Common Hiking Injuries: Prevention and First Aid

From sandy beachside dunes, higher elevation climbs or peaceful forests, you’ll find hikers on the trail year-round. For experienced hikers, injuries are expected. The more time spent on treks teaches that the simplest misstep can result in a sprain or a trip-and-fall when off the beaten path.

Experienced hikers know that the first line of defense is good footwear. Regular tennis shoes or, heaven forbid, flip-flops does not a safe hike make.  There is a reason for different types of footwear, and hiking shoes are a must for stability, cushioning and the grip needed to traverse the trails. To avoid the most common hiking injury, blisters, be sure to break in the shoes before getting on the trail and use socks that are appropriate to the task at hand.