Reviews You Can Rely On

Keen Targhee III Mid - Women's Review

These are the right choice for folks after a top-tier hiking boot at a more reasonable price
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keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review
Credit: Trish Matheny
Price:  $165 List
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Manufacturer:   Keen
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 25, 2023
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 18
  • Comfort - 25% 7.0
  • Support - 25% 5.0
  • Traction - 15% 7.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 6.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

We love it when a classic boot gets better. The Keen Targhee Mid III is both comfortable and incredibly durable. The leather upper is heavy-duty and waterproof while still allowing for some room for your foot to breathe, thanks to a roomy toe box. Though the leather upper requires a little time to mold to your foot, the midsole and padded ankle cuff offer comfort right away. This is a great all-around hiking boot, suitable for long days on the trail. The Targhee III scored reasonably well in all metrics while remaining on the more affordable end of the spectrum compared to other hiking boots with more substantial features.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Durable
Supportive without being too stiff
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks support of larger heavier boots
Minimal arch support
Editor's Note: This product review was updated on October 25, 2023, to include new testing perspectives and updated photos.

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Bottom Line The best iteration of this model yet, this boot combines the durability and comfort of previous versions with a more agile profile and feelWhile less supportive than a traditional leather hiker, these boots excel in comfort and agility while saving weightThis well-priced boot offers excellent traction and ample support within a lightweight designThese hikers offer incredible traction, stability underfoot, and a roomy toe box that those with wider feet will especially appreciateA great choice for day hikes and moderate backpacking trips, these boots lack support and padding for shouldering heavier loads on extended trips
Rating Categories Keen Targhee III Mid La Sportiva Ultra R... Salomon X Ultra 4 M... Altra Lone Peak ALL... Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP
Comfort (25%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
Support (25%)
5.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Traction (15%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
Water Resistance (15%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Weight (10%)
6.0
7.8
7.6
9.0
5.6
Durability (10%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Specs Keen Targhee III Mid La Sportiva Ultra R... Salomon X Ultra 4 M... Altra Lone Peak ALL... Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP
Measured Weight (per pair) 2.00 lbs (size 8.5) 1.68 lbs (size EU 40) 1.72 lbs (size 8.5) 1.48 lbs (size 8.5) 2.06 lbs (size 8)
Upper Oiled nubuck leather AirMesh, microfiber, TPU Synthetic, textile, rubber toecap eVent fabric Leather, mesh
Width Options Regular Regular, wide Regular Regular, wide Regular, wide
Waterproof Lining KEEN-Dry Gore-Tex Gore-Tex Water-resistant bootie Waterproof membrane
Heel Height 1.4" 1.8" 1.5" 1.5" 2.0"
Shaft Height 4.9" 5.0" 6.25" 5.0" 4.9"
Midsole Dual Density EVA MEMlex Molded OrthoLite sockliner Altra Ego Super Rebound Compound
Sole Rubber FriXion XF 2.0 Rubber Contagrip rubber, chevron lugs MaxTrac rubber Vibram TC5+

Our Analysis and Test Results

With a stiff and supportive design, a solid outsole, and an upper that protects and provides comfort for a wide foot, the Targhee Mid III has it all. This version is a bit sleeker in design than previous models, though they weigh nearly the same. Their profile makes them much bulkier than other boots that we tested, but they still feel light on the feet, even though the wide and stable base is supportive enough for an all-day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip.

Performance Comparison


keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - a more traditional leather hiking boots that offers comfort for...
A more traditional leather hiking boots that offers comfort for those with wider feet in addition to durable, waterproof performance.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Comfort


The Targhee III ranked rather well for comfort, especially if you have a wide foot. After a full day of hiking, our feet still felt great in these boots. Additionally, they require minimal time to break in the leather upper and feel comfortable even in their first few hours on the trail. The Targhee has a wide toe box, so if you have wider feet, these boots will not constrict in the broadest part of the foot.

