Hiking

It might be your local bush path on quick Saturday walk, or a mountain trail that takes the better part of your weekend. Whatever the trail, hiking is one of the best ways to keep fit and enjoy the best nature has to offer, especially in Australia where we've got some of the most beautiful plant and animal diversity in the world.

Wearing a hiking support on your walks is a great way to keep the joints stable. Whether you're preventing injury, prolonging your endurance or just making sure the pain doesn't interrupt your walk, hiking braces are great for anyone.

Find answers to the most common questions.

What are common injuries caused in hiking?

Broken and dislocated bones are the most common major injuries from hiking. Sprains and cramping are the most common minor injuries. Overuse of the shoulder muscle due to use of the trekking pole can lead to shoulder injuries. Wrist fractures and thumb fractures can occur from the thumb being trapped in the trekking pole strap. We recommend R.I.C.E (rest, ice therapy, compression, and elevation) method for treating injuries. Please consult a medical professional for your injury. Bauerfeind braces and supports help in preventing injuries and aid in speedy recovery.

How can I prevent cramps while hiking?

Cramping is one of the most common hiking injuries. Cramps occur due to lactic acid accumulation in muscles and dehydration.To prevent cramps and sprains while hiking, we recommend wearing compression socks and sleeves. Bauerfeind provides medical-grade compression unlike most active wear and compression brands available in Australia which provide low-grade compression. It enhances muscle regeneration by supplying the muscles with oxygen and nutrients and eliminating lactic acid. Compression wear can also protect your skin from scrapes and abrasions while trekking through thorny bushes or save you from that poison ivy rash.

How can I prevent knee injuries while hiking?

Hiking for long hours through different terrains can put strain on your knees which can increase your risk of a knee injury. We recommend wearing our Sports Knee Support or Genutrain to protect your knee by stabilising your knee joint. The medical grade compression will enhance your performance by improving your blood circulation. Hike that extra mile with Bauerfeind supports.

How do I take care of these products?

Virtually all of our products can be machine washed on a cold gentle cycle and air dried out of direct sunlight. Putting them on and taking them off carefully is recommended, and for specific product care, refer to the product manual or contact our friendly staff.

Is there warranty for these products?

Every Bauerfeind product is crafted with precision and care and is covered by a manufacturing warranty in accordance with Consumer Law. Warranty periods may vary subject to product range. At any point if you've got issues with the product or aren't sure if something is wrong, just contact our helpful staff.

How do I know they'll fit?

Bauerfeind have an incredibly extensive sizing system for our products based off of hundreds of thousands of patient measurements. The perfect anatomic fit system we use means that the supports are designed to fit your body, not the other way around. (We also offer custom options for a range of our products for those rare few who still can't fit into our sizing range).

How do these help me while I'm hiking?

Bauerfeind's range of supports are comfortable and durable, providing pain relief, fatigue reduction and stability. This support means you've got the best stability and relief that lets you walk along trails all day long.

Do I have to have an injury to wear these?

The beauty of these supports is their versatility. While there are a wide range of products to manage injury (the "Train" and "Loc" range), the performance line is perfect for helping you to get more out of each movement, not only enhancing your exercise for better results, but helping protect you from injury.