I just found a brand new pair of these exact shoes for $10 at a thrift store. I’ve gone over it with a fine tooth comb, took out the insole and it looks perfect. Checked the soles and not a single grain of dirt embedded anywhere. Never heard of Keen before so I decided to search for it on UA-cam and stumbled across this fantastic review. Thanks for making my day!
Nice to see a review from someone who has actually worn a boot and put it thru its paces. Most of the reviews I see are pretty much useless. I wore Merrills for years...full leather uppers, Vibram soles. Rugged...all I had to do was waterproof them with SnoSeal. Those days are nearly gone. My favorite hiking boots for the last few years has been a pair of Cabelas hunting boots. Lightweight, full lace-up with good ankle support...something that is missing from a lot of hiking boots these days. I have slogged thru lots of wet, swampy terrain (I hike w my labrador retriever, nuff said), rocky, uneven tree rooted terrain, and these boots have performed extremely well. Only now, after several years of abuse, has the waterproof membrane begun to fail. I'm going to apply a good coat of SnoSeal to the uppers (a mix of leather and synthetic) and see how it goes. Aesthetically, these hunting boots don't have the coolness factor of the hikers ( big marketing emphasis for suckers), but they perform, which is all that matters. I have a pair of Keen Targhee shoes...slip-ons...the first "edition". All leather. I treated them with SnoSeal, and they are one of the best pair of shoes I've ever owned. I wear them everywhere, and do some light hiking in them. They replaced a pair of same-style Merrills that lasted a year before falling apart. This Targhee ll looks pretty solid. I wonder if the lll is really a better boot. I might try a pair. The Keen Pittsburgh soft-toe looks like a nice boot too...a little higher, with maybe better ankle support.
Thanks! I do my best for honest real-life reviews of stuff I've worn or worn out. Lol They're both great boots. If it's hot and dry, I definitely go with the Merrells.
which Cabela's hiking boots do you have? do you have to treat them for waterproofing before going using them in wet terrain? if so how often. I'm a Merrell user and I absolutely love my Thermo 6 waterproof.. they have deep lugs and because the most of the shoe is rubber, not the just the toes, they are water proof...they get hot don't get me wrong, but waterproof they are! now they don't have them anymore and I'm getting anxious to find another pair that meets that waterproof standard..there is something about getting we feet that makes me squirm.. especially during wet winter hikes.
@@danlast4726 I don't know the model name of the boots. They are a hunting boot... Bass Pro/Cabela's house brand, RedHead. Keep in mind I bought these boots several years ago. Quality may have been better then than it is now. Anyway, I have thrown them in the trash since my post earlier. Once they started getting wet, the soles started to separate from the uppers, and they really fell apart. I got more than my money's worth from them. After trying on the Targhee II and III, I realized that those boots aren't going to be durable enough. So I tried on the Keen Pittsburgh and found stitching coming apart (on 2 pairs I tried at the store). For $200...not happening. What I did buy was a pair of Danner USMC RAT boots. I've had Danners in the past, and they held up well. These Danners have leather uppers w/ 1000 denier cordura on the sides. Vibram soles, and polyurethane-coated leather in the toe and heel. Mine have Gore-Tex lining, which I'm not a fan of. They are an 8" boot, which I like. These aren't the lightest boots I've owned, but they are really solid and I expect them to handle anything I throw at them. I've hiked in tall grass during heavy rain, and so far...no wet feet....and that's without waterproofing the leather. Very comfortable. They can also be re-soled, as the soles are not simply glued onto the uppers...they are stitched. Anyway, there are plenty of reviews on YT for these boots. They are ridiculously inexpensive and made by Danner in the USA. Mine are not the steel toe version. Might be worth looking looking into.