In addition to their shape, the Targhee provides stiffness in the ankle cuff, which helps to support the ankle bones while remaining somewhat flexible underfoot. The insoles are sufficient, though not supportive enough for those with high arches, offering neutral support for long distances. The leather construction also adds to this boot's ability to last on long days and mold to the foot over time.

keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - the well-padded ankle increases the overall comfort within the...
The well-padded ankle increases the overall comfort within the leather design.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Support


Much like the older version of the Targhee, the Targhee III has a relatively low heel shaft. This wasn't a problem for us, as the low heel allows for more movement while still providing enough support. The sole and heel-capture system is wide and offers a firm base underfoot. Unlike the Targhee II, the III has the same stability in the sole, but the profile combination of the rubber, toe cap, and rand is quite bulky, which made our testers feel less agile on the trail. The sole is stiff enough for the boots to be worn with a heavy pack but still flexes with the foot when stepping forward. The Targhee III provides just enough neutral support to endure hard days on the trail without constraining the foot as a more traditional hiking boot does. However, the bulky design is a bit difficult to get used to (especially for those with narrow feet and high arches) when compared to other models that we tested, which offer better support within a sleek and high-performing design.

keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - though the wide base of this boot offers stability, we found that...
Though the wide base of this boot offers stability, we found that the single metal hook on the ankle cuff lacked the support of other boots in this review.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Traction


The soles of the Targhee III do a great job of maintaining traction on the slipperiest of surfaces. This boot kept us upright on loose gravel and wet moss and lichen on boulders. The 4mm lug depths, intricate tread pattern, and the surface area of the larger outsole add to this boot's ability to stick to these tricky surfaces. Though the Targhee III still has the beefy rubber toe cap that is a signature of this line of boots, the toe is not as bulky as that of the Targhee II.

keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - the deep lug pattern helped provide ample traction in various terrain.
The deep lug pattern helped provide ample traction in various terrain.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Water Resistance


Water resistance is another metric where the Targhee III shines. The Keen.Dry waterproof, breathable membrane does a great job of keeping the feet dry while still allowing for some breathability and ventilation. That said, the uppers are mostly leather, which doesn't breathe as well as synthetic materials; however, these boots also feature a mesh tongue for some airflow in key spots, in addition to water protection in the main portion of the boot. The seams are burly in their construction, which likely means the boots will remain water-resistant for a long time.

keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - these boots offer great waterproof performance whether fully...
These boots offer great waterproof performance whether fully submerged during testing or moving through precipitous weather on the trails.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Weight


The Targhee III didn't score as well in this metric as it is one of the heavier boots that we tested, weighing 2 pounds for a women's size 8.5 US. The additional weight is due to the leather upper, the substantial toe cap, and the wider base of support, though all those features provide more stability and durability than a lighter model constructed from a polyester mesh.

keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - though these boots were one of the heavier and bulkier pairs that we...
Though these boots were one of the heavier and bulkier pairs that we tested, they still offer a light feeling underfoot.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Durability


The same features that give the Targhee III stand-out water resistance also make the boot incredibly durable. The leather uppers are substantial and burly in their design, and the boots showed very little signs of wear and tear during our testing period.

This boot also has a durable lacing system, with its laces going right through the leather on the upper and metal hooks on the ankle cuff. This seamless design allows for lots of tension to be placed on the lacing system without risking blowing out an eyelet or, even worse, ripping a hole in the waterproof upper.

keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - would you just look at that massive toe cap and rand? though they...
Would you just look at that massive toe cap and rand? Though they increase the weight of the boot, these are just a couple of the features that enhance the durability of this leather design.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Should You Buy the Keen Targhee III Mid?


As one of the better options for a more traditional hiking boot with a reasonable price tag, the Targhee III Mid is a great option. They scored well across most of our test metrics, are easy to break in, waterproof, and durable. While not as comfortable, lightweight, or sleek as some of the other high-performing hiking boots that we tested, these boots feature a stiff and supportive design, as well as a protective leather upper that successfully defends against the elements. If you're not entirely focused on lightweight performance, it's hard to go wrong here, especially if you have a wider foot.

keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - if you're not focused on fast and light missions, these traditional...
If you're not focused on fast and light missions, these traditional hiking boots are a great and well-priced option.
Credit: Trish Matheny

What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?


For a more traditional hiking boot at a reasonable price, we don't hesitate to recommend the Targhee III, but there are other boots in our lineup worthy of consideration. For example, for a little more investment, the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is available and bests the Targhee in all metrics. Another alternative that our wider-footed testers love is the lightweight Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Mid 2.

keen targhee iii mid for women hiking boots review - a great all-around boot that, especially for those with wider feet...
A great all-around boot that, especially for those with wider feet who prefer neutral support.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Trish Matheny