Ok, so that's 3 thumbs up for the Targhee II Mids despite being warm. The question is, how breathable/waterproof are they?
Outside Winter, I do suffer from very hot feet, unbearably hot feet sometimes - any excuse to take off boots and socks and stop and have a paddle in a stream.
But I think my feet have been a bit more comfortable in the event lined Keens than in goretex lined boots, so I think the 'event' wins on breathability.
And they were perfectly waterproof until they started to leak
Thanks MoS, althought the leaking is a bit worrying and based on the posts in this thread of 6 pairs of shoes 3 pairs leek (Chairman Bill, MoS and MoS's friend) so that's 50%!!! Have any of you contact Keen about the leaks?
I'm hoping they will be a good fit when I try them...
I do like the look of the Salomon soft shell shoes, but these appear to only come as a shoe and I'm specifically looking for a mid...
There's a logic which says a light, fell running/approach shoe with an eVent liner would be more breathable than a heavy fabric boot with the same membrane. Is that correct?
It depends on the contstruction of the two shoes' uppers though because a shoe rather than a boot covers less of your foot - ankle surface area it has an advantage to begin with. Beyond that it's down to what materials are used for the upper - plastic / rubber reinforcements don't breathe at all, what lining is used inside the membrane and how careful the factory has been about spreding adhesive all over the insides of the uppers. Glue, as you can probably guess, doesn't breathe well at all...
The Salomon Soft Shell shoes are very, very comfortable, but based on my experience of them, not durable enough for sustained mountain use. I'd class them more as technical casual than performance shoes.
Had a pair of Targhee II Mid in October 2007. Suspected a small leak from the start but by the end of January both boots were leaking like sieves across the top of the toes. Returned them to Ellis Brigham who returned them to Keen - took 3 weeks but was offered a new pair or a refund - now have a new pair which haven't leaked so far. So worth taking leaking boots back if they aren't too old/abused.
The odd thing is that the new boots seem to be a better fit for me than the original ones - both 10.5 but with the original boots my toes just touched the rubber bumper on really steep descents and there was a slight rub on a little toe - not so with the new boots. Same socks, as far as I can tell same lacing, and same feet unless all the water that got in the original pair has shrunk them! Anyway, can't complain at the improvement, whatever the reason!
Cameron McNeish had a pair of Targhee Mids that lasted two whole days before letting in water, and then smelling so bad he binned them. See here. Not impressed!
However, have had two pairs of TNF Hedgehogs (GoreTex lined shoes) that leaked within two months of purchase! (Second pair was an exchange for the first, after the second pair leaked I had my money back.)
I must confess, I'm a little concerned now, especially buying 'old stock' from a company that no longer carries the shoe, it could prove problematic should I have any problems.
I'll try and contact Keen to see if they can provide any insight as to weather the leaking is a known problem or not?
Interesting this discussion on waterproof/breathing boots. Personally it doesn't worry me in summer if my feet get wet as I find that they don't get cold and they dry out quite happily so I'm more than pleased to see that Keen are producing a non lined version of the Targhee. I was thinking of going for the Scarpa Hydrogen Mesh but was a bit concerned by the comment in TGO that the fore sole is a on the thin side. But of course it will all depend on how they feel on my feet.
Two queries - can anyone substantiate the anecdotal line that a pound on your feet is the equivalent of so-many pounds on your back ? And secondly how are these lighter boots when you are backpacking - sort of 10Kg backpacking, not the 30 or 40Kg type?
Absolute rubbish shoes, low and mid. I have sent three pair back, the first leaked like a sieve, the next two had lugs come off the sole, these also leaked, my partner had a pair that leaked, they were sent back and replaced with a pair of 'mids' guess what they are no more waterproof than a shoe with no 'waterproof' lining, not only that they 'stink'! No it is not her feet! The shop (Taunton Leisure) have been superbe, they have replaced the Keens each time, this time they are offering a new pair of a different make HOORAY! I will take up their offer
mine leak in one shoe. No smell whatsoever , but I have been known to wear 1 pair of socks for upto 6 weeks and they still do not smell. Please note this was not a choice issue.
Some of the lighter ASOLO boots have caught my eye, specifically the Fugitive and the Matrix Flame. I really like the design and I'm kinda resigning myself to the Gore-Tex lining!
That said, the Meindl Tampa looks quite nice, it's an unlined boot made from nubuck leather...
I'm trying to find a happy medium between a traditional heavy, rigid leather boot and a lightweight trail shoe....
I do like the idea of lightweight waterproof trail shoes, even for hard fell hiking, I have tried 'Hedghogs' OK but not very waterproof and good for about 1000 miles when the uppers fall apart. I am trying a pair of Brasher 'Calusa' right now and have done about 50 miles in them, so far I have had dry feet, but I have not been through a LOTof wet grass or streams yet, I needed a lot larger size than usual, but they seem very comfortable right away.
Hikers put up with too much! If a 'waterproof' shoe/boot leaks, take them back. if a coat fails, take it back, if anything is faulty, don't put up with it, take it back, I do and it works, the manufacturers will soon get the message if we all do it.
I did the West Highland Way in a pair last weekend, plus a 100 miles of training in the two weeks before I went. No smell, no leaks, no burst stitching.
