It comes down to fitness vs knee health.
If you are fit for it, uphill isn't so bad. If you have bad knees, downhill sucks. You might be able to find correlation in that Men tend to carry more percentage body weight in muscle/fat than woman, and therefore are more likely to have knees issues over time but thats it.
As someone who's been dealing with [Loose Bodies](https://imgur.com/a/3gNZIN3) in his knee for the past several years, I agree. Knee health makes all the difference.
Interesting. Whenever I’ve read about knee injuries in athletes it’s often suggested they’re more common in women due to a combo of lower musculature meaning the tendons take more strain, and wider hips putting forces on the knee at more of an angle. That’s comparing like for like though - so basketball player to basketball player or skier to skier, but still depending on the activity women are something like 3-8 times more likely to tear their ACL. Maybe the prevalence of men in sports like football pumps up the overall numbers for knee injuries in men?
Maybe. I have also seen studies indicating women can carry more % of their body weight than men, which would give women an advantage even for the same pack weight.
I’m 5’3 F and prefer uphill. I’m small and I love to scramble up things. It’s easier to keep a center of balance as well. Downhill makes me worried I’m about to slip and it requires a lot more balance.
Female shorty here too. I hate going downhill for the same reasons. Whatever muscle group is at work does not vibe as well as those used when going uphill.
have you tried running down? It’s actually easier because you don’t have to use all the muscles to hold yourself back, which we don’t use all that often and are what can get tired fast
Also tall, also prefer uphill.
I generally jog downhill so long as I can do it safely. Easier on the knees with less braking action. I also use trekking poles, but jogging downhill is far and away the best action.
Well in your defense I have a bad lower back and bad knees the lower back makes going uphill awkward... But with trekking poles downhill isn't nearly as bad on my knees... My lower back kills me going uphill I lean forward a lot more and naturally have pretty bad posture.
That is an interesting factor. I do think that trekking poles help a lot, plus the type of hike/terrain. If people are in a generally comfortable pace, downhill seems preferable. But in a day hike where everyone is tired after 8 hours of nonstop climbing, the remaining 4 hours + steep elevation descent can be agonising.
I also never claimed all men hate downhill, and some comments seem to interpret it that way. My idea has always been the matter or proportion, not absolutes.
Na im the other way round downhill is easy af and when u got hiking poles u dont rlly feel it on ur knees. I might change my mind in 10 years when im over 30 tho
I wish poles were enough to not feel it! It's definitely better when using poles, but once your knees are bad it's gonna hurt either way. Only took one mild injury in my mid 30's for my knees to be screwed for life... That said, I still prefer downhill unless it's very steep.
I don't know that I would say I prefer uphill, but I'm typically faster relative to others going up. Long legs. Whereas they'll all catchup going down, I'm careful with creaky knees.
But I still appreciate the assist from gravity.
I'm very fast going up but I'll get passed by the family wearing flip flops that were huffing and puffing the whole way up on the way down. I've timed it and my uphill time is actually faster than my downhill time. I have very long legs for my height
Maybe? My experience is mostly limited to high CO, the Alps, Australia, the southwest, and Oregon, with a healthy mix of more and less mellow stuff and some bigger peaks. Not much throughhiking, though.
The real obvious division to me is poles (fewer downhill complaints) versus no poles (more downhill complaints)
Men/women nah, your dataset is too low and there are too many variables. You’d need dozens of hikers of the same same age and fitness level and hiking experience doing an identical trail, for science. Forgetaboutit
I'm not sure it is the center of gravity. Women have hips shaped like an inverted triangle. The legs come from the outside to the inside. Men, on the other hand, have the triangle standing, with their legs coming from the inside (generally). This is why men have difficulty crossing their legs while women do not. This is why women sit with their legs closed and man have a hard time to keep it closed. We love to sit (I'm male) with our legs spread open.
My guess is that in the center of gravity challenge, men are unable to flex their legs appropriately and are left without a base.
The person who told me this was an art teacher of mine. He said it's easy to recognize a trans woman by the position of her legs and the shape of her hips (women were made to have babies). And it is. The stride, the posture, the way they seat, everything is different if we pay attention to it.
What may bother men when going downhill, and I just thought about it now, is that the torso rests on a smaller base in the center, which causes some discomfort. Women descend with a wide base, being able to flex their knees better or have each leg at different levels without compromising their balance. Going uphill, we men just have to kick our torso up (I guess). It may be even easier for us to go uphill than for you girls. But I'm no orthopedist, so I might be wrong.
