Nicks are another option, that would come with either of the soles you’re looking for. I don’t have a pair but I do plan to try them. The JG is still cheaper even if I bought them to immediately resole.
On the side hills, without snow I had zero issue with the JG. The sole is enough to kick in, and bites. My issue was with snow, just having that rigid edge on a traditional mountain boot is enough to grab where my JG didn’t want to. I’d reccomend carrying micro spikes. I didn’t this year and was in a few dangerous spots where a fall would have been bad. Ended up using a trekking pole to keep my feet from sliding every step. I did use microspikes on the stock sole doing some mountaineering, they worked well and didn’t slip around. The stitch down construction really makes for a boot that holds spikes more like a traditional boot.
I’d also get a pair of waterproof socks and some thin liners for them.
The factory Jim green outsole is okay on dry terrain but I couldn’t stand it on any mud, snow or longer grass.
