Ok, initial impressions. I've got one of my Ibex's on one foot and the Kuiu Pamir on the other. Pamir actually feels stiffer in the sole. I do feel like the Ibex's broke in some (at least the uppers), but I do get some flex out of the midsole on the Ibex's and almost none on the Pamir's. I will say the sole and midsole appear identical. Not sure if both have the carbon midsole (the Ibex is spec'ed with the carbon), but again, they appear the same. Obviously the shank could be completely hidden. Pamir is supposed to have a nylon shank.
12.5 was a good call on my part, I like the 1/2 size extra in the toe box. Glad they offered the 1/2 size here.
It does feel like it is cooler or ventilates more - some of this could be due to the extra room in the toe box. I think the Pamir is less soft, which is likely due to no insulation.
Pamir feels a little taller. I'm not looking at them side by side, judging by feel only.
I remember how stiff the Ibex seemed when I got them. A lot of that was the upper which did indeed break in. The Ibex also seemed to develop a little flex after a while.
Hardware seems cheaper on the Pamir, more like an Asolo - aluminum appearance vs a heavier brown hardware on the Ibex's . The one exception is the dogging down locking lace on the lower foot on the Pamir - really, really like that! I wish the upper hardware was like the Ibex's, they seem to lock the lace in pretty well and are very heavy duty. I'm sure this hardware set saves slight amount of weight with the exception of the lace dog.
It also seems I can lock my ankle really well in the Pamir, even better than the Ibex which is pretty good too.
Weight for one of the Pamir's in size 12&1/2 is 2.91 lbs. Weight for one Ibex in size 12 is 2.94 lbs. I'd say there isn't much weight savings.
I do like the built in gaiter on Pamir's, seems like it will work nicely on some trips when the terrain doesn't call for full fledged gaiter.
Did I say that I really like the locking dog lace?...lol! I really like that for a precise fit on my low volume foot. I feel like this boot is made for a slightly more low volume foot. I crank both sides of the Ibex's until they touch when I lace them, I've got probably an inch gap on the uppers on Pamirs that I can crank down more if needed.
That's about all I can think of for now until I get trail time on them. I like them well enough though that I doubt I'll return them. I think they'll break in a little since my Ibex's did a little (probably mostly the leather uppers), but still they do seem to give a little more flex now than they did new.