Our verdict
Pros
- Balanced ground feel and impact protection
- Very spacious fit (wide foot friendly)
- Premium leather from a sustainable tannery
- Excellent outsole grip
- Durable rubber outsole
- Protective toe bumper
- Surprisingly very flexible
- Easy on-off and fit adjustment
- Reflective webbings
Cons
- Not as cushioned and supportive as the Targhee III shoe
- Not for narrow feet
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar hiking sandals compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | N/A | 89 Superb! | 81 Good! | 89 Superb! | |
Price | $140 | $75 | $135 | $130 | |
Trail terrain | LightModerate | LightModerate | LightModerate | Moderate | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 11.3 oz / 319g 11.5 oz / 325g | 10.7 oz / 303g 11 oz / 312g | 11.6 oz / 329g 12.9 oz / 365g | 13.4 oz / 381g 14.2 oz / 403g | |
Lightweight | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | |
Use | Day HikingLight HikingMulti-sportUrban hikingWater hiking | Day HikingLight HikingMulti-sportWater hiking | Day HikingLight HikingMulti-sportWater hiking | Day HikingMulti-sportWater hiking | |
Construction | Closed toe | Strappy | Closed toe | Closed toe | |
Drop lab | 8.7 mm | 11.9 mm | 3.2 mm | 11.0 mm | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | Slightly small | |
Midsole softness | Firm | Balanced | Firm | Balanced | |
Stiffness | - | Flexible | Moderate | Stiff | |
Outsole hardness | Average | Average | Average | Hard | |
Outsole durability | Good | Decent | Good | - | |
Outsole thickness | Thick | Average | Average | Average | |
Lug depth | 3.3 mm | 3.5 mm | 3.0 mm | 4.1 mm | |
Heel stack lab | 23.8 mm | 30.9 mm | 26.2 mm | 29.4 mm | |
Forefoot | 15.1 mm | 19.0 mm | 23.0 mm | 18.4 mm | |
Heel tab | Finger loop | None | Finger loop | Finger loop | |
Midsole width - forefoot | Very narrow | Average | Average | Average | |
Midsole width - heel | Average | Average | Very wide | Average | |
Widths available | Normal | NormalWide | Normal | NormalWide | |
Ranking | #10 Bottom 1% | #4 Top 40% | #9 Bottom 10% | #5 Top 50% | |
Popularity | #7 Bottom 30% | #1 Top 10% | #3 Top 30% | #2 Top 20% |
Who should buy
The Targhee III Sandal is right up your alley if:
- you want versatile summer-ready footwear for the town, coast, and some light trails
- you need the added toe protection from rocks and debris
- you prefer leather sandals to synthetic options
- you have wide feet or enjoy having more room for toe splay
Who should NOT buy
The name suggests that the Targhee III Sandal is just a convertible version of KEEN's hiking shoe of the same name. However, we found that it is more trimmed down than it seems.
Aside from the revamped upper, the sandal also features a thinner and, consequently, less protective and supportive sole. So if you need a sandal for longer hiking endeavors with a backpack, you may find the KEEN Newport H2 more suitable.
The HOKA Hopara 2 is another option to consider if you enjoy cushy and chunky platforms.
Cushioning
Heel stack
It's important to clarify that the Targhee III Sandal is not built on the exact same platform as the Targhee shoe. Both the product description and our measurements confirm that the sandal's sole is thinner.
With a caliper reading of 23.8 mm, its heel stack came close to the stated 25 mm. This makes the Targhee III Sandal feel more grounded so don't expect to be completely isolated from the roots, rocks, and other trail debris.

Targhee III Sandal | 23.8 mm |
Average | 25.9 mm |
Forefoot stack
The ground feel is even more evident in the sandal's forefoot area where our caliper recorded only 15.1 mm of thickness.
While a thinner sole makes the Targhee more flexible and maneuverable on uneven terrain, it backfires in less shock absorption for the ball of the foot and the toe joints.

Targhee III Sandal | 15.1 mm |
Average | 18.1 mm |
Drop
Our measurements returned a regular heel-to-toe drop of 8.7 mm which is also true to the brand's claimed 9 mm.
This offset makes the Targhee sandal feel more like a hiking shoe where the heel is slightly raised above the toes taking some pressure off the feet, Achilles, and calves.

Targhee III Sandal | 8.7 mm |
Average | 7.8 mm |
Midsole softness
The Targhee III's platform is made of two layers - a firmer EVA midsole at the bottom (the carrier) and a softer foam insole at the top (right below the foot).
Together, the two create a very balanced underfoot experience where comfort and cushioning don't come at the cost of support and protection.
Pressing a Shore A durometer against the primary EVA, we got a high reading of 34.5 HA. This confirms the firm and dense nature of this bottom compound.

Targhee III Sandal | 34.5 HA |
Average | 27.3 HA |
Secondary foam softness
The Targhee III's foam insole is rather thick and takes up nearly half of the platform but that's where the soft goodness comes from.
Size and fit
Size
KEEN Targhee III Sandal is true to size (46 votes).
Width / Fit
NewJust like the Targhee III shoe, the sandal is built with KEEN's Original fit which offers a much roomier fit and a ton of space around the toes. It is notably wider and has a more rounded shape than the brand's Contoured fit (used in the KEEN Uneek).
It is a very accommodating design that can fit various foot shapes.
Targhee III Sandal |
Closure
An Easy-On Bungee Cinch helps to regulate the fit in a matter of seconds.
Heel
The bungee lacing also connects to the sandal's Contoured Heel Lock. This allows to tighten up the fit around the ankle along with the rest of the sandal.
A flexible leather patch covers the back of the foot to keep it safely locked in.
Traction / Grip
Outsole design
NewWe are happy to see that the Targhee III Sandal carries over the shoe's ALL-TERRAIN outsole. We found this high-friction rubber to be very effective on a variety of surfaces including wet boulders, moss-covered logs, and moderate mud.

