Quick Answer: KEEN Targhee IV Review: The KEEN Targhee IV is a waterproof hiking shoe for people who want a roomy toe box, a tough build and almost no break-in. KEEN.FUSION bonds the upper to the sole without glue, a nubuck leather upper and a KEEN.DRY membrane keep wet trails at bay and the fit leaves room for toes to spread on long descents. It comes in a low shoe and a mid boot, with wide widths available. The trade-offs are weight, a firm ride and a warm, slow-drying membrane in hot weather. Check latest price.
The Targhee is KEEN’s core hiking line, and the fourth generation is the one where the brand changed how the shoe is built rather than what it looks like. Most hiking footwear is glued at the join between upper and sole, and that bond is a common place for wear to start. KEEN.FUSION bonds the two with heat and pressure instead of adhesive, and KEEN says the aim is to prevent the sole separating from the upper.
The rest is recognizably a Targhee: a nubuck leather upper, a waterproof KEEN.DRY lining and the wide, rounded toe box KEEN is known for. It sits at the sturdy end of the hiking range, closer to a traditional hiking shoe than to a trail runner. KEEN sells it as a low shoe and a mid boot. This review covers the low shoe, with notes on the mid where it differs.
KEEN Targhee IV men’s waterproof low hiking shoe. Image: Amazon
Specs
Here are the specifications for the KEEN Targhee IV:
| Type | Waterproof hiking shoe, neutral |
| Best for | Day hikes, wet conditions, rough ground and wide feet |
| Construction | KEEN.FUSION, upper bonded to the sole without glue |
| Midsole | Luftcell, an air-injected compound KEEN says resists compression |
| Upper | Nubuck leather with a protective toe cap |
| Waterproofing | KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable lining |
| Outsole | KEEN all-terrain rubber with multi-directional lugs |
| Weight | About 19 oz per shoe (low), per a first-look listing of 546 g |
| Fit and widths | Roomy forefoot; standard and wide offered; low shoe and mid boot |
| Price | Check latest price |
Pros
- A glue-free fused sole targets the join that tends to fail first on hiking shoes.
- One of the roomiest toe boxes in mainstream hiking, so toes can spread on downhills.
- A waterproof lining and a nubuck upper handle rain, puddles and wet grass.
- Comfortable out of the box, with little break-in despite the leather.
- Wide widths and a mid boot version let you match the fit to your foot and your trails.
Cons
- Heavy for a hiking shoe, which you feel over long days.
- The ride is firm rather than plush, so soft cushioning seekers may be disappointed.
- The waterproof lining runs warm and dries slowly once water gets over the collar.
- Premium price for a shoe built around durability rather than modern cushioning.
Fused construction is the story, with the same roomy KEEN fit
Compared with earlier Targhees, the construction is the headline change. KEEN.FUSION replaces the glued join between upper and sole with a heat and pressure bond. KEEN says in its own testing the bond showed no breakdown after 1,000 miles, which is a manufacturer claim rather than something we have verified, but the intent is clear: a shoe that stays together longer. KEEN also pairs the shoe with a PFAS-free KEEN.DRY lining.
What has not changed is the character. The Targhee IV is still roomy, still sturdy and still on the heavy side. If you hoped the update would make it lighter or softer, it will not. If you liked the earlier shoes and simply wanted one to last longer, that is the target.
Who should buy the Targhee IV
Buy the Targhee IV if you have wide feet and you hike. KEEN’s roomy forefoot, plus wide widths, accommodates feet that other brands squeeze, and on a long descent room for the toes is what saves bruised nails. It also suits wet-weather hikers: the waterproof lining and nubuck upper keep out rain and wet undergrowth better than a mesh shoe.
And it is a good pick if you replace shoes reluctantly. A fused sole, a leather upper and a toe cap are built with longevity in mind, so this is a shoe you buy to wear for seasons, not a trail runner you burn through in one.
Who should probably skip it
Skip the Targhee IV if weight matters to you. At roughly 19 ounces per shoe, it is heavy, and on a 10-mile day a lighter hiking shoe will feel noticeably easier. Skip it if you want soft cushioning, since the ride is firm by design. And skip it for hot, dry hiking, where a waterproof lining mostly adds heat and slows drying.
If that sounds like you, these are better places to start:
- Salomon X Ultra 5: a much lighter, quicker hiking shoe for fast day hikes on narrow to medium feet (check price)
- Brooks Cascadia 20: more cushioning for long days on rocky or hard trail (check price)
- Hoka Speedgoat 6: a light, well-cushioned trail shoe with a grippy outsole for warm, dry weather (check price | read review)
Not sure which style of hiking shoe fits your feet? Our Free Shoe Finder asks a few quick questions and points you toward footwear that suits your feet and your trails.
Roomy where it counts, with wide sizes and a removable insole
The Targhee IV fits close to true to size in length, with a distinctly wide, rounded toe box. That shape is KEEN’s identity and the biggest reason to choose it. The heel and midfoot hold more firmly, so the shoe is not loose, just generous where feet swell and toes need space. If standard width is still not enough, KEEN offers wide fittings on this model, and going wide is smarter than sizing up, which only adds length.
