Keen Targhee Iv vs Lenovo Legion Go Steamos: Which Should You Buy?
Category: Electronics
I've been using both the Keen Targhee IV and a Lenovo Legion Go running SteamOS for several months now — yes, one is a rugged hiking shoe and the other is a handheld gaming PC — and I wanted to write up my real-world impressions to help anyone trying to decide which of these very different purchases makes sense for them. What I found was that these products solve very different problems, but they cross paths in one important way: portability. I often head out of the house with the shoes on my feet and the Legion Go in my pack, and that combination drove many of my observations.
Why I bought both
Short version: I bought the Keen Targhee IV because I needed reliable, weather-ready footwear for hikes, backyard projects, and rainy-day dog walks. I bought the Lenovo Legion Go because I wanted a true portable PC gaming experience that I could use on travel days, in the backyard, and during longer commutes. Over the last few months I’ve logged dozens of miles in the Targhees and logged dozens of hours on the Legion Go, so I feel comfortable sharing what worked and what didn’t.
Keen Targhee IV — Detailed review
In my experience, the Targhee IV is the kind of shoe you don’t notice until you do — which is to say it gets out of the way and lets you walk. I bought the waterproof leather version and wore them through spring and early fall on muddy trails, gravel, wet grass, and occasional light scrambling. They’ve been my go-to when I want protection and stability without the stiffness of a full-on backpacking boot.
Comfort and fit
Right out of the box the Targhee IV felt a little stiff across the toe box, but after a few outings the leather softened and the break-in was reasonable. I noticed that sizing matters: I normally wear a US 10 and the Targhee IV in the same size fit true, with enough room for wool socks and slight swelling on longer hikes. The midsole offers a pleasant, cushioned ride — not ultra-plush, but supportive for day hikes up to 10–12 miles.
Protection and durability
The KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane actually worked well in light-to-moderate rain and when stepping through puddles; my feet stayed dry even after an unexpectedly long stretch of wet trail. The rubber outsole provided confident traction on roots and wet rocks. After months of use the leather shows normal scuffs but no structural breakdown; the tread depth has worn slightly but not alarmingly. I appreciated the reinforced toe rand for shingle and rock protection.
What bothered me
One thing that bothered me was that on hot summer days the shoe felt a bit warm and breathability was limited compared with mesh trail runners. I also saw slight seam puckering near the heel after repeated wet/dry cycles — not catastrophic, but noticeable to a picky eye. Finally, despite the waterproofing, once I intentionally stuck my foot in a shallow stream and left it there, I felt some seepage around the tongue area; it wasn't a full failure, but it revealed the limit of any mid-height waterproof shoe.
Keen Targhee IV — Pros & Cons
- Pros: Solid waterproofing for day hikes, comfortable midsole, protective toe rand, durable leather construction, good traction.
- Cons: Not as breathable in hot weather, some break-in stiffness, slightly heavier than trail runners.
Lenovo Legion Go (SteamOS) — Detailed review
When I decided to pick up a Lenovo Legion Go, my goal was to have a true PC gaming handheld that I could use without tethering to a laptop. I installed SteamOS on the device and used it as a Steam Deck–style environment — my experience reflects that particular setup, not stock Windows behavior. Over several months I used it on flights, in cafés, and at home on the couch.
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View Offers →Performance and software
In my tests the Legion Go handled a broad range of games smoothly at medium-to-high settings when using Proton compatibility. Lighter and well-optimized titles ran near native framerates, while heavier AAA games required lowering settings or frame caps to keep battery life reasonable. SteamOS made the handheld feel more like a console: quick resume, Steam overlay, and Proton compatibility left me able to play many titles without juggling drivers. That said, some games with anti-cheat or heavy Windows-only dependencies still required me to boot into Windows on another machine or skip them altogether.
Controls, screen, and ergonomics
I liked the control layout; the extra thumbstick and shoulder paddles made longer sessions comfortable. The screen is crisp and bright enough for outdoor use on cloudy days, but I noticed glare in direct sun and a slight tendency for colors to cool when viewed at an angle. The device runs warm under load — I could feel heat along the left shoulder of the unit during two-hour sessions of intense gaming. It wasn’t unbearable, but it did affect my hand placement and sometimes forced me to pause for a break.
Battery life and portability
Battery life is the usual handheld compromise. In my real-world use I got about 2–3 hours on demanding titles and closer to 4–6 hours on indie or less demanding games with aggressive power limits. I kept a small power bank in my bag and that solved most travel-day issues. The Legion Go is noticeably larger and heavier than single-board consoles, but it still fit comfortably inside a small backpack alongside my hiking essentials — which is why I often carried it along on day trips.
What bothered me
One thing I was surprised by was the software idiosyncrasies. SteamOS is growing, but not every peripheral or launcher behaved as I wo…Lenovo Legion Go — Pros & Cons
- Pros: Excellent handheld PC performance for a wide range of games, comfortable controller layout, great portability for a PC-class device, solid screen for indoor use.
