When it comes to hiking boots, the Keen Targhee IV have been my firm favorite for about a year now. They’ve come with me on countless adventures, so I can attest to them being reliable, comfortable, and supportive. But since testing the Keen Targhee Apex Mid hiking boots, I have a new shoe in my rotation.
Keen’s Targhee collection offers all-terrain support. They’re great for any hiking situation, but the different shoe designs and compositions will be suited to different people. The biggest difference between the flagship Targhee IV and the Apex is the bouncy feel of the Apex, since they use energy return foam called KEEN.ReGENX to absorb the impact of walking. This made a big difference, especially on longer walks.
Since using the Keen Targhee Apex Mid hiking boots, there’s a lot I like about them. But there’s one thing I don’t love, and it’s a common theme among Keen shoes.
What I like
Lighter design
I also have a pair of the Keen Targhee IV hiking boots. These have been my go-to for about a year now for any trail or mountain. But after testing the Targhee Apex Mid boots, they're going to be subbing in on longer hikes. Since the Apex are lightweight, I can walk longer distances with less leg fatigue.
The Apex Mids weigh just 11.1 ounces, which is even less than my Salomon XT-6s, which I pride myself on being a comfy, lightweight pair of sneakers.
Great support
This isn't unique to the Targhee Apex Mids hiking boots because Keen provides amazing arch support in all of its shoes. This aids posture by keeping your steps completely balanced.
Also, the Mid design means that you have ankle support as the side wall padding comes up higher than a regular sneaker. As someone who's very clumsy, I really need this to prevent rolled ankles, and these boots do a great job of making me feel secure with every step.
Totally grippy
The Keen Targhee Apex Mid hiking boots have multi-directional lugs on the soles. These help dig into the ground, adding security to every step. I found them effective on rocky and muddy terrain.
These lugs also stretch to the front of the shoes and cover the front of the toes. This meant that, in rocky terrain, I didn't need to worry about tearing up the front of my shoe and I could actually use them for extra support.
What I don't like
A divisive design
This is a common theme when it comes to shoes by Keen. The company has even named its own Hyperport H2 sandals the ugliest shoes in the world. And whilst the Targhee Apex Mid hiking boots aren't quite as polarizing, they're certainly still divisive.
I much prefer a more neutral hiking boot. I think this always looks better on the trail and blends better with my surroundings. In truth, I hate standing out, and would much rather be at one with the nature around me.
But with that said, they're so comfortable that this is something I can look past.
To find out more about why these boots have become a staple in my hiking rotation, you can read the full Keen Targhee Apex Mid review.
More from Tom's Guide
- I’ve found the hiking boots that will be coming with me on trails throughout the summer, and their polarizing looks aren’t even a deal breaker
- You can take a portable Bluetooth speaker with you camping, but here's why it's not the best idea to use it on your hike
- I wore the Salomon XT-6 sneakers on a 5-day city break and clocked over 93,000 steps — here's how they held up
