Keen Women's Targhee II

I bought these to replace a many years and many trails (mostly in the rugged Adirondack High Peaks) worn pair of LLBean mid-cut leather Gore-tex hiking boots. I wear orthotics for collapsed arches, heel spurs, and intermittent bouts of plantar fascia. My priorities are fit,good support,Gore-tex for muddy trails, roomy toebox,and sticky soles for wet rock. Of course, durability is important. I decided to try a low-cut hiking shoe because I have wide ankles and a higher cut always caused rub and rash issues. First the pros: These have a nice roomy toebox with the same kind of toe bumper that my Bean boots have...great for rocky trails. The soles have good grab on rock face and seem pretty stable. They accomodate orthotics. So far, the Keen-Dry system (Keen's version of Gore-tex) is holding up. I intentionally stepped in a stream and stayed dry. But, of course, because they have low tops they will not be as reliably dry as a mid-cut or higher. The low top is very comfortable. The color choices are great. I really like my choice of slate black/seneca rock, a nice medium brown with a muted plum trim.The cons: My lasat shoes were 9.5; these are size 10. I'm not sure how durable the lacing system will be because there are no eyelets through the leather or any metal at all. Instead, the laces run through a series of woven straps. The lace system does not allow for adequate adjustment for heel snugness, which I need because the heel cup is rather wide. I find myself stopping to adjust laces frequently to snug in the heel without creating too much tightness over the instep. I have a narrower heel and wider forefoot. I thought they were the best choice of several boots I tried on, but after actually hiking in them I am worried about the heel slippage as I hike uphill. I'm hoping that as they break in some more they will become more flexible and the heel will work with me better. A heavier sock is not an option unless I can find a sock with a thicker heel and normal weight toe.I like the shoes except for this heel issue. If I had felt he heel slip, I might not have kept them. but it's very hard to test a hiking boot in the house. Only a hike will tell, but then they can't be returned.I guess the bottom line is if you have a narrow heel, try a different model.

These shoes are amazing! I finally purchased my first pair of official hiking shoes after hiking around Mt. Rainier in Nikes - ouch! I literally tried on about 25 pairs over two days with help for the patient REI associates. I couldn't find the perfect fit so I just went with what was the most comfortable. These are fairly wide and I consider myself to have narrow feet but they definitely work. I went up a half size and most recommend that for Keens. As others stated, there is no break in period, just lace up and you're ready to go!

I don't do intense hiking, day hikes here and there. I have worn these at Cowles Mountain in San Diego and Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch in Death Valley and they have been great. The traction is so good - I don't have much to compare too but I was climbing on loose rocks and did not slip. I haven't used them yet in wet weather so not sure how they hold up. On my Death Valley trip I kept saying I'm so thankful for my Keens! It's like walking on air. After hiking about 4 miles, the last 2 over golf-ball sized rocks/pebbles, my feet were starting to get sore but the pain went away when the terrain flattened.

Targhee II vs. Targhee Mid II - There were only 3 reviews when I bought these shoes 2 months ago, and it was a tough decision between Targhee II and their high top cousin (Targhee Mid). I only wanted to buy one pair, and I chose the Targhee IIs, because I thought I would get more use out of them after my big 4-day backcountry hiking trip. My biggest concern with these, however, was that they wouldn't give enough support. They held up, and my feet felt great. More importantly, they have such a thick base/sole, that while I knew it was a risk backpacking without ankle support, I felt safe in them for the most part. These hikers can take rugged wear, but they are probably best for any kind of day hike and short sleepovers in the backcountry. To be honest, I doubt I will carry a 40-60 pound pack using these shoes again, simply because while they felt good, I still had to concentrate not to make a mis-step more than usual. Overall, they did a great job, and I've gotten a lot more use out of them since. (I did order 1/2 size up and it was fine. I like wearing thick socks to hike, so no complaints).

This was my third pair of Keens (also have the Targhee's with mesh and Keen sandals). My original pair of Keens was also bought at REI. They started coming apart (rubber sole was peeling away from the shoe) after less than 1 year of use. I took a picture, submitted a claim to the Keen company directly, and they gave me a voucher for the price of a new pair of Keens! Not only did I get to keep my original, still wearable, Keens, but I got a new pair as well! Amazing customer service from Keen. The shoes themselves are great. I wear them all the time for day hikes, walking the dogs, traveling, you name it. Everyone in my family now has at least one pair of Keens, and everyone loves them. They are super comfortable, have great medial-lateral stability, and good traction when its slippery. Also are waterproof, so splashing through puddles or small streams is no problem. My only minor quibble is I wish Keen would come out with more color combinations for this shoe. I will be buying these shoes again when my most recent pair wears out in a couple years.

