KEEN Fan Rachelle Hamonic must have purchased one of the very first Targhee hiking boots we ever made, and she's been wearing them ever since.
Until the glue finally failed this summer.
Delamination is a shoemaking problem we've been determined to solve. Over time, the glue used to bond the sole to the upper fails. That's where KEEN.FUSION comes in. Our new construction method uses heat and pressure instead of glue to create a mechanical bond that won't separate. You'll find it in our latest version of our Targhee hiking boot: the Targhee IV.
Thanks for sharing your story, Rachelle, and here's to many more Targhee adventures to come in your new, non-duct-taped boots!
Dear KEEN,
A few decades ago, I purchased my first pair of KEEN hiking boots specifically for hiking the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. These boots were special – they had strong ankle support, a roomy toe area, and were easy to lace up. They quickly became my most treasured piece of hiking equipment. With my KEEN boots, I explored many beautiful hiking trails in British Columbia, including Mt Albert-Edward, Garibaldi Lake, and Nootka Island. I even wore them on international adventures like climbing Mount Fuji in Japan.
"I want to thank your company for creating such a high-quality product. It's rare to find something that lasts this long and performs so well."
This July, more than 20 years after my first West Coast Trail hike, I decided to wear the same trusted boots for another 75-kilometer trek along the rugged Vancouver Island coastline. In a poetic twist, my beloved hiking boots met their final moments in the same environment where they first began – among the muddy trails and sandy beaches of the West Coast Trail.
Some people thought I was crazy to bring such old boots on the trip, but I knew they were still in good condition. Before the hike, they showed minimal wear and tear and remained functional, protective, and comfortable. The only issue starting this last hike was that the grip was starting to come loose – which I attributed to the glue, not the boot's quality. While a footwear problem isn't ideal during a multi-day hiking trip, the gradual tread disintegration became an unexpected source of humor. It sparked conversations, helped me make new friends, and even inspired some impromptu trail songs.
I want to thank your company for creating such a high-quality product. It's rare to find something that lasts this long and performs so well. As I look to replace my old boots, I hope to find another pair with the same reliability and comfort.
Thank you,
Rachelle Hamonic
