Why Do My Hips Hurt While Backpacking?

By Robert Palmer

Hiking and backpacking can be a great way to get out into nature and enjoy the scenery, but it can also cause discomfort due to the strain on your body from carrying a heavy backpack. One of the most common areas of pain associated with backpacking is hip pain.

This is caused by the weight of the backpack, as well as the uneven terrain you may be traveling on. If you are an avid hiker or backpacker, understanding why your hips hurt and how to prevent it can help keep you comfortable on your next adventure.

The first thing to consider when trying to understand why your hips hurt while backpacking is the weight of your backpack. Carrying too much weight can put strain on your joints, particularly if you are carrying it incorrectly.

When packing for a trip, make sure that you are only bringing what is absolutely essential and that you are packing in a way that will evenly distribute the weight across your body. Additionally, make sure that your backpack fits correctly; if it is too big or too small it can cause discomfort.

In addition to considering the weight of your pack, terrain plays an important role in hip pain when backpacking. Uneven or rocky terrain can cause increased stress on hips and knees as they absorb more shock than flat surfaces. To reduce this stress, wear appropriate footwear with good ankle support and use trekking poles for extra balance when hiking over difficult terrain.

Conclusion:

Hip pain while backpacking is a common issue that can be caused by carrying an improperly packed or weighted backpack as well as travelling over uneven terrain. To reduce this discomfort, pack light and evenly distribute the weight in your pack, choose appropriate footwear with good ankle support, and use trekking poles for extra balance when needed.