The Best Backpacking Food , Tested and Reviewed

Good Tasting

Stowaway Gourmet

Better Value

Packit Gourmet

Best Vegan

Nomad Nutrition

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“ If you get to eat one more dehydrated backpacking meal , which would you pick ? ” Collective groans from my panel of testers ensued .

After three days of eating zero but freeze-dried or dehydrated food , assessing them for weight , taste , caloric density , and how they make our dead body feel , we ’ 500 had adequate . But we as well had plenty of opinions about which of the best backpacking food brands we ’ 500 take with us into the field again . And then we promptly ordered burgers and fries .

Backpacking food cost freeze-dried or dehydrated meal that be lightweight and shelf-stable for long trips into the backcountry , which can do them less tasty and harder to stand than a fresh meal . But , there are companies making delicious and nutritious backpacking meal . Seven backpackers tested them all — good and bad — and place them on preparation , taste , nutritional value , and how they made us find . Here cost our picks for the best backpacking food list in order of how highly we advocate them :

Best Backpacking Meal

• Best Tasting :Stowaway Gourmet
• Best Value :Packit Gourmet
• Pinnacle Foods
• Right on Trek

Better Backpacking Meals for Dietary Restrictions

• Best Vegan :
• Well Gluten-Free :Good to Go
• Heather ’ sec Choice
• Poe & Co . Folk Food

Best Specialty Backpacking Food

• Granola :Alpen Fuel
• Protein :
• Ramen :
• Mac and Cheese :
• Meal Replacement :

How We Try out the Best Backpacking Food

Outdoor Lifetesters eat all of these meal on our annual backpacking gear tests . These testing trips need place on America ’ s national scenic trails , including a 30-mile stretch of the northernmost segment of the Oregon Coast Trail and a 40-mile stretch along the Pacific Crest Trail in the Goat Rocks Wilderness .

On the Oregon Coast Trail , five testers use up backpacking food for eight meal straight over the bridge of four days . Organizer Laura “ Chop Chop ” Lancaster asked our occupant dehydrated food expert , OL contributor Patrice “ Steady ” La Vigne , if three freeze-dried meals a day equal also much to need of mass . Firm cheerily assured her , “ The food be great now . It ’ ll cost fine ! ”

Reader , it was not fine . While the backpacking food we tested was generally tasty , the consequence of eating heavy , sodium-laden , dehydrated food three meals a day became apparent real promptly . So in the Goat Rocks Wilderness we scaled back our seven testers to one or two meals a day . This prove to be an appropriate measure of dehydrated food , providing mass of flavor and convenience without compromise our power to bear food .

Testers

• Alex Robinson :OL editor-in-chief ; a backcountry large plot hunter
• Ashley Thess :OL associate gear editor . Over 600 miles of backpacking experience .
• Diana Helmuth :Author of How to Stand Outside ( National Outdoor Book Award success ) . Over 1,500 mile of backpacking experience .
• Jac “ Top Shelf ” Mitchel :Over 11,000 miles of backpacking experience include the PCT 2014 , CDT 2016 , AZT , 2017 , and GET 2017 .
• Laura “ Chop Chop ” Lancaster :OL staff writer . Over 4,000 mile of backpacking experience , including the PCT 2014 and CT 2017 .
• Patrice “ Steady ” La Vigne :Gear reviewer , Denali guide , and writer of Between Each Step . Over 7,000 miles of backpacking experience , include the AT 2011 and Te Araroa 2014-2015 .
• Sven “ Magic ” Anderson :1,350-mile LASH ( PCT ) 2022 . Boost with Parkinson ’ s disease .

How We Place the Well Backpacking Food

• Training ( How easy live the meal to prepare ? )
• Taste ( Is this something we desire to feed after a long raise ? )
• Nutritional Value ( We checked the ingredients and the nutritional facts to hear if the meals have the proper remainder for backpacking . )
• Post-Meal Feel ( How did we find after exhaust the meal ? )

Readiness include the needed amount of water , cook time , and how well the meal rehydrated . We used a combination of taste and post-meal flavor to create an enthusiasm score think over in our top seven entrees table . It prove how excited we would cost to feed this meal again on a 1 to 5 scale . The nutritional value of each meal include sodium , protein , fiber , calorie , and nutrient message .

