Keen Targhee III Review | Worth it in 2025?
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.
In this article, I'm going to share my HONEST Keen Targhee III review for those who are wondering whether they are still WORTH IT in 2025. As a seasoned hiker and outdoors expert, I'll share my personal experience and expert review.
Keen Targhee III was released In 2017, the Keen Targhee III made significant advancements over its 2005 predecessor, the Keen Targhee II, a well-liked hiking boot in the community.
In contrast to its previous model, which users complained had too much volume in the shoe, the Targhee III boasts a more contoured fit.
The Targhee III also has an updated outsole, which improves agility and traction on the trail. The Targhee III is approximately 3 ounces lighter than the previous model for those who are looking for a more lightweight hiking boot.
For this review, I have put in over 3 years into testing my own personal pair of the Keen Targhee III so I'm familiar with how they feel and perform hiking on the trails. I'll go over comfort, traction, overall protection, water resistance, fit, stability & support, and durability.
My Verdict
The Keen Targhee III is an excellent hiking boot for those looking for a moderately cushioned boot with great traction and agility.
With a lowered price now on market with the emergence of the Keen Targhee IV, the Targhee III is even more valuable for the average hiker looking for a great budget hiking boot in 2025.
See Our Hands-on Youtube Review
Should you buy the Keen Targhee III Mid?
Buy if
You want GREAT value for a hiking boot in 2025
You prioritize ankle support and a “rugged” hiking boot
You want a quality insole that is not outsourced
You want a tight secure fit while hiking
DON'T Buy if
You want a very high performing boot
You'd prefer a lightweight breathable boot
You are are an advanced hiker or mountaineer
Targhee III Pros and Cons
Pros
Great traction & grip
High ankle support
Budget friendly
Cons
Stiff Leather
Sock liner could be more comfortable
Longer break in period
Keen Targhee III Mid Price
At the time of this writing, the Keen Targhee III are priced at $120 retail, but available on Amazon below for as low as $90 brand new.
Order the Keen Targhee III for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Keen Targhee III Comfort: 7/10
When first slipping on the boot, I felt the decent cushioning of the CMEVA midsole, which is known to have a very cushy feel. However, it is not comparable to the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX, which uses the same midsole. The Kaha 2 is much more comfortable.
The toe box has a moderate amount of room. I did not feel any pressure on our toes, and there was more than adequate toe room.
I felt some discomfort around the lateral aspect of the sock liner. I believe this is mainly due to the stiff Nubuck leather pressing on my foot. It is definitely not a deal-breaker, but it can be quite annoying at times.
Moving up towards the ankle and mid foot, you start to feel the durability of the Nubuck leather. I must say that the rough leather of these hiking boots really aids in their durability.
There's more than adequate ankle room, and I did not feel any discomfort around the ankle cuff area. Top-lacing boot eyelets are metal and mesh, which we'd never seen before but didn't have any issues with.
One downside of the III is the weight. My men’s 10.5 weighed in at 2.2 pds which are one of the heavier hiking boots, comparable to the Salomon Quest 4.
Traction: 8.5/10
These boots have their own brand of outsole. The Keen.all-terrain claims that these lugs dig into mud, dirt, and rock with excellent traction, and I must say we agree with them. The traction is similar to that of the Merrell Moab 3, which we rated as one of the best grippy hiking shoes out there.
The outsole is very grippy and holds well against rough terrain. The only aspect of the new model specification that bothered us was the outsole's flexibility.
As we've explained in previous articles, hiking boots with a flexible outsole struggle to withstand uneven terrain due to their tendency to conform to the shape of the terrain. The previous model had a more stiff outsole, which achieved this purpose.
Therefore, the Keen Targhee III may not be the best for serious trekkers going on treacherous terrain; however, it still holds up very well against moderate terrain. The lugs are deep and do not hold on to mud or rock like the Columbia Newton Ridge.
I were able to test these hiking boots on mud, wet slate, steep inclines, loose gravel, and wet sandstone. They proved to be a reliable, grippy hiking boot.
I was able to test the Targhee III to the max in the snow. I was moving up a steep incline and the boots held true without slipping. Definitely a useful hiking boot in the snow.
Overall Protection 4/5
The thick rubber sole, known as keen.protect, covers the toe cap of these boots, providing excellent overall protection. By protecting the toe box, we were able to prevent sharp objects from penetrating our boots across various terrains.
Moving over to the lateral aspect of the boots, there is a thin strip of rubber that covers the lower aspect of your foot, which most hiking boots lack.
