The Good: Extremely comfortable, great soles that offer lots of traction, versatile lacing system.
The Bad: Fabric lacing eyelets, questionable durability and waterproofing.
The Verdict: Definitely one of the most comfortable boots you can get at a very competitive price. Durability issues depend on your intended use, but overall it's a great choice for an affordable hiking boot.
KEEN Targhee II Mids are lightweight hiking boots that offer high levels of comfort, great traction, and solid stability at an affordable price. KEEN Targhee II Mids aren't flawless by any means, but they offer a good balance of price and build quality that makes them a good choice even for more frequent hikers looking for a solid lightweight design.
KEEN Targhee II Mids are mostly made of leather, which is great especially in this price range. The synthetic material used for the rest of the boot is average and holds up good. Lacing is done using fabric eyelets which is not the best solution as they are prone to wear and tear. However the middle lacing eyelet is very useful and allows you to customize the fit to a large degree. Waterproofing is not too great, as the proprietary KEEN DRY waterproof breathable membrane tends to give way after some use, but generally works alright.
Durability is an area where these boots don't shine too much. There are weak points around the forefoot where the leather gets worn out quickly. The sole and side lugs it features used to be poorly made in the first series of KEEN Targhee II Mids, however that problem has since been solved.
KEEN Targhee II Mid are very comfortable boots that you won't feel even on longer hikes. The collar can be laced up tight without becoming uncomfortable, and the dual density insole works incredibly great in minimizing fatigue. When it comes to stability, KEEN Targhee II Mid is a versatile boot that provides above average foot and ankle support thanks to its ESS shank. However, it's not the best choice for backpacking with heavier loads. The traction is better than expected and the proprietary rubber sole works great both in dry and wet conditions. The extruded lugs on the sides of the soles give you great traction in mud as well.
While it's not the most durable boot you can find, it's definitely one of the most comfortable affordable hiking boots on the market. It performs great in wet and muddy terrain, while being stable enough to support medium load backpacking.