KEEN Targhee III Sandal review

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

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 endeavours 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.

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, and it is reflected in its slightly lower shock absorption measurement as well. At 91 SA, it not only offers less impact protection and cushioning than the Targhee shoe (97 SA) but also less than the average sandal!

On a lighter note, the Targhee III Sandal's energy return turned out to be on par with the average at 53.9%. Its midsole elasticity offers a touch of rebound which makes the ride feel smooth and responsive.

With a calliper reading of 23.8 mm, the sandal's 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.

The ground feel is even more evident in the sandal's forefoot area where our calliper recorded only 15.1 mm of thickness.

While a thinner sole makes the Targhee more flexible and manoeuvrable on uneven terrain, it backfires in less shock absorption for the ball of the foot and the toe joints.

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.

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.

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.

Just like the Targhee III shoe, the sandal is built with KEEN's Original fit which offers a much roomier fit and a tonne 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.

An Easy-On Bungee Cinch helps to regulate the fit in a matter of seconds.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The sandal packs a more generous slab of rubber too. Measuring its thickness without lugs, our calliper returned an above-average reading of 3.4 mm.

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.

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

With a mix of leather and textile lining, the upper portion of the Targhee turned out to be slightly thicker than the average. Our calliper 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.

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.

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

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 programmes for more efficient energy and water use.