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Hiking shoes usually fail in one of two ways: the sole peels away from the upper, or the cushioning flattens out. The KEEN Targhee IV Waterproof goes after both problems directly. It is a low hiking shoe built to last, with a construction KEEN guarantees will not delaminate and a midsole designed to keep its bounce.
Who makes it
The Targhee is made by KEEN, the outdoor footwear brand known for its roomy toe boxes and protective toe bumpers. KEEN calls the Targhee IV its most durable Targhee yet, and says its footwear has been free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) since 2018.
What the Targhee IV Waterproof is
The Targhee IV is a low cut waterproof hiking shoe for day hikes, travel and wet commutes. The big change in this generation is KEEN.FUSION, a glue free process that bonds the upper to the sole. KEEN guarantees it will not delaminate, which is one of the most common ways hiking shoes die.
Underfoot is a Luftcell midsole, injected with air to resist compression so the shoe keeps its cushioning longer. The KEEN.RUGGED outsole is described as twice as abrasion resistant as rubber, which should help the lugs survive rocky trails.
KEEN.DRY provides the waterproof breathable membrane, KEEN.PROTECT covers the toe with the brand's signature bumper, and an eco anti-odor treatment helps keep things fresh. The upper uses environmentally preferred leather.
- Construction: KEEN.FUSION glue free bond, guaranteed not to delaminate
- Midsole: Luftcell air injected, resists compression
- Outsole: KEEN.RUGGED, twice as abrasion resistant as rubber
- Waterproofing: KEEN.DRY membrane
- Toe: KEEN.PROTECT bumper
- Weight: 18.7 ounces (530 grams)
- Stack height: 28 mm
- Drop: 12 mm
- Materials: environmentally preferred leather, free of PFAS since 2018
Why it is cool
The delamination guarantee is a genuinely useful promise. A shoe that holds together lets you get full value from the upper and the sole instead of tossing a pair with plenty of tread left.
The Targhee also keeps what people already liked: a roomy fit, a protective toe and a planted, stable feel. The 12 mm drop and 28 mm stack give a classic hiking shoe stance that feels supportive on uneven ground.
Finally, it works off the trail. In black or brown leather, the Targhee looks at home on a rainy commute or a travel day.
Who should buy it
Buy the Targhee IV Waterproof if you want one shoe for day hikes, muddy dog walks and wet weather travel. It suits people with wider feet who find narrow trail shoes cramped.
If you carry heavy loads on rough terrain, consider a mid or high boot for ankle support. If you want a light, fast trail runner, this shoe will feel solid and planted rather than nimble.
Targhee IV Waterproof at KEEN
KEEN Targhee IV Waterproof hiking shoe
KEEN Targhee IV Waterproof, alternate colorway
Living with it
The first week tells you more than the product page. Pay attention to whether you reach for it without negotiating with yourself, whether it creates new friction and whether it still feels like the right size for your actual day. Good gear disappears into routine. Average gear keeps asking for attention.
Also give the setup a fair chance. Charge it, break it in, remap it or condition it before deciding it is wrong. Many of the best everyday objects feel slightly awkward on day one and obvious by week three. That adjustment period is part of owning something built for repeated use rather than a one-time unboxing.
If you already own a cheaper version of the same idea, do not run both forever. Use the better one for a month and store the old one. The comparison becomes honest only when the new object has to carry the whole job.
The practical test is simple. If you reach for the thing without thinking, and if it still feels right after ordinary weeks of use, it belongs in the small group of tools worth keeping. That is the standard behind this recommendation.
Want to compare other trail footwear? Read our Danner Mountain Light guide, our Nike ACG Zegama Hike story and our heritage boots list. For more, visit our sneakers and style hub.