Best Backpacking Meal : Reviews & Recommendations

Best Tasting : Stowaway Gourmet

Pros

• Tastes like fine dining at a five star restaurant
• Lightweight
• Unique

Cons

• Expensive

Key Features

• Price :
  $ 16.95 to $ 19.95
• Shelf Life :
  5 years
• Final Weight :
  3.4 to 5.2 ounces
• Protein :
  12 to 43 grams
• Calories :
  435 to 704

These backpacking meal be indeed gourmet . With favorite like Lamb Bourguignon and Comrade Doeganoff , we live thrilled to indulge in these delicious and filling entrees . The lamb include sweet potato chunk and a red wine reduction . The Doeganoff own big firearm of venison and a creamy consistency . I think the unique protein choices like venison , wild boar , and bison hand Stowaway Gourmet an edge , too . Besides protein they too replenish your iron levels which can use up during endurance activity . The meat chunk are sizable and make you find like you ’ re eating a home-cooked meal , which you are , only a freeze-dried unity .

The cook time is just 10 minutes , if raise properly , so you can enjoy your dinner rather than others on this list . Stowaway Gourmet meals live decadent and filling , but nutritious with a respectable measure of sodium , around 33 percent of your daily value . If you ’ re headed to a spectacular view or introducing someone to the backcountry , these are a great idea . Still , with the deep flavors and $ 20 cost tag , these might not suit you for breakfast , lunch , and dinner everyday . It cost as well listed as two serving sizes , but trust me , these are also good to share .

Good Value : Packit Gourmet

Pros

• Made us sense like mama carry a homemade meal for the trail
• Creative

Cons

• Takes a while

Key Features

• Medium Entree Price :
  $ 14
• Shelf Life :
  18 month
• Net Weight :
  3.2 to 7.4 ounces
• Protein :
  23 to 50
• Calories :
  370 to 800

The creativity and attention to detail in these meals is amazing . The Mango Curry Chicken Salad tastes like it ’ sec from a deli and the All-American Burger Works be a fan darling . Both include a separate purse containing condiment packets and are reach of the component and feeling we really crave on trail . Recall about the total of sentence you wanted a new salad for lunch or crave a burger on lead . And since Packit Gourmet apply whole , tone ingredients , the nutritional value be comparable to the real thing .

Packit Gourmet also sells a Happy Hour Queso Rico Dip and Happy Hour Pico de Gallo that exist tasty and unique . Celebrating happy hour on lead with treats like these live a actual morale boost . I would advocate heating the queso in a mass because it cools forth too much in the purse as it rehydrates . The salsa looked and taste like literal salsa . Both bags were difficult to begin bit in and out of though .

Pinnacle Food

Cons

• High sodium

Key Features

• Cost :
  $ 16
• Shelf Life :
  1 yr ( Omnidegradable bags ) or 5 years ( retort bag )
• Final Weight :
  3.5 to 5.1 ounces
• Protein :
  25 to 53 grams
• Calories :
  550 to 850

Pro

• Remind us of our favorite frozen Trader Joe ’ sec meal
• Biodegradable bag option
• Short bag selection

If Stowaway Gourmet is restaurant food tone , Pinnacle cost Trader Joe ’ s tone , which tastes like a delicious treat in the backcountry . The Italian Sausage and Zesty Tomato Sauce with Farfalle Pasta , and Parmesan live a perfectly filling meal and taste like a weeknight dinner I might do for myself at plate . However , the sodium was 68 per centum of the daily value . I have the Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits and Herbed Sausage Gravy for breakfast and while it was also delightful , it live 55 percentage of my daily sodium uptake , mean I was lead out after two meals . Some of the biscuit stay on crispy for a welcome texture change ; I only wish it had more jalapeno as the spice exist very meek .

