Women's Keen Targhee IV Hiking Boot Review

Keen’s Targhee series remains one of the brand’s defining designs, and the latest Targhee IV hiking boot maintains the appeal of the leather clunkers of yore with some modern and eco-friendly takes. After testing this boot on several hikes in the Wind River Range in Wyoming and in the soggy forests of upstate New York, I’ve come away impressed with its comfort, waterproofing, and build quality. In fact, this boot’s hard-to-kill construction is one of its defining features. To be sure, I ran into a few issues in testing—most notably with the traction and fit—but for the price point, the Keen Targhee IV is still a great option for hikers and backpackers sticking to established trails. Below, I detail my experiences with this boot, but for a more comprehensive view of the market, see our articles on the best women's hiking boots and best waterproof hiking boots, as well as our unisex round-up of the best hiking boots of the year.  
 

Table of Contents

• Comfort
• Weight
• Traction
• Stability and Support
• Waterproofing
• Breathability
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Comfort

As someone cursed with finicky feet (more specifically, I have a wide forefoot and issues with bone spurs on my pinky toes), I was delighted to find the Keen Targhee IV hiking boot quite comfortable out of the box. I was especially impressed with the wide toe box, which provided my toes plenty of room to spread without any rubbing. The collar is nicely cushioned, and I didn’t experience any discomfort when cinching the laces down tight. And while the midsole isn’t especially springy or cushioned, I didn’t have any discomfort when hiking on the compact and rocky ground in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. A cushier insole can do a lot to add some underfoot comfort if that’s a concern, but you shouldn’t expect the same midsole bounce that can be found on plushier models, like those from Hoka. Still, I came away from each hike I did with zero blisters or hot spots, which is rarely the case for me.
 

Weight

On my scale, my pair of women’s 8.5 Targhee IVs weighs 2 pounds 4.4 ounces, which is just about three ounces heavier than Keen’s claimed weight (1 lb. 1.2 oz.). When compared to the competition, the Targhee IV lands on the heavier end of the spectrum. Other leather clunkers like Lowa’s Renegade Evo GTX (2 lb. 2.2 oz.) and Vasque’s Breeze (2 lb. 2.0 oz.) aren’t much lighter, but weight-conscious hikers can go lighter by opting for a synthetic boot like Salmon’s X Ultra 5 Mid GTX (1 lb. 11.5 oz.) or more streamlined leather models like La Sportiva’s TX Hike Mid (1 lb. 10.8 oz.). However, the main trade-off in going with a lighter or synthetic model is generally durability. For reference, we tested Keen’s fully synthetic Zionic Waterproof Mid boots (1 lb. 8.6 oz.) alongside the Targhee IV and found the lightweight midsole much more prone to damage. 
 

Traction

The Targhee IV’s Keen.Rugged outsole has proven just as abrasion-resistant as Keen claims, but at the sacrifice of grip. While the soles provide plenty of traction on well-groomed trails, they often slip when stepping on smooth rocks and tree roots. I had an especially hard time stepping on submerged rocks during creek crossings, and I slipped off a large boulder after exiting a creek (which resulted in a pretty banged up shin). Those who are sticking to established and dry trails should have little problem, but I’d hesitate to recommend these for bushwhacking, muddy trails, or creek crossings, which is a bummer considering their waterproofing. If grip is a must, I'd check out a boot with a Vibram outsole or something from Salomon's hiking boot line, which come equipped with their in-house Contragrip.
 

Stability and Support

The Targhee’s mid height, stiff leather collar, and stability shank offer plenty of support for established trails and the occasional off-trail wandering. I didn’t experience any issues with ankle-rolling when testing these boots in Wyoming. That said, they don't have the same heel-locking fit as more premium designs, like Salomon’s X Ultra 5 or Quest 4. My pair also fit a bit large, and even after tightening down the laces as much as I could, my feet shifted a bit inside the boot on sections of steep downhill. It doesn't help that they are limited to a single eyelet on the collar, which doesn't do much to lock down the top of the boot. That said, while they aren't the best choice for technical terrain, I’d still trust the Targhee to support a moderately heavy backpacking backpack on most groomed trails. 
 

