Reviews You Can Rely On

Keen Targhee III Low - Women's Review

Not our first choice for warmer climates due to the waterproof design that lacks breathability and favors a wide foot
gearlab tested logo
keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review
The burly Keen Targhee III is ready to carry you over the river and through the woods, with a few mountain passes and a whole lot of miles in between.
Credit: Myrha Colt
Price:  $155 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Keen
By Myrha Colt, Trish Matheny, and Mary Witlacil  ⋅  May 11, 2023
66
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 16
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Support - 20% 7.0
  • Traction - 15% 7.0
  • Water Resistance - 15% 7.0
  • Weight - 15% 5.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Keen Targhee III Low has tons of innovative features, in addition to being spacious, durable, and supportive. The roomy toe box provides extra comfort, and multi-directional lugs combined with the beefy sole offer great traction. This shoe is also quite waterproof, and there is reflective webbing on the back for higher visibility on the trail or road after dark. Even though Keens are typically recommended for wide feet, with aftermarket insoles, the Targhee III fit our tester's narrow-to-average feet just fine. If you plan to pound out the miles and are looking for shoes that can keep up with your adventure plans, this shoe is a worthy contender.
REASONS TO BUY
Spacious toe box
Great traction
Waterproof
Durable
Stable
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Heavy and bulky design
Odd footbed shape
Limited breathability
Editor's Note: We updated this review on May 11, 2023, after re-testing the shoes for our Spring update.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award 
Price $79.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$95.40 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$108.46 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$148.95 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
$150 List
$106.28 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
66
78
77
76
70
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line Durable, waterproof, and stable, these are great for protection on the trail for folks with wide feet, as long as you don't mind extra bulk and weight within the traditional leather designThese shoes will encourage confidence with every step thanks to incredible grip and sticky Vibram rubber outsolesA comfortable, high-performing hiking shoe that's versatile enough to tackle everything from well-maintained trails to technical and steep terrainHigh performance without the added weight, this shoe is built for pushing the pace in mountainous terrainThis modern hiking shoe offers high-performance within a lightweight design
Rating Categories Keen Targhee III Low La Sportiva TX4 - W... Salomon X Ultra 4 G... The North Face VECT... Salomon OUTpulse Go...
Comfort (25%)
6.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Support (20%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Traction (15%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
8.0
Water Resistance (15%)
7.0
5.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Weight (15%)
5.0
7.4
6.5
8.0
7.4
Durability (10%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
Specs Keen Targhee III Low La Sportiva TX4 - W... Salomon X Ultra 4 G... The North Face VECT... Salomon OUTpulse Go...
Measured Weight (per pair, size 8.5) 1.74 lbs 1.42 lbs 1.54 lbs 1.34 lbs 1.38 lbs
Upper Oiled nubuck leather, mesh Nubuck leather/1.5mm polyurethane TechLite rand/Vibram rubber toe rand Synthetic textile Performance mesh Synthetic/textile
Lining KEEN.Dry waterproof, breathable membrane Nonslip mesh Gore-Tex futurelight waterproof membrane Textile
Flood Level 3.5" 3.5" 3.75" 3.3" 3.25"
Midsole Dual density EVA Traverse Injection MEMlex EVA Single-density EVA Fuze Surge foam
Outsole KEEN All-Terrain Rubber Vibram Megagrip Traverse with Impact Brake System Rubber Contagrip Surface Control rubber Contagrip rubber
Width Options Regular Regular Regular Regular Regular

Our Analysis and Test Results

A tough and durable nubuck leather upper paired with a solid, grippy, and wide base makes the Targhee III Low a good choice for those with wide feet. However, the waterproof design seriously lacks any breathability, while the overall weight and bulk reduce responsiveness underfoot when moving through technical terrain. That said, the wide and stable base offers enough support for carrying a pack, and the burly toe cap, padded cushion surrounding the ankle, and durable lacing system will help support your feet during extended days on the trail. Just bear in mind these shoes are hot, which should be considered when planning the location for your next hiking adventure.

