REASONS TO BUY
Waterproof
Durable
Good ankle protection
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Break-in period
Average traction
Keen Targhee IV Mid Review
A stable and supportive hiking boot that will appeal to those with wider feet
Credit: Keen
RELATED: Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2024
Our Verdict
The Keen Targhee IV Mid is the latest version of a long line of dependable hiking boots in the Targhee lineage. Its roomy, wide design is appealing for those who are tired of tight fitting and uncomfortable boots, and it provides good all-around performance for those looking for a general purpose boot that will give you good ankle support. It is on the heavier side, and we did find that there were some comfort issues at first that had to be dealt with before these boots felt broken in, but most day hikers and even backpackers will appreciate something that the Targhee has to offer. And if a wide fit is not up your alley, then be sure to take a look at our in-depth hiking boots review that will be sure to point you in the direction of the right pair for you.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Keen Targhee IV Mid | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Off-Trail Hiking | Best for Lightweight Hiking |  Best Bang for the Buck | ||
| Price | $164.99 at Public Lands Compare at 3 sellers | $149.25 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $164.99 at Public Lands Compare at 4 sellers | $146.70 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $99.95 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This is a roomy boot with a good deal of support for those who want ankle stability | This is a high-performance boot that eats up demanding off-trail terrain thanks to its above-average stability and traction | This is one of the lightest hiking boots we have reviewed, and it impresses us not only for its weight but also for its overall performance | This inexpensive boot is super comfortable and is a great all-around option | This heavy leather hiking boot is a budget friendly and offers great atability |
| Rating Categories | Keen Targhee IV Mid | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Salomon X Ultra Mid... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... | Timberland Mt. Madd... |
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Support (25%) | |||||
| Traction (15%) | |||||
| Water Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Keen Targhee IV Mid | La Sportiva Ultra R... | Salomon X Ultra Mid... | Merrell Moab 3 Mid... | Timberland Mt. Madd... |
| Measured Weight (per pair, size 11) | 2.98 lbs | 2.08 lbs | 1.85 lbs | 2.44 lbs | 2.31 lbs |
| Upper | Nubuck leather | AirMesh, microfiber, TPU | PU coated leather | Pigskin leather, mesh | Full-grain leather |
| Width Options | Regular, wide | Regular, wide | Regular | Regular, wide | Regular, wide |
| Waterproof Lining | KEEN.Dry waterproof breathable membrane | Gore-Tex extended comfort | Gore-Tex | Waterproof membrane | TimberDry |
| Midsole | LuftCell | Injection-molded MEMlex | SensiFit | Super Rebound Compound | EVA |
| Boot Type | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Lightweight hiker/day hiker | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot | Midweight hiker/backpacking boot |
| Last Board/Shank | Stability shank | Nylon molded flex TPU | Molded shank | Molded nylon | TPU shank |
| Sole | KEEN.RUGGED | FriXion XF 2.0 | Contagrip | Vibram TC5+ | Rubber |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Keen Targhee IV Mid is a dependable hiking boot that should appeal to a wide audience, especially those who appreciate not cramming their feet into a narrow boot. Out on the trail it can be nice to have your toes free to move around and to swell, and this boot design can make days on the trail more tolerable. They are supportive and resist ankle rolling, but only have average traction and are fairly heavy even if they are made from durable materials.
Performance Comparison
Getting ready to hit the trail in our Targhee IV Mids!
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Comfort
We found the Keen Targhee IV boots to ultimately be pretty comfortable, but they did require a bit of a break-in period to get there. The upper material above the forefoot and the tongue pressed into the foot for a few miles, causing unwanted discomfort before adapting to the foot. After about 15 miles of walking in these boots, this discomfort mostly went away. We also found the insole to be strangely lop-sided, giving us discomfort on the outstep, yet providing no support under the arch. We replaced the insole with one from a different boot and had a much better result, which is an easy fix to a small problem.
These fit true to size in length, and the heel and midfoot are medium width, though the toe box is wider and is difficult to lace any tighter, so those with wide feet will rejoice while those with narrow feet will find it a challenge to feel secure in the boot.
Our first hike in the Targhees was on the Pacific Crest trail, and after we broke them in a bit it was really comfortable to have some room for our feet to swell on this hot day.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Support
The LuftCell midsole that is used in the Targhee IV boots is supportive and responsive. We felt like most jarring impact were absorbed by this well-designed midsole construction. It is stiff, but the stability shank is not stiff enough to keep the foot from flexing along with the boot. We found them to be stable thanks to the height of the mid-top ankle cuff that was easy to snug up while in demanding terrain but loosen while hiking on more simple trails. The security of the boot while sidehilling felt impacted by the width of the boot for our lead tester, who has a narrower foot, but for those who can fill this volume up this may not be as pronounced.
Having a mid-top boot like this one is nice when having to cross over uneven and slipper rocks.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Traction
The Targhee uses a proprietary rubber compound called KEEN.RUGGED to comprise the outsole, which provides average traction but is purported to be extra durable abrasion tests. The lugs are four millimeters deep, and have a sharp edge that bites fairly well into loose terrain, though the orientation of the lug pattern is best for going straight up or down the trail, and side-to-side traction did not feel as secure.
The Targhee IV had decent overall traction, and gave us the best results on mellower, hard-packed trails.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Water Resistance
To make these boots water resistant, Keen uses its in-house membrane known as KEEN.DRY. The first line of defense is the nubuck leather upper which provides a natural barrier to moisture provided it is kept clean and treated with leather conditioner from time to time. We waded through a shallow spot in the river when we found the bridge was out, and our feet stayed dry! During our more standardized water bucket test, however, the boots did show some signs of leaking around the toe box.
When we got to this spot, we were sure we'd have to take our boots off to cross. Thankfully the 4.5 inch flood height was just enough to get us across dry.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Weight
Weighing in at 2.98 pounds per pair in a size 11, these boots are definitely on the heavier side, though a boot made from leather and built on a solid midsole is going to be heavier than one made entirely from mesh and synthetic materials. The weight is noticeable on longer hikes, but if you are prioritizing durability then a boot weighing almost three pounds might be worth it.
Not the lightest shoe in our review, though far from the heaviest, and it is made from burly materials.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Durability
Made of quality Nubuck leather, the Targhee IV is well-suited to resist wear and tear. One brand new feature of this model is the guarantee that the sole and upper will never delaminate, as Keen has begun to use a fusing process rather than using glue to connect these integral parts. Time will tell as to how well they hold up, but being backed by a guarantee always makes us feel better about making a big investment!
Not only is the glue-free construction backed by a Keen guarantee, the large molded toe bumper is going to help keep these boots lasting a little longer.
Credit: Ryan Huetter
Should You Buy the Keen Targhee IV Mid?
We feel like the Targhee IV Mid boots are a good value. They are quality boots and after breaking them in they provided good overall performance in moderate hiking terrain. If they fit your foot you will enjoy them, however those with narrow feet might look elsewhere.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
If you want a mid-top boot that weighs more than a pound lighter, the snugger-fitting Salomon X Ultra Mid is one of our Top Picks, and for those who still want some extra room in the toe box and the ultimate in underfoot cushion, the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX is hard to beat.
—Ryan Huetter
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