reuben
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Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
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Post by reuben on Feb 19, 2020 15:00:41 GMT -8
Bought a pair not too long ago. This is a short and totally unofficial review.
"Vent" means no GoreTex. They make a GoreTex/waterproof versions if you're so inclined. I bought the Vent version.
The version I bought is also the ankle high version (doesn't cover the ankle). Their "Mid" version is over-the-ankle.
Depending on what you buy, they're currently selling "Targhee III Waterproof", "Targhee II Waterproof", "Targhee Vent" (what I bought), "Targhee EXP Waterproof", as well as others. As with many things these days, there are almost too many versions to decide upon. They even have "Casual", "Oxford", and "Slip-On" versions for walking around town.
Anywho. I've worn them on a few local hikes of 3+ hours with a 20lb pack. They don't have as much cushion as trail runners, so unless your feet are toughened up they may be a bit sore later in the day. I was used to trail runners with more cushion and so my feet have been a bit sore a few times, but nothing major.
Pros
- The "bumper" or whatever you call it, on the front, is solid. It's a big and substantial toe kick if you think you'll be knocking against tree roots, rocks, or anything else. I'm a fan.
- The sole is also durable, not Vibram or similar, so it should last a long time. The converse is that if you're looking for cushioning or are used to trail runners, this may (emphasis on "may") not be the shoe for you.
- If you'll be hiking across a lot of hard rocks, scree, etc., and are looking for something that will last, this could be the ticket, although I can't render any sort of long term judgement yet.
Cons
- See "pro" number 2. It all depends on what you're looking for.
But my main reason for posting this is that they seem to be a bit wide in the forefoot. So if you have wide feet, or a normal heel width and wider forefoot, these shoes/boots may be worth considering. I have no idea if Keens are generally like this or not.
HYOH.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Feb 20, 2020 7:18:06 GMT -8
May need to go with the “Vent”. Trail runners are great but don’t last (predictably) even after applying sealant to seams.
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Post by johntpenca on Feb 20, 2020 7:57:47 GMT -8
If you'll be hiking across a lot of hard rocks, scree, etc., and are looking for something that will last, this could be the ticket, although I can't render any sort of long term judgement yet. Ok, so the sole will last longer, but that kind of terrain seems where the added cushion of a trail runner would have more benefit over durability. Am I missing something? |
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Feb 20, 2020 8:00:18 GMT -8
You're not missing anything. Cushion or durability. Pick one. I'm not aware of any shoes that have a relatively hard/durable outsole and still provide the cushion of an average trail runner.
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Post by johntpenca on Feb 20, 2020 8:04:59 GMT -8
So how is the traction (does the harder sole limit stickiness)? Is the tread aggressive like a lug sole or more smooth?
I have a wide forefoot as well, so am intrested.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Feb 20, 2020 8:10:30 GMT -8
I have two pairs of Keen Targhees that I've been wearing lately.
I have the (trying to be exact here) "Targhee Vent Mid Hiking Boot" that I've had for about a year. Bought them two weeks before hiking in the Grand Canyon last year. Yup, pretty much wore them out of the box for a crazy week of rocks, rock slides and more rocks. (I did wear them around town a few times and walked through every puddle, mud, etc. I could find so that I wouldn't be as embarrassed about showing up with obviously brand-spanking-new boots.) Since then, wore them hiking/backpacking for a week in the Grand Canyon area again, plus another week in Death Valley, plus a few other local hikes. They're dirty but holding up great. I like the combination of the wide toe box with a "normal" sized heel cup. Compared to the zero-drop trail runners I had been wearing, these feel pretty cush to me...
I also have a pair of "Targhee Lace High Waterproof Boot" that I LOVE. It's a winter boot in leather, higher than the Mid's. It's a men's boot that I found at an REI garage sale and it fit like a dream. This is my second winter with them and I think it's one of the luckiest gear purchases I've made in a long time. I can wear it around town and go snow-shoeing in them.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Feb 20, 2020 8:16:43 GMT -8
The sole isn't real sticky. It's closer to the sole of a more traditional leather boot - slightly more sticky than a traditional boot, but probably less sticky than an average trial runner, if for no other reason than it's harder. My hiking is largely on dirt and tree roots with a few rocks and small streams or mud here and there, so stickiness isn't a concern for me. Having said that, I wouldn't hesitate to hike over boulders with it, but that's not the same as real climbing. The tread is what I'd call medium in terms of lugs/smoothness. You can see a pic of the sole here, as well as the big toe kick and similar material surrounding the lower part of the shoe around the sole. Overall this shoe appears to be intended to be fairly durable over rough terrain. www.keenfootwear.com/p/M-TARGHEE-VENT.html |
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Post by johntpenca on Feb 20, 2020 9:25:27 GMT -8
Thanks
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Feb 20, 2020 15:46:30 GMT -8
I’m another with the Keen Targhee Mid Vent. My observation about the sole wouldn’t be so much that it’s not padded enough, as that it feels just plain thin. I would prefer it to be a bit stiffer, not softer. Stiffer would give that needed protection against the lumpy or pointy ground.
I also find that the tongue won’t stay in place, but insists on kind of gaping open, as though the top laces didn’t come up enough.
That I had to relace both boots in weird ways to make my feet happy has less to do with the boot than with my feet. It looks odd (each boot has its own pattern), but if my feet are comfortable, I am willing to look as weird as you want.
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crawford
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Feb 20, 2020 19:00:15 GMT -8
I am enjoying my Keen Explore Vent. www.keenfootwear.com/p/M-EXPLORE-VENT.htmlThey are different from the Targhee, are the first Keens I'm using, but I'm liking them. One thing they don't have is that "toe bumper" like the Targhee. They have a pretty stable sole that doesn't yet leave my feet sore (less than 20 rugged miles on them). I'll be interested to hear how these Targhee work for you. They were on my short list. |
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Feb 20, 2020 19:09:53 GMT -8
The Voyageur is pretty much the Targhee without waterproofness, and I've worn out at least eight pairs over the years. The toe bumper has saved me lots of times. The nice thing about Keens - they can be had in a variety of widths and sizes. So my bf wears a size 17 in narrow, and I wear the men's Voyageur in 10.5 in wide.... bunion-accommodating and work with the orthotics I need into the bargain. Order online and you get any size you like.
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Feb 20, 2020 21:27:38 GMT -8
I wear the men's Voyageur in 10.5 in wide.... bunion-accommodating and work with the orthotics I need into the bargain. Yep. I'll vouch for all that. I have both the Voyageur low and mid, and I love 'em. |
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