If you're a seasoned hiker, we doubt there's anything you love more than an exhilarating high-angle hike. With adrenaline at an all-time high and the fresh breeze evaporating the beads of sweat off your forehead, a high-angle hike offers a thrilling experience that's hard to replicate.

Add a rewarding view to the mix and there's hardly any other outdoor activity that comes close to offering a similar experience!

While you may have mastered the steeps over the years, rigorous high-angle hiking comes with its fair share of risks.

We've rounded up the ultimate guide to avoiding injuries to ensure you can embark on the thrilling adventure without putting your safety at risk.

Read on!

Warm Up Beforehand!

One of the best ways to avoid strains and sprains is strengthening the joints by warming up before each high-angle hike. Whether you indulge in twenty minutes of active stretching or engage in some push-ups, mild lifting, and light cardio, you'll prepare your body for the rigorous hiking and potential climbing ahead.

Over time, a warm up will also strengthen your ligaments and tendons, thereby reducing the chances of swelling and pain.

We also recommend wearing sturdy boots and using trekking poles to evenly distribute pressure. By removing stress from your legs, trekking poles enhance mobility and help you embark on a rigorous high-angle hike without feeling fatigued and overwhelmed.

Additionally, invest in a body-friendly bag that molds to the contours of your body and enhances flexibility. Our science-smart bags are specially designed for hikes. Not only do they reduce chances of neck, joint, and back pain, but they also increase comfort, thereby allowing seasoned hikers to feel more secure, protected, and in control as they embark on an exhilarating hike.

Stay Hydrated and Nourished

High-angle hiking can easily make you feel dehydrated and can even cause a bellyache. With a range of underlying reasons—including a GI infection or kidney stones—a bellyache can put you at great risk during and after your hike.

To prevent the condition, we recommend keeping yourself adequately hydrated. Indulge in nutrient-laden healthy snacks to ensure you're providing your body with the vitamins, minerals, and proteins it requires for a challenging hike.

Prevent Blisters by Breaking in Footwear

Thinking of wearing those stunning hiking boots you bought last month? You may want to break in those bad boys first.

Not only will testing new footwear in advance help you identify discomfort or sizing issues, but it'll also help your feet adjust to the change. This will prevent a strange feeling of novelty from kicking in on your adventure.

We also recommend keeping your feet dry by changing socks after accidental contact with water or excessive sweating. These precautionary measures will prevent the development of flesh wounds—including cuts and scrapes. We also recommend wearing performance sports socks to prevent high-angle inclines and unfamiliar terrain from putting excessive stress on your feet.

Familiarize Yourself With the Trail

While you may think you've mastered frequently traveled hiking trails, it's essential that you keep yourself updated on the latest developments. Research the weather, local resting spots, restaurants, and access to guides for updated know-how of the terrain and circumstances.

If you're visiting the same trail after a few months, we suggest getting in touch with hikers who recently traversed the trail. This will help you get the latest insight into potential changes, diversions, and crucial updates.

Ready to embark on a safe and thrilling high-angle hiking adventure? Check out our wide range of comfortable and lightweight hiking backpacks to get started! If you're embarking on a half-day hiking trip, we recommend browsing through our UltraLite Packs.

For more rigorous inclined hiking excursions, check out our DayLite and StrongLite Packs. We also offer hiking accessories to ensure you're equipped with the latest gadgets that optimize your hiking experience.