Hikers have knees. We love our poles and they help save our knees – BUT – knees can still ache the next day after a tough hike. When I ICE, I don’t hurt. When I don’t ice, my knees are often quite vocal the next day. Hit me over the head with a sledgehammer!
The problem is that they don’t hurt that day or evening, just the next day. But NEVER when I ice. I recently ordered a bunch of Ice Packs and this is the one I like! I don’t put it on bare skin. I wrap it around really snugly and it provides some compression as well. It’s EXCELLENT and so reasonably priced.
I can even put it in my cooler between 2 ice packs and have ice right after my hike. Why make your kidneys pay (ibuprophen, NSAIDS, etc.) when applying ice directly helps? Note: You may not think you need ice because you don’t SEE swelling. But if you have discomfort – ICE, ICE, ICE!
Also, in our opinion, EVERYONE should have a good ice pack in the freezer, ready to go. I’ve used this on elbows, ankles, knees, shoulders….stuff happens!