Performance Comparison


keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review - stable and sturdy, the targhee is ready to roll, just keep in mind...
Stable and sturdy, the Targhee is ready to roll, just keep in mind the lack of breathability can create hot conditions inside the shoe when hiking at lower elevations during the warmest months of the year.
Credit: Myrha Colt

Comfort


Comfort is highly subjective because our feet are all different shapes and sizes. That said, the Targhee III Low favors those with a wide foot shape, especially considering its roomy design from front to back. However, our B-width reviewer also had no problem achieving a perfect fit by adding aftermarket Superfeet insoles, which can change a shoe's volume and the final position of the foot on the inside. Since the Targhee has a very firm — yet highly supportive — footbed with minimal cushioning, we think an extra insert is likely to help you achieve the most comfortable trail-ready fit, regardless of width.

keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review - a spacious toe box is a selling point for many hikers, as it leaves...
A spacious toe box is a selling point for many hikers, as it leaves plenty of room for toes to swell and splay over long miles on the trail.
Credit: Myrha Colt

Though the spacious toe box favors those with a wider foot, this is also something to consider if you plan to hike in warmer climates, even if you prefer a narrow fit. Often times our feet can swell and require extra space to expand after being exposed to extended periods of heat — and this shoe is constructed from nubuck leather and seriously lacks breathability. The tongue is also a bit narrow and required additional adjustments for a comfortable fit, regardless of foot width. And for one tester, the ankle collar sat just low enough to cut into her ankle on varied terrain. All that said, we found this shoe to run true to size, requiring an average break-in time and/or potentially swapping out the insole to find a more comfortable and customized fit.

keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review - the targhee iii is constructed of a heavy leather upper that will...
The Targhee III is constructed of a heavy leather upper that will mold to your feet and become even more comfortable over time, especially if you have a wider foot.
Credit: Myrha Colt

Support


Compared with other shoes in our review, the Targhee III Low provides average support due to the wide and sturdy base. When twisting the shoe laterally from side to side, it showed high rigidity when rotated from big toe to heel and back again from pinky toe to heel. Rigidity translates into excellent side-to-side support, resulting in less foot and ankle fatigue. It also means that your foot will have to work less to recover should you start to roll your ankle.

While this rigid design provides excellent lateral support, we also felt like it limited our range of motion, preventing any speedy ascents or responsiveness on technical terrain due to limited flexion in the forefoot. This limited flexion will also result in slightly less support directly under the balls of your feet. Ultimately, we found the lack of support beneath the forefoot and the heavy and rigid design limiting, causing our feet to experience some early fatigue on the trails.

The Targhee demonstrating its impressive lateral support system...
The Targhee demonstrating its impressive lateral support system, allowing almost no twisting in either direction.
The stiff base prevents full range of motion and the lack of flexion...
The stiff base prevents full range of motion and the lack of flexion in the forefoot prevents responsiveness on technical terrain.

Traction


The Targhee III Low gave an average performance in this category, proving that their proprietary sole with multi-directional lugs works pretty well thanks to the added volume and stable base. We were impressed with how well these shoes kept up on most terrain challenges we threw their way. We had confidence underfoot when scrambling on textured granite summit blocks, moving through crusty and wind-affected snow, as well as sloppy and muddy trails as the snow receded in the spring. However, when navigating polished granite and sandstone in high-traffic areas, the outsole couldn't perform as well, often causing our tester to lose energy each time her foot would slide out from under, requiring a quick response to stay upright. While the Keen All-Terrain rubber gave a moderate performance on most terrain, we still prefer Vibram soles for their reliability.

keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review - more like a boot than an athletic shoe, the targhee is equipped to...
More like a boot than an athletic shoe, the Targhee is equipped to tackle most loose or slick surfaces that stand between you and your destination.
Credit: Myrha Colt

Water Resistance


To evaluate water resistance, we subject each pair of shoes to a 5-minute submersion test either in a local stream or in a bucket filled with 3 inches of water at home. With Keen's Dry waterproof membrane and the lack of breathability in the nubuck leather upper, we weren't surprised that the Targhee III Low did pretty well in this metric.

