Keen Targhee III Review
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What makes the Keen Targhee III different
The Keen Targhee III is Keen’s most popular hiking boot — and one of the bestselling hiking boots in the world. That popularity is built on three things that most competitors get wrong: a genuinely wide toe box, zero break-in comfort from day one, and reliable waterproofing through Keen’s proprietary KEEN.DRY membrane.
The nubuck leather upper is soft and supple from the first wear, conforming to the foot rather than requiring the rigid material to be worn in. Keen’s metatomical footbed — designed from foot anatomy data rather than a generic last — creates arch support that most hikers describe as immediately comfortable. The result is that thousands of reviewers report wearing the Targhee III out of the box on 10+ mile hikes without any blisters or hot spots.
The KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane is breathable by design — more breathable than Gore-Tex in controlled tests — but any waterproof membrane reduces airflow compared to a standard mesh upper. The Targhee III is available in both waterproof and non-waterproof versions; if your primary hiking conditions are dry and hot, the non-waterproof version is worth considering for the significant breathability improvement.
Comfort — the highest score on Gearvise
The Targhee III scores 9.2/10 for comfort — the highest comfort score of any hiking boot reviewed on Gearvise. This is not a close call. Across 3,200+ owner reports, the consistent finding is that this boot fits better, out of the box, than any comparable hiking boot at this price point.
The wide toe box is the primary driver. Keen builds their boots on a last that accommodates the natural shape of the foot — wider at the toes, narrower at the heel. Most hiking boots do the opposite, tapering to a pointed toe that compresses the forefoot over long distances and causes blisters and toenail bruising on descents. The Targhee III avoids this entirely. The foot can splay naturally on uneven terrain, improving balance and reducing fatigue on long days.
The metatomical footbed provides arch support that most hikers find immediately comfortable without needing aftermarket insoles. At 4mm heel-to-toe drop — lower than most hiking boots — the Targhee III sits closer to the ground, which many hikers find more natural for extended wear.
Waterproofing and breathability
The KEEN.DRY membrane keeps water out effectively in standard hiking conditions — stream crossings up to ankle height, wet grass, rain, and muddy terrain. It is not designed for submersion, and extended water crossings above ankle level will result in water entry at the collar. For those conditions, waterproof gaiters are still necessary.
Breathability scores 5.8/10 — the lowest on Gearvise. This is the direct and unavoidable trade-off for waterproofing in a nubuck leather boot. In temperatures above 20°C, the Targhee III will feel noticeably warm. In cool and temperate conditions, the warmth is an advantage rather than a liability — the boot can extend the season on shoulder-weather hikes where a mesh trail runner would leave feet wet and cold.
If breathability is a priority, Keen makes the Targhee III in a non-waterproof mesh version that scores significantly better on airflow while retaining the comfort advantages of the wider last and anatomical footbed.
Grip and traction
The Targhee III scores 7.6/10 for grip. The KEEN ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole provides reliable traction on the terrain this boot is designed for: compacted dirt trails, gravel, moderate mud, and rocky surfaces encountered on day hikes. It handles stream crossings and wet rock with confidence, particularly in the waterproof version where foot confidence comes from knowing your feet will stay dry.
Where the Targhee III underperforms relative to specialist options is on extremely technical, rocky terrain and deep mud. Reviewers report the outsole feeling slightly slick on wet polished rock compared to the TrailTack compound used in the Cascadia 16. For highly technical terrain, a trail running shoe with an aggressive outsole is a better choice. For everything else on the typical day-hiking spectrum, the Targhee III’s grip is more than adequate.
Durability
The Targhee III scores 7.8/10 for durability. The nubuck leather upper is inherently more durable than mesh alternatives and resists abrasion well on rocky terrain. The KEEN.DRY membrane remains effective for 500–700 miles under normal hiking conditions. The rubber outsole wears at a moderate pace. Long-term owner reports consistently find the upper outlasting the outsole grip, which fades first at the heel and forefoot lug edges after heavy mileage.
One durability note: the toe cap — a Keen signature feature — is injection-moulded rubber rather than leather overlay. This protects the toe well but the adhesion between the rubber toe cap and the upper is a known weak point in heavily-worn pairs. Inspect the toe cap bonding regularly after 300+ miles and apply boot adhesive proactively if you see separation beginning.
Value
The Targhee III scores 8.4/10 for value — the second-highest value score on Gearvise. At its typical retail price of $130–$145, it offers the highest comfort score available at that price point in a waterproof hiking boot. For wide-footed hikers who have previously bought multiple boots trying to find one that fits comfortably, the Targhee III often ends the search — a form of value that is difficult to quantify but consistently mentioned in long-term owner reviews.
Keen also frequently runs sales and the Targhee III often appears at $100–$115 during seasonal promotions. At that price, it represents exceptional value for a waterproof leather hiking boot with this comfort profile.