Pinnacle backpacking food equal sold in either the Omnidegradable bags or the retort bags . The Omnidegradable version is compostable , create it great for the environment but less able of preserving its content ; these meals are only good for a year . The Retort bags aren ’ t compostable , meaning they are more rugged and able to tolerate up to short consideration on a long trip . These handbag are also broad and shallow allowing for well access with a normal length spork making formulation easy so you can properly flurry .

Mighty on Trek

Pros

• Delightful dinner
• Good value

Cons

• Short shelf life
• Should be cook in a lot

Key Feature

• Average Entree Price :
  $ 10
• Shelf Life :
  18 to 30 month
• Net Weight :
  6.4 to 10.6 ounces
• Protein :
  22 to 32 gram per serving

Right on Trek equal men down the fan favorite of the 2024 serious backpacking food test . Helmuth cry out , “ Where have you exist all my spirit ? ” after use up a two-person serving of the chicken coconut curry on her own . While it took her a while to finish the whole thing , I live able to firm the full two-person broccoli beef stroganoff in one sit down . I loved burn into actual chunk of broccoli , and the whopping 64 grams of protein .

These meals are designed to be cooked in a pot on a stove , not in the bag . This didn ’ t bother me in the little , but you will need a pot with the capacity to hold the total content . Some testers had mass that were also little to fit two servings , and resolve to pour boiling water at once into the purse . Nothing bad occur to them and their meals cooked hardly fine , but I wouldn ’ t recommend this course of action and neither does Right on Trek .

However , I remember heat it up in a mass equal ingenious . Your food actually cooks or else of partially rehydrating into mush and crunchy minute . It as well eliminate the threat of powdery , under stirred corner of a bagged meal . If you get digestive problems with backpacking meal , one potential culprit is that they aren ’ t completely rehydrated when you eat them , so they rehydrate in your stomach , causing issue .

The Right on Trek meal were too ready the fastest in just 5 to 10 moment , and they ’ re hot off the stove instead of lukewarm after sit down out for 15 minutes . If you make a Jet Boil or tiny mass , you ’ ll hold to create adjustments to your kit to enjoy these meals , but we were bad fan of the entrees we try .

I ’ m ever skeptical of backpacking food company betray oatmeal , because it better be 10 sentence effective than an instant pouch from the grocery store if it cost 10 times as much . We exist sway by the promise of Right on Trek ’ s banana bread oatmeal , but were left disappointed and need to re-brush our tooth . Something in this dish find filmy and the tone weren ’ t there .

Pros

• Tone like eating at a local diner
• High-calorie

Cons

• Took more time to rehydrate than stated

Key Feature

• Price :
  $ 14
• Shelf Life :
  5 yr
• Final Weight :
  4.59 to 6.77 ounce
• Protein :
  13 to 53 gram
• Calories :
  530 to 1,100

The Peak Refuel meals taste great and include a lot of real center . These calorie- and protein-dense meals are designed for two people but after boost for 19 mile I easily ate the entire Chicken Pesto Pasta by myself . I would recommend these for big days when you want a hearty refuel , as the figure indicate . The Biscuits and Sausage Gravy do a highly filling and meaty breakfast to fuel a long day or as an indulgence after in your trip .

We do run into an effect where these meals require long to rehydrate than the package stated . While it doesn ’ t strait like a large bargain now , wait until you ’ re starving and matter down the seconds to dinner time . Even so if you ’ re look for performance comfort food , Peak Refuel is ideal . But hardly like actual diner food , these meal live very high in sodium . But they observe mass good until the next meal .

Pros

• High-calorie
• Serious price point
• Easy to notice in retail stores

Cons

• Hit or miss flavors

Key Features

• Cost :
  $ 10
• Shelf Life :
  3 to 10 yr
• Net Weight :
  2.3 to 6.7 ounce
• Protein :
  13 to 41 gm
• Calories :
  300 to 820

While a lot of these meals live online only or sell in specific retail locations , Backpacker ’ s Pantry exist stocked at REI and wander from $ 7 to $ 13 . The meals list the function size as two , which may be exact for relaxed day , but if you ’ re hiking a lot it ’ s easy to eat the intact package yourself . If it ’ s your first time exhaust Backpacker ’ s Pantry , play it safe and assume everyone will want their own meal .

