Footwear advice?

[coloradoan4christ]

Colorado native, newbie climber, interested in easy and moderate 14ers only (class 3 max), 21 years old, female, suffers from plantar fasciitis.

Headed to do my first 14er (Grays or Bierstadt - haven't decided yet) in a week or two and hoping to get something good before then. Or would my running tennis shoes work fine for those climbs? Hoping not to spend more than between $60-$100. Thanks!

[mtree]

Running shoes should be fine.

[HikerGuy]

If you do not already have them, you might want to look into getting replacement insoles for your running shoes to improve the arch and heel support.

[bichito]

Running shoes/sneakers will suffice but they may not last if you start doing tour de abyss type of hikes. If you have the money invest in a pair of boots.

Learn from my garmonts :-}

[rob runkle]

Running shoes will work fine if you dont like those shoes and want to trash them after a hike or two.

The sharp rocks will tear them up. Look into some trail runnng shoes.

[bichito]

Running shoes will work fine if you dont like those shoes and want to trash them after a hike or two.

The sharp rocks will tear them up. Look into some trail runnng shoes.

Even those take a beating. I just beat the pulp out of a pair of garmont zenith (low height/sneakers) I am buying boots ASAP.

[gjohnston89]

I personally like Salomon speedcross 3s. Light weight,good traction. They have multiple types some with goretex lining,but they are low cut so ankle deep water or snow will get in pretty easy. Ive put, 100 miles or so on mine between hiking 14ers and trail running and they have held up pretty well. Probably have maybe 50 more left on them.

[spiderman]

I personally get a bunch of hikes out of a relatively cheap pair of running shoes from Sierra Trading post. They usually last a whole season of Class 1-4 climbs. Lightweight=happiness!