I bought one pair today and I hadn't heard of the Keen brand before. Thank you Sir for this through review and for sharing your comments about these boots! I'm quite happy with my purchase and I hope they can provide me with enough comfort and protection for my trip to Iceland this coming Easter. Greetings from Costa Rica! New to the channel but I definitely loved this review!
ouch!!! My partner and I did a hike in September where we literally experienced all four seasons in three days.. First two days, his redheads were fine..on the last day we had wet snow and rain and his boots were completely soaked through.. he had them 5 months and we were told they were waterproof...nope. It took days to get them completely dry.
Hi Aaron, love your content. A question for you. how do you find your keens since you reviewed them? I've read a lot of mixed reviews on them with regards to the quality of the boots, specifically the soles coming off and in the case of the targhee ( the targhee2/ 3, ) the plastic ridge flex portion cracking. Have you had any issues, if so, what do you recommend? please keep up the GREAT work, you have a fan in me.
Thanks for watching. I'm still wearing my Keens for hiking. For the mileage and abuse I put on, they're great. Been through 5+ pairs now. I did have one toe separate from the leather, I just fixed it up with Shoe Goo. Irritating but I've had fails on my Merrell Moab Ventilators, Vasque heavy boots, etc. For the hard miles I put on, I feel I get my money's worth. Stay safe out there!
keens have been a very good fit for me also, right out of the box. I think i had the low cut version of these a few years ago. I like to jump around to try different things, but these are definitely good for me. The geometry of many shoes (especially jogging/running shoes) seems to be way too pointy and narrow for me. I've worn hiking type shoes exclusively for 1/2 my life because of their durability and fit. I kinda wish i jumped onboard with Keens early, but there were other brands that also fit very well like Meindl's.
Hi, I was wondering of all the keen boots , which one would you recommend? I've never heard of Meindl's. can you tell me more about them and your recommendations?
Very nice review, what's the arch support like on these? I have quite wide feet with a fairly high arch but I'm interested in some Keen Targhees / Steens. Thanks.
Hi! Love ur content. I have a tendency to sprain my ankles so mid boots are too low for me. Do you have any recommendations between this Keen and your snow LA Sportiva?
Check out the Vasque boots, St. Elias: amzn.to/3BYu45A I've used Vasque boots when I go where I'm carrying weight or I know there's a solid chance of injured ankles. Vasques are nice because they come in wide so you can give your toes some wiggle room.
Great video thanks. Quick question. I am looking at hiking in snow and cold (of Michigan). Should I go with these and wear a nice wool socks or go with the version of Keen snow boots that have built in insulation. Thanks
I have those exact keens, and I drive a truck all 48 states. I try to find a reason to dislike them,but I can't. I also have a $400 pair of Danner Super Rainforest and the Keens are better overall. They're Much more comfortable, and they keep my feet dry, and warm with some wool socks. I also can walk better on ice! 🚨
Going on a long for me hike - 15 miles in, 15 miles out, and out of shape - My feet are typically always hot, and thought about going with the vented version... but also dont want wet feet. How ugly is the Waterproof version with sweat? Temps will be mid 70s and under.
The waterproof ones are pretty sweaty, though I did 500+ miles in the high Rockies in a hot summer and did just fine. Wool socks + Wrightsocks worked great.
Thank you ; very interesting . Keen size10.5 shoes/boots fit my broad feet like a glove ; however the Keen Men's Circadia Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots Bison Brindle and the Keen Men's Targhee III Oxford Low Hiking Shoes Dark Earth Mulch sole wear out too quickly . I'm a 70 year old , dog walking and doing photography on mostly flat ground with no stones/rocks and 500 miles would take several very long years at least . The shoes do get some time on bitumen/concrete . Very disappointed as I'm lucky to get 12 months out of pair and spend far more on the computer than walking . So I'm looking for replacements (Australia) . Orders size 11 Merrell but I had trouble getting them over my heal ------ ended up too hard (dealings) so have asked for a refund from that mob. Was hoping the Keen shoes (my foot doctor said not to wear) and boots would be the last I would need to buy Have you had , or do you of others who have problems the Keen soles ? The sole on my shoes/boots are very different to what you have . So ????? Personally I feel footwear is made mostly for fashion and looks at lowest price these days ---- I would likely prefer solid leather footwear ---- maybe Keen pyrenees ??? --- looks an over kill for me though Cheers
I have had a couple of pairs of the 3’s and they are really comfortable ,with good waterproofing and tread but both of mine have split where the upper attaches to the soles by the toes particularly where they bend, at about 600miles.Going to try the Pyrenees,which are the same shape ,sole, and waterproofing but look to be a stronger all leather upper.
