Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board MR in summer and footwear.

I will be climbing the MR in August and last year I met a guy who had recently done it in trailrunning shoes. Is it possible to wear this kind of footwear without beating up your shoes and/or your feet?

I've seen people coming over Trailcreast after doing the JMT in sandals so anything is possible. But, parts of the MR are loose dirt and scree and I guess trail runners are ok if you have a low gaitor to keep dirt out of your shoes and if you don't want/need the ankle support.

My personal preference is to wear lightweight hiking boots that go above the ankle as I tend to roll my ankles when I'm not paying attention to the trail. I prefer the support and protection that a lightweight boot gives me over a trail runner.

Just my $0.02.

I'd recommend the Montrail 'Hardrocks' trail running shoes. I've used them in most of my backpacking trips (including whitney) and ultra trail marathons. They are the most stable, comfortable, durable trail shoes out there. Another great mid-height shoe/boot I'd recommend is the Montrail 'CTC MID GTX'.
http://montrail.com/Product.aspx?prod=24&cat=120&top=1

I sacrificed an old pair of Asics Cumulus running shoes on the altar of the MR a couple of years ago in late August. Really, really light. Maybe bring another pair of socks to change into at the top, if you get too wet and dirty. Oh, and don't expect any ankle support. Have fun!

The only potential issue is whether there is any unavoidable snow left by the time you get there. August is probably OK, but if it was me, I'd check right before going. I descended the MR after climbing Day Needle early last August, and it was fine. Personally, I much prefer lightweight trail runners to boots on that terrain. Yeah, I got sand in my shoes coming down the lower chute, but it was worth it. I just stopped a couple of times to empty them out. Others have made some good points about ankle support.

I agree with Steve about preferring lightweight trail runners. The biggest factor other than snow, is how susceptible your ankles are to twists and sprains. I do all my summer backpacking in the Sierras wearing running shoes and have no problems at all. Class 3 is "easier" in lighter, less bulky shoes in my opinion. I can get away with this style shoe because for some reason I can completely roll my ankle and it doesn't hurt at all, whereas other people might roll it half as much and swell up and be on crutches for a week. Test out your shoes on similar terrain on a long hike before you go and you should be fine.