First Look: Keen Targhee IV Waterproof Hiking Boot

The Targhee has been one of the most enduring models in the Keen range, having first appeared a full two decades ago, and this fourth incarnation of the Targhee retains the tried-and-tested formula of a rugged design combined with the Original Fit that has won Keen so many friends over the years.

The blurb for the Targhee IV however, highlights two areas that this latest incarnation excels in, and that’s durability and sustainability. These two facets often go hand-in-hand of course, and a longer-lasting product is good for the planet as well as your wallet. A perfect example of this is the way that the midsole of the Targhee IV is attached to the outsole, by a process the company calls KEEN.FUSION and we’ll look at this in a bit more detail further into this review.

KEEN.RUGGED outsole with multi-directional lugs is good on mud and grass, as well as trails

Features
But what about the features of the Targhee IV, and who is the boot aimed at? Well, available in a choice of colours, and in both men’s and women’s versions (plus both shoe and mid-boot variants), the Targhee IV is a robust walking boot that would be ideal for UK hillwalking as well as overseas treks on trails (as opposed to technical ground). With a premium nubuck leather upper and a KEEN.RUGGED outsole with multi-directional lug pattern, combined with a KEEN.DRY waterproof lining, the Targhee IV is equipped to deal with a variety of surfaces and conditions, and should take all within its stride. The nubuck upper is reinforced with a suede rand and the boot comes with the trademark Keen toe bumper; so all-in-all it is perfectly capable of dealing with plenty of knocks and scrapes on the trail.

The Original Fit gives the wearer plenty of room across the forefoot, and this has been a popular feature of these boots over the years – this, combined with a highly-padded ankle cuff and tongue ensures that comfort levels are high. A heel-capture system consisting of threaded webbing tape that tightens around the heel area as you tighten the top laces means that heels are kept firmly in place.

The iconic Keen toe bumper protects your forefoot against knocks and scrapes

KEEN.FUSION
The process by which the midsole of the Targhee IV is created and incorporated into the finished boot is called KEEN.FUSION, and there are two major benefits of this over the standard method. Firstly it does away with the use of glues that contain toxic solvents that are normally used to attach the midsole to the upper and outsole; and secondly, it makes the boot less likely to delaminate (sole comes away from the rest of the boot) which is one of the main causes of boot failure. Instead of glue, KEEN.FUSION uses machines that use heat and pressure to create a mechanical bond which is far stronger than any glue. The midsole itself is created by means of a direct-injection process that injects PU between the upper and the outsole, fusing the whole shoe together.

The eco-credentials of the Targhee IV don’t stop with the midsole though. Its laces are made from 100% recycled plastics, and its water-repellency is PFAS free. The nubuck leather is sourced from a LWG (Leather Working Group) tannery, which means that certain standards are adhered to.

The Targhee IV will eat up trails like this all day long

In use
So we’ve heard all about the innovations that have gone into the Targhee IV, but what are they like in use? Well, we’ve been using the boots for hillwalking duties in the Highlands since the turn of the year, and we’ve been impressed so far, both with the comfort levels and their performance. Like many other walkers, we’ve always liked the roomy toebox on Keen boots, and this combined with the well-cushioned midsole, tongue and ankle cuffs mean that long days on the hill aren’t a problem for these boots, even when used straight out of the box. While the boot is soft enough to give a nice, rolling stride action, it also has good torsional stiffness thanks to its stability shank. The sole unit, with its Keen rubber and multi-directional lugs gives good traction on grass or mud, and also offers good braking on downhill sections.

With its tough nubuck upper, and waterproof liner, the Targhee IV is ideal for using all-year round in the UK – aside from full-on winter conditions – and would also be great for many multi-day overseas treks too, where comfort is so vital during long days on the trail.

More info: www.keenfootwear.co.uk