- Cons: Shorter battery life under heavy load, warm chassis during extended sessions, occasional SteamOS compatibility quirks, lacks official compact dock solution.
Side-by-side comparison
It might seem odd to compare a hiking shoe and a handheld gaming device directly, but if your life involves mobility and packing light, choosing between investing in better outdoor gear or a portable gaming setup is a real decision. Below is a table that summarizes the main trade-offs I've noticed from months of real use.
| Attribute | Keen Targhee IV | Lenovo Legion Go (SteamOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Outdoor footwear for hikes and everyday wear | Handheld PC for gaming on the go |
| Portability | Worn on body; no extra pack space | Compact but requires bag; needs charging |
| Durability | High — leather and protective rand hold up to trails | Medium — solid construction but sensitive internals |
| Power/Consumables | No charging; replace as wear demands | Battery needs recharging; power bank often needed |
| Comfort | Very good for day hikes after break-in | Ergonomic for gaming sessions; can get warm |
| Common annoyances | Limited breathability in heat | Battery life and SteamOS quirks |
| Best for | Hikers, weekend adventurers, chores in wet weather | Travel gamers, commuters, those who want PC titles on a handheld |
Buying guide — how to choose between them
Since these products serve different primary needs, my buying advice depends on what problem you’re trying to solve. Here are the practical decision points I considered and that you should consider too.
1. What do you need portability for?
If your priority is getting outdoors comfortably — walking, hiking, yard work — the Targhee IV is the obvious option. I noticed that the confidence and protection you get from a dedicated hiking shoe changes how often you go outside: I ended up taking longer walks because my feet felt supported. If portability means "carry a full PC experience with me," then the Legion Go wins: it's a small PC that fits in a daypack and keeps me entertained on long trips.
2. Comfort vs. session length
Think about duration. If you spend hours walking, invest in footwear that prevents hot spots and blisters — the Targhee IV delivered for me after the break-in period. If you spend hours gaming, consider battery and heat: the Legion Go was comfortable but warmed up, so plan for breaks and peripherals like a power bank or compact fan if you have long sessions.
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View Offers →3. Software and ecosystem
For the Legion Go, ask yourself whether your favorite games play well under Proton/SteamOS. I was happy with many titles, but I had to accept that some anti-cheat dependent or niche launchers wouldn't work smoothly. If you need absolute compatibility with every PC title, a Windows-based laptop or a different handheld that ships with Windows might be a better fit.
4. Weather and environment
The Targhee IV is weather-ready; I trusted it in rain and mud far more than a pair of trail runners. The Legion Go, conversely, is delicate — keep it dry, and avoid exposing it to extreme cold or humidity. I wouldn't take the handheld into a monsoon, but I had no problem using the Targhees on wet trails.
5. Budget and longevity
Both are investments, but in different ways. The Targhee IV tends to last for seasons of use and can be resoled or repaired in many cases; it's a long-term outdoor purchase. The Legion Go is a tech purchase with a faster obsolescence curve — new handhelds and software updates change the equation every few years. I personally expected to upgrade the Legion Go sooner than I would replace the shoes.
Real-world scenarios — which one should you pick?
- You hike weekly, rarely game on the go: Buy the Keen Targhee IV. The immediate lifestyle improvement from a pair of comfortable, protective shoes was huge for me.
- You travel frequently and want PC gaming anywhere: Buy the Legion Go (SteamOS). I got hours of solid gaming on trains and in cafés — it’s liberating compared to a laptop.
- You want both on a budget: Prioritize the Targhees if outdoor activity is your main lifestyle; software and peripheral costs for handheld gaming add up.
- You want a single carry-all solution for short trips: Consider getting both if your budget allows and you value both experiences; they complement each other well for day-long outings.
Final thoughts and conclusion
In my experience, the Keen Targhee IV and the Lenovo Legion Go running SteamOS are both excellent at what they do, but they answer different needs. The Targhee IV quietly improved my day-to-day outdoor life: it’s dependable in wet conditions, comfortable on long walks after a short break-in, and durable enough to stay in rotation. The Legion Go excited my inner gamer — it gave me PC-class gaming in a portable package — but it reminded me of the trade-offs that come with handheld PCs: battery limits, heating, and occasional software friction with SteamOS.
If I had to summarize my honest recommendation: get the Targhee IV if your priority is outdoor comfort and dependability. Get the Legion Go (or another handheld PC) if you want to bring your PC library with you and are comfortable managing power and software quirks. If you love both being outside and playing on-the-go, I found carrying both to be a rewarding combination: comfortable feet and entertainment in my pack.
What I appreciated most was how clearly each product did its job. What disappointed me was how each exposed trade-offs (breathability and weight for the shoes; battery and heat for the handheld). After months of use, I’ve kept both in my rotation because each improves a different part of my life. Hopefully my hands-on experience helps you decide which one belongs in yours.