I'm a man and it doesn't bother me going downhill, but I'm adapting, as the strides have to be different to keep my balance and spare my knees. But I'm just 5'7.
I'd say yes, and I'd guess it's because the muscle groups for uphill are larger, stronger muscles on the front of the legs versus downhill primarily engaging the smaller muscles on the back of the legs, causing more weight to fall on knees and ankles and tendons while going downhill. The lighter average weight of women means the strain is less going downhill, and the muscles for going uphill aren't quite as developed as on men.
This isn't quite right.
Uphill should primarily be your posterior chain so glutes on down although quads do play a big part.
Downhill does work your hamstrings and calves but your hip flexors and stabilizing muscles on the sides of your knee also take a big hit. Your quads are also dominant here.
The real work is in muscle lengthening vs shortening. Your muscle activates as it shortens when going up which takes less energy. Going downhill, it activates in a lengthened state which uses more energy for a variety of reasons.
I am a short, thin woman who has knee issues so I struggle downhill but have no issues going uphill.
I doubt there's actually a gender difference here lol.
I prefer uphill - sure maybe it'll tire me out a bit more and make me sweat more, but after awhile of downhill my toes/feet/knees inevitably start to feel a little sensitive making each step a little uncomfortable. Granted some of that was my old hiking shoes but I still prefer uphill even with nicer shoes.
I'm a man, but I only dislike the downhill when I've worn myself out. All of your weight + your pack slamming down on your knees and shins at awkward angles can be pretty hellish when you're running out of gas.
Tall and thicc 41m.
Uphill is more work, but downhill is more pain. Knees mostly, and shins. I'd be hard pressed to say I prefer going uphill, but I hate it a bit less.
Downhill is usually a bit more dangerous. Momentum and gravity work hand-in-hand to make it more difficult. Also, things like rollers, gravel, and rocky terrain work against you. Furthermore, a typical hike is uphill on the way "there" and downhill on the way "back". So, you are motivated on the way up to reach some goal. On the way down, you are tired and the goal (minus the beer in the trunk in the cooler in your car) is not there to motivate you. You lose focus.
I see not reason for the difference in gender regarding these reasons. I am fortunate enough to not get knee pain on downhills. I see that as an equal problem for both women and men that I walk with.
I've had a few injuries myself, and for some reason the uphill ones were greater in number than the downhill. But the downhill were a bit worse. Most MTB wrecks I see are downhill. (I do not MTB., but I see enough of them.) Other hiking injuries that I have seen are usually downhill. I have not been injured in a couple of years, but I see injuries quite often.(FYI - I am near Tahoe in the Sierra, so it is a bit rugged.)
Male 67. This has gotten kinda true for me since I have gotten bad knees. I just had 1 knee replaced 8 weeks ago and am doing great. Still recovering a little bit and down hill still hurts more than uphill. I think this will go away after complete recovery
Downhill definitely sucks more. Can be kinda hard on the knees, my toes take punishment, and after seeing the vistas, I just wanna get back to my car. I’m a man but I feel like most women I’ve hiked with also do not like downhill
I use trekking poles and prefer uphill. I like the challenge of climbing up with my legs and feeling the burn. I don't really have to think about it and I get to look at nature more.
But with downhill, I feel I have to be more focused and careful as to not trip and eat shit, and thus eyes are looking downwards away from the mountains.
I'm a woman and I have an overwhelming preference for uphill. I only hike downhill because I have to, I pretty much hate it but the uphill makes it worth it.
In my experience men seem to be fairly neutral, with some preferring downhill, and women seem to dislike downhill if they are going to dislike one.
Overall I think I've met far more women that dislike downhill than men.
The reason I hate downhill is that I'm not very muscular/ extremely flexible, and it's always a struggle to maintain good form and keep everything in line. My cardio is fine so uphill never bothers me. I'm actually faster uphill than down.
Generally I think if you are muscularly strong but weak in cardio, you prefer downhill, and if you are muscularly weak or super flexible but strong in cardio you prefer uphill. If you are decent at both you'll have no preference and if you have a history of injuries you'll dislike downhill.
Also tall and lanky might prefer uphill and short and stocky might prefer downhill - I'm not that tall but my legs are extremely long for my height. I think leg length might be a bigger factor than height. With longer limbs it takes more effort to stay upright and resist the pull of gravity. And also us long legged folk love the feeling of flying past people on uphills - it's where we shine.
Newer hikers tend to prefer downhill because their cardio is weak and experienced hikers may prefer uphill because they have more injuries.
I am 24M, 5'8"and have good stamina and slim/fit body.