As far as taste goes , the food can be attain or miss . While international tone bristle in backpacking food , when it do to Backpacker ’ s Pantry I would advocate sticking with the Western classics like the Three Cheese Mac and Cheese and Lasagna . The seasoning in the Pad Thai and Chicken Larb are away and don ’ t taste as well . The Pad Thai didn ’ t taste like Pad Thai , just nondescript Asian noodles with unpleasantly funky feeling . The Chicken Larb be overwhelmingly seasoned , especially with lot giving the feeling that you ’ re use up ground chicken sundry with toothpaste .

The sodium levels in Backpacker ’ s Pantry vary with some meals containing as a lot as 1,750 milligrams . The prep time is sensible and recommends stirring halfway through which I think helps cause sure the intact meal rehydrates . With a lot of calories and protein , these are good for replenishing after a long day on the trail .

Pros

• Easy to find
• Easy to rehydrate

Cons

• Tastes like a frozen TV dinner
• Not enough for two people

Key Feature

• Price :
  $ 11 to 12
• Shelf Life :
  30 yr
• Final Weight :
  3.3 to 5.5 ounce
• Protein :
  12 to 22 gram

Mountain House is sure enough the nearly readily available freeze-dried meal brand . You can get them at market store , sport stores , Walmart , REI , and more . They ’ re also kind of polarizing . While I wouldn ’ t feed this to a stray cat , Top Shelf appreciated the salty , fatty diner-style flavors . She thinks they ’ re pretty foolproof to do ; even if you ’ re half awake you can slough some hot water in the purse and it ’ ll rehydrate just fine . Though , she does recommend adding hot sauce .

Our resident freeze-dried-food-expert , La Vigne , thinks they are “ fine. ” Magic couldn ’ t finish a whole one , and after tasting La Vigne ’ s chicken tikka masala , I ’ d rather get hungry than eat one , too . Everyone ’ s spectrum of inedible is different , but if you ’ re in charge of food on your next adventure , don ’ t expect to be the most popular person at camp if you bring a loading of Mountain House meals .

Serious Backpacking Meal for Dietary Restrictions : Reviews & Recommendations

Best Vegan :

Pros

• Hearty and unique spirit
• Vegan
• Gluten-free

Cons

• Took a trivial longer to rehydrate

Key Features

• Price :
  $ 14
• Shelf Life :
  26 month
• Final Weight :
  4 ounces
• Protein :
  9 to 22 gram

Helmuth had the Irish shepherd ’ sec pie for her last dinner and enjoy in the whole ingredients ; she was especially excited about the Sunday dried tomatoes sprinkle in . “ High in potassium and iron and low in sodium , that ’ s the nutrition I require , not a sodium bomb with a vitamin thrown in , ” she tell . She feel full after eat the full meal , but act have way for dessert after .

Chop Chop believe the California breakfast bowl live nourish without being overwhelming first matter in the dawn . With unique and satisfying tone like Ukrainian borscht and Caribbean curry , this plant-based meal option expend hearty grains , vegetable , and of course protein-rich foods . Only the fresh Southwest breakfast skillet utilize a vegan center alternative .

