KEEN Men's Targhee Vent Low Height Breathable Hiking Shoes Review
The KEEN Men's Targhee Vent Low Height Breathable Hiking Shoes are designed for adventures on rugged trails during the summer months. These hiking shoes combine a supportive fit with comfortable breathability and reliable stability, making them an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Constructed from water-resistant oiled nubuck leather, the upper is crafted from environmentally preferred premium leather sourced from an LWG-certified tannery. With strategically placed mesh panels, these shoes enhance breathability without compromising durability, ensuring your feet remain cool and comfortable throughout your hike.
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Features
- BREATHABLE: Water-resistant oiled nubuck leather upper with vented mesh panels for enhanced comfort; breathable mesh lining keeps your feet cool during hikes.
- TRACTION: KEEN ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole provides high traction grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces; non-marking rubber outsoles leave no trace indoors.
- SUPPORT: External support shank delivers balance on uneven terrains; contoured heel ensures next-level stability.
- FIT: Low-profile upper promotes comfort and mobility, featuring a padded tongue and collar; iconic KEEN original fit allows generous toe space.
- COMFORT: Removable metatomical footbed design offers excellent arch support and cradles the natural contours of your foot.
Pros
- Exceptional breathability and comfort for long hikes.
- High traction outsole suitable for various terrains.
- Supportive design enhances stability on uneven surfaces.
- Eco-friendly materials used in construction.
- Removable footbed allows customization for individual comfort.
Cons
- Some users report a snug fit; consider sizing up for wider feet.
- Lack of waterproofing might be a concern in very wet conditions.
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | KEEN Targhee Vent Low | Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator | Salomon X Ultra 3 GTX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breathability | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Traction | High | Very High | High |
| Support | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Weight | Lightweight | Average | Lightweight |
Detailed Review
When it comes to hiking footwear, the KEEN Men's Targhee Vent Low stands out for its thoughtful design focused on comfort and performance. The breathable upper does an excellent job of keeping your feet ventilated, which is crucial for those long summer hikes. The incorporation of mesh panels increases airflow, preventing moisture buildup and keeping your feet dry.
The traction provided by the KEEN ALL-TERRAIN rubber outsole is impressive. With 4mm multi-directional lugs, you can confidently navigate through mud and rocky paths without worrying about slipping. Whether you're traversing steep, uneven trails or walking along slippery riverbanks, these shoes deliver solid grip.
Support is another key feature of the Targhee Vent. The external support shank not only enhances balance but also engages your foot's natural structure, allowing for better agility in fluctuating terrains. Additionally, the removable metatomical footbed cradles your foot while offering essential arch support.
However, it's worth noting that some users have mentioned a snug fit, which might necessitate trying a size up, especially if you prefer wearing thicker socks. Moreover, while the shoe is water-resistant, extreme rain conditions may still pose challenges.
Overall, the KEEN Men's Targhee Vent Low Height Breathable Hiking Shoes are an excellent investment for casual and serious hikers alike, combining eco-friendliness, comfort, and durability in one package.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 4.5/5 | Highly comfortable with great breathability. |
| Traction | 4.8/5 | Excellent grip across various surfaces. |
| Support | 4.7/5 | Offers solid stability even on uneven terrain. |
| Durability | 4.6/5 | Made from high-quality materials built to last. |
| Fit | 4.0/5 | Generally good but may require sizing adjustments. |
User Reviews
These Keen men’s shoes are consistently great fit and durability and comfort. I bought a second pair because my husband loves them THAT much! They are true to size ( he wears an 11 regular) and even though he has a wide toe spread, medium is fine!
I have had this shoe 5 months and it is so comfortable I forget that I'm wearing it when I get home. It also grips the ground very well. It appears well made and should last a long time. And it's breathable, not waterproof, which keeps my feet dryer and was what I preferred. It is water resistant. It's also attractive, which is a bonus. I would definitely buy it again. I usually take a 9.5 or 10 and the 10 fit me perfectly.
Well I am a gym shoe guy for sure and used to get 1-2 years on a pair of gym shoes. That was back in the day. The last 5 years or so your lucky to get 6 months out of them. I usually wear just 1 pair everyday till there shot and then toss them and go on to the next pair.So I decided to buy a more expensive shoe that would hopefully last me a year or two. I bought these in February so there about 5 months old now. There still looking great and were comfortable right from the get go. However after about 2 months the inside of where your heel is, its started tearing and coming apart and Im sure in time it will bother your heel . The outside of the shoe is still great and the usual spot wear the rubber by the toe breaking away on regular gym shoes isnt a problem with these.If anyone from Keen is reading this you need to make the area inside the shoe by the heal more sturdy. I still like these and will probably by them again when needed provided they stand up to about a years worth of use since I would go through 2 sets of gym shoes in that time and its about a wash money wise after that.EDIT/UPDATE 8-18-22:We are at the 6 month point and now the bottoms are starting to separate. So I am gluing them together.EDIT/UPDATE; 02-08-23We are at the one year point so anything after this I will be money ahead over 2 pair of plain gym shoes. Shoe Glue has held from last August. I am getting separation now in the toe area on both sides of both shoes. But the toe is still attached which is key. The heels on the inside continue (although slowly) shred but are not noticeable while wearings the shoes. The thread still has plenty of life left. I am happy with these shoes and with a few minor tweeks from Keen they could be perfect. I will do one more update in the future when they get tossed but that may take a while.LAST EDIT: 10-1-23Last update. Finally tossing them out. They lasted 1 year 8 months with everyday use. Started separating on the side of the toes and the front undersides wore away and are now letting in water when its wet outside. Last 2 pictures will show there condition. All in all it was an experiment to see if they would last longer than a few pairs of gym shoes for the money. I think they held up relatively well since we walk alot with the dog and are very active people. I wish they would make the inside heel material bette r so it didnt rip out quickly. I may buy Keens again some day but will try another brand this next time. Merrels are on deck.
Excellent quality. Best comfortable & lasting work & everyday shoes I ever bought. I have sandals that I have used for camping for years & hold up excellent
I replaced a pair of Merrell’s with these and really like them better. The toe box is a bit wider than the Merrell’s which is exactly what I needed. I highly recommend these! Very comfortable.
This is the second pair of Keens I have ordered. I just went on a trip to Honduras and ordered these as a back up in case I got the first pair wet/ very comfortable from the first moment I put them on!!
Comfortable, true to size, very durable...
Great shoes fast shipping