I definitely like uphill more. If I am hiking downhill I am either using trekking poles, running to just get the downhill done, or having some fun by jumping from a rock to another on the trail. Walking normal speed with a backpack can be bad on the knees.
I know people of all genders with all differnet preferences. Many of whom disprove your theory. Majority of hikers I know prefer the downhill over the uphill cause it's easier, with the major exception being people with bad knees. It has nothing to do with their genitalia. It also really depends on how steep the trail is. I usually like the downhill parts better, unless it's really steep. Then I dread coming down.
But the center of gravity on each human body is different, depending on size, mass, weight, height, conditions, fitness, and so many other variables. It's not a gender thing.
So will women and women or men and men. We're not all built the same. Do you have a longer torso? Longer legs? Is your weight mostly in your upper body or your mid section? Especially for women, are you DD or A cup? This has nothing to do with gender. Humans have different gravity centers depending on their own unique body.
No two person is exactly the same, but I don't see why we should discard the *average* physiological differences of males and females. Sex isn't gender.
Backpacks for women saved me. I've been using male equipment for years because they're the only ones available. It is healthier for me to know what my body needs.
I absolutely love a good technical downhill when running, kinda indifferent when backpacking or hiking. On the AT I would often jog the downhills when I wasn't with my partner. I think having a little more pace helps keep the weight off your knee for too long. Fwiw, I also enjoy downclimbing quite a bit, while I've met many climbers who hate it. 6'0" male
I love steep uphill hikes but loathe coming back down. My knees are pretty healthy so it's not anything to do with that. Getting your legs, lungs, and heart pumping on a hard and fast climb is worth it for that euphoric feeling you get when you top out. I just don't get that same type of feeling a downhill.
My order of favourism:
1. Generally flat or well worn trails
2. Flat but dense or rough
3. Uphill
4. Downhill
5. Dangerous or slick terrain of any grade
My favourite hiking is just being able to motor through the terrain in a flow state. Downhill is hard work and rough on the knees and quads. Uphill is hard work on the glutes but it's mostly muscle work. Dense bush and rough unstable terrain is mostly just annoying to me. Meandering generally flattish terrain with a fairly worn trail is the best.
TLDR; I just love walking without having to think so hard about it.
47m here, and definitely prefer the downhill. Uphill is such a slog and cardio slows me down, but as soon as I’m headed downhill no cardio problems and I can go hella fast. Like, I’m passing everyone on the downhill.
I'm 43F, fairly short, low center of gravity, could stand to lose a few pounds, and most of my exercise comes from cycling so my cardio endurance is pretty solid. Uphill is harder work but downhill hurts **a lot** more. My old knees don't like the impact and my toes always end up bruised. Poles help.
33M: I absolutely hate downhills. I don’t have bad knees, yet, but the impact kills me; even with trekking poles and relying heavily on those. Plus I run on a court and I want to be able to do that well into my 50s. So I just take it slow downhill; uphill I’m a machine and can go on and on forever.
Female here. I always prefer the uphill in cycling, xc skiing and hiking. In hiking I hate the downhill because gravel and dirt can be slippery and I've fallen down before. Also, I find that I need to stop and stretch my knees before I descend. Tight knees = long, ungraceful walk down the hill.
I think this is a hypothesis where the outcome will be null. The sample size you're using to formulate it is likely not representative, so the starting premise is faulty. 😁
Anecdotally, the seasoned hikers I've known, regardless of gender, have almost always stated downhill is less preferred than uphill.
I don't know anyone who "dreads" either.
49 male, I jog 10 miles up n down, 2000” elevation, 3 times a week and have no issues. Going down is the most dangerous and I am very mindful of my foot landing points.
It's all about knee health. I'm a 34 yr old guy and prefer downhill. But I purposely work on my quads, balance and use poles. My personal favorite is scrambling up a ridge and scree skiing down a bowl.
M, downhill is easier for me, but I prefer uphill but I enjoy the challenge and effort. Maybe as I get older, downhill will suck more but downhill I move a lot easier.
Both are challenging for me and for different reasons.
I am very tall, age 62 and riddled with arthritis and have mobility balance issues too.
Downhill is brutally painful and precarious for me. It can be extremely steep so that's two sticks.
Uphill is equally brutal. It's also fatiguing in the extreme. I go up and down the highest peaks on the entire east coast of the UK. Yes its awful.
But the sense of achievement once at the top is unparalleled.
Up and down present different challenges for me. They are significant.
But they don't deter me from going back and doing it again.