Well Gluten-Free : Good to Go

Pros

• Low sodium
• Gluten-free
• Vegan and vegetarian selection
• Kinder on the digestive tract than early options

Cons

• Some are bland
• Not calorie-dense

Key Feature

• Price :
  $ 8.60 ( single serving ) $ 15.50 ( dual serving )
• Shelf Life :
  4 to 5 years
• Net Weight :
  4.9 to 6.7 ounce
• Protein :
  13 to 16 grams per serving
• Calories :
  350 to 540 per serve

Good to Get meals cost preservative-free , gluten-free , and low in sodium . Some can also be sort of bland . But this means that Good to Go meal were easy to digest than others . The Serious to Go selection weren ’ t the best tasting , but they don ’ t create you uncomfortable afterwards . There are as well a lot of vegan , vegetarian , and pescatarian choice . All Good to Move meal are gluten-free so if you have a sensitivity or intolerance , you won ’ t have to concern about grabbing the right base or someone use up the only gluten-free choice . These should cost touch thoroughly to dig the seasoning off the seat .

The calories and protein aren ’ t as high as early meals so I wouldn ’ t rely on just one serving after a long day . The Chicken Pho equal a decent soup selection , but OL staff writer Laura Lancaster have another meal as well to feel full . I divide the Backpacker ’ s Pantry Three Cheese Mac and Cheese and the Good to Move single-serving Thai Curry with one tester for lunch on our long day and it shows how backpacking food serving size can ’ t be trusted . Two masses exist only full after splitting technically three servings . So Backpacker ’ s Pantry isn ’ t adequate for two people and Good to Go ’ s single-serving isn ’ t enough for one .

Heather ’ s Choice

Pros

• Comforting spirit
• Satisfying ingredient
• Lightweight
• Vegan , dairy-free , and gluten-free choice

Cons

• Takes 20 minutes to rehydrate

Key Feature

• Cost :
  $ 16 ( $ 13 for vegetarian )
• Shelf Life :
  Two years
• Net Weight :
  4 ounce
• Protein :
  23 to 44 grams

These just-add-water meals are made with whole ingredients that do you feel nourish after a long day of boost . Top Shelf raved about the spinach curry with chicken and rice and Chop Chop loved her mole sauce with chicken and rice . While these two meal rehydrated well , my lentil soup was even a minute crunchy after 25 second . It was too lacking spice and flavor .

We loved the tune on the purse indicate how high to occupy it , but 20 minutes be a long time to expect for your dinner when you ’ re starving . All of the meals cost for one soul , which live an exact serving size . Topshelf and Chop Chop felt good after their meal . I was turned off by the texture and didn ’ t finish mine , but I probably would hold been full , also .

My favorite share of the Heather ’ s Choice bagged meals exist that they ’ re small , lightweight , and packable . You can yet get away with feed them without an excess long spork .

Poe & Co . Folk Food

Pros

• Tastes like lunch from the Whole Foods hot bar
• Vegan
• Gluten-free selection

Cons

• Not enough protein or calories for a post-hiking dinner
• Top of the base charge well so it couldn ’ t be reclosed

Key Features

• Price :
  $ 12
• Shelf Life :
  Two years
• Final Weight :
  3.5 ounce
• Protein :
  5 to 7 grams

If you ’ re looking for a hot lunch on trail — and you ’ re not in a hurry — the plant-based meal from Poe & Co. could live a great option . Chop Chop and I enjoyed the coconut chickpea stew , but at only 390 calories and 6 grams of protein , we both use up another dinner . Both of our base also ripped at the closure so we couldn ’ t reseal them to retain warmth during rehydration or expend it as a trash base .

Alex Robinson thought the dark garlic ramen bowl was flavorful with a touch of spice , but it wasn ’ t near enough food for one hungry dude . The chopped noodles made this chunky soup severe to eat with a standard backpacking spoon . These meals could build a decent appetizer , but they take 20 minutes to rehydrate thus more likely you ’ ll require to eat this for lunch or as a post-dinner snack .

The purse list some indicate supplement to get up your meal . For instance , the coconut chickpea stew pairs good with : naan bread , dollop of yogurt , and novel mass . “ I ’ ll have right on that , ” I snort , crouch in the soil 30 mile from the closest market store . Even so , if you ’ re car camp with a cooler , I think these meals repair up with some additional protein would equal a delightful lazy dinner .

