Park.

See Badger Creek adventure where the Women's Keen Targhee II Mid hiking boots were used.

Extended Field Testing (06/28/11):

I decided to take my Keen’s on a week-long camping trip to Yosemite National Park. Hoping that my feet would be comfortable over the many miles of hikes we had planned, we set out on a hike just shy of five miles roundtrip to Sentinal Dome and Taft Point. This hike featured varied terrain and nearly half of it was in the snow. By the time we finished this hike, my socks were again soaking wet, despite having worn a much lighter sock than during my initial testing. Though I did not notice undue friction while hiking, removing my socks again revealed blisters on the outer edges of my big toes and a couple smaller blisters on the sides of my second toes. This concerned me, as the Keen toe box and foot bed appear to provide ample room for foot spread (and my feet are not overly wide).

Having brought no other hiking boots, I had to wear my Keen’s on a very long day hike to the top of Half Dome. I padded my blisters with blister dressing and we set out. My feet were comfortable and completely dry despite having hiked up the Mist Trail and emerging on the other side with soaking wet clothing. The varied terrain (from dirt to crumbling granite on steep ascent and descent) on this fifteen mile roundtrip really put the Keen Targhee II Mid boots to the test. Keen’s “S3” feature (shock, suspension, and stability) proved spot in while hiking. The steep downhill of the Muir trail on our return trip would normally have pounded my feet. But the soles of my feet were not sore at all and I was pleased with the stability they provided on this rigorous hike. However, upon removed my boots, I had more blisters that I have ever had before on both feet. I was disappointed that despite changing boot sizes, socks, and hiking conditions, I still got blisters. Needless to say, these boots went back to the store upon returning home.

See Catalpa Lake, Sentinel Dome & Taft Point, and Half Dome adventures where the Women's Keen Targhee II Mid hiking boots were used.

Final Thoughts:

I like the classic Keen styling of the Targhee II Mid hiking boots. They offer excellent footbed comfort and shaft stability on varied terrain. The Keen.Dry™ membrane gets the job done in damp and downright wet conditions. However, it seems that Keen’s patented waterproofing needs to share a little as well – it could stand to let a little more moisture out of the boot. I found that these boots did not require a break in period and were comfortable straight out of the box. Though it appears to provide ample wiggle room, the toe box seems to squish my toes, causing blisters in multiple locations. Perhaps my toes spread too much while hiking or the boots were too warm for my usually cold feet. Whatever the case, I am disappointed that I was not able to keep these boots. If it weren’t for the blisters, I could have worn these boots comfortably for many miles to come.

Available from amazon.com.