Targhee Apex Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot

I am very hard on my shoes as I use them for lots of walking and also rugged work on construction sites. These are nice and light for my day job where I walk a lot and also heavy duty enough for the construction site. I’ve worn many different keen shoes over the years and these have been the best I’ve owned.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have worn a few versions of Targhee boots and am generally a Keen lover. After about 150 miles with this boot, it has missed the mark for me. Construction is good and holding together well. It's very light weight. I'm not sure whose brain child the diamond cutout in the bottom of the shoe is, but they need a new job if they think the weight savings justified the lack of support in the sole and it's uncanny ability to get fragmented rocks stuck in there. As with many other reviewers, I started by adding a decent insole. Still, after a 10 mile day hike with 15-20 lbs backpack in steep rocky terrain my feet were sore. I also felt the ankle support was lacking.

I've worn the Targhee 3 vent and waterproof for years. I've completed Rim to Rim and Rim to Rim to Rim with the vents. In June (a few weeks ago) I wore my T3 waterproof boots all day hiking in Grand Tetons NP. My fee did not feel good. I had the Cotswold Way hike (103 miles over 7 days) planned for a few days away so I ordered the Apex. I wore them on a 4 mile hike and a 4 mile walk/jog before taking them on the trip. They were excellent. No break in needed. Light and yet stable. I was concerned that walking over sharp rocks or stubbing my toes on roots or rocks would be an issue, but that was not the case. Breathable but also waterproof. I would give them a score of 4. 5 but that was not an option. When I wear my low top Targhee 3 shoes I also wear over ankle gaiters. Didn't do that with the boots because I thought the high top would prevent pebbles and dirt from getting in. But I noticed that at a certain point in my stride, the collar of the boot opened up and sort of funneled in dirt/stones. Once I put the gaiters back on, the boots were great again. Sooo light on my feet and soft, but again, still very stable.

I like the light weight and they are comfortable. My complaints are the the sole seems harder and try’s to slip on some surfaces. And the big complaint is the insoles in all my recent Keens. I use to be able to get 6 months out of the stock Keen insoles. Lately, I have to change to a power step insole before I wear them. At this price point, I believe Keen should be able to provide a halfway decent insole. Current shoes including these have a very thin worthless insole. Zero arch support and really not much vision either. Keen please do better.

Good boots. Light weight, good fit for me. I often have difficulty getting a just right fit. The Targhee has been a good boot for me in the past. The Apex version continues that tradition for me. Also have had a couple pairs of low top Zionics. I like them but the Apex fits me a bit better. A shade more toe box room. I wouldn't mind even a tad more. I will likely replace the Zionics with low top Apex shoes at some point. At 69 my feet are more particular than they once were and Keens keep me comfortably on the trail. Primarily woods trails, big hills and small mountain use. Use these as an everyday shoe also.

Honestly, I am going to Greenland/Iceland and destined for a lot of hiking. I returned 5 pairs of hiking shoes/boots before ordering these. I am VERY impressed. Didn't even need to break them in, I will be buying them again!