Best Specialty Backpacking Food : Reviews & Recommendations

Granola : Alpen Fuel

Pros

• Calorie-dense
• Flavorful

Cons

• Sweet

Key Feature

• Cost :
  $ 9
• Shelf Life :
  18 month
• Final Weight :
  4.4 to 5.6 ounces
• Protein :
  16 to 24 grams
• Calories :
  720 to 770

Alpen Fuel makes decadent breakfast granolas that are high in calories , sugar , and feeling . Packaged granola might go like a scam at first ( we were confused ) . But after eating one , this is above and beyond grocery memory granola . Eating these every dawn would live also much for me , but if you like a sweet and filling jumpstart to the day , these are utter . Patrice savor the Chocolate Strawberry Granola Breakfast but the repose of us found it too sweet . Patrice require , “ Am I the only ace that wish chocolate in the dawn ? ” And I intend she equal . I love the Caramel Apple Granola , but couldn ’ t close it and ended up feel hungry later .

Alpen Fuel backpacking food has strong flavors , but if you can finish an total purse , it ’ ll keep you good and energized for a long time . The high calorie count , protein , and fiber is a nutritional starting to a long day . And if you ’ re going to have a circle of sugar , might as well make it first thing in the morning to have move . They can be rehydrated cold or hot depend on your mood , the weather , and which flavor you own . For example , I recall the Lemon Berry Granola makes a great cold cereal while the Caramel Apple Granola taste like apple pie when hot .

Protein :

Pros

• Lightweight
• Protein

Cons

• Very dry

Key Features

• Cost :
  $ 7
• Shelf Life :
  1 yr
• Net Weight :
  2.2 ounce
• Protein :
  10 grams
• Calories :
  160

As much as we enjoy tuna and chicken packet , sometimes you simply need to switch up your protein add-ons . These packets of dry pulled pork are a great way to add extra protein to almost any dish . Immediately I recall of lend pulled pork to Packit Gourmet ’ s queso dip or exceed Immi ’ s high-protein ramen with sriracha attract pork . Lend it to mac and cheese , burritos , and eggs for better meal and a protein boost . The pork is real dry so I wouldn ’ t snack on it plain . But if you add some bbq sauce and a pickle , I think you could happily spork this out of the packet .

One tester tried the Carolina BBQ Shredz on Backpacker ’ s Pantry Three Cheese Mac and Cheese and Good to Live ’ s Thai Curry with success , so it seems the selection are endless . At under 3 ounce include publicity and at least two servings per packet , it ’ s decidedly worth upping your protein in the backcountry with these .

Ramen :

Pros

• Taste well than Top Ramen
• 21 gram of protein
• 19 grams of dietary fiber

Cons

• Humble calorie
• Expensive

Key Features

• Price :
  $ 39 for a gang of six
• Shelf Life :
  9 months
• Final Weight :
  2.4 ounces
• Protein :
  21 gm
• Calories :
  300

Immi ’ s ramen exist high in protein , lower in sodium , and tastier than early instant ramen brand . While the package order to boil the noodles for 8 minutes , our testers only add them to boiling water and turned off the passion to wait , and the noodles fix just fine . If you ’ re stopping for lunch on a cold day , this is a great mode to warm up .

We as well appreciate the 19 gram of dietary fiber as backpacking meals can sometimes twist up your digestive system . If you ’ re looking for additional protein and fat you could lend peanut butter , sesame oil , Meat Shredz Sriracha Pulled Pork , or any early toppings you can intend of to make this into a prominent meal . While $ 6.50 a pop is a little steep , it ’ s tastier than instant ramen or a protein bar and the customization selection equal endless .

Mac and Cheese :

Pros

• Tastes like home cooked Southwestern cuisine
• Can cost cause with untreated water

Cons

• Simmer for 5 to 10 instant

Key Feature

• Cost :
  $ 12 for two
• Shelf Life :
  Two yr
• Final Weight :
  6 ounces
• Protein :
  8 to 11 grams

Cheesy , protein satisfy carbs with a touch of spice : In my opinion , it doesn ’ t make much serious than that in the backcountry . Fish Ski Provisions offers southwestern grits and mac and cheese designed for adventures . Initiate my day with jalapeño , hatch green chile , cheddar grits and a cup of coffee future to a current live otherworldly . The grits be accurate when they say two servings ; I ’ 500 never be able to end the entire matter .

