大多数人就是用好的hiking boots和登山杖；我觉得到用hip protector的地步还是别hiking了。
Pros of Hip Protectors for Hiking
- Injury Prevention: The main benefit is the potential to significantly reduce the risk of a hip fracture if a fall occurs. This is achieved by absorbing or shunting the impact force away from the hip bone.
- Peace of Mind: For hikers who have osteoporosis, a history of fractures, or a genuine fear of falling, wearing hip protectors can provide confidence and enable them to continue active lives.
- Effectiveness when Worn Correctly: Studies have shown that when a fall happens while wearing the protector correctly over the greater trochanter, the risk of fracture can be reduced substantially.
- Discreet Modern Designs: Newer hip protectors are often slim, lightweight, and made with breathable materials, making them less noticeable and more comfortable to wear with active clothing.
Cons of Hip Protectors for Hiking
- Comfort and Adherence Issues: Poor comfort, dislike of the appearance, and general practicality are major barriers to long-term use. Heat buildup and skin irritation can also occur.
- Questionable Efficacy in Active Populations: Most evidence supporting hip protectors comes from institutionalized elderly populations. There is little or no evidence they provide significant benefit for healthy, community-dwelling, and active individuals.
- Bulkiness and Restricted Movement: Depending on the design (especially older or hard-shelled models), they can be bulky, restrict movement, or interfere with a backpack's hip belt, which is essential for carrying heavier loads comfortably.
- Potential for Incorrect Use: The pad must be correctly positioned over the hip bone to be effective. If the protector moves, its ability to reduce impact is significantly diminished.
- Not a Fall Prevention Device: Hip protectors do not reduce the risk of falling itself; they only mitigate injury if a fall occurs. Fall prevention strategies like using trekking poles and improving balance are more direct ways to improve hiking safety.
- Potential for Other Injuries: There is a slight, though small, increased risk of pelvic fractures when using hip protectors.
