Choose the KEEN Targhee IV Mid Waterproof if you want a traditional leather mid boot with generous toe room for wet or rocky day hikes, and buy it only after it passes a try-on at home. This KEEN Targhee IV review covers the current fourth-generation boot, how it differs from the low Waterproof shoe and the newer Targhee Apex, and what KEEN’s sole guarantee does and does not settle. It is researched fit analysis compiled through web search, not a wear test.
Bottom line
The Targhee IV Mid Waterproof is a sensible first boot for hikers whose trails are often wet, rocky or both, and whose feet like room in the forefoot and toes. The boot has a leather upper, KEEN’s signature toe bumper and a roomy toe box. Launch reviews describe a sole fused to the upper without glue or stitching, backed by a KEEN refund guarantee against delamination; read the current terms before relying on it.
Those are construction and ownership points. None of them tells you whether the boot fits your foot, and fit is the gate. A boot that slips at the heel or pinches the forefoot is the wrong boot however well it is built.
Which Targhee is on the listing?
The Targhee name covers several products, and listings do not always make the difference obvious. Match the listing to one of these rows before you think about size.
| Name on the listing | What it is | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Targhee IV Mid Waterproof, men’s or women’s | The current fourth-generation mid boot with a waterproof membrane | Wet or rocky trails where ankle-height coverage helps |
| Targhee IV Waterproof hiking shoe (low) | The same generation with a low collar | Smoother trails and warmer days |
| Targhee Apex | A newer model that launch coverage describes as lighter and sleeker, with no leather and a smaller toe guard | You want a lighter, more sneaker-like boot and accept a different build |
| Targhee III or earlier | Previous generations | Only if you knowingly want an older design; this review does not cover them |
| Any version marked Wide | A wider fit of that exact style | Your foot needs more volume, not more length |
Two small checks prevent most mistakes. First, read the generation, whether it is written as IV or 4. Second, check that “Mid” and “Waterproof” both appear, because the boot this review covers is the KEEN Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot, not the low shoe. KEEN also runs a wide hiking-footwear collection, and wide-foot roundups include the Targhee IV, but wide availability can differ by version, color and gender, so confirm Wide in the size selector itself.
Targhee chooser: match the version to your usual trail
A review of a single pair cannot set the versions side by side, so use this chooser instead. Find the row that describes your typical day hike.
| Your usual day hike | Targhee IV Mid Waterproof | Targhee IV Waterproof low shoe | Also consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet grass, puddles and rain in cool weather | Strong fit | Fit when water stays below the low collar | Rain pants over the boot collar |
| Rocky, uneven trail with loose stones | Strong fit: the higher collar covers more of the ankle | Workable; debris can enter over the collar | Gaiters with the low shoe |
| Hot, dry, smooth trail | More boot than the conditions need | The better of the two | A non-waterproof shoe that breathes more |
| Lightest footwear is the priority | Not this boot’s goal | Closer, but still a traditional build | The Targhee Apex, described as lighter |
| Deep crossings or standing water | Water enters over any collar | Same | Plan the crossing; no boot height solves it |
If your answers split between the Mid and the low shoe, let terrain break the tie: loose, rocky ground favors the Mid; smooth ground favors the shoe. If the hot, dry row describes most of your hiking, the waterproof membrane is working against you, and the Merrell Moab 3 versus Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX comparison shows how a breathable non-waterproof shoe compares with a waterproof one.
Is the KEEN Targhee IV good for beginners?
Yes, when your trails are wet or rocky and the boot fits. A leather mid with a roomy toe box, a protective toe bumper and a waterproof membrane covers the common beginner situations of rain, puddles and rough footing. It is less suited to hot, dry trails, where a lighter or more breathable shoe usually makes more sense.
The fit gate: a try-on routine for the return window
Buy from a seller whose return terms you have read, then run this routine indoors before the boots touch a trail.
- Try them later in the day. Feet tend to be larger after a day on them, which is closer to their size on a hike.
- Wear the socks you hike in. A thin everyday sock can make a boot feel roomier than it will be on the trail.
- Lace fully and stand. You want the forefoot snug without pressure points and room to wiggle your toes.
- Walk up and down stairs or a ramp. On the way up, watch for the heel lifting. On the way down, check that your toes do not hit the front.
- Compare Wide before sizing up. If the forefoot feels tight but the length is right, a Wide version of the same size is the better test than a longer boot.
- Decide indoors. Heel lift, persistent pressure or toes striking the front on the descent are reasons to return the boots, not to break them in.
