Solid, stable urban shoe that’s 100% at home on the trail.
I’ve been wearing Keen shoes for many, many years, and now I have found my favorite shoe: the Targhee III Oxford, an urban upstyle of Keen’s classic Targhee hiking shoe. I love it for several reasons.
First, like other Keen shoes I’ve tested over the years, the Targhee III Oxford shoe fits my wide feet just right (this shoe is available in regular men’s “D” width, which works great for me, and in wide “EE” width). The ample, rounded toe box allows my feet to comfortably maintain their natural shape, and I have room to wiggle my toes. I appreciate that the insoles are removable since I use full-length cork orthotics. They fit into the shoe perfectly. I also wear a clunky AFO brace, and am amazed that it fits in the Targhee III Oxford shoe since none of my other shoes are deep enough to accommodate it.
Next, the Keen Targhee III Oxford shoe has a thick, stable sole. I have an old foot injury so I like feeling a certain amount of thickness between my foot and the ground when I’m walking. The sole isn’t rigid like a hiking boot, but it is on the stiffer side without feeling stiff. I can feel the excellent cushioning and impact protection with every foot plant. The Keen Targhee III Oxford shoe also had a thickly treaded rubber outsole that provides incredible traction. I have been walking all over Malmö, Sweden for a week, on every possible surface—cement, gravel, grass, sand, cobblestones, hard airport floors, train platforms, and wet pavement—and my feet have stayed ridiculously comfortable and nimble. I have mobility issues, so I really need a shoe that can keep me sure-footed.
Best of Both Worlds
What I have always loved about Keen shoes is how they combine the feel of an athletic shoe with the performance of a hiking shoe. With Targhee III Oxford shoe, now I can have the casual fit and performance that keep my feet happy, with a refined leather upper that I can feel stylish wearing in urban settings. With all my injuries and foot issues, I’m really happy to have a black shoe that I can wear with anything and for any outing. I usually dread traveling because packing shoes makes my bags so heavy, but this trip, I only need the Targhee III Oxford shoe. This is an ideal work shoe for people who are on their feet all day. The Targhee III Oxford shoe is also available in a dark brown color, Dark Earth/Mulch, with red and black contrast laces. Both shoes work well with “business casual” attire.
Details
Available in men’s sizes 7-17 in regular “D” width and in wide “EE” width. I think these shoes fit consistently with other Keen shoes I have tested in the past; maybe they are a hair longer than other styles I tested several yeas ago. I should add here that I’m a woman who’s been wearing men’s shoes since seventh grade because my feet are so wide. Women who can wear women’s shoes and who like this style can check out Keen’s Women’s PTC Oxford shoe or Women’s Presidio shoe. Neither shoe has the same treaded outsole as the men’s Targhee III Oxford shoe, but they have similar black (or brown) leather uppers. Keen also makes several black work shoes for men and women in different styles.
These shoes contain a pesticide-free anti-odor fighting compound. I can’t speak to that since I have not been wearing the shoes for that long and because my feet never smell. Seriously, they don’t. It’s weird. Keen uses responsibly produced leather. You can read more about that here. And, their shoes do not contain forever chemicals.
I absolutely love these comfortable, attractive shoes.
Manufacturer: keenfootwear.com
$135 available at Amazon (currently on sale for less as of 8.15.2023)