No. though I hear their REVEL IV polar boots are decent for winters here. That said, if you want hiking boots for winters in Canada, Baffins are still good boots, if you don't already have them. I learned though that they do run small and if you plan on going to the mountains and your feet get cold easily ( like me ) get sock liners and mountaineering socks, either from smart wool or darn tough also. They are a life saver!
@@ALinsdau hey you think a size 10 in the keen revel high polar is to big if I measure a perfect 9 , when measured in store? always wait for the end of the season for my boots, save some cash, got new boots when winter starts next year! might get a pair of keen pyrenees to, for a none insulated boot, plus it's a really good looking boot, classic look!
For me, an average, hiking, ankle boot, at a price of about 100-150 dollars, must last about 6,000 km/10 years. Talking seriously about shoes that barely last about 600 miles or 3 years of use with problems is laughable. Greetings from Europe.
That's an interesting cost per wear metric. How did you determine that? does that include the cost of maintenance? is this through varied terrains? rugged or groomed trails? how many km do you cover every time you wear them? how often? daily? I know these questions may sound untoward, I'm truly very curious as to how people determine the value of their apparel, especially when it comes to activities like Hiking, mountaineering and etc.
@@danlast4726 It is a subjective calculation, gained through personal experience. I have, among other things, two such boots, the first - hiking, MID, bought in 2004. They are still in good condition. Leather material-Nubuk, GTX, and Vibram sole. They do not have a damaged leather upper. Price - about 120 dollars. Second military boots, bought in 2001 (!), GTX, leather, Vibram, I only wear them in the field (digging) when it's not raining. The top of the leather is already cracked, the sole is already shrinking and crumbling a little, but why ruin better shoes on the field? The price of the shoes - about 200 dollars. So the shoes have withstood incredibly difficult conditions and yes, I will be replacing both with new models this year. Choosing, however, is a problem. I have to personally try them on in the store before buying.
@@davyhaynes6716 The only failure I've had with my Asics Kayanos is the tread wearing out or the foam dying so it hurts my feet. Interestingly - I've been clocking my actual miles in my Keens and I'm finding that I did way more than 500 miles with these boots. Stay tuned!
I just found a brand new pair of these exact shoes for $10 at a thrift store.
I’ve gone over it with a fine tooth comb, took out the insole and it looks perfect. Checked the soles and not a single grain of dirt embedded anywhere.
Never heard of Keen before so I decided to search for it on UA-cam and stumbled across this fantastic review. Thanks for making my day!
Sweet - that’s a great score. Hope it works out.
Nice to see a review from someone who has actually worn a boot and put it thru its paces. Most of the reviews I see are pretty much useless.
I wore Merrills for years...full leather uppers, Vibram soles. Rugged...all I had to do was waterproof them with SnoSeal. Those days are nearly gone.
My favorite hiking boots for the last few years has been a pair of Cabelas hunting boots. Lightweight, full lace-up with good ankle support...something that is missing from a lot of hiking boots these days. I have slogged thru lots of wet, swampy terrain (I hike w my labrador retriever, nuff said), rocky, uneven tree rooted terrain, and these boots have performed extremely well. Only now, after several years of abuse, has the waterproof membrane begun to fail. I'm going to apply a good coat of SnoSeal to the uppers (a mix of leather and synthetic) and see how it goes. Aesthetically, these hunting boots don't have the coolness factor of the hikers ( big marketing emphasis for suckers), but they perform, which is all that matters.