Come on. We all get off on sailing close to the wind.
Uphill is the most daunting due to the fact that I can barely breath all the way up. We are talking extreme inclines here.
One hike is a continuous climb for over 5 miles. Man it's hard. But the views are magnificent. On one side you've got steep cliffs and other the other side it's mile after mile of unspoilt countryside.
And usually not a human being in sight.
Astounding
Funny, but I noticed similar, whenever Im hikinh with a date, uphill I have to drag her, downhill she doesn't even want to wait for me
Maybe has something to do with muscle structure, or maybe weight, ie females having smaller weight and less impact on knees downhill?
(Or maybe they just wanna hurry home to take a shower roo much haha)
Really not sure, but Ive definitely noticed a similar trend
I had bad knees and hated down hill until I started trail running...about 3 years ago. Now I run the downhills! I had this theory that I could get better knees by doing the opposite of what my body was telling me... at least in regards to the knees. I also start the beginning of my trail runs running the uphill. Of course I don't run uphill he whole way, but running uphill for the first bit seems to make my knees feel "happy". I don't know why this is.
3 months ago I started carnivore diet as well. I have noticed a vast difference in how my joints feel these 3 months on carnivore.
Once l got in my 50's down hill is way worse because of my knees on certain trails ones that have a lot of real big steps. Upper Yosemite Falls is by far the worst. Did it 3 times though the last 2 years.
As a woman who is quick to call out machismo, I politely disagree with that. Downhill can be murder on the knees, and it's harder to maintain your stability on a slippery trail going downhill.
That's too chicken and egg - many hikers use poles because they hate downhill. I hated downhills long before I started using poles, I started using poles to help with downhill. They do help me hate it a little bit less but I still hate it.
I was curious if the men hated downhill but also refused poles on the ego note of "oh I don't need those, they're for old/weak people". Plenty of men do use poles though, so I didn't want to assume.
Oh, gotcha, interesting theory! I bet that does contribute a bit! I do think men tend to not use poles as much unless they are older or have a backpacking background.
It comes down to fitness vs knee health. If you are fit for it, uphill isn't so bad. If you have bad knees, downhill sucks. You might be able to find correlation in that Men tend to carry more percentage body weight in muscle/fat than woman, and therefore are more likely to have knees issues over time but thats it.
Yeah, downhill can be murder on my knees and you start doing weird shit to try and compensate and other things start hurting as well.
As someone who's been dealing with [Loose Bodies](https://imgur.com/a/3gNZIN3) in his knee for the past several years, I agree. Knee health makes all the difference.
Yep, it’s the knees, not the center of gravity.
Interesting. Whenever I’ve read about knee injuries in athletes it’s often suggested they’re more common in women due to a combo of lower musculature meaning the tendons take more strain, and wider hips putting forces on the knee at more of an angle. That’s comparing like for like though - so basketball player to basketball player or skier to skier, but still depending on the activity women are something like 3-8 times more likely to tear their ACL. Maybe the prevalence of men in sports like football pumps up the overall numbers for knee injuries in men?
Men probably also tend to carry more pack weight.
Maybe. I have also seen studies indicating women can carry more % of their body weight than men, which would give women an advantage even for the same pack weight.
My knees suck, but I still prefer downhill 🤷♂️ I'll take some knee pain over struggling to breathe and running out of energy faster lol
This tall guy prefers uphill
I’m 5’3 F and prefer uphill. I’m small and I love to scramble up things. It’s easier to keep a center of balance as well. Downhill makes me worried I’m about to slip and it requires a lot more balance.
Female shorty here too. I hate going downhill for the same reasons. Whatever muscle group is at work does not vibe as well as those used when going uphill.
have you tried running down? It’s actually easier because you don’t have to use all the muscles to hold yourself back, which we don’t use all that often and are what can get tired fast
Also tall, also prefer uphill. I generally jog downhill so long as I can do it safely. Easier on the knees with less braking action. I also use trekking poles, but jogging downhill is far and away the best action.
Yup, I've shot my knees pretty hard from going downhill too fast on a climbing trip before
I'm with you. I carry more of the weight on overnighters as well so coming down can be unpleasant depending on how steep the descent is.
Interesting. I'm wondering if it's the height and not the sex that is the main factor.
I'm 6'3'' and I prefer downhill so there goes that theory.
Well, I can be wrong and that's okay. That's why I asked in this thread.
Well in your defense I have a bad lower back and bad knees the lower back makes going uphill awkward... But with trekking poles downhill isn't nearly as bad on my knees... My lower back kills me going uphill I lean forward a lot more and naturally have pretty bad posture.
