If you are a hiker, you are likely no stranger to muscle pain. Sore feet and legs are common after a hike, especially on long-distance trails. However, you do not have to endure the discomfort, and in fact, you should not. When muscles are strained or stressed, they can develop small, painful knots known as trigger points. According to WebMD, trigger point massage therapy can enhance blood flow and muscle relaxation while encouraging the release of contracted muscle fibers. The good news is that you do not always need to see a professional for muscle relief; you can manage trigger points at home by massaging with your hands, elbows, or using a tool like a massage ball.
Benefits of Massage Balls for Hikers
Massage balls help increase blood flow and release muscle tension as you roll them over trigger points. Their small shape allows you to reach areas that are difficult to massage with hands alone, such as back muscles. Carrying one in your pack can be a lifesaver during a hike. Fortunately, I have found a product that reviewers highly recommend: the Rawlogy cork travel massage ball, available on Amazon for under $16.
Why Choose Rawlogy's Cork Ball?
Reviewers say Rawlogy's lightweight cork ball is ideal for trigger point therapy on the go. You can purchase this massage ball in multiple diameters, depending on the areas you want to target. The extra-small 0.75-inch size is perfect for hands and wrists, while the 1.4- or 1.9-inch sizes are ideal for feet. For back muscles, the largest 2.5-inch size helps you reach all those muscles effectively. No matter which size you choose, the ball fits easily in your backpack, so you do not have to worry about carrying a bulky tool on your hike. Reviewers are impressed with how lightweight the recycled cork ball is. Multiple reviewers have also noted that the Rawlogy ball has been helpful for plantar fasciitis and chronic pain.
Customer Reviews
With 4.7 stars across over 1,200 reviews, why not try massaging your trigger points with this ball on your next hike? Take it from the reviews below—just like supportive walking shoes and quick-dry pants, this ball is a must-have for hikers.
- esola: "Came recommended to me to carry along for use after long walks / hiking. Just the right size for carrying along and super light. Feels good to roll under your feet and actually along legs and your back for those tired muscles!"
- KM: "After seeing a post about how these RAW cork balls helped an AT hiker’s feet on the trail feel better, I instantly purchased a pair for myself. I’ve been struggling with foot pain related to Posterior Tibial Tendonitis. After rolling my foot on these balls several times a day for a week the pain has been decreased immensely. After long hikes my feet used to be INCREDIBLY painful to walk on. It would take ice and ibuprofen and elevation to make them feel better by the next morning. The firm pressure that the raw cork balls provide gets to the pressure points that help release the tight tendons and make the recovery process so much faster. I now roll my feet for 15-20min and ice for 30 min and they feel better instantly. They are lightweight which makes them a backpacker or hiker dream. I plan on taking these with me on all my hikes and rolling my feet at least once during the hike to see if that will help prevent the end of hike pain I am now experiencing. I highly recommend them. Well worth the cost!"
- l0standw0ndering: "I wish I bought this sooner! I took this along on my recent 4 day trip into the White Mountains. At the end of each day it was great to be able to roll out sore muscles. It made the soreness the following day much better than any of my past overnights. I would highly recommend this to any backpacker doing multiple day hiking. Well worth the minimal extra weight in my opinion."
- Joe S: "Perfect for camp after a long day of hiking. You can rub the sore muscles out or use it on your feet. Ultralight, and takes up almost no room in my pack."
- Rober P: "This little cork ball was recommended by the hiking community. This is a very dense cork ball. Much harder then the ones you use on wine bottles. I love using it on the bottom of my feet. Its also small enough to roll between the soft tissues of you’re hand. Its really light weight and amazing for the hiker or anyone with arthritis. I would recommend buying a larger Rawology to roll on the backside. Nothing better then a long day of hiking. Take those shoes off and roll it all over. The reduction in the lactic acid buildup will greatly enhance the ability to hike further. I also was a long time varsity runner and wished I had this years ago."
Available now on Amazon for under $16.