Stability
Lateral stability test
The very nature of hiking sandals doesn't allow them to be as stable and supportive as hiking shoes or boots. And even though the Targhee III Sandal pulls many cues from its shoe and boot counterparts, its lateral stability is quite limited.
But, luckily, KEEN found a way to provide more support in its Newport H2 sandal. Having a lot more rigidity through the midfoot, it keeps the foot more aligned and stable. It is a better option for someone with moderate-to-severe overpronation.
Torsional rigidity
Despite its burly appearance, the KEEN Targhee III has no torsional rigidity whatsoever!
We were able to twist the sandal quite effortlessly with our bare hands which instantly earned it the lowest stiffness score of 1/5.
The Newport H2, on the other hand, proved to be significantly stiffer.
Targhee III Sandal | 1 |
Average | 2.6 |
Midsole width - forefoot
We found the Targhee's midsole dimensions to be the same as in its shoe sibling but, surprisingly, they are a bit narrower than the average of sandals.
The widest part of its forefoot clocked in at 114.0 mm which is about 5 mm narrower than average and 7(!) mm narrower than in the Newport H2. And yet, we never felt like we were lacking platform width in this pretty broad sandal anyway.

Targhee III Sandal | 114.0 mm |
Average | 118.9 mm |
Midsole width - heel
The sandal's heel width turned out to be on par with the other options and the category average, measuring 89.2 mm at its widest point.

Targhee III Sandal | 89.2 mm |
Average | 91.1 mm |
Flexibility / Stiffness
NewWe were utterly surprised to find that the KEEN Targhee III turned out to be just as pliable as the KEEN Uneek!
Its stout upper and sole didn't mind bending in the forefoot and required as little as 4.5N to flex by 30 degrees. On foot, this translated into very easy and natural toe-offs as the Targhee didn't hinder the movement at all. But, granted, it was not as protective as the bulkier sandals.

Targhee III Sandal | 4.5N |
Average | 9.0N |
Weight
Our scale confirmed that the actual weight of this KEEN sandal is lower than the perceived one. At 11.3 oz (319g), it sits between thin-soled Tevas and max-cushioned HOKAs.

Targhee III Sandal | 11.3 oz (319g) |
Average | 11.1 oz (316g) |
Durability
Outsole durability
To test the sandal's outsole longevity, we exposed it to the harsh conditions of our Dremel test.
Applying consistent pressure (2N) to the same spot, we drilled the rubber with sandpaper at a very high Dremel speed of 10K RPM. With a moderate dent of 1.0 mm, the compound proved to be just as sturdy as the one on the Targhee III hiking shoe.
The test also confirmed that the Targhee is better equipped for outdoor wear and tear than most other hiking sandals.
Targhee III Sandal | 1.0 mm |
Average | 1.6 mm |
Outsole thickness
The sandal packs a more generous slab of rubber too. Measuring its thickness without lugs, our caliper returned an above-average reading of 3.4 mm.

Targhee III Sandal | 3.4 mm |
Average | 2.6 mm |
Toe bumper
The Targhee's outsole rubber also extends up front to form the brand's signature PROTECT toe bumper. This burly design allowed us to bulldoze through roots and rocks confidently and pain-free.
But if your outdoor adventures don't require this much protection, you can also opt for the sandal's open-toe version.
Misc
Lug depth
Inheriting its outsole from a hiking shoe, we measured the Targhee III's lug depth at 3.3 mm.
While it's not enough to recommend this KEEN sandal for any technical or muddy terrain, at least it's not as smooth as most other hiking sandals we've tested.

Targhee III Sandal | 3.3 mm |
Average | 2.9 mm |
Price
The KEEN Targhee III is more expensive than many other sandals, but it is comparable in price to similar models like the KEEN Newport H2 and the HOKA Hopara 2. This price is justified by its sturdy design, which features a hiking shoe platform, and the use of high-quality leather overlays.

Targhee III Sandal | $140 |
Average | $106 |
Reflective elements
The Targhee III provides some visibility in low-light conditions thanks to the reflective webbings in its strings.
Targhee III Sandal | Yes |
Upper material thickness
With a mix of leather and textile lining, the upper portion of the Targhee turned out to be slightly thicker than the average. Our caliper recorded 5.8 mm of material thickness on top of the instep.
The added material enhances foot protection and buffers the pressure from the lace lock.

Targhee III Sandal | 5.8 mm |
Average | 4.3 mm |
Heel tab
Webbed finger loops on both the rearfoot and the forefoot panels come in handy when slipping into the sandal.

Targhee III Sandal | Finger loop |
Leather
The Targhee III uses premium leather which is, in fact, an environmentally preferred type of leather. Certified by LWG (Leather Working Group), it implies that the tannery has implemented programs for more efficient energy and water use.