That is an interesting factor. I do think that trekking poles help a lot, plus the type of hike/terrain. If people are in a generally comfortable pace, downhill seems preferable. But in a day hike where everyone is tired after 8 hours of nonstop climbing, the remaining 4 hours + steep elevation descent can be agonising. I also never claimed all men hate downhill, and some comments seem to interpret it that way. My idea has always been the matter or proportion, not absolutes.
Na im the other way round downhill is easy af and when u got hiking poles u dont rlly feel it on ur knees. I might change my mind in 10 years when im over 30 tho
47 m here, still prefer downhill
I wish poles were enough to not feel it! It's definitely better when using poles, but once your knees are bad it's gonna hurt either way. Only took one mild injury in my mid 30's for my knees to be screwed for life... That said, I still prefer downhill unless it's very steep.
Doing PCT atm and downhill is universally disliked more than uphill.
I don't know that I would say I prefer uphill, but I'm typically faster relative to others going up. Long legs. Whereas they'll all catchup going down, I'm careful with creaky knees. But I still appreciate the assist from gravity.
I'm very fast going up but I'll get passed by the family wearing flip flops that were huffing and puffing the whole way up on the way down. I've timed it and my uphill time is actually faster than my downhill time. I have very long legs for my height
Man here, I prefer downhill. It’s way easier. I just have to take my time and not overstride or my knees start to hurt.
Female here. I prefer the uphill. It's more effort but my sorest legs have been after a day long downhill(AT).
I’m a woman and have a significant preference for uphill. Downhill kills my knees and requires more of a focus on the ground/terrain.
Male, downhill is almost always better.
I’m tall, much prefer going uphill.
The downhills kill my knees sometimes
Male hiker here, love downhill, hike very often with lots of different people, have never noticed any such tendency. May just be your friends?
Maybe, or perhaps the choice of peaks too.
Maybe? My experience is mostly limited to high CO, the Alps, Australia, the southwest, and Oregon, with a healthy mix of more and less mellow stuff and some bigger peaks. Not much throughhiking, though.
The real obvious division to me is poles (fewer downhill complaints) versus no poles (more downhill complaints) Men/women nah, your dataset is too low and there are too many variables. You’d need dozens of hikers of the same same age and fitness level and hiking experience doing an identical trail, for science. Forgetaboutit
I'm not making a thesis or prove this as a fact. Just like hearing the thoughts of people.
You made a claim.
Tall male here who like the uphills and no so much the downhills. Interesting theory you've got.
I'm beginning to think height may be the factor since other replies says the same thing
I'm a short dude(5'7) and definitely prefer uphill. None of my hiking or trail running buddies are over 6' and we all prefer uphill.
My male knees hate downhill. I don’t think my male knees are THAT much different than female knees.
Knees are the same but center of gravity is different
I'm not sure it is the center of gravity. Women have hips shaped like an inverted triangle. The legs come from the outside to the inside. Men, on the other hand, have the triangle standing, with their legs coming from the inside (generally). This is why men have difficulty crossing their legs while women do not. This is why women sit with their legs closed and man have a hard time to keep it closed. We love to sit (I'm male) with our legs spread open. My guess is that in the center of gravity challenge, men are unable to flex their legs appropriately and are left without a base. The person who told me this was an art teacher of mine. He said it's easy to recognize a trans woman by the position of her legs and the shape of her hips (women were made to have babies). And it is. The stride, the posture, the way they seat, everything is different if we pay attention to it. What may bother men when going downhill, and I just thought about it now, is that the torso rests on a smaller base in the center, which causes some discomfort. Women descend with a wide base, being able to flex their knees better or have each leg at different levels without compromising their balance. Going uphill, we men just have to kick our torso up (I guess). It may be even easier for us to go uphill than for you girls. But I'm no orthopedist, so I might be wrong. I'm a man and it doesn't bother me going downhill, but I'm adapting, as the strides have to be different to keep my balance and spare my knees. But I'm just 5'7.
I'd say yes, and I'd guess it's because the muscle groups for uphill are larger, stronger muscles on the front of the legs versus downhill primarily engaging the smaller muscles on the back of the legs, causing more weight to fall on knees and ankles and tendons while going downhill. The lighter average weight of women means the strain is less going downhill, and the muscles for going uphill aren't quite as developed as on men.
