Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Addendum to footwear question

Me again: I just remembered something. I used to rock climb, and around 20 years ago I did the East Buttress route on Whitney, which has the same approach as the MR. We were traveling extremely lightly, and I'm pretty sure I wore my tevas for the approach and descent. At the time I didn't own hiking boots, and my tevas were my summer approach shoe. I remember running down the JMT on the way back, and twisting my ankle (and then having everyone I passed, pass me, as I was sticking my foot in a very cold stream). Now I use poles for descending, and won't be running down trails in what's essentially a sandal.

All this to say, I'm sure it's doable to use trail runners for Whitney, but is it advisable (since I'm older and presumably wiser)? Also, any opinion of doing the final 400 in trail runners. The ones I bought have a stiff and a grippy sole.

Thanks! K

from what i have seen of AT and PCT hikers, a lot of people use trailrunners these days. I've seen quite a bit of back and forth over whether to over the ankle or just use low tops too... I would suggest looking for reviews on youtube, maybe search PCT footwear or something similar- seems like EVERY person who blogs their thru hike does a shoe review video of some kind i am sure you could find the opinions you need on youtube

Thanks for the suggestion, will do. K

The shoe choice of PCTers, if there is only one, would probably be the Altra Lone Peak 2.5. I've started day hiking in them myself and I understand why -- superlight, supercomfortable, breathe really nicely, huge toe box -- and I will give them a whirl on some backpacking this summer. But if you need a rigid sole, this is not the shoe for you.