Imagine this: you’re halfway up a breathtaking mountain trail, the sun is shining, and your energy is starting to dip. What’s the one thing that can turn a good hike into a great one, or even save a bad one? Delicious, energizing food! But what exactly should you bring? Picking the perfect hiking snacks can feel like a puzzle. You want food that’s light to carry, packed with fuel, and actually tastes good after a few hours on the trail. It’s tough to know what will keep you going and what might just weigh you down.
That’s where this guide comes in! We’re going to break down the secrets to packing smart for your next adventure. You’ll learn about the best kinds of food that give you long-lasting energy without making your backpack too heavy. We’ll cover easy-to-prepare options and tips to avoid common packing mistakes.
By the end of this post, you’ll be a hiking food pro. You’ll know exactly what to grab from your pantry to fuel your body and make every step of your hike enjoyable. Get ready to discover the tastiest and most efficient ways to pack your trail treats!
Our Top 5 Food To Pack For Hiking Recommendations at a Glance
| Image | Product | Rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
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GOOD TO-GO Pad Thai (Single Serving) | 8.7/10 | Check Price |
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GOOD TO-GO Pasta Marinara (Single Serving) | 9.5/10 | Check Price |
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ReadyWise Adventure Meal Bean & Vegetable Soup | 9.1/10 | Check Price |
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GOOD TO-GO Chicken Pho (Single Serving) | 8.6/10 | Check Price |
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GOOD TO-GO Classic Weekender 3-Pack | 9.2/10 | Check Price |
Top 5 Food To Pack For Hiking Detailed Reviews
1. GOOD TO-GO Pad Thai (Single Serving)
Rating: 8.8/10
Craving delicious Pad Thai on your next adventure? The GOOD TO-GO Pad Thai (Single Serving) is your answer! This backpacking meal is designed for convenience and taste, making it ideal for camping, hiking, or even as a quick emergency meal. Simply add boiling water, and in minutes, you’ll have a flavorful, satisfying meal.
What We Like:
- Real Food Flavor: Handcrafted by cooks, not food scientists, this meal offers a taste that’s often missing in dehydrated options.
- Easy Preparation: Just add boiling water directly to the pouch for a quick and easy meal on the go.
- Better Than Freeze-Dried: Dehydration preserves texture and nutrients, leading to a better taste and eating experience compared to freeze-dried alternatives.
- Diet-Friendly: This Pad Thai is gluten-free and made with real food, offering a tasty option for various dietary needs.
- Long Shelf Life: With a minimum 2-year shelf life, it’s a reliable choice for your pantry or emergency kit.
- Made in the USA: Each meal is cooked, dehydrated, and packaged in Kittery, Maine, ensuring quality and supporting local production.
What Could Be Improved:
- Single Serving Size: While convenient for solo trips, it might not be enough for larger appetites or sharing without purchasing multiple pouches.
- Water Requirement: Requires boiling water, so you’ll need a reliable heat source and water purification method.
This GOOD TO-GO Pad Thai is a fantastic option for anyone seeking a flavorful and convenient meal while enjoying the outdoors. It truly delivers on its promise of better taste and quality for your backpacking needs.
2. GOOD TO-GO Pasta Marinara (Single Serving)
Rating: 8.7/10
When you’re craving a hearty and delicious meal after a long day on the trail, the GOOD TO-GO Pasta Marinara is your answer. This single-serving dehydrated meal is designed for campers and backpackers who want real food without the fuss. You just add water, and in minutes, you have a tasty meal ready to enjoy, whether you’re by a campfire or in your tent.
What We Like:
- It’s super easy to prepare – just add boiling water directly to the pouch.
- The meals are handcrafted by real cooks, which means they taste fantastic.
- Dehydration keeps the food’s texture and nutrients, often making it taste better than freeze-dried options.
- It has a long shelf life of at least 2 years, making it great for emergency kits.
- It’s gluten-free and made with real food ingredients, no preservatives or low sodium.
- The company offers vegan options too, catering to different diets.
- These meals are made in the USA, ensuring quality and supporting local production.
What Could Be Improved:
- As a single serving, it might not be enough for someone with a very large appetite.
- While it tastes good, the flavor profile might not be as complex as a freshly cooked meal.
For a convenient and satisfying meal on your adventures, the GOOD TO-GO Pasta Marinara is a top contender. It delivers on taste and ease of preparation, making it a reliable option for any outdoor enthusiast.