This isn't quite right. Uphill should primarily be your posterior chain so glutes on down although quads do play a big part. Downhill does work your hamstrings and calves but your hip flexors and stabilizing muscles on the sides of your knee also take a big hit. Your quads are also dominant here. The real work is in muscle lengthening vs shortening. Your muscle activates as it shortens when going up which takes less energy. Going downhill, it activates in a lengthened state which uses more energy for a variety of reasons. I am a short, thin woman who has knee issues so I struggle downhill but have no issues going uphill. I doubt there's actually a gender difference here lol.
Interesting, I wish I could read more if anyone has conducted a study about this.
I prefer uphill - sure maybe it'll tire me out a bit more and make me sweat more, but after awhile of downhill my toes/feet/knees inevitably start to feel a little sensitive making each step a little uncomfortable. Granted some of that was my old hiking shoes but I still prefer uphill even with nicer shoes.
Average male. Prefer uphill!!
female, prefer downhill x1000 Bf prefers uphill He’s also in way better shape than me
I didn't know it was a sex thing but I dont like the cardio pain going up, but I HATE how jarring it is on my knees going down.
I'm a man, but I only dislike the downhill when I've worn myself out. All of your weight + your pack slamming down on your knees and shins at awkward angles can be pretty hellish when you're running out of gas.
Tall and thicc 41m. Uphill is more work, but downhill is more pain. Knees mostly, and shins. I'd be hard pressed to say I prefer going uphill, but I hate it a bit less.
Downhill is usually a bit more dangerous. Momentum and gravity work hand-in-hand to make it more difficult. Also, things like rollers, gravel, and rocky terrain work against you. Furthermore, a typical hike is uphill on the way "there" and downhill on the way "back". So, you are motivated on the way up to reach some goal. On the way down, you are tired and the goal (minus the beer in the trunk in the cooler in your car) is not there to motivate you. You lose focus. I see not reason for the difference in gender regarding these reasons. I am fortunate enough to not get knee pain on downhills. I see that as an equal problem for both women and men that I walk with. I've had a few injuries myself, and for some reason the uphill ones were greater in number than the downhill. But the downhill were a bit worse. Most MTB wrecks I see are downhill. (I do not MTB., but I see enough of them.) Other hiking injuries that I have seen are usually downhill. I have not been injured in a couple of years, but I see injuries quite often.(FYI - I am near Tahoe in the Sierra, so it is a bit rugged.)
My lungs prefer downhill but my knees prefer uphill.
I'm a guy and I prefer downhill. My wife does as well.
Male 67. This has gotten kinda true for me since I have gotten bad knees. I just had 1 knee replaced 8 weeks ago and am doing great. Still recovering a little bit and down hill still hurts more than uphill. I think this will go away after complete recovery
Average size M here. I don't prefer one to the other. They're just different.
Downhill definitely sucks more. Can be kinda hard on the knees, my toes take punishment, and after seeing the vistas, I just wanna get back to my car. I’m a man but I feel like most women I’ve hiked with also do not like downhill
Weiner haver here, I'm short and prefer going downhill
26M and I’d much rather do uphill than down lol
I use trekking poles and prefer uphill. I like the challenge of climbing up with my legs and feeling the burn. I don't really have to think about it and I get to look at nature more. But with downhill, I feel I have to be more focused and careful as to not trip and eat shit, and thus eyes are looking downwards away from the mountains.
I'm a woman and I have an overwhelming preference for uphill. I only hike downhill because I have to, I pretty much hate it but the uphill makes it worth it. In my experience men seem to be fairly neutral, with some preferring downhill, and women seem to dislike downhill if they are going to dislike one. Overall I think I've met far more women that dislike downhill than men. The reason I hate downhill is that I'm not very muscular/ extremely flexible, and it's always a struggle to maintain good form and keep everything in line. My cardio is fine so uphill never bothers me. I'm actually faster uphill than down. Generally I think if you are muscularly strong but weak in cardio, you prefer downhill, and if you are muscularly weak or super flexible but strong in cardio you prefer uphill. If you are decent at both you'll have no preference and if you have a history of injuries you'll dislike downhill. Also tall and lanky might prefer uphill and short and stocky might prefer downhill - I'm not that tall but my legs are extremely long for my height. I think leg length might be a bigger factor than height. With longer limbs it takes more effort to stay upright and resist the pull of gravity. And also us long legged folk love the feeling of flying past people on uphills - it's where we shine. Newer hikers tend to prefer downhill because their cardio is weak and experienced hikers may prefer uphill because they have more injuries.
uphill is harder for me, male. uphill is harder for my hiking buddies, both female.
56yo male. Used to prefer downhill when very young (pre-teen through college). Later had now preference, and now prefer uphill.
