Our verdict

If you want a sandal with the protective elements of a hiking shoe, the KEEN Targhee III Sandal is a great middle ground. A stripped-down version of the Targhee III Waterproof shoe, we were happy with the quality and features it inherited from its counterpart. Its protective toe bumper and capable outsole make this sandal a bit better equipped for the trails allowing us to transition from the waterside to some manicured singetrails with ease. However, we wouldn't recommend it for longer hikes or more demanding terrain.

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

N/A
Not enough reviews yet

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

KEEN Targhee III Sandal review

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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal lab test

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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Heel stack
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 23.8 mm
Average 25.9 mm
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
15.9 mm
Heel stack
30.9 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Forefoot stack
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 15.1 mm
Average 18.1 mm
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
12.9 mm
Forefoot stack
23.0 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Drop
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 8.7 mm
Average 7.8 mm
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
2.1 mm
Drop
11.9 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Midsole softness
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 34.5 HA
Average 27.3 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
18.9 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.1 HA

Secondary foam softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal foam insole thickness

Size and fit

Size

KEEN Targhee III Sandal is true to size (46 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Width / Fit

New

Just 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal fit

Test results
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

New

We 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Outsole design

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.

Test results
Targhee III Sandal 1
Average 2.6
Compared to 9 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Midsole width - forefoot
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 114.0 mm
Average 118.9 mm
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
112.6 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
125.1 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Midsole width - heel
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 89.2 mm
Average 91.1 mm
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
81.6 mm
Midsole width - heel
100.5 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

New

We 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Flexibility / Stiffness
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 4.5N
Average 9.0N
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
4.5N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
14.8N

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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Weight
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 11.3 oz (319g)
Average 11.1 oz (316g)
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
6.3 oz (179g)
Weight
14.6 oz (414g)

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.

Test results
Targhee III Sandal 1.0 mm
Average 1.6 mm
Compared to 9 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Outsole thickness
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 3.4 mm
Average 2.6 mm
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
3.6 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal toe protection

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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Lug depth
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 3.3 mm
Average 2.9 mm
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Lug depth
4.1 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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Price
Test results
Targhee III Sandal $140
Average $106
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
$45
Price
$140

Reflective elements

The Targhee III provides some visibility in low-light conditions thanks to the reflective webbings in its strings.

Test results
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.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Tongue padding
Test results
Targhee III Sandal 5.8 mm
Average 4.3 mm
Compared to 11 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Tongue padding
8.2 mm

Heel tab

KEEN Targhee III Sandal front loop

Webbed finger loops on both the rearfoot and the forefoot panels come in handy when slipping into the sandal.

KEEN Targhee III Sandal Heel tab
Test results
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.