3. ReadyWise Adventure Meal Bean & Vegetable Soup
Rating: 8.6/10
The ReadyWise Adventure Meal Bean & Vegetable Soup is a freeze-dried meal designed for a variety of needs. Whether you’re planning a camping trip, building an emergency kit, or just need a quick and easy meal at home, this soup offers a convenient solution. Each pouch contains two servings and is packed with real beans and vegetables, making it a nutritious option for any adventure.
What We Like:
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Made with 100% real beans and vegetables, it’s good for everyone.
- PROTEIN-PACKED: With 27g of protein per pouch, it gives you the energy you need. It’s also vegan!
- QUICK & HASSLE-FREE: Just add hot water, and you have a meal in minutes. Cleanup is easy.
- LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT: It’s easy to carry and perfect for long hikes or trips.
- LONG-LASTING & SHELF-STABLE: The soup stays good for years, making it great for storage.
- VERSATILE USES: It’s good for camping, emergencies, or even a fast dinner at home.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the ingredients are high quality, some users might prefer more variety in spice levels or flavor profiles.
- Availability can sometimes be limited due to high demand, especially during emergency situations.
This ReadyWise Bean & Vegetable Soup is a solid choice for anyone needing a reliable and tasty meal. It offers a great balance of convenience, nutrition, and longevity for all your planned and unplanned adventures.
4. GOOD TO-GO Chicken Pho (Single Serving)
Rating: 9.0/10
Craving a warm, flavorful meal after a long hike or a day exploring the outdoors? GOOD TO-GO Chicken Pho (Single Serving) is your answer. This dehydrated meal is designed for convenience and taste, making it a fantastic option for any adventure.
What We Like:
- Just Add Water: You simply boil water and pour it into the pouch. It’s super easy to prepare, even in the wilderness.
- Real Food Taste: These meals are cooked by real chefs, not just scientists. That means you get delicious, homemade-style flavor that’s better than many freeze-dried options.
- Nutritious and Preservative-Free: Dehydration keeps the nutrients and texture of the food. Plus, it’s gluten-free, low in sodium, and has no artificial preservatives. It’s made from actual ingredients!
- Long Shelf Life: With at least a 2-year shelf life, it’s great for your pantry or emergency kit.
- Made in the USA: The meals are handcrafted, cooked, and packaged with care in Kittery, Maine.
What Could Be Improved:
- Single Serving Size: While convenient for solo trips, it might not be enough for larger appetites or if you’re sharing.
- Water Requirement: You do need a way to boil water, which means carrying a stove and fuel if you’re not near a water source or fire.
GOOD TO-GO Chicken Pho offers a delicious and simple solution for your next outdoor excursion. Its focus on real ingredients and great taste makes it a standout choice for anyone who loves good food on the go.
5. GOOD TO-GO Classic Weekender 3-Pack
Rating: 9.4/10
Ready for your next adventure? The GOOD TO-GO Classic Weekender 3-Pack is your answer for delicious, easy-to-prepare meals on the trail or at home. These aren’t your average camping meals; they’re crafted by real cooks using fresh ingredients. Just add hot water, and in minutes, you’ll have a tasty meal ready to enjoy. This pack is ideal for camping, backpacking, hiking, or even as a reliable emergency food supply. If you’re looking for food that’s both convenient and flavorful, Good To-Go is worth checking out.
What We Like:
- Just Add Water: Super simple to prepare; just boil water and pour it in the pouch.
- Real Food Taste: Handcrafted by cooks, these dehydrated meals taste better than many freeze-dried options.
- Nutrient Retention: Dehydration keeps the original texture and nutrients, unlike some other methods.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Gluten-free and vegan choices are available, with low sodium and no preservatives.
- Long Shelf Life: Enjoy a minimum of 2 years of freshness.
- Made in the USA: Cooked, dehydrated, and packaged right in Kittery, Maine.
What Could Be Improved:
- Variety in a Pack: While this is a 3-pack, a wider variety of meal options within a multi-pack might be appealing for longer trips.
- Water Requirement: You still need a heat source and water, which adds to your gear.
For a convenient and delicious meal that fuels your explorations, the GOOD TO-GO Classic Weekender 3-Pack delivers. It’s a solid choice for anyone who values good food on the go.
Fueling Your Adventure: The Ultimate Hiking Food Buying Guide
Hiking is a fantastic way to explore the outdoors. But to keep your energy up, you need the right food. This guide will help you choose the best snacks and meals for your next trek.
1. Key Features to Look For
When picking food for hiking, think about a few important things.
- Energy Boost: Foods that give you long-lasting energy are best. Think complex carbs and healthy fats.
