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Keen Men's Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Boots Review
It's hard to find fault with the Keen Men's Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Boots
A great all rounder for a very competitive price, this is a great shoe for everyday wear as well as out on adventures.
Pros:
Sustainable, comfortable, durable, practical
Cons:
I'll come back to you if I find any
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The original Targhee style was released in 2005, and now in its fourth transformation this hiking boot has become a key figure in the Keen collection. This is a great all-rounder with a sustainable angle, scoring highly across the board.
Comfort and Fit
With wide feet and niggling plantar fasciitis, comfort and fit are key when choosing any footwear. This is where Keen come up trumps every time, and their Targhee IV doesn’t let the side down. Extra space in the forefoot means my feet can breathe, which in turn helps with overall balance, as well as meaning I don’t finish a hike desperate to plunge my paws into hot water. The air-injected removable insole offers great shock absorption, while padded tongue and collar offer the kind of support you get from a hug.
Waterproofing and Weather Resistance
The Targhee uses Keen’s proprietary breathable waterproof membrane, while true to their sustainability focus, the water repellent is free from harmful chemicals.
Durability and Build Quality
The Targhee IV’s leather upper is sourced from tanneries with the LWG certification for responsible leather. But that’s not the key focus is Keen’s ethical approach. Yes, they source their materials responsibly, but their approach aims to make shoes that are built to last.
A new process to fuse the sole and upper into one piece without the use of solvents delivers a boot that will last for years. We’ve not had the chance to prove that as yet but their lifetime guarantee shows they’re prepared to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.
Weight and Flexibility
When it comes to weight an flexibility, again, it’s hard to find fault here. You’ll find a lighter boot elsewhere if that’s the most important factor for you, but at just over half a kilo per shoe, these are far from cumbersome.
Grip and Traction
The sole features a multi-directional lug design that offers great grip on most surfaces. We tested in wet woodland and rocky coast and found they performed as well on both. They even did a good job on that skiddiest of surfaces – a railway station concourse in a downpour!
Value for money
Within the price band, it’s hard to find a better performer. Sure, you can pay a lot more and get a more technical boot, but we’ve not seen much that competes in this range.
Sustainability
As well as not breaking the bank, the Targhee IV won’t cost the earth. Sustainability is forefront in Keen’s approach and they continue to innovate. Others could learn a thing or two!
Suitable for
This is a great all-rounder that has gone on to become a favourite shoe for everyday wear as well and adventuring.
Group editor of BBC Countryfile Magazine and BBC Wildlife Magazine
Paul is the group editor of BBC Countryfile Magazine and BBC Wildlife. A highly experienced magazine journalist with over 25 years in publishing, Paul has also been editor at BBC History Revealed and BBC Knowledge. His passion for the natural world has taken him from the Arctic to the Amazon, but he is most at home exploring Britain's beaches with his family, gazing into rock pools with the same hopeful excitement as when he was still a boy.
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