This routine is deliberately conservative: it keeps the boots returnable while you learn whether they fit. If they pass, build distance gradually on short, familiar walks before the first long hike.
What the fused sole and guarantee settle, and what they do not
Launch coverage, including GearJunkie’s review, describes the Targhee IV’s sole as fused to the upper without glue or stitching and backed by a KEEN refund guarantee against delamination, meaning the sole separating from the upper. That is a meaningful ownership point for a boot you plan to keep for years.
It does not settle everything:
- Fit is still yours to confirm; no guarantee covers a boot that was the wrong shape from the start.
- Traction depends on surface, tread wear and foot placement; construction does not change that.
- Water entry over the collar is not a defect in any boot.
- Terms change. Read the current guarantee wording on KEEN’s site, keep your proof of purchase, and note where you bought the boots.
Waterproof membrane: what it can and cannot do
“Waterproof” here means the membrane KEEN lists for the Waterproof versions. It is designed to keep water out below the collar in rain, wet grass and shallow puddles. It is not a promise that feet stay dry in every situation: water can enter over the top in deep water or run in from wet pants, and sweat can build up inside on warm climbs because a membrane adds a barrier to the upper.
Three habits make the most of it:
- Pull rain pants over the boot collar rather than tucking them in; the Frogg Toggs Ultra-Lite2 rain suit review covers a light option for occasional rain.
- Dry the boots thoroughly after wet hikes, away from direct high heat, and follow KEEN’s care guidance for the leather.
- Treat leather only with products the maker’s care instructions allow; the boot waterproofing treatment comparison explains why the treatment must match the material.
Break-in, socks and hot spots
Leather mid boots reward a gradual start. Wear them around the house, then on short walks, then on a short hike, before committing to a long day. Keep using the socks you tried them on with, since a change of sock thickness changes the fit.
Carry a small blister kit for the first outings. The blister-care guide explains what to pack, and the comparison of hot-spot tape and hydrocolloid dressings covers which to reach for and when. A hot spot in the same place on every walk is a fit signal, not something to tape over forever.
For rocky descents, footwear and technique work together. A pair of trekking poles set to the right length adds two extra points of contact on loose ground; the beginner trekking pole picks include a sizing check for climbs and descents.
Who should buy it
- Beginners whose regular trails are wet, muddy or rocky.
- Hikers whose feet need toe room and who like a traditional leather boot.
- Anyone who wants ankle-height coverage and a protective toe bumper on rough ground.
- Buyers who value a sole construction backed by a delamination guarantee.
Who should skip it
- Hikers who mostly walk hot, dry, smooth trails.
- Anyone who wants the lightest, most sneaker-like footwear.
- Buyers whose heel lifts or forefoot pinches at the indoor try-on.
- Hikers who need deep-water protection, which no boot height provides.
Strongest alternatives to the Targhee IV Mid
The Targhee IV Waterproof low shoe keeps the same generation in a lower cut for smoother trails and warmer days. The Targhee Apex is KEEN’s newer take, described in launch coverage as lighter and sleeker with no leather, which suits buyers who find a traditional leather boot too much. For a non-waterproof option on warm trails, the standard Merrell Moab 3 in the site’s Moab 3 versus X Ultra 5 comparison is the clearer contrast, and if a low shoe keeps collecting grit, the Kahtoola INSTAgaiter review covers the debris fix.
Sources consulted
- KEEN men’s Targhee IV collection
- KEEN women’s Targhee IV collection
- GearJunkie KEEN Targhee IV review
- Field Mag on the Targhee Apex
- OutdoorGearLab Targhee IV Mid review
- Treeline Review Targhee IV Waterproof review
Specifications and product identities were compiled through web search on September 29, 2026 and should be confirmed on the seller’s page for your exact size, color, and version. This is researched buyer analysis without hands-on testing.
FAQ
Is the KEEN Targhee IV waterproof?
The Waterproof versions use a waterproof membrane that KEEN lists for those models. That keeps out water below the collar; water can still enter over the top in deep puddles or crossings.
Should I get the Targhee IV Mid or the low Waterproof shoe?
Choose the Mid for wet, rocky or loose trails where ankle-height coverage helps. Choose the low shoe for smoother trails and warmer days, where a lower collar is enough.
What is the difference between the Targhee IV and the Targhee Apex?
The Targhee IV is the traditional leather boot. Launch coverage describes the Apex as a lighter, sleeker model without leather and with a smaller toe guard.
Does the Targhee IV come in wide sizes?
KEEN runs a wide hiking-footwear collection, and wide-foot roundups include the Targhee IV. Confirm that Wide appears in the size selector for your exact version and gender before ordering.