Moving towards the heel, there is another band of thick rubber that covers your heel, offering robust protection against the elements. The upper, new black leather is very durable and stiff; therefore, it does not allow any sharp objects to enter the boot, nor does the gusseted tongue that the Keen Targhee III features.
I felt the overall protection of the ankle was excellent with the synthetic and leather combination material providing excellent overall ankle protection.
Water Resistance 5/5
The Keen Targhee III utilizes an in-house waterproof membrane known as keen.dry, which shares similarities with the Gore-Tex membrane. This membrane enhances breathability by preventing water from entering, thereby providing water protection.
What I like about Keen is that they construct their own waterproof membrane for their hiking boots, similar to Merrell Hiking boots, rather than outsourcing. I did a personal case study of the Keen.dry vs Gore-tex, and the Keen.Dry definitely does not have breathability issues like GTX models do.
Read Here: Keen.Dry vs Gore-Tex | Which Is Better?
These boots performed excellently in a 10-minute submersion test. The boots did not let in any water during the entire 10-minute duration. I also cross several rivers and creeks without any waterproofing issues.
I would say, the Targhee III, due to the thick leather took longer than most hiking boots to dry out after getting wet.
Does The Keen Targhee III Fit Well?
I ordered a men's 10.5 which fit okay. I felt the toe box was more than wide enough, and had a little more room than I was expecting.
I felt the width of the Targhee III did not continue onto the mid foot and heel. The mid foot and heel felt like a standard fit while the toe box felt like a wide fit. This was quite cumbersome at times because I felt like I should’ve had a more snug fit at the toe box.
I would suggest not sizing up or down. If you have a very wide foot then I would order the wide size.
Keen Targhee III Fit 3/5
Targhee III Stability & Support 2.5/5
The stability and support of the Keen Targhee III are decent. I felt I was able to get through mild to moderate terrain easily, however I didn’t always feel the most stable.
One issue I had with the Targhee is the ability to hold an edge. I felt unsupported on that very steep terrain, even with the robust nubuck leather and lacing system the stability and support falls short.
Shock absorption was a little disappointing with the Targhee III. I felt a little extra added weight to my joints while backpacking that I didn't experience with the II or IV. Overall, there are definitely better options for stability and support.
Durability 9/10
These are an extremely durable set of hiking boots. After 6 months of testing, the only damage to these boots is some expected scratches on the Nubuck leather. There's been no breakdown of the synthetic material. The material remains robust and resilient.
The outsole has shown no signs of wear, especially the multidirectional lugs. Overall, the Keen Targhee III is an extremely durable hiking boot.
Is The Keen Targhee III Waterproof worth it?
In 2025, these hiking boots are still available on the market for a much reduced price. For a weekend hiker looking for a budget friendly hiking boot they are Targhee III are still a good option.
Being able to get a hiking boot that was once $170 with the same capabilities, for $90 is great value in my opinion.
Other options to consider if you are looking for a budget-friendly hiking boot would be the Merrell Moab 3, or Salomon X Ultra 4. If you are looking for more comfortable options with an added price check out the Hoka Anacapa 2 or Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2.
Value: 3.5/5
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort: 7 / 10
Traction: 8.5 / 10
Overall Protection: 4 / 5
Waterproofness: 5 / 5
Stability & Support: 2.5 / 5
Fit: 3 / 5
Durability: 9 / 10
Value: 3.5 / 5
Total: 42.5 / 55
Our Rating: 7.7 / 10
At the time of this writing, the Keen Targhee III are priced at $120 retail, but available on Amazon below for as low as $90 brand new.
Order the Keen Targhee III for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to run the website 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Targhee 2 and 3?
The main differences between the Targhee 2 and 3 are toe box room, breathability, and weight. The Targhee III is four ounces lighter than the two; it also has increased breathability but less volume and toe box room than version 2.
Are Keen boots suitable for wide feet?
Keen boots come in a wide size. I can personally attest that I did not have to purchase a wide version; my feet are usually wide as well.
How many miles do KEEN hiking boots last?
Keen hiking boots They have a reputation for lasting more than 500 miles. Personally, I've walked over 100 miles and am still going strong.
Do keen boots have a lifetime warranty?
Teen boots do not have a lifetime warranty; they have a one-year warranty from the purchase date.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Keen Targhee III Waterproof for over 2 years with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
Over the past decade, I have logged over 2,000 hiking miles across diverse terrains, from the rugged Appalachian Trail to the challenging Rocky Mountains. This extensive experience allows me to evaluate the Keen Targhee III’s performance accurately in real-world conditions.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Adventure Awaits,
Tyler
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase.