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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.Boots - Keen Targhee 3 or Gypsum 2?
Fri 29 May, 2020 11:03 am
I’m looking at getting a pair of Keen hiking boots.
I’ll be using them for both day walks and multi-day pack carry hikes. I need a wide women’s fitting and lots of cushioning. Unfortunately the new Vasque isn’t being supplied in the size I want so I am exploring the Keens.
I’m tossing up between the Keen Targhee 3 and Gypsum 2 And interested in hearing your experiences.
Some reviews have mentioned that the soles on the Targhee can come off sooner than expected. Has anyone had issues with this?
I’ll be using them for both day walks and multi-day pack carry hikes. I need a wide women’s fitting and lots of cushioning. Unfortunately the new Vasque isn’t being supplied in the size I want so I am exploring the Keens.
I’m tossing up between the Keen Targhee 3 and Gypsum 2 And interested in hearing your experiences.
Some reviews have mentioned that the soles on the Targhee can come off sooner than expected. Has anyone had issues with this?
Re: Boots - Keen Targhee 3 or Gypsum 2?
Fri 29 May, 2020 8:10 pm
Hi Joynz, five years ago I bought a pair of Keen Koven WP shoes and can report that they are bomb proof, I've worn them in wet canyons (which can be destructive of shoes/boots in my experience), in sand, rocky country, without any problem and apart from carrying a bit of cosmetic battle damage they are still going just fine. There is no indication of sole sepatation. Last year I bought a pair of Keen Gypsum shoes and while they are ok they do not seem to be anywhere near as durable, this is the way some brands "progress" I guess...... I know you want to know about boots, not shoes, but this is my two cents worth.
Re: Boots - Keen Targhee 3 or Gypsum 2?
Fri 29 May, 2020 10:56 pm
My comments are only general to the brand as well. 1. I'm not female 2. My experience is with Keen shoes rather than boots.
That said I've owned a pair of Keen Targhee II low shoes for many years. I've long retired them from any serious bushwalking, but they still get an occasional bash on my local bush tracks down the road.
The soles started to separate somewhat around the forefoot a long time ago but have never gotten worse, even though I've literally run the things into the ground. I've never bothered trying to re-glue them. They have always been extremely comfortable, even straight out of the box. They are wide in the forefoot which suits my foot shape. My main complaint is that they do not have very good grip on slick surfaces such as slippery wet rock. Otherwise very robust and long lasting. I recently picked up a pair of Keen Targhee III low shoes on sale to replace them. I wore them for the first time last weekend and ended up doing an unplanned urban bushwalk in the rain on the way back from some shopping. I walked about 12 km or so on a combination of roads and mainly easy bush tracks. I went up 1/2 a size as reviews I read advised that the fit is slightly narrower. I found that to be correct but still a good fit, and the grip so far seems much superior to the previous model. I did notice they are much stiffer out of the box and I had some mild soreness around the heels and toes (no blisters though). I don't see it as a major problem and I'm confident they will soften with further wear. I was also possibly overdoing it for the first time out in them.
That said I've owned a pair of Keen Targhee II low shoes for many years. I've long retired them from any serious bushwalking, but they still get an occasional bash on my local bush tracks down the road.
The soles started to separate somewhat around the forefoot a long time ago but have never gotten worse, even though I've literally run the things into the ground. I've never bothered trying to re-glue them. They have always been extremely comfortable, even straight out of the box. They are wide in the forefoot which suits my foot shape. My main complaint is that they do not have very good grip on slick surfaces such as slippery wet rock. Otherwise very robust and long lasting. I recently picked up a pair of Keen Targhee III low shoes on sale to replace them. I wore them for the first time last weekend and ended up doing an unplanned urban bushwalk in the rain on the way back from some shopping. I walked about 12 km or so on a combination of roads and mainly easy bush tracks. I went up 1/2 a size as reviews I read advised that the fit is slightly narrower. I found that to be correct but still a good fit, and the grip so far seems much superior to the previous model. I did notice they are much stiffer out of the box and I had some mild soreness around the heels and toes (no blisters though). I don't see it as a major problem and I'm confident they will soften with further wear. I was also possibly overdoing it for the first time out in them.
Re: Boots - Keen Targhee 3 or Gypsum 2?
Fri 29 May, 2020 11:56 pm
Thanks GregG and JohnW for your feedback - both helpful.
Re: Boots - Keen Targhee 3 or Gypsum 2?
Sat 30 May, 2020 1:23 pm
I've had both Targhees and Gypsums (both in shoes) and thought the Targhees were considerably better.
Re: Boots - Keen Targhee 3 or Gypsum 2?
Sat 30 May, 2020 7:42 pm
I've just bought my third pair of Targhee II boots - I buy the men's model as it has a square rather than a tapered toe-box. If you have wider feet this may be worth exploring.
The size 8 in the women's is an EU39, whereas the men's size 8 is an EU40.5. So a bit more room, but for me they work really well.
The soles on mine haven't come off or separated, but they do wear down and a couple of the smaller "lugs" along the outer edges of the sole have come loose and eventually broken off. I do notice that the cushioning in the sole wears down considerably over time, but I do wear them a lot.
Very happy with them, virtually no wear-in required, they are comfortable from the first wear.
A quick google of the differences between Targhee II and III reveals that the later model is not quite as wide.
The size 8 in the women's is an EU39, whereas the men's size 8 is an EU40.5. So a bit more room, but for me they work really well.
The soles on mine haven't come off or separated, but they do wear down and a couple of the smaller "lugs" along the outer edges of the sole have come loose and eventually broken off. I do notice that the cushioning in the sole wears down considerably over time, but I do wear them a lot.
Very happy with them, virtually no wear-in required, they are comfortable from the first wear.
A quick google of the differences between Targhee II and III reveals that the later model is not quite as wide.
Re: Boots - Keen Targhee 3 or Gypsum 2?
Sun 31 May, 2020 7:19 pm
Thanks all.
I have ordered a pair of almost new Targhee 3s (women’s 10.5) on eBay and will see how they go.
The shop I was in today didn’t have a women’s 10.5. I tried the men’s 9 .5 equivalent and they did seemed quite good - but possibly would be a bit wide with wear. If the new ones end up hurting my next option will be to try the men’s 9.5.
I have ordered a pair of almost new Targhee 3s (women’s 10.5) on eBay and will see how they go.
The shop I was in today didn’t have a women’s 10.5. I tried the men’s 9 .5 equivalent and they did seemed quite good - but possibly would be a bit wide with wear. If the new ones end up hurting my next option will be to try the men’s 9.5.
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