KEEN Men’s Targhee 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
Last updated: August 14, 2020
This lightweight choice has a stiff shank, aggressive tread and excellent toe cap protection, but does not require much time to break in. Plus, they are highly breathable, so you can wear them in the warmer months. These work well for those with wide feet.
We looked at the top Hiking Boots and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Hiking Boot you should buy.
Product Details
Key Takeaway: These nubuck leather waterproof boots are sturdy and comfortable without a long break-in time.
In our analysis of 85 expert reviews, the KEEN Men's Targhee 2 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot placed 3rd when we looked at the top 11 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.From The Manufacturer
Here’s a waterproof hiking boot that offers four-wheel-drive performance for your feet. It’s designed to keep your feet dry and let them breathe, and the aggressive outsole bites into the terrain. The mid-cut height adds ankle support. The Targhee Mid II from KEEN offers four-wheel-drive performance for your feet. The shoe is revamped with the KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane to keep your feet dry and comfortable. The aggressive outsole has 4mm lugs to bite into the terrain, providing excellent traction control. The ESS shank provides torsional stability for a secure ride, while the mid cut height increases ankle support through canyons and over mountaintops.
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
Ultra-dry waterproof exterior. Comfortable lightweight construction. Minimal break-in period.
Has been a favorite of our testers for years now, and has a strong following among the hiking community. It's often been our Best Buy Award winner, and we've come back around to it again. It retails for less than half the price of some of the hiking boots in our test line up, and it remains a good value, combining sound on and off-trail performance with an inexpensive price tag.
In terms of breathability, the Targhee perform pretty good so you can wear them at hotter times of year with no major concerns. With regards to break-in, the Targhee come up trumps with nearly all users indicating that no break-in period is required.
They’re great for hiking or working in the city and can handle a lot of miles whether it’s on pavement or the trail. The Targhee II’s are very water resistant with some nice ventilation.
The KEEN Targhee II Mid earns a lot of praise from buyers and gear testers alike for being an insanely comfortable hiking boot. Its lightness astonishes a majority of users.
Two years later, he updated his reviewer, commenting, “They have never let me down, and gave me confidence on some really sketchy routes on a 13er last year.” One even thinks they’re so good, he owns multiple pairs, writing, “I was so impressed with how comfortable and durable these boots are, when I saw them on sale, I bought two more pairs.”
The Targhee hiking boots have toe protection built in, so you don’t have to worry about stubbing your toes. The best part about these boots is that you don’t have to break them in at all. You can wear them straight out of the box, and your feet won’t feel a thing.
The Targhees also have an impressively stiff shank, aggressive tread, and excellent toe cap protection for such a lightweight boot. I’ve been surprised with how good they feel when hiking rough trail with and without a backpack. One standout feature in the Targhee is the toe area which is extremely roomy for a hiking boot.
This was one of the most impressive boots in our test. Best for wide and high-volume feet, it provided to be a stable, durable, stiff shoe that can handle longer treks on variable terrain without the comfort penalty associated with overly macho boots.
Your best bet for commuting and casual purposes. Fits very well and decent supporting offers highest comfort among other Targhee's. It's also probably the prettiest of all. Targhee II is more comfortable than the Targhee III, and hence a better pick for casual use.
These shoes are built with some of the best waterproof technology in the current market, and you will be amazed at how dry your feet will be. If you are going on a hiking trip that blends walking with a water activity (such as kayaking), I strongly recommend these boots.
Providing astounding ankle support, traction and breathability, the KEEN Men’s Targhee II Mid Waterproof hiking boot will master the roughest trails. Lightweight and comfortable this shoe keeps you energized mile after mile without allowing water in. Through a range of conditions, you will be able to conquer changing terrain while being protected from debris and rock.
Ideal for camping, backpacking, hunting, snowshoeing, trail hiking, and fishing, as well as everyday use in city life. The mid-cut hiking boots provide the wearer with all-day comfort and terrific arch support for a comfortable and long-lasting feel.
What reviewers didn't like
Sizes tend to run small.
Its one failing during our traction tests was when scrambling, as the blocky forefoot didn't allow for precise foot placement or weight transference. The rounded edges did not hold as securely when working through difficult talus as those boots with a more precise edge along the outsole.
When the lace eyelets wear out the boots are cooked, some issues reported with the outsole wearing out quickly. A few people saying that you need to have very specific laces for these boots. However, they also pointed out that in many cases, when they broke after not much use, and they contacted KEEN, they were sent a pair out for free.
The problem is the craftsmanship is kind of cheap. The stitching is not put together well, the soles of some people’s boots have come apart, and the heel tends to get worn down pretty quickly. The insoles wear down over time and the shoelaces don’t take much to tear.
A considerable percentage of shoppers complain about the KEEN Targhee II Mid’s outsole by saying it comes apart after a few uses. Some outdoor enthusiasts say that it is not breathable.
Since it’s an ankle shoe, it doesn’t provide ankle support.
The Keen Dry layer in the Targhee is billed as being waterproof, but I think water-resistant would be more accurate. I tested this out by submerging a boot in a pan of water for 15 minutes and could feel the inside of the boot slowly getting damp.
A bit on the roomy side - narrow feet, take caution.
If you'll be hiking out in the nature, superior stability, traction and water resistance of Targhee III pay off on tougher and more slippery terrain.
Not enough choices for style. Ugly colors.
Some parts of the bottom soles may seperate after months of use.
View our Hiking Boot buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.