Kenetrek - Time to move on.....

[ctsmith]

I've about 6 miles with 55 lb pack and 1500' gain on the Nevada's with medium cushion Smartwool sock and liner. They feel much more plush on the foot than the Hardscrable; I've very little concern of blisters. Very supportive of the ankles. Liking the less stiff midsole. Slightly warmer than the Hardscrable but not much. This morning I put three miles on them in 72 degree temps. They were warm but not bad. Wouldn't be my first choice in 80+ thats for sure, but will work fine from 75 down.

 

[ctsmith]

The book is closed on this chapter. Pushing 50 miles on them now, mostly all of which are on hills and the Nevadas are working perfect for me. I've all the confidence in the world for the backpack hunt. No hot spots, rubs, or pressure points, none. Very comfortable with good ankle support. The midsole seems to be the perfect balance.

 

[ctsmith]

POST HUNT UPDATE.

There's at least another chapter in this book.

After several days the hunt took a turn from the high very rocky backcountry to the rolling front country so I was able to get an idea of how the Nevada's performed in both situations.


NEVADA PRO'S:

In both terrains; plush, no blisters, hot spots, etc., nor was there ever a concern.

Very comfortable, never once did I get the urge to pull the boots off to rest my feet, even at night with a pair of Crocs in tow.

Perfect boot for the less rocky rolling front country, or steep, less rocky terrain.

NEVADA CON:

In the rocky backcountry I wanted more midsole. The Nevada's did not instill nearly the same rock pounding confidence that the old Kenetrek's offered last year in the same terrain. This might actually be a blessing in disguise. With the Hardscrabbles I was much more bullish. In the Nevadas I had to be much more ginger and calculated. Also, after a day of pounding rocks, the balls of my feet were a little sore.

HARDSCRABBLE UPDATE:

A stop by Sportman's in Tuscon alerted me to the fact that Hardscrabbles have been updated and I have the old version. I don't know how many years ago this occured. I understand the heel box was the major change. I tried on the new Hardscrabbles. WOW! Right out of the box there is less slippage than my old pair with 100's of miles on them, and the new pair I tried on was actually a half size larger than my old pair. Hardscrabbles are exponentially more stiff all the way around. I did not notice the difference until going back to them after many miles in the Nevada, or the new Hardscrabbles are more stiff than the old (which reminds me that I need to strap on the old pair this afternoon). I immediately felt like pounding rocks. LOL. That said, they did not feel near as plush as the Nevadas. Unlike the Nevada, you can bet I'd be ripping them off after a long day's hunt.

I have taken advantage of the post thankgiving sales and ordered Hardscrabbles at 25% off. Cant wait to see if the heel works out better on the updated design. Initial indications are that they will definitley be better than the old.

Edited:

I just spent a little time in the old Hardscrabbles. They are not nearly as stiff as the new ones I tried on. I know break-in has a lot to do with it but the difference is so vast I suspect the new version is more stiff? Also, right off the bat this afternoon, I noticed the old ones digging into my heel.