- Lightweight: You’ll be carrying everything. So, lighter food is always better.
- Non-Perishable: Your food shouldn’t spoil easily, especially on longer hikes.
- Easy to Eat: You don’t want to spend a lot of time preparing food on the trail. Grab-and-go options are great.
- Nutrient-Dense: Foods packed with vitamins and minerals help your body perform well.
2. Important Materials (Ingredients to Consider)
The ingredients in your hiking food make a big difference.
- Dried Fruits: These are a great source of quick energy and natural sugars. Look for unsweetened options.
- Nuts and Seeds: They offer healthy fats and protein, which provide sustained energy. Almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds are good choices.
- Trail Mix: A classic for a reason! It usually combines dried fruits, nuts, and sometimes seeds or chocolate.
- Jerky: Beef, turkey, or even plant-based jerky is a good source of protein. Choose low-sodium options.
- Energy Bars/Granola Bars: These are convenient and often packed with carbs, protein, and fats. Read the labels to find ones with whole ingredients.
- Dehydrated Meals: For longer trips, these are a lifesaver. They are lightweight and just need hot water.
- Peanut Butter/Nut Butters: High in protein and healthy fats, they can be eaten with crackers or fruit.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make hiking food better, while others can make it worse.
- High Sugar Content: Too much sugar can lead to an energy crash. Look for foods with natural sugars from fruits rather than added sugars.
- Artificial Ingredients: Preservatives and artificial flavors aren’t ideal. Natural ingredients are usually better for your body.
- Packaging: Easy-to-open and resealable packaging is a big plus. Avoid bulky containers.
- Salt Content: While some salt is good for replacing what you lose through sweat, too much can make you thirsty.
- Moisture Content: Foods with too much moisture can spoil faster or become heavy. Dehydrated options are best for this.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you use your hiking food depends on the type of hike.
- Day Hikes: For a short hike, you might pack a few energy bars, a handful of trail mix, and a piece of fruit. These are easy to access from your backpack.
- Overnight/Multi-Day Hikes: Longer trips require more planning. Dehydrated meals are excellent for dinner. You’ll also want plenty of snacks like nuts, dried fruit, and jerky to keep you going between meals.
- High-Intensity Hikes: If you’re doing a very strenuous hike, you’ll need more calories. Pack extra energy bars, nut butter packets, and maybe some electrolyte chews.
- Cold Weather Hiking: In cold weather, your body burns more calories. Pack calorie-dense foods like nuts, chocolate, and fatty snacks. Warm drinks are also comforting.
Properly packed food makes your hike more enjoyable and helps you stay strong. Choose wisely and happy trails!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the main key features to look for in hiking food?
A: You should look for foods that give you energy, are lightweight, don’t spoil easily, are simple to eat, and are packed with nutrients.
Q: Are dried fruits a good choice for hiking?
A: Yes, dried fruits are excellent. They provide quick energy from natural sugars and are lightweight.
Q: What makes a good trail mix?
A: A good trail mix usually has a mix of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds. Some people also like to add a few chocolate chips.
Q: Should I worry about the sugar content in my hiking snacks?
A: Yes, it’s best to choose snacks with natural sugars from fruits rather than added sugars. Too much added sugar can cause an energy crash.
Q: What are the best protein sources for hiking?
A: Jerky (like beef or turkey jerky), nuts, seeds, and nut butter are great sources of protein for hiking.
Q: Are dehydrated meals worth it for longer hikes?
A: Absolutely. Dehydrated meals are very lightweight and convenient. You just add hot water to prepare them.
Q: How does packaging affect hiking food quality?
A: Easy-to-open and resealable packaging is important for convenience and keeping food fresh. Bulky packaging adds weight.
Q: What kind of food is good for a short day hike?
A: For a day hike, simple snacks like energy bars, trail mix, and a piece of fruit are usually enough.
Q: Should I pack more food in cold weather?
A: Yes, your body burns more calories in cold weather, so it’s a good idea to pack calorie-dense foods.
Q: What is the most important thing to remember when packing food for hiking?
A: The most important thing is to pack food that will give you sustained energy and won’t spoil, so you can enjoy your hike without feeling tired.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
My name is Gareth Lewis, and I’m the voice behind CampingGuider.com.. I created this space to share my passion for camping and the great outdoors. With years of experience and countless adventures under my belt, I aim to inspire and guide fellow enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or a curious beginner, my goal is to provide you with practical tips, honest reviews, and insights to help you make the most out of your outdoor escapades. Join me on this journey, and let’s explore the beauty of nature together!