Sassafras Lass
03-17-2010, 16:17
I just had to comment on my new boots, which I received in good time from Zappos (as always, and I hope I'm allowed to mention stores here). http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/fw09/shoes/women/trailhead/targhee%20ii%20mid/concord
At the sound advice of Live the Journey, I ordered a 1/2 size up from my normal sneaker size (9.5) in Walnut (I rather like the traditional boot color). They arrived yesterday and I used them immediately after coming home from work. They are very well made, very pleasing aesthetically, and furthermore give me the exact support I was looking for in a hiking boot.
I don't know that I have weird feet; perhaps they're a bit wide and I have developed an irritable bone spur on the ball of my right foot, but other than that I'd say I have fairly normal feet.
I put them on, tucking in the tongue and tightening the laces (the lacing system, by the way, is nice and simple, with a reinforced metal hook that holds the lace well). The laces are wavy - I don't know the proper term, but they widen and shrink at intervals throughout the length, which certainly gives the appearance of being more sturdy and secure than a standard round or flat lace.
Right away the boots felt great. They were not heavy, they didn't feel cumbersome, I could wiggle my toes, my heel was secure, and I feel that these boots actually improve my balance and posture; I'm no slouch but these just encourage the rest of my body to stand straight and tall (I'm guessing it has something to do with the higher mid cut).
Walking is a breeze; these boots actually help my stride, help me keep my center of balance, and offer me not a single chance of twisting my ankle (I do have rather weak ankles). I walked around the house for nearly 1/2 an hour to ensure that a 1/2 size up would be appropriate; I was worried about size because many Keen user suggest going a full size up from sneaker size, and once I got these dirty I couldn't very well return them.
I decided that they were great, grabbed my trekking poles, and walked out into the backyard and woods. I proceeded to hike a little over 2 1/2 miles through woods, golf green, dirt country rode, and pavement.
Never once did my toes feel scrunched. Never once did my feet slide or move. Never once did my heel pull out. Never once did I feel inhibited in any kind of stride or maneuver. They absorbed the shock and kept my feet from feeling the terrain in a good way; stones, sticks, etc. were nothing to worry about. They had great grip and I easily walked along downed tree trunks that I whimpered over a week ago. My ankle felt supported, the height didn't dig into my calves (and I do have muscular calves), and the toe box was wonderfully supportive.
All in all, a terrific shoe! I'm very pleased with them (though I've yet to get them wet) and look foward to using them in the Smokies Easter weekend, and hopefully for the beginning of my GAME hike next March.
At the sound advice of Live the Journey, I ordered a 1/2 size up from my normal sneaker size (9.5) in Walnut (I rather like the traditional boot color). They arrived yesterday and I used them immediately after coming home from work. They are very well made, very pleasing aesthetically, and furthermore give me the exact support I was looking for in a hiking boot.
I don't know that I have weird feet; perhaps they're a bit wide and I have developed an irritable bone spur on the ball of my right foot, but other than that I'd say I have fairly normal feet.
I put them on, tucking in the tongue and tightening the laces (the lacing system, by the way, is nice and simple, with a reinforced metal hook that holds the lace well). The laces are wavy - I don't know the proper term, but they widen and shrink at intervals throughout the length, which certainly gives the appearance of being more sturdy and secure than a standard round or flat lace.
Right away the boots felt great. They were not heavy, they didn't feel cumbersome, I could wiggle my toes, my heel was secure, and I feel that these boots actually improve my balance and posture; I'm no slouch but these just encourage the rest of my body to stand straight and tall (I'm guessing it has something to do with the higher mid cut).
Walking is a breeze; these boots actually help my stride, help me keep my center of balance, and offer me not a single chance of twisting my ankle (I do have rather weak ankles). I walked around the house for nearly 1/2 an hour to ensure that a 1/2 size up would be appropriate; I was worried about size because many Keen user suggest going a full size up from sneaker size, and once I got these dirty I couldn't very well return them.
I decided that they were great, grabbed my trekking poles, and walked out into the backyard and woods. I proceeded to hike a little over 2 1/2 miles through woods, golf green, dirt country rode, and pavement.
Never once did my toes feel scrunched. Never once did my feet slide or move. Never once did my heel pull out. Never once did I feel inhibited in any kind of stride or maneuver. They absorbed the shock and kept my feet from feeling the terrain in a good way; stones, sticks, etc. were nothing to worry about. They had great grip and I easily walked along downed tree trunks that I whimpered over a week ago. My ankle felt supported, the height didn't dig into my calves (and I do have muscular calves), and the toe box was wonderfully supportive.
All in all, a terrific shoe! I'm very pleased with them (though I've yet to get them wet) and look foward to using them in the Smokies Easter weekend, and hopefully for the beginning of my GAME hike next March.