How the Targhee IV Became KEEN’s Cleanest Hiking Boot Yet

So, what does a Consciously Created Targhee look like? For one, it’s PFAS-free. PFAS aka per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances aka forever chemicals are found in everything from non-stick pans to cosmetics to, unfortunately, a lot of outdoor gear. But not the Targhee. The harm posed by PFAS has only recently been exposed in a broad way, but KEEN has been ahead of the game, being PFAS-free since 2018. You won’t find these forever chemicals in any KEEN shoe, or in any part of its supply chain for that matter.

Another one of KEEN’s beliefs is that durability equals sustainability. You’ll find no planned obsolescence here—KEEN made the Targhee IV to last as long as possible. One component of this effort is the KEEN.RUGGED outsole that’s twice as abrasion resistant as typical rubber. Another is the introduction of KEEN.FUSION technology, which replaces the use of toxic glues with a heat activated, direct-injection process that fuses the upper to the sole using 3.5x less energy than traditional, solvent-based manufacturing. Without glue and with this bonding tech, KEEN guarantees your Targhee IV boots will never fail from delamination or sole separation—one of the main reasons hiking boots fall apart, caused by glue deterioration. And if things do start to fall apart, KEEN will happily replace your boots with a new pair (or an equivalent credit) through their Delamination-Free Guarantee warranty.

Source: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/keen-pfas-free-targhee-iv