Step-in comfort is good. The nubuck is soft from the start, the collar is padded and the toe cap is substantial, which matters when your foot meets a rock. The footbed is meant to be swapped, so people who use custom orthotics should check the fit with them in; the extra forefoot room helps. Breathability is the compromise: a waterproof lining blocks air as well as water, so the shoe runs warm in summer.
KEEN Targhee IV waterproof hiking shoe alternate angle. Image: Amazon
A firm, steady platform that protects more than it cushions
Luftcell is KEEN’s air-injected midsole compound, and KEEN says it resists compression better than the EVA foam common in footwear. In practice, the Targhee IV feels protective rather than plush. It puts a solid, stable layer between you and the ground, and the tradeoff is that it will not feel as soft as a modern trail runner. On rocky ground that firmness reads as stability; on a long, hard day it reads as work.
The Targhee IV is a neutral shoe. Its steadiness comes from a firm platform, a wide base and a sturdy heel rather than from corrective features, so people who rely on supportive inserts should add their own. The mid boot adds ankle coverage, which helps keep debris and water out on rough ground, though ankle height alone does not prevent injuries. Persistent foot or ankle pain deserves a professional assessment, not just a different shoe.
The outsole is KEEN’s own all-terrain rubber with multi-directional lugs. It grips dependably on dirt, gravel and dry rock and is adequate on wet rock, though it is not a Vibram Megagrip outsole. The shoe is built for seasons rather than miles, and a guideline of 300 to 500 miles is only a broad figure, since leather, a fused sole and trail conditions all change it.
KEEN Targhee IV hiking shoe detail view. Image: Amazon
Is the KEEN Targhee IV good for walking?
On trails and rough ground, yes. The wide toe box, the stable platform and the waterproof upper add up to a shoe that handles a long, wet day on uneven ground well, and walkers whose feet swell will appreciate the room. It is a sturdy, no-nonsense walking shoe for the outdoors.
On pavement it is less appealing. It is heavy, the ride is firm against concrete and the waterproof lining makes it warm for city use. If most of your steps are on sidewalks, a cushioned walking shoe will be kinder to your feet; see our guide to the best walking shoes.
For a broader choice of trail footwear, see our hiking-shoe buying guide and KEEN shoe lineup.
KEEN Targhee IV Alternatives
If you like the Targhee IV but want a different trade-off, these are worth a look.
The Merrell Moab 3 offers a similarly roomy feel and a leather-and-mesh build for hikers who want a familiar, comfortable hiking shoe, and its Vibram outsole is a plus on wet rock. It lacks the fused-sole construction that defines the Targhee (check price).
For a waterproof option with far more cushioning and a rockered feel, the Hoka Kaha 3 GTX is built as a hiking boot with a soft, rolling ride for hikers who carry a pack (check price).
Where most of your walking is on paths and pavement rather than trail, the Hoka Transport 2 puts far more foam underfoot for hard surfaces and weighs less (check price).
Price and value
The Targhee IV sits in the premium range for hiking shoes, and the argument for the money is lifespan rather than comfort tech. A fused sole, a leather upper and a toe cap are aimed at lasting several seasons, which can make it better value than a cheaper shoe you replace every year. It is a poorer deal if you want light weight or soft cushioning, because other shoes deliver more of both. It is best value for wide-footed hikers who want one durable, waterproof pair.
Final verdict
Best for: wet-weather day hikes and rough ground, especially for wide feet and anyone who wants footwear that lasts.
Avoid if: you want a light shoe, soft cushioning or a breathable shoe for hot, dry hikes.
Fit: close to true to size with a wide, rounded toe box; wide widths are available, so go wide rather than longer.
Verdict: The Targhee IV pairs KEEN’s roomy fit with a construction aimed at lasting longer, which makes it a sensible long-term buy for the right hiker. Go in knowing it is heavy and firm by design. Check the latest price.
Frequently Asked Questions for KEEN Targhee IV
In length it is close to true to size, with a wide, rounded toe box that is KEEN’s signature. If the standard width is not roomy enough, go to the wide fitting rather than sizing up.
It is KEEN’s way of bonding the upper to the sole with heat and pressure instead of glue. KEEN says it is designed to prevent the sole separating from the upper, which is a common way hiking shoes wear out.
It has a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable lining, so rain, puddles and wet grass stay out. Water that gets in over the collar will be slow to dry, as with any membrane shoe.
It is on the heavy side for a hiking shoe, at roughly 19 ounces per shoe in the low version according to a first-look listing. The leather upper, waterproof lining and sturdy build all add weight.
Very little. The nubuck is soft from the first wear and the collar is padded, so most people can take it on a hike without a long break-in period.
The low shoe is lighter and cooler and suits maintained trails. The mid boot adds coverage that keeps debris and water out on rough or overgrown ground. Choose on conditions and comfort, since ankle height alone does not prevent injury.
