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.