I have a pair of Keen Targhee shoes...slip-ons...the first "edition". All leather. I treated them with SnoSeal, and they are one of the best pair of shoes I've ever owned. I wear them everywhere, and do some light hiking in them. They replaced a pair of same-style Merrills that lasted a year before falling apart.
This Targhee ll looks pretty solid. I wonder if the lll is really a better boot. I might try a pair. The Keen Pittsburgh soft-toe looks like a nice boot too...a little higher, with maybe better ankle support.
Thanks! I do my best for honest real-life reviews of stuff I've worn or worn out. Lol
They're both great boots. If it's hot and dry, I definitely go with the Merrells.
which Cabela's hiking boots do you have? do you have to treat them for waterproofing before going using them in wet terrain? if so how often. I'm a Merrell user and I absolutely love my Thermo 6 waterproof.. they have deep lugs and because the most of the shoe is rubber, not the just the toes, they are water proof...they get hot don't get me wrong, but waterproof they are! now they don't have them anymore and I'm getting anxious to find another pair that meets that waterproof standard..there is something about getting we feet that makes me squirm.. especially during wet winter hikes.
@@danlast4726 I don't know the model name of the boots. They are a hunting boot... Bass Pro/Cabela's house brand, RedHead. Keep in mind I bought these boots several years ago. Quality may have been better then than it is now. Anyway, I have thrown them in the trash since my post earlier. Once they started getting wet, the soles started to separate from the uppers, and they really fell apart. I got more than my money's worth from them.
After trying on the Targhee II and III, I realized that those boots aren't going to be durable enough. So I tried on the Keen Pittsburgh and found stitching coming apart (on 2 pairs I tried at the store). For $200...not happening.
What I did buy was a pair of Danner USMC RAT boots. I've had Danners in the past, and they held up well. These Danners have leather uppers w/ 1000 denier cordura on the sides. Vibram soles, and polyurethane-coated leather in the toe and heel. Mine have Gore-Tex lining, which I'm not a fan of. They are an 8" boot, which I like. These aren't the lightest boots I've owned, but they are really solid and I expect them to handle anything I throw at them. I've hiked in tall grass during heavy rain, and so far...no wet feet....and that's without waterproofing the leather. Very comfortable. They can also be re-soled, as the soles are not simply glued onto the uppers...they are stitched.
Anyway, there are plenty of reviews on YT for these boots. They are ridiculously inexpensive and made by Danner in the USA. Mine are not the steel toe version. Might be worth looking looking into.
I bought one pair today and I hadn't heard of the Keen brand before. Thank you Sir for this through review and for sharing your comments about these boots! I'm quite happy with my purchase and I hope they can provide me with enough comfort and protection for my trip to Iceland this coming Easter.
Greetings from Costa Rica! New to the channel but I definitely loved this review!
No problem!
Awesome in depth review I’ve had many pairs of the Moab’s couple years ago switched to oboz but thinking about the keens. Thanks again
Glad to help!
Can confirm. Did a river crossing in Merrell Moabs, my boots were soaked and very heavy for the rest of the hike and part of the next day.
ouch!!! My partner and I did a hike in September where we literally experienced all four seasons in three days.. First two days, his redheads were fine..on the last day we had wet snow and rain and his boots were completely soaked through.. he had them 5 months and we were told they were waterproof...nope. It took days to get them completely dry.
I climbed Kosioscko in those but I would not use them for longer hikes because they would blister my ankles.
Hope you had a great hike!
Hi Aaron, love your content. A question for you. how do you find your keens since you reviewed them? I've read a lot of mixed reviews on them with regards to the quality of the boots, specifically the soles coming off and in the case of the targhee ( the targhee2/ 3, ) the plastic ridge flex portion cracking. Have you had any issues, if so, what do you recommend? please keep up the GREAT work, you have a fan in me.
Thanks for watching. I'm still wearing my Keens for hiking. For the mileage and abuse I put on, they're great. Been through 5+ pairs now. I did have one toe separate from the leather, I just fixed it up with Shoe Goo. Irritating but I've had fails on my Merrell Moab Ventilators, Vasque heavy boots, etc. For the hard miles I put on, I feel I get my money's worth. Stay safe out there!
Keens are my favorite footwear company
keens have been a very good fit for me also, right out of the box. I think i had the low cut version of these a few years ago. I like to jump around to try different things, but these are definitely good for me. The geometry of many shoes (especially jogging/running shoes) seems to be way too pointy and narrow for me. I've worn hiking type shoes exclusively for 1/2 my life because of their durability and fit. I kinda wish i jumped onboard with Keens early, but there were other brands that also fit very well like Meindl's.
Hi, I was wondering of all the keen boots , which one would you recommend? I've never heard of Meindl's. can you tell me more about them and your recommendations?
@ALinsdau great video. What color are the kleen boots you previewed out the box?
It's a nice tan leather color.
Very nice review, what's the arch support like on these? I have quite wide feet with a fairly high arch but I'm interested in some Keen Targhees / Steens. Thanks.
It's good. I have pretty high arches and never have a problem.
Hi! Love ur content.
I have a tendency to sprain my ankles so mid boots are too low for me. Do you have any recommendations between this Keen and your snow LA Sportiva?
Check out the Vasque boots, St. Elias: amzn.to/3BYu45A
I've used Vasque boots when I go where I'm carrying weight or I know there's a solid chance of injured ankles. Vasques are nice because they come in wide so you can give your toes some wiggle room.
Great video thanks. Quick question. I am looking at hiking in snow and cold (of Michigan). Should I go with these and wear a nice wool socks or go with the version of Keen snow boots that have built in insulation. Thanks
I would suggest boots with insulation plus Smartwool Socks: amzn.to/3mTv0mR.
I wouldn't use these camping in the snow overnight.
@@ALinsdau Thanks.. Any preference between smartwool vs darntough socks?
I have those exact keens, and I drive a truck all 48 states. I try to find a reason to dislike them,but I can't. I also have a $400 pair of Danner Super Rainforest and the Keens are better overall. They're Much more comfortable, and they keep my feet dry, and warm with some wool socks. I also can walk better on ice! 🚨
Crazy that Keens work better than Danner. I've been happy so far!
Great video, thanks for posting!
You bet
Going on a long for me hike - 15 miles in, 15 miles out, and out of shape - My feet are typically always hot, and thought about going with the vented version... but also dont want wet feet. How ugly is the Waterproof version with sweat? Temps will be mid 70s and under.
The waterproof ones are pretty sweaty, though I did 500+ miles in the high Rockies in a hot summer and did just fine. Wool socks + Wrightsocks worked great.
Thank you ; very interesting . Keen size10.5 shoes/boots fit my broad feet like a glove ; however the Keen Men's Circadia Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots Bison Brindle and the Keen Men's Targhee III Oxford Low Hiking Shoes Dark Earth Mulch sole wear out too quickly . I'm a 70 year old , dog walking and doing photography on mostly flat ground with no stones/rocks and 500 miles would take several very long years at least . The shoes do get some time on bitumen/concrete . Very disappointed as I'm lucky to get 12 months out of pair and spend far more on the computer than walking .
So I'm looking for replacements (Australia) . Orders size 11 Merrell but I had trouble getting them over my heal ------ ended up too hard (dealings) so have asked for a refund from that mob.
Was hoping the Keen shoes (my foot doctor said not to wear) and boots would be the last I would need to buy
Have you had , or do you of others who have problems the Keen soles ? The sole on my shoes/boots are very different to what you have . So ?????
Personally I feel footwear is made mostly for fashion and looks at lowest price these days ---- I would likely prefer solid leather footwear ---- maybe Keen pyrenees ??? --- looks an over kill for me though
Cheers
Yes, I tear out the side lugs on the Keens eventually. I usually get ~500 miles in hard walking/hiking/backpacking.
@@ALinsdau I just wear the soles out with soft bush walking in nothing like 500 miles
Got some target 3s they wore out in 6 months i switched to Merrells better quality 👌
I need some waterproof boots but not for hiking. I suppose if I went hiking I should hit those because they are so lightweight.
If they fit your feet well, it's certainly worth a try.
What do you think about the targhee 3s? I think they are more stiff and not as wide as the 2s.
I haven't had the chance to try them yet. If I do, I'll post a video. Thank you for watching!
Just bought the 3’s and I’m loving them.
I have had a couple of pairs of the 3’s and they are really comfortable ,with good waterproofing and tread but both of mine have split where the upper attaches to the soles by the toes particularly where they bend, at about 600miles.Going to try the Pyrenees,which are the same shape ,sole, and waterproofing but look to be a stronger all leather upper.
I love Keens !
They're great!
Would you go for Targee 3 or stay with 2? I am bit confused between the two models.
The Targhee 3 is the newest rendition. When I wear my current ones out, that's what I'll go with. Stay safe!
Would it be warm enough for winter time in Canada?
They're not insulated, so likely no.
No. though I hear their REVEL IV polar boots are decent for winters here. That said, if you want hiking boots for winters in Canada, Baffins are still good boots, if you don't already have them. I learned though that they do run small and if you plan on going to the mountains and your feet get cold easily ( like me ) get sock liners and mountaineering socks, either from smart wool or darn tough also. They are a life saver!
what about the waterproof part of it ?
Because my profusely sweaty feet, I have to get new shoes every 3 months
Stay safe out there.
use a sewing awl, fix those boots!
Too true.
@@ALinsdau hey you think a size 10 in the keen revel high polar is to big if I measure a perfect 9 , when measured in store? always wait for the end of the season for my boots, save some cash, got new boots when winter starts next year! might get a pair of keen pyrenees to, for a none insulated boot, plus it's a really good looking boot, classic look!
Have been wearing for 15 years. You are making them cheaper. Do not lower the quality or you will lose customers
Thanks for watching!
For me, an average, hiking, ankle boot, at a price of about 100-150 dollars, must last about 6,000 km/10 years. Talking seriously about shoes that barely last about 600 miles or 3 years of use with problems is laughable. Greetings from Europe.
That's an interesting cost per wear metric. How did you determine that? does that include the cost of maintenance? is this through varied terrains? rugged or groomed trails? how many km do you cover every time you wear them? how often? daily?
I know these questions may sound untoward, I'm truly very curious as to how people determine the value of their apparel, especially when it comes to activities like Hiking, mountaineering and etc.
@@danlast4726 It is a subjective calculation, gained through personal experience.
I have, among other things, two such boots, the first - hiking, MID, bought in 2004. They are still in good condition. Leather material-Nubuk, GTX, and Vibram sole. They do not have a damaged leather upper. Price - about 120 dollars. Second military boots, bought in 2001 (!), GTX, leather, Vibram, I only wear them in the field (digging) when it's not raining. The top of the leather is already cracked, the sole is already shrinking and crumbling a little, but why ruin better shoes on the field? The price of the shoes - about 200 dollars.
So the shoes have withstood incredibly difficult conditions and yes, I will be replacing both with new models this year. Choosing, however, is a problem. I have to personally try them on in the store before buying.
I expect redwings to outlast keen boots and nikes to outlast keen shoes. Keen=shoe glue.
Good to note.
Only 500 miles? Unacceptable. I’ve had trail runners last better than that.
Interesting - how do you determine when your trail runners are toast? Even my Asics Kayano Gels are rated ~500 mi.
With the trail runners I’ve used, the uppers start separating from the sole on the side-at least that seems to be most common failure.
@@davyhaynes6716 The only failure I've had with my Asics Kayanos is the tread wearing out or the foam dying so it hurts my feet. Interestingly - I've been clocking my actual miles in my Keens and I'm finding that I did way more than 500 miles with these boots. Stay tuned!
Keen boots are a waste for 150.00 don’t buy