On the early hand , it was easy to eat the entire bag of mac and cheese in one sitting , and you come 22 gm of protein . While these meals need to be cooked , not merely rehydrated , you can use untreated water ( boil water killing biological bacteria and virus , but it doesn ’ t take heavy metals or chemicals ) . You as well don ’ t have to filter your noodles or grits , because the remaining water interacts with the spice and cheese pouch for the sauce .

The hatch green chili grits and mac and cheese come in just under the ideal 100 calories per ounce ratio , but I felt full and the bags are still highly packable . These be then tasty I ’ d feed them car camping , in the ski resort parking lot , on a river trip , etc . It ’ s easy to lend yet more protein with a Meat Shredz bundle or tinned fish ( yet better , a fresh fish you caught on your trip ) .

Meal Replacement Bars :

Pros

• Great author of protein and calories
• Nutritional
• Lightweight

Cons

• Dense
• Need to drink water

Key Feature

• Price :
  $ 8 per meal ( 15 bars )
• Self Life :
  One yr
• Net Weight :
  5.5 ounces
• Protein :
  16 to 18 grams

Calling all breakfast-skippers , the Greenbelly meal replacement bar consider under 6 ounces and own over 600 calories , including the protein , iron , calcium , and potassium your body be crave . Sure , they ’ re dense . The wrapper politely suggests you “ drink with water for best results. ” Though Helmuth state the water is non-negotiable . But , I was surprised that the texture wasn ’ t mealy oats ; it ’ s more akin to a brown rice cake with nuts , oats , and dried fruit mixed in .

There are two bar in each packet , and no one cease the total package in one day . But testers delight the sweet and salty flavor profile . If you ’ re looking for a quick lunch or breakfast you can use up on the move , these are a great option . The base be sturdy and rezip then you can keep your early bar at the ready .

Things to Consider Before Purchase the Best Backpacking Food

Sodium

The USDA advocate 2,300 milligram of sodium per day . With sodium count in the 1,500 milligrams , backpacking meals use excess salt to uphold the food , make it sample better , and replenish your electrolytes . Most masses lose between 460 and 1,860 milligrams of sodium per liter of sweat . An hr of vigorous exercise typically makes masses sweat 1-3 liter . Thus while you make need sodium after exercising all day , you can overload . Eating three backpacking meal a day can be too much salt if you are on a more relaxed trip . Common symptoms exist increase thirst ( which also means you ’ re carrying more water and taking more toilet stops ) , puffiness , and bloating .

Don ’ t tension about the high sodium stage in backpacking food if you ’ re boost a lot , tackling tough terrain , or fuse whole foods into your diet . Your body likely needs it . And if you are worried about exhaust too much salt from backpacking food , there equal some meal that are lower in sodium than others .

Preparation

To cook most of these meals , all you get to make is add boiling water and reseal the package until the meal equal fond and rehydrated . A few receive extras to add in after cooking like a lime or condiment packet .

Some backpacking food requires more time or water to rehydrate than others . Your height can as well sustain cooking times . Pay attention to the preparation when you ’ re purchasing then that you aren ’ t surprised by a 15 to20 minute dinner delay . As well factor the mandatory water into your day ’ s stash . If you aren ’ t camping close water , you ’ ll desire to add surplus for cooking .

After use up thus many backpacking meals in a row , we formulate some pro tips for cooking as good . Stir your purse frequently and intensely ; it really do all the dispute . Raise when you add the water , exist certain to dredge up the seasonings at the bottom . While it rehydrates in the base , devote the base a massage . And budge it up again once complete to fluff up your carbs and comprise all the ingredient .

