The 10 Best Backpacking Foods

Editor's Notes

May 08, 2020:

Both calories per ounce and cost per calorie are extremely important considerations when planning your backpacking meals. For that reason, we'd suggest one of the varieties of Daily Nuts & Fruits Bulk for almost any trip. I've personally been fueled by nothing but nuts, fruits, and jerky on quite a few of my short- to middle-distance trips and found that varied trail mix provides plenty of interesting, healthy, and high-calorie snacking, even while you're actively walking down the trail. If that brand doesn't excite you, Happy Belly Trail Mix also has a number of flavors to choose from. Alternately, the Clif Bar Variety Pack comes with several types of the protein bar that's basically become synