Keen Targhee II boots.

[Moab]

Keen Targhee II boots have gained a huge following. And a steller reputation from AT thru hikers and beyond. My feet have expanded two sizes over the years. And my Merrels have become tight. So I've been looking for a pair of Targhee IIs for some time.

The best you can do price wise is around $90 on Amazon. But you can't get them in wide in my size. And I prefer the ability to layer more socks  Or $130 for the darker colored ones I wanted direct from Keen.

So I've been stalking Ebay for many months. Maybe a year or so. For a pair of used ones. I finally found a pair of barely used ones in 13 wide this morning. My size. For $50. I was going to try making offer. But at about half the price of new. i figured I'd better not take any chances for 5 or 10 dollars. And I picked them up for $50.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134548606403?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=1SbR18FqQ0q&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=OOH5b8UqSIO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

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[NT2C]

Those are definitely worth the money.  They're my go-to shoes when it's muddy or snowy out.  I like 'em even better than my Danners.

[Moab]

Quote from: NT2C on 4/28/2023, 8:11:46 PMThose are definitely worth the money.  They're my go-to shoes when it's muddy or snowy out.  I like 'em even better than my Danners.


I agree. The thing about Danner's. (And I made a ton of Danner cash reposting their sales links back in the day. So I've gotten quite a few of their boots.) Is that they make top notch work boots. 

If you're wearing boots everyday, in harsh environments that require a higher level of durability. Meaning heavy materials. And boots that might be resoled. As in certain professions you can go thru boots quickly. They make sense.

Even in the hiking category. The ankle high traditional hiking boot with the vibram sole. 

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These have been a go to hiking standard for decades. But with the advent of the sneaker. And the sneaker like hiking boot. These only make sense if your work is hiking. And you need something that will last a lifetime. As long as you can have it resoled.

I have never looked into resoling. So I don't know how common it is or how expensive it is these days. But these boots are HEAVY. 3.875lbs to be exact. Whereas the Keen Targhee II's come in at just over 2lbs. Which makes them almost twice as light.

In todays disposable culture most opt for new boots every year or two. Instead of boots that weigh twice as much. And instead of costing $440. Cost around $100-$120. Even if you were a professional hiker. Or worked for the parks service or something. I could see the advantages of the Keens.

When I first got a bunch of Danner cash from that promo. I had dreamed of a pair of Danner Cascades like the above. "The last pair of hiking boots I'll ever own!" But the more I considered them and their weight. The more I looked at Merrel and Keen. For hiking, hunting and bugging out.

So the Keens are my first choice.

But if I were getting a boot for a PAW. And money wasn't an issue. I would highly consider the Danner Cascades with the full vibram sole. I also like the fact that you are then not throwing a pair of mostly plastic boots into the environment every year or two. 

I have a pair of Air Force, green leather, vibram soled boots for a PAW. As they are extremely cheap. I don't think they cost me more than $40 almost new.

My problem is that my feet have spread out. I was a 10.5 around 20 years ago. But I am a 13 now. So most of my boots and shoes are being replaced. I also just bought a pair if almost new Birkenstocks off Ebay for the same reason. Those can be resoled too. But I have never seen that option readily available. 

I will also say that everything I have ever gotten from Danner is the nicest in its category. From their goatskin work gloves. To their dress boots. Both are very very well made. And the leather is like artist quality material.

But I look forward to the Keens. I have tried them on in store. And they are very comfortable. 

[NT2C]

My wife has several pairs of Birkenstocks and every few years she'll send out several pairs back to Birkenstock to be resoled and get new foot beds for half the price of new.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I've never worn Keens or Danner boots, but that's mostly because they're usually out of my price range.

Especially in my size. Seems like anything above size 13 is nonexistent in most brands.

[Moab]

I've never worn Keens or Danner boots, but that's mostly because they're usually out of my price range.

Especially in my size. Seems like anything above size 13 is nonexistent in most brands.

You can get Targhee IIs on Amazon for $92. They go on sale for around $87. Just not in wides. This is in size 13.

The Targhee 2 is generally better reviewed than the Targhee 3. Keen itself also has very deep discount sales throughout the year.

KEEN Men's Targhee 2 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boots https://a.co/d/49LF3bw

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I've never worn Keens or Danner boots, but that's mostly because they're usually out of my price range.

Especially in my size. Seems like anything above size 13 is nonexistent in most brands.

You can get Targhee IIs in amazon for $92. They go on sale for around $87. Just not in wides. This is in size 13.

KEEN Men's Targhee 2 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boots https://a.co/d/49LF3bw

Yeah, not being available in wide sizes is going to be a problem. I wear a size 15 wide (not sure what the designation is. EE, I think ?), so this is a no go for me.

But for folks with smaller feet, this is a good deal.

[Moab]

I've never worn Keens or Danner boots, but that's mostly because they're usually out of my price range.

Especially in my size. Seems like anything above size 13 is nonexistent in most brands.

You can get Targhee IIs in amazon for $92. They go on sale for around $87. Just not in wides. This is in size 13.

KEEN Men's Targhee 2 Mid Height Waterproof Hiking Boots https://a.co/d/49LF3bw

Yeah, not being available in wide sizes is going to be a problem. I wear a size 15 wide (not sure what the designation is. EE, I think ?), so this is a no go for me.

But for folks with smaller feet, this is a good deal.

https://www.keenfootwear.com/products/mens-targhee-ii-waterproof-mid-wide-canteen-dark-olive

Up to size 17 wide in the second color. Which is their normal color. The dark has smaller runs. 

$165 now. But the sale price last sale was $99. As I was looking for wides too.

This is probably the most popular boot on the AT. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

That's cool, but I need boots with higher support thanks to various injuries to my ankles over the years.

Which sucks because there's a lot of decently priced options out there, but they're mostly in the mid height style like these Keens.

[Moab]

That's cool, but I need boots with higher support thanks to various injuries to my ankles over the years.

Which sucks because there's a lot of decently priced options out there, but they're mostly in the mid height style like these Keens.

You might look into military issue or aftermarket that complies with military issue. I like the air force issue boots. They are a light green which at least blends in better than black or tan. Goretex. Vibram soles. Very well made boots. High rise so they would support your ankles. And they are cheap as hell. 

Similar to this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292159984118?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=DRxv1yc1TVO&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=OOH5b8UqSIO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

But you can find used for way less. Do a saved search on Ebay. You'll get an email as soon as any pio up in your size. Thats how I got these Keens.

Look at other modern surplus boots too. They are much better made than in the old days. The black boots they issued me in the 80s. We're terrible. But now there are several manufacturers. In fact, Danner, makes the USMC boot. Not a bad boot either. But if you need a high rise boot I would go surplus. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Herman's makes a decent high rise boot that I've had good luck with and those are about 60 bucks at Walmart.

Problem is that my local Walmarts tend to get size 15s in on rare occasions. I can get away with wearing size 14s, but I prefer 15's for more comfort.

But I'll look into those surplus boots, though.

I tend to prefer steel toe boots, but I've been seeing a lot of safety toe military boots nowadays on the market. So maybe I'll get lucky and find some surplus safety toe boots in my size at some point.

[MacWa77ace]

Midwayusa usually has a week long Black Friday sale with daily deals. One day will be shoes, but you have to check daily cause it's random. Keen and Solomon and Danner.

I got these for $112 in 2021 free shipping

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022354449?pid=497684