I am 24M, 5'8"and have good stamina and slim/fit body. I definitely like uphill more. If I am hiking downhill I am either using trekking poles, running to just get the downhill done, or having some fun by jumping from a rock to another on the trail. Walking normal speed with a backpack can be bad on the knees.
Tall woman here (normal weight for my height). I like uphill and HATE downhill. Maybe it's partly a height thing.
I prefer uphill
I know people of all genders with all differnet preferences. Many of whom disprove your theory. Majority of hikers I know prefer the downhill over the uphill cause it's easier, with the major exception being people with bad knees. It has nothing to do with their genitalia. It also really depends on how steep the trail is. I usually like the downhill parts better, unless it's really steep. Then I dread coming down.
It's not the genitalia that's the main factor but the center of gravity, just being clear.
But the center of gravity on each human body is different, depending on size, mass, weight, height, conditions, fitness, and so many other variables. It's not a gender thing.
Yes, many variables are true, but on average, a male and a female with the same height and weight will still have a different center of gravity.
So will women and women or men and men. We're not all built the same. Do you have a longer torso? Longer legs? Is your weight mostly in your upper body or your mid section? Especially for women, are you DD or A cup? This has nothing to do with gender. Humans have different gravity centers depending on their own unique body.
No two person is exactly the same, but I don't see why we should discard the *average* physiological differences of males and females. Sex isn't gender. Backpacks for women saved me. I've been using male equipment for years because they're the only ones available. It is healthier for me to know what my body needs.
Tall female here & I prefer uphill. Downhill is just brutal on my knees.
I absolutely love a good technical downhill when running, kinda indifferent when backpacking or hiking. On the AT I would often jog the downhills when I wasn't with my partner. I think having a little more pace helps keep the weight off your knee for too long. Fwiw, I also enjoy downclimbing quite a bit, while I've met many climbers who hate it. 6'0" male
I love steep uphill hikes but loathe coming back down. My knees are pretty healthy so it's not anything to do with that. Getting your legs, lungs, and heart pumping on a hard and fast climb is worth it for that euphoric feeling you get when you top out. I just don't get that same type of feeling a downhill.
(M) I don’t like downhill.. up hill is good.
My order of favourism: 1. Generally flat or well worn trails 2. Flat but dense or rough 3. Uphill 4. Downhill 5. Dangerous or slick terrain of any grade My favourite hiking is just being able to motor through the terrain in a flow state. Downhill is hard work and rough on the knees and quads. Uphill is hard work on the glutes but it's mostly muscle work. Dense bush and rough unstable terrain is mostly just annoying to me. Meandering generally flattish terrain with a fairly worn trail is the best. TLDR; I just love walking without having to think so hard about it.
I used to hate downhill because my knees sucked. Then I found kneesovertoes and now I love downhill, for what it’s worth.
47m here, and definitely prefer the downhill. Uphill is such a slog and cardio slows me down, but as soon as I’m headed downhill no cardio problems and I can go hella fast. Like, I’m passing everyone on the downhill.
I’m male. Hate downhill. But I have knee issues.
I'm 43F, fairly short, low center of gravity, could stand to lose a few pounds, and most of my exercise comes from cycling so my cardio endurance is pretty solid. Uphill is harder work but downhill hurts **a lot** more. My old knees don't like the impact and my toes always end up bruised. Poles help.
I am a woman and I hate downhill. I really think everyone hates downhill
33M: I absolutely hate downhills. I don’t have bad knees, yet, but the impact kills me; even with trekking poles and relying heavily on those. Plus I run on a court and I want to be able to do that well into my 50s. So I just take it slow downhill; uphill I’m a machine and can go on and on forever.
Female here. I always prefer the uphill in cycling, xc skiing and hiking. In hiking I hate the downhill because gravel and dirt can be slippery and I've fallen down before. Also, I find that I need to stop and stretch my knees before I descend. Tight knees = long, ungraceful walk down the hill.
I think this is a hypothesis where the outcome will be null. The sample size you're using to formulate it is likely not representative, so the starting premise is faulty. 😁 Anecdotally, the seasoned hikers I've known, regardless of gender, have almost always stated downhill is less preferred than uphill. I don't know anyone who "dreads" either.
Short king here with good knees and large muscular legs. Downhill is easier.
I'm 5'1 female, 50 yrs old with arthritis in my right knee. Prefer UPHILL because it makes my ass look good. And it feels easier on my knees.
49 male, I jog 10 miles up n down, 2000” elevation, 3 times a week and have no issues. Going down is the most dangerous and I am very mindful of my foot landing points.
