Keen Targhee II Mid Review

What the reviewers like:

• Waterproof yet breathable
• Great comfort with a roomy rounded toe box
• Good traction
• Enough support for backpacking loads up to about 35 pounds

What the reviewers don't like:

• Mixed reviews for durability
• Sizing seems off for some users
• Take a long time to dry if they get wet inside

Keen Targhee II Mid review highlights

Based on weeks of comparison tests under rugged conditions, Backpacker magazine recommends the Keen Targhee II Mid hiking shoe as a best buy for mid-duty hiking and backpacking. Gearreview.com publishes a single-product review of the low-cut version of this shoe, and we found hundreds of owner-written reviews at Zappos.com, REI.com and Backcountry.com -- with consistent ratings and comments from owners.

Reviewers give the mid-cut Keen Targhee II Mid hiking shoe high marks for "out of the box comfort," so they are the best first-choice show if you want the light weight and flexibility of a shoe, but need a little extra ankle support. Reviews say they are appropriate for backpacking with loads up to about 35 pounds. The eVent lining is waterproof, but it breathes more than Gore-Tex. The main drawback is that quite a few owners say the shoe lacks durability; it's not clear whether or not this is typical or a quality-control problem. In addition, some owners say that sizing is tricky and that you may need to try on several pairs before finding the right fit.

Also see full report: Hiking Boots

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Backpacker Magazine
>> Details/Subscribe
2007 and 2008 Gear Guides
Editors and field testers
Mar. 2007 and 2008

This backpacking magazine tests more hiking boots than any other publication we've found, putting dozens of models through rigorous field testing (for a total of 5,000 miles in all). For two years running, the Keen Targhee II Mid hiking shoe has been recommended as an excellent value.

2. GearReview.com
Keen Targhee
James Sharp
Not Dated

An experienced gear reviewer provides a detailed single-product report on the Keen Targhee II in its lower-cut version, comparing it with an earlier version as well as with other hiking shoes. The review recommends the lower-cut version for hiking and the midcut version for backpacking.

3. Zappos.com
Keen Targhee II
Contributors to Zappos.com
Not Dated

We found more owner-written reviews of the Keen Targhee II hiking shoe here than at any other site. About a hundred men and two hundred women review their respective versions of the Keen shoe, giving it above-average ratings.

4. REI.com
Keen Targhee II eVent Low Cross-Training Shoes - Men's
Editors and contributors to REI.com
Not Dated

More than 40 men review the men's version of the Keen Targhee II eVent shoes at this top retail site, and the women's version (found elsewhere on the site) gets reviews from over two dozen women. Both men and women give this hiking shoe top marks.

5. Backcountry.com
Keen Targhee II Hiking Shoe -- Women's
Contributors to Backcountry.com
Not Dated

More than a dozen women and about a dozen men rate and review the Keen Targhee II hiking shoe here. Most are satisfied.

Also see full report: Hiking Boots