5 Tips To Avoid Knee Pain While Hiking

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Are you looking for ways to avoid knee pain when hiking? Then this blog post is for you.

Hiking is a great way to explore the outdoors and get some exercise at the same time. It's also an activity that can lead to knee pain without proper precautions. Activities that involve repetitive pounding, such as hiking are the most difficult for knees. Between the uneven ground, steep inclines, and long distances it is easy to put a lot of strain on your knee joints. That’s why knee pain is very common amongst hikers of all ages.

Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do in order to avoid knee pain when hiking which will help make your hike more enjoyable! In this blog post, I'll be sharing 5 tips to help you avoid knee pain when hiking.

Related: How to get in shape for hiking?

Let's explore 5 tips to prevent knee pain when hiking out on the trail:

1) Strengthen your muscles

Photo by Kyle Kranz on Unsplash

One of the best ways to avoid knee pain when hiking is to strengthen the muscles in and around your knees. Your muscles will start growing weaker if they are not strengthened with proper workouts and exercises. The physical effort of hiking can be overwhelming if you haven’t gone through some rigorous exercises before hitting the trails. But it is necessary to start slowly and not to force it. The idea is to practice regular physical activity and strengthen your knee muscles.

Remember, once is not going to be enough. That’s why you have to train at least two or three times per week. You need to work your way up slowly but consistently. Four or five repetitions on each leg is a good starting point. When you use your muscles, they become stronger. Little by little, your knees will be prepared to endure tougher and longer hikes. But never ever push yourself too far, too quickly. You will only hurt yourself if you rush your training sessions.

Recommended exercises for strengthening your knees:

• Hamstring Curls
• Wall Squats
• Step-Ups
• Leg Presses

2) Use trekking poles

The second best way to avoid knee pain when hiking downhill is using trekking poles. A set of hiking poles can be of great use when you’re out hiking especially on challenging, uneven terrains. High-quality trekking poles are a simple way to take some of the stress off of your knees. Trekking poles such as our TREK Z 2.0 serve as great aids for both balance and stability. When used properly, trekking poles help lessen the overall impact and pressure from your knees.

Bringing trekking poles will surely add a lot more comfort to your hike. But you do need to learn how to properly grip the trekking poles in order to benefit from them. You also have to adjust the height of the poles accordingly for uphill and downhill hikes. Adjusting the length can boost stability on varying terrains. You should lengthen your poles when going downhill and shorten it during uphill hikes. Doing so will make it easier to walk.

Note: Even with a good pair of trekking poles, there is a risk of overexerting & hurting your knees. So, do not forget to spend a few hours relaxing during the hike.

To select the best trekking poles available, check out this blog post “How to choose the right trekking poles?”.

3) Find your pace

Photo by Dhiren Rai on Unsplash

Finding your pace is crucial when it comes to preventing knee pain when hiking. You should aim to hike in a consistent, easy-going pace throughout the day. A steady pace makes for a successful hiking experience. Keep in mind that hiking in itself is not a race and there are no prizes for being first to the finish. So try not to start out too fast in the heat of the moment. It’s important to know exactly when you’ve to slow down and when to speed up.

Make an effort to walk slowly if you start feeling tired and try to maintain a steady stride. Hiking becomes a lot more fun and safe for all when everyone is walking at a comfortable pace. Find your rhythm and avoid rushing to catch up with your group members. It’s good to pace yourself and take plenty of breaks along the way. That way you will get to enjoy your hike to the fullest without having to deal with knee pain.

4) Wear the right footwear

Photo by Dhiren Rai on Unsplash

The last thing you want to be doing while hiking is wearing an uncomfortable set pair of footwear. Be sure to wear shoes or boots that are made specifically for hiking. And avoid heavy hiking shoes or boots in easy hiking paths. Improper footwear can lead to knee pain and joint aches when you’re out hiking for long periods of time. If your hiking footwear isn’t right then you are at a high risk of experiencing knee pain, especially on rocky or uneven terrain.

Shoes or boots you choose to wear should offer plenty of cushioning to help absorb impact and relieve pressure from your knees. Your legs are the ones doing the most work while hiking. So, it pays to focus on the type of hiking boot you choose to wear. If you recently bought a new hiking shoe then don’t go hiking with it unless you break it in first.

Related: Hiking Footwear Guide | How to choose hiking boots?

5) Keep your backpack light

Photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash

Hiking with heavy load on your back puts more stress on your joints. So try not to pack unnecessary items for your hike. Avoid overstuffing your backpack and only bring the necessities. Take only what you need, not what you think you might need while on the trail. Your knees will be at ease for most part of the hike if you don’t have to carry a shitload of equipment and gears on your back.

Related: How to become a minimalist hiker?

Be very selective with what you want to bring. Keep your hiking checklist as short as possible. Prioritize bringing items that are lightweight and durable. Look for lighter alternatives whenever possible. Also, any multipurpose item will be a great addition to your hike.

Wondering how to choose a backpack for your next outdoor adventure? Then read our handy guide to make that choice a little easier.

Conclusion

Dealing with knee pain when hike can be dreadful. Once your knees start aching, it becomes quite difficult to enjoy the outdoors, no matter how beautiful or easy the trail is. So, do keep these tips in mind to prevent knee pain when hiking downhill. At first, it won’t be easy to follow all the above-mentioned tips and advice. So be smart and do what seems right to you. Slowly with practice, these techniques will become easier and then become second nature to you. Lastly, all that’s left for you to do is simply get out there and explore as many hiking trails as possible.

If you have any questions or tips you want to share, do let us know in the comments down below.

Want to learn how to beat the heat and stay cool while hiking? Check out this blog post!