The shoe proved to be waterproof across all our tests, though it did absorb a little water in some cases just around the ankle collar (a vulnerability shared by all low-rise hikers) that measures 3.5 inches above the burly sole. But unless you are doing a river crossing, in which case water will likely breach almost any low-rise shoe (or even a boot), this shouldn't be a concern.

keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review - our feet stayed dry and toasty through every stream crossing and the...
Our feet stayed dry and toasty through every stream crossing and the 5-minute bucket test we conducted to test waterproofing.
Credit: Myrha Colt

Weight


When we receive shoes for our reviews, we always weigh them on our own scale rather than trusting the manufacturer's listed weights. The Targhee III Low weighs 1.78 pounds in a US women's size 8.5 for the pair. This is almost the heaviest shoe that we tested.

Weight is often a trade-off with durability and features, so the heft of the Targhee III is likely due to the leather uppers, waterproof membrane, and burly tread. Though we're appreciative of the added features, the shoe simply feels heavy and limiting. If speedy hikes or technical terrain are the goals, this is not our first choice. However, if weight and bulk aren't an issue, this durable design will protect your feet from any trail debris or inclement weather you encounter during your hike.

keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review - performance generally comes at a cost, and in the keen targhee iii...
Performance generally comes at a cost, and in the Keen Targhee III we see that in the weight. It's heavier than most, but it's equally at the top of its class of leather hikers when it comes to features, performance, and durability.
Credit: Myrha Colt

Durability


With burly leather uppers and a thick tread, the Targhee III Low is built to protect your feet from any trail debris that you encounter during your hike. A beefy outsole is topped with a hefty and bulky rubberized toe cap to protect your toes and offer more security underfoot. A series of leather and performance mesh reinforcements are double-stitched across the top, including around vulnerable outer edges and under the lacing at the top of the tongue (where one is likely to use extra pressure to secure the shoe using the runner's loop eyelet). We just wish the final eyelet surrounding the ankle offered a metal eyelet rather than mesh for increased durability after continual tightening and adjustments.

These shoes are definitely designed to take a beating on the trail, and we're happy to report that we experienced only minor aesthetic abrasions on the nubuck leather upper throughout our extensive testing period.

keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review - miles later the keen targhees are looking as new as ever, without...
Miles later the Keen Targhees are looking as new as ever, without any signs of obvious wear.
Credit: Myrha Colt

Should You Buy the Keen Targhee III Low?


If you have a wide foot and are in the market for a durable and supportive waterproof shoe, the Targhee III is a good option at a mid-range price. It provides decent stability and traction on most terrain, though it would not be our first choice for technical scrambling nor for extended hikes in warmer climates due to lack of breathability. While the shoe does favor a wide foot, it can accommodate a broader range of foot shapes with the help of an aftermarket insole. Looking for more stability and ankle support? The mid-height version of this shoe retails for only a little more.

keen targhee iii low for women hiking shoes review - don't let your hiking shoe limit your plans: the targhee is solid...
Don't let your hiking shoe limit your plans: the Targhee is solid and stable enough to carry you wherever you want to go.
Credit: Myrha Colt

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?


If the Targhee III seems like too much shoe and you're looking for a more responsive, lightweight, and agile design that combines the performance of a trail runner with the stability of a hiking shoe, check out the The North Face VECTIV Fastpack FUTURELIGHT. If you need a similarly spacious fit but prefer a bit more cushion at a more affordable price, the Merrell Moab 3 WP is our favorite for those seeking performance on a budget. And for those who want a hiking shoe that can do it all, offering out-of-the-box comfort thanks to a spacious toe box, exceptional traction and stability, as well as waterproof performance in a durable design, consider the La Sportiva Spire GTX.

Myrha Colt, Trish Matheny, and Mary Witlacil