Training Hike: Snickers Gap to Crescent Rock

Out and back hike along the Appalachian Trail
6.28 Miles
3 hour 30 mins

Elevation Profile from MapMyHIKE

Welcome to West Virginia

I tested the following items during the hike

1. Voltaren Gel
I applied this gel to both knees about 1 hour before the hike. No pain in my bad knee during the hike and slight ache at times in the good knee when descending. My good knee is starting to get arthritis after many years of compensating for the the bad knee.

My knees were stiff by the time I got home. I iced both knees.

2. ASICS GEL-Fuji Racer

These are a minimalist trail runner and they felt great! They are not waterproof so they will be a spring/summer hiking shoe.

Asics Gel Fuji Racer

3. Safe-T-Sport Patella Support Brace

Safe-T-Sport Patella Support Brace Model 37-300

I decided to try using a knee brace after talking with several hikers who said that braces help them minimize knee pain. This brace is small and light. It easily fit under my hiking pants and it was easy to take on/off. I barely noticed the brace once I started hiking.