Protection

Protection is definitely a highlight of the Targhee IV, and the generous toe bumper is the main attraction: It provides a thick rubber barrier between your digits and any rocks or roots aiming to stub them. The rugged outsole and stability shank also offer plenty of underfoot protection against sharp rocks on the trail. What’s more, the leather upper protects from low-hanging thorny bushes or sharp rocks, though I do think it could be a bit taller for additional protection. Small nitpicks aside, the Targhee IV has a work boot-like level of protection, and I’d trust it to keep my feet safe from most any trail obstacle. 
 

Waterproofing

The Targhee IV also proved to be an outstandingly waterproof boot. While Keen’s in-house Keen.Dry waterproofing isn’t technically as premium as Gore-Tex waterproofing, I had no issues hiking through most creeks in the Wind River Range. The lower collar and half-gusseted tongue prevent these boots from being reliable in truly deep water crossings, but I’d trust them to tackle most ankle-high bodies of water. I was also impressed with their ability to withstand the constant deluge from rainy hikes in upstate New York. They eventually wet out—which is true of any boot in those conditions—but they held their own for an impressive amount of time. The boots dried quickly, too, and the PFAS-free durable water repellent (DWR) coating on the upper leather wicked water effectively. 
 

Breathability

Like most waterproof boots, the Keen Targhee IV suffered in terms of breathability. The thick leather build and generous rubber toe cap also played their part in trapping heat inside the boot. That said, I didn’t have too much of an issue hiking on exposed trails in the late summer. Backpackers headed out on high-output trails should definitely be wary of the lack of breathability, but most casual day hikers and backpackers should have little issue. Unfortunately, at the time of publishing, Keen doesn't have a non-waterproof version of the Targhee IV boot, but they do have a non-waterproof Targhee IV shoe. 

Build Quality and Durability

One of the Targhee IV’s most compelling characteristics is its Keen.Fusion construction, which ditches glue-bonded midsoles for an injected midsole, making it less prone to delamination over long-term use. In fact, Keen is so confident in their process that they offer a lifetime delamination-free guarantee for all of their Keen.Fusion footwear. The rest of the boot follows suit with a thick Nubuck leather upper, hard-wearing rubber toe bumper, and the aforementioned abrasion-resistant outsole. Not only have these boots held up well to the rocky trails in Wyoming, but to miles of forest hiking in upstate New York, and a good amount of outside labor as well (namely apple harvesting, lawn mowing, and wood splitting). While I can’t say I’ve gotten truly long-term use out of them yet, I’m not too worried about how they’ll hold up to continual wear over time.
 

Fit and Sizing

I tested the Targhee IV in a women's size 8.5—my normal size—and found them to fit a bit large. I enjoyed the spacious toe box, but there was a sizable gap between my toes and the front of the boot that led to some sloppy footwork on the trail. I think if I downsized by half a size, the boot would fit perfectly. This definitely wasn’t a deal-breaker for me—I could see the larger fit proving helpful on long hikes when my feet swell—but worth noting for those who prefer more of a performance fit.

Sustainability

Sustainability seems to have been at the forefront of Keen’s mind when updating the Targhee line. Not only does the boot’s excellent durability play in here (durable boots don’t end up in landfills as quickly), but Keen incorporated several eco-friendly features and materials into the Targhee IV. To start, the Targhee’s Nubuck leather upper comes from an LWG-certified (Leather Working Group) tannery, and the toe bumper and other plastic components are made with post-consumer plastics. And, as mentioned above, the DWR coating is PFAS-free, meaning it doesn’t contain environmentally-harmful chemicals. While I do think that Keen could be a bit more detailed in their sustainability initiatives—namely in how much of the plastic is recycled—these efforts are certainly commendable. 
 