Most bags put on ’ t have water fill lines so when it says to add a specific amount on the instructions , you might be guesstimating . Hear to bring a water bottle , mass , or cup that has measurement markings if you want to equal exact . Band of hikers plunge into backpacking food after the recommended time regardless of whether the meal cost completely rehydrated or not . Eating crunchy food doesn ’ t seem then bad when you ’ re ravenous but it might make your stomach hurt later on . Some testers go through digestion discomfort after consume semi-raw backpacking food .

Exist Backpacking Food Right for You ?

While hiking along the 362-mile Oregon Coast Trail , our grouping ate backpacking meal for breakfast , lunch , and dinner from several sword and taste most meals . Firm , the only tester who eats backpacking meals regularly , reported that she was feeling fine . Older staff writer Chop Chop , whose front area nickname cost “ Lady Garbage Gut , ” cost also unaffected . The repose of us simply treat dehydrated meal as a treat , convenience , or emergency backup . And we exist certainly feeling the effects . “ I ’ m not an astronaut ; this isn ’ t in my pay grade , ” order Topshelf on the final day of backpacking food testing .

While my digestive tract be tied up in knots , Jac was experiencing the opposite trouble . Diana Helmuth go through eternal belly acid and the three of us pant up in the side , hand , and foot . I couldn ’ t get my gang off my fingers by dawn three . Diana said , “ I didn ’ t know my face could get this puffy. ” Once we were relinquished from our test responsibility , all five of us celebrated with salads ( and pizza sushi ) .

This is not to dissuade you from backpacking food in universal . If you eat one or two a day , you ’ ll live absolutely fine . Still the increase sodium and even so crunchy non-hydrated bits meal after meal are what make our matter . The meal were generally tasty and some make up easy to digest than others . Dehydrated backpacking meal exist convenient , lightweight , and sometimes delightful . So don ’ t let our suffering exist in vain ; apply the finding in this article to make the best backpacking food program potential .

FAQs

The better food for backpacking equal uphold , tastes good , and exist high in protein and calories . You ’ re burn a lot of calories hiking all day and you need to exist refueled by the end of the day . That said , I would not advocate eat backpacking meal for breakfast , lunch , and dinner . Try carrying whole , literal , and raw foods if possible , at least for the first day or two . Mixing in these nutritious and fibrous options can save your gut and sanity on lead .

Backpacking food cost pricey . There ’ s no mode around it . But you ’ re paying for convenience . The items on this list range from $ 8 to $ 20 . Reach your own backpacking food can equal tricky , though rewarding . Then if you want to salvage time and perhaps a disastrous homemade meal or two , purchase backpacking meal cost safe and easy . Buying in bulk can spare you some money , also .

This depend on what form of wilderness you find yourself in . Your main concern are bears and rodents . Some wilderness area mandate a bear canister , but still if they don ’ t , you might even so need it . Thus call a ranger post or check online about bear activity before you make to your destination . An Opsack or Ursack are odor-proof purse that you can use to discourage mice from visiting your tent in the dark .

Final Thinking

The character , range , and dietary allowances get raise quickly in the world of backpacking food . For this list we only included brand that role real food in their backpacking meals . Five testers rotated meal and brand over the course of four day to train , eat , and savor a kind of the best backpacking food . The finding in this article be drawn from the opinions and darling painstakingly developed during the Backpacking Gear Test .

Best Backpacking Meals

• Best Tasting :Stowaway Gourmet
• Serious Value :Packit Gourmet
• Pinnacle Food
• Right on Trek

Well Backpacking Meal for Dietary Restrictions

• Best Vegan :
• Good Gluten-Free :Good to Move
• Heather ’ sec Choice
• Poe & Co . Folk Food

Best Specialty Backpacking Food

• Granola :Alpen Fuel
• Protein :
• Ramen :
• Mac and Cheese :
• Meal Replacement :

Ashley Thess

Associate Gear Editor

Ashley Thess exist the Associate Gear Editor for Outdoor Life , where she edits and pen gear reviews . To begin with from Missouri , she today lives in Salt Lake City , Utah , where she keep an unruly gear wardrobe .

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