I'm training for Mt. Kilimanjaro - tried the Solomon Quest which was fantastic boot - but my ankles are super sensitive and I'd be limping after 2 hours. Went into my local REI and this was the only option in rigid, low-rise, waterproof hikers. Lucky for me they were comfortable and I found a pair that fit. I normally wear a 7 or 7.5, but I bought an 8.5 to avoid mashing my toes into the toe-box.

The REI guy showed me how to lace them so my heels would stay locked in on the descents - and it works-ish - but it the tongue of the shoe and the tight laces get a bit uncomfortable on long, steep descents - but what hiking shoes don't?

I haven't been in wet conditions so can't comment on waterproof-ness of shoes. Just hiked yesterday to a ~35-40 deg summit and my feet were warm enough.

These are really a great alternative hiker for those of us who can't wear boots above our ankles.

I bought these shoes for the fall hiking season. The first weekend I had them I did a 3 mile flat hike and a 5.6 mile hike with 2,281 feet of climbing, the shoes were great. I really love how tough and stiff the soles are, it made hiking on rocky patches a breeze. I also really like the look of them, for a hiking shoe, they look good. I received several comments about how cute they are. I did go up half a size, my feet are normally 7.5-8, I bought 8.5 shoes. Also, the first pair of 8.5 shoes I tried on seemed a hair small and they did put a pressure point on the top of my left foot where the tongue of the shoe sits. Had I bought those, I think it would have been very uncomfortable. I tried on another pair of 8.5 shoes and the pressure point was gone and the size felt slightly roomier. I bought the second pair of 8.5 shoes and haven't regretted it.

After taking my girlfriend on several backpacking excursions, she was able to see that the sneakers she had been wearing did not prove to be adequate in the backcountry. A couple months before planning our next trip out into the Ventana Wilderness, I was able to convince her that it was time to retire her old shoes and let me buy her a new pair of decent hiking shoes. We spent a few hours at our local REI having her try on multiple boots/shoes and eventually landed on these. After several hikes breaking them in they've proved to be a great pair of hiking shoes. She did explain to me the smaller sizing issue others have mentioned, but after they were broken in a little more they've proved to be a sturdy set of shoes. Eventually she wants to upgrade to a pair of mid-boots once we start doing longer backpacking trips, but for now, they're great for day hikes and quick overnight trips. Keen has come through once again!

I lead a hiking tour in Alaska and just a few days prior to departure my regular hikers split a seam. I jumped into REI, tried these on first and took them home. The next day I wore them to the office and on a walk during lunch, then departed on my trip the next day. These were solid shoes that held up to my 16 hour days with clients doing 5-10 miles per day plus activities. At the end of the day my feet weren't sore, sweaty, wet or cold. They took me through low stream crossings on slippery rocks, snowfields, to the edge of a glacier, scree slopes, spongy tundra, and hard pack trails with no issues whatsoever. In addition they were easy to clean off at the end of the day and looked brand new once again. 10 days and my feet never complained!
My only complaint was that if I didn't tie the shoelaces tightly, they seemed to loosen after an hour of hiking.

I just bought my second pair of these! I am still using my first pair but I wanted a backup and they were on sale.

I tried on a ton of shoes but when I put these ones on I knew I was sold. I have worn these shoes in every situation possible. This was also the only footwear I had during a 2 1/2 month backpacking trip and they held up wonderfully. I hiked up rivers, mountains, soggy terrain, you name it. I wouldn't be suprised if I have hiked over a thousand miles in these shoes and I have never had issues. I was also very suprised how they didn't rub at all when they were wet all the way through.

The only downside is that the grip is not good. Sometimes scrambling up rocks is necessary and these shoes make me be extra careful.

These are my second pair of this shoe and I love them. My feet are a little wide- Keens tend to be the only shoe that work for me, and they feel a little tight. They've loosened up over the few weeks I've had them, but are constricting with thick socks. Keep this in mind if you have wide-ish feet like I do. I really wish that outdoor shoe manufacturers would recognize that not ALL women have narrow feet!

I love how rigid these are- I always feel supported, but the insoles are still cushy. It's a great combination!

The tongue is designed the way it is for water resistance. When the tongue isn't attached like it is, water simply seeps through. The reason you guys are having trouble is that Keens are too wide for your feet.