I like the smarter look that Keen have gone for with this new version of the Targhee. The oiled leather gives it a bit more of a traditional look but without any compromise on the nifty aspects that the previous version brought to the table. There’s little not to like here. When it comes to pure wearability and instant out-of-the-box comfort, the Targhees are some of the best boots out there. They have an accommodating fit that works for lots of different foot shapes. They’re also well-padded, comfortable and nicely cushioned underfoot.

And while this isn’t a performance-focused boot, it’s still pretty capable – easy to moderate hill walks won’t be a problem. Materials and Construction

Should You Buy the Keen Targhee III Low?

But if you are just getting into the great outdoors, these are a great choice as a first hiking boot. They have an accommodating fit that is likely to suit many different foot shapes, with supple and comfortable uppers that don’t need a lot of breaking in. They’re also pretty well built, so should deliver solid lifetime durability. The rugged toe bumper also does a good job of fending off trail debris if your footwork tends to be a little clumsy (hey, it happens to us all after a long, leg-sapping day on the trail). I’ve been wearing these in a UK 10, which is my usual size, and the fit is spot on. OK, it’s a little bit loose around the toes, but on a long hike, as the feet start to splay a bit, that actually becomes a really good thing. I did also feel a bit of tightness near the top of the tongue when I first tried these, but that dissipated as the materials eased up with wear. It would be unfair to say these are entry-level boots, not least because they are worn by plenty of experienced hikers with hundreds (if not thousands) of miles under their belts.

With a verified weight of 2.26 pounds for a US men's size 11, the Targhee III Low is not the heaviest shoe in this review but is far from the lightest. Keen is not claiming that this is a lightweight hiking shoe; rather, it is a rugged hiking shoe designed with durability in mind. That has been achieved to a large degree, and so the almost half-pound weight difference between this pair and the lightest hiking shoes in our review is not nearly as much of a red flag as it may seem at first glance. Durability On long-distance hikes, I’ve appreciated the flex that the sole unit has. It’s a little too much flex for firm edging on scrambly surfaces but these are, after all, shoes for hiking and not technical scrambling. A perennial contender for ‘best budget boot’, KEEN’s Targhee is an accessible yet high-quality hiking boot. It’s deservedly popular here in the UK as well as across the pond, and not just because of its competitive price point.Lastly, the outsole has 4mm, multi-directional lugs for increased traction on a range of surfaces – though we’d expect most users will typically be walking fairly well-trodden paths in these boots. Features The mid-top boot has ample cushioning around the ankle, so there is no noticeable pressure on the ankle bones like we felt on some of its rivals in our hiking boots review, but this boot did not have the high-end comfort found in the Editors' Choice Award-winning boot.