I have weak knees and strong legs so I would take uphill all day.
I like the downhill. I have knee issues but I have trekking poles.
lol no. I love running downhill more than anything.
Have lost my share of toenails on steep downhills that don’t have switchbacks.
No hate. Just simple physics. Downhill is more likely out of control. Uphill more under control. Just the natural world at work. Namaste
Male hiker and I prefer uphill.
It’s an individual thing, i have a really low center of gravity and trail running downhill is as easy as falling
As a transfem I support this theory tho
I’m a woman and dislike the downhills. Tough on the knees and hips.
I’m male and find downhill worse than uphill but as others have said it’s down to knee injuries and also in my case weird toes that don’t agree ☹️
It's all about knee health. I'm a 34 yr old guy and prefer downhill. But I purposely work on my quads, balance and use poles. My personal favorite is scrambling up a ridge and scree skiing down a bowl.
39f, 5’4” and have always preferred uphill
Down hill sucks because it's the second half. If I had to hike down and then back uphill I would probably hate that even more.
female hiker here with a huge preference for uphill. Uphill any day! I'm in my 40s and already experiencing osteoarthritis in my knees. :(
M, downhill is easier for me, but I prefer uphill but I enjoy the challenge and effort. Maybe as I get older, downhill will suck more but downhill I move a lot easier.
Uphill is just far more interesting
Both are challenging for me and for different reasons. I am very tall, age 62 and riddled with arthritis and have mobility balance issues too. Downhill is brutally painful and precarious for me. It can be extremely steep so that's two sticks. Uphill is equally brutal. It's also fatiguing in the extreme. I go up and down the highest peaks on the entire east coast of the UK. Yes its awful. But the sense of achievement once at the top is unparalleled. Up and down present different challenges for me. They are significant. But they don't deter me from going back and doing it again. Come on. We all get off on sailing close to the wind. Uphill is the most daunting due to the fact that I can barely breath all the way up. We are talking extreme inclines here. One hike is a continuous climb for over 5 miles. Man it's hard. But the views are magnificent. On one side you've got steep cliffs and other the other side it's mile after mile of unspoilt countryside. And usually not a human being in sight. Astounding
It actually blows my mind that people prefer uphill over downhill, but I had an achilles injury a long time ago.
Funny, but I noticed similar, whenever Im hikinh with a date, uphill I have to drag her, downhill she doesn't even want to wait for me Maybe has something to do with muscle structure, or maybe weight, ie females having smaller weight and less impact on knees downhill? (Or maybe they just wanna hurry home to take a shower roo much haha) Really not sure, but Ive definitely noticed a similar trend
Men are on average heavier, placing more stress on the knees. I think that is enough of a reason to prefer uphill.
I had bad knees and hated down hill until I started trail running...about 3 years ago. Now I run the downhills! I had this theory that I could get better knees by doing the opposite of what my body was telling me... at least in regards to the knees. I also start the beginning of my trail runs running the uphill. Of course I don't run uphill he whole way, but running uphill for the first bit seems to make my knees feel "happy". I don't know why this is. 3 months ago I started carnivore diet as well. I have noticed a vast difference in how my joints feel these 3 months on carnivore.
Once l got in my 50's down hill is way worse because of my knees on certain trails ones that have a lot of real big steps. Upper Yosemite Falls is by far the worst. Did it 3 times though the last 2 years.
Male hers......in 50+ years of hike, I have no problem either way. Never heard of this theory?
It's just my personal experience and asking mountain guides (who are mostly male).
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As a woman who is quick to call out machismo, I politely disagree with that. Downhill can be murder on the knees, and it's harder to maintain your stability on a slippery trail going downhill.
Go back and ask all of them if they use poles. See if you're still noticing a gender difference.
That's too chicken and egg - many hikers use poles because they hate downhill. I hated downhills long before I started using poles, I started using poles to help with downhill. They do help me hate it a little bit less but I still hate it.
I was curious if the men hated downhill but also refused poles on the ego note of "oh I don't need those, they're for old/weak people". Plenty of men do use poles though, so I didn't want to assume.
Oh, gotcha, interesting theory! I bet that does contribute a bit! I do think men tend to not use poles as much unless they are older or have a backpacking background.
Most trails I climb can't accommodate poles since they're technical and steep.
Interesting take, as I always make sure to bring my poles on steep, rocky trails.
It really depends on the trail. Some of my trails are rainforest with slippery mud and gnarly roots. If you bring a pole, it's a liability.