Other Versions of the Targhee IV

I tested the women’s version of the Keen Targhee IV, but Keen offers a men’s specific boot as well. Aside from fit and color options, the two boots are the same. Both the men’s and women’s versions are available in a wide fit as well, for the same price as the regular. For a bit less cash, you can get the Targhee IV in a waterproof hiking shoe and a vented hiking shoe, which forgoes waterproofing for a boost in breathability. Keen also offers the Targhee IV as an Oxford and slip-on for men. Also available for men are Targhee IV work boots that come with either a soft toe or carbon toe for extra protection. And for young hikers, there are Targhee IV Little Kid and Big Kid hiking boots and shoes. It’s also worth noting that you can still purchase past versions of the Targhee line on Keen’s site, including the Targhee III and II. 
 

What We Like

• Wide toe box and padded tongue and collar offer out-of-the-box comfort, especially for those with wider feet.
• Mid-height collar, stability shank, and leather outsole provide enough support for day hikes and backpacking with a moderately heavy pack.
• Highly protective against sharp rocks thanks to a beefy toe bumper and thick leather exterior.
• Keen.Dry waterproofing performs on par with more premium waterproofing and kept our feet dry on moderately deep creek crossings.
• Glue-less construction prevents delamination; all materials are high quality and have so far held up well to heavy use.
• Several eco-friendly touches, including a PFAS-free DWR, LWG-certified leather, and use of post-consumer plastics.

What We Don't

• Not the most cushioned underfoot, but a cushier insole can easily fix the problem.
• Outsole prioritizes durability over grip; the lugs struggle to hold onto slick rocks, roots, or wet trails. 
• A taller collar, additional eyelet, and more secure heel fit would add a lot of stability.
• Between the waterproofing and leather construction, this isn’t the most breathable boot.
• Normal size fits large; consider downsizing for more of a performance fit. 
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Targhee IV isn’t the only leather hiking boot you can find on the market; there are plenty to choose from by brands like Salomon, Lowa, La Sportiva, and Vasque. Starting with the premium (and pricey) options, Salomon’s Quest 4 hiking boot offers a big step up in performance and comfort thanks to its heel-locking lacing system, tall collar, EVA midsole, and grippy Contragrip outsole. But if you’re looking for something a bit more traditional (the Quest 4 has a decidedly sporty vibe for a leather hiking boot), Lowa’s Renegade Evo GTX Mid is worth checking out. Like the Quest, the Renegade offers a serious boost in support, fit, and underfoot comfort, but it does it in a classic leather design. You also get Gore-Tex waterproofing on both models, which pushes them into a more premium tier. Aside from the price, the downsides of going with the Lowa and Salomon are weight (especially the Salomon, which is one of the few boots on our women’s hiking boot list that’s heavier than the Targhee IV) and appeal for casual users. Simply put: If you’re sticking to groomed trails, the Salomon and Lowa are overkill.
 

For those looking to lose a bit of weight and gain a bit more nimbleness, La Sportiva’s TX Hike Mid Leather GTX is a great choice. This leather hiking boot is far more agile and trustworthy on technical terrain, especially considering it comes equipped with a grippy Vibram outsole and a tighter performance fit. That said, the lower collar doesn’t give it the support we look for when backpacking with a heavy load, and it doesn’t boast the same protective features that we like in the Targhee IV. Vasque’s Breeze boot comes closest to the Targhee IV in terms of price and intention. Like the Targhee, the Breeze is best suited for established trails, but it has a durable construction, in-house waterproofing that holds up fine in most creek crossings, and a supportive yet flexible collar. The Breeze has better breathability over the Targhee, however, with a generous amount of mesh in the upper. At the end of the day, your choice between the two might come down to aesthetics, and there’s no denying the Targhee’s traditionalist appeal.
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