New for 2026, the KEEN Targhee Apex is a lightweight hiking shoe for fast hikers with light packs. I've hiked more than 30 miles in my pair the past month to test this shoe's support, weight, fit, comfort, weather protection, traction, and value. My KEEN Targhee Apex review gives you an honest take on who should—and should not—choose KEEN's newest hiking show for their hikes.
Testing the KEEN Targhee Apex hiking shoe outside Albuquerque, NM
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KEEN Targhee Apex Review
To test and review the KEEN Targhee Apex hiking shoe, I personally hiked a range of trails in my pair of the low-cut, waterproof Targhee Apex. My test hikes included a 5-mile speed hike (Bear Canyon), two fast-moving fitness hikes on the Piedra Lisa trail, a moderately difficult 8-mile up-and-back with more than 3000 feet of vertical (Embudito), and a difficult, 9+ mile ascent of La Luz (4000+ feet of elevation gain). For this review, I also tested the Targhee Apex side-by-side with KEEN's new trail running shoes—the Seek and the Roam—to help KEEN fans pick the brand's best lightweight option.
The KEEN Targhee Apex lacks the support of the regular Targhee
Support
Support is not the strong suit for the new Targhee Apex. The traditional Targhee is a supportive hiking shoe. The Targhee Apex emphasizes weight savings over support. Even though it's a hiking shoe, I found it less supportive than the KEEN Roam trail running shoe. It's rare for a hiking shoe to have less backbone than a trail running shoe.
Unlike most hiking shoes, the KEEN Targhee Apex completely collapses in the midfoot when I bend the shoe (see picture). Without a shank, chassis, or stability fork to stiffen the shoe, the soles gave way when I stepped on rocks, roots, or grooves in the trail. I didn't roll an ankle on my test hikes, but I felt my ankles teetering on uneven steps, especially while hiking rocky sections of La Luz trail.
If you want a flexible hiking shoe for well-groomed trails, consider the Apex. If you're looking for a supportive hiking shoe, you should browse my hiking shoe recommendations or other hiking shoe reviews. The Apex's lighter soles don't provide much resistance on the trail.
The Targhee Apex is a lightweight hiking shoe
Weight
What the KEEN Targhee Apex lacks in support pays off on the scale. My pair (men's size 12) weighs only 1 lb 11 oz. That's well below my two-pound cutoff for a lightweight hiking shoe. If you're looking for a featherweight hiking shoe, the KEEN Targhee Apex is made for fast and light hikers. It's one of the lightest shoes I've tested and reviewed that's actually called a hiking shoe (not a trail running shoe).
KEEN's standard fit is wider than most brands
Roomy Fit
The KEEN Targhee Apex has KEEN's original fit, which means it has extra room in the toe box compared to other hiking shoes. If your feet run wide—or you prefer a wider toe box—the Targhee Apex could be a great fit for you. It's also available in wide sizes, which offers even more width and wiggle room for your toes.
If you've got narrow feet, KEEN isn't the best fit for you.
I have moderately wide feet and got a decent fit in KEEN's regular size by sizing up a 1/2 size from my everyday shoe size. However, I'd order a wide next time, just to give my toes a little more room and volume.
Testing comfort and support on the Piedra Lisa Trail
Comfort
The KEEN Targhee Apex has a casual feel—which could be a good thing or bad thing, depending on your hiking style. The lightweight Apex flexes more than the average hiking shoe. As a rule of thumb, this added flex may feel more comfortable on well-groomed trails (where you don't need much support) but put more pressure on your feet on rougher terrain. My guess is that more casual hikers will find the Targhee Apex very comfortable because it wears more like an everyday shoe than a traditional hiking shoe (like the flagship Targhee).
On my test hikes, I didn't find the lightweight foam as soft or as resilient as other shoes I tested. I could feel the trail through the shoes, even though the cushion is thick under the heel (36mm) and moderate at the toes (24mm). Personally, I enjoyed this shoe most on fast-moving hikes with moderate switchbacks. When the trail got steeper or rockier, I sometimes wanted more shoe than the lightweight Targhee Apex.
Testing the KEEN Targhee Apex's waterproofing
Weather Protection
The Targhee Apex hiking shoe features KEEN.Dry waterproofing—not GORE-TEX. With New Mexico mired in drought, my test hikes didn't include much water or mud. So I tested waterproofing by partially submerging my test pair in water for one hour (with the water level just below the top of the shoe's waterproof membrane). The KEEN Targhee Apex failed this simple waterproofing test.
After one hour, both shoes were soaked with standing water inside. Everywhere I felt inside the shoe was saturated, which suggests the waterproof membrane fell short all around. This obviously is a concern if you're hiking wet trails since standing water should be easier to keep out than splashing, moving water.
I found the Targhee Apex's traction better on uphills than downhillls
Traction
I found the traction on the KEEN Targhee Apex good for mixed terrain. The lug pattern balances aggressive elements with wider surfaces that generate friction on rock. In the field, the tread handled most surfaces I hiked without excelling on any of them.
For example, the Apex handled the slickrock of Embudito Canyon and rough rock of the Piedra Lisa trail without any big slips. But I wouldn't deliberately choose this tread for rocky terrain. Likewise, I pulled off three steeper hikes in the Targhee Apex with only some mild slipping on sandy and gravelly switchbacks.
This tread climbs better than it brakes. I could pull off a fast-and-light pace while ascending but sometimes had to slow my descents to maintain safe footing. Overall, I'd rate the traction on the Targhee Apex average—good enough for the average day hiker.
The Women's Targhee Apex is available in several colorways
Value
With a MSRP of $180, the KEEN Targhee Apex is a mid-priced hiking shoe in today's inflationary market—and somewhat expensive for a lightweight hiking shoe. Surprisingly, it costs $10 more than the flagship Targhee IV even though it's a lightweight hiking shoe. Other comps include the Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX ($175), HOKA Anacapa Low GTX ($175), and adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL ($150)—these lightweights costs less and add GORE-TEX waterproofing.
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Men's KEEN Targhee Apex Low
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Women's KEEN Targhee Apex Low
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KEEN Targhee Apex Waterproof Hiking Shoe: Pros & Cons
Should hikers buy the KEEN Targhee Apex hiking shoe?
The KEEN Targhee Apex demonstrated mixed performance after 32 miles of first-hand testing and a one-hour waterproofing test. On the plus size, the Apex weighs less than most hiking shoes with a roomy fit and plenty of cushioning. On the down side, the Apex isn't as supportive as most hiking shoes and didn't perform well at all when I tested its waterproofing with a simple standing water test. If you want a hiking shoe that doesn't look and feel like a traditional hiking shoe, the KEEN Targhee Apex has some appeal. Plus, it's a good fit for wider feet. Even though I pulled off a couple harder hikes in mine, I don't recommend them for rugged trails or wet conditions. This is a better buy for casual hikers or fast hikers who don't need much support or weather protection.
Standing water in the KEEN Targhee Apex after a 1-hour waterproofing test
