[pct-l] Insoles

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

My back hurt from using a computer mouse and sitting all day.

My frameless pack was somewhat too heavy and ill-fitting for me and  
this made my back pretty miserable. First thing I did to help my back  
was get a better-fitting, more supportive, internal frame pack. I did  
that in Agua Dulce. It weighed more, but it carried my heavy gear  
better. My back stopped hurting.

On my second hike I lightened my packweight considerably and used  
another unsupportive, frameless pack. My unsupportive pack still hurt  
my back. I ended up wedging a stick against my back, between the back  
pad and the pack. The pain went away. I carried that stick from south  
of Lone Pine all the way to Canada!

So rather than insoles, I would suggest making sure your pack fits  
well and is supportive for your back.

Diane

On Jan 2, 2011, at 7:55 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> At the ripe age of 26, I tend to have some lower back pain when I  
> walk for
> an extended amount of time. I'm worried about this acting up when I'm
> walking for six months.....Are there any specific insoles or shoes  
> anyone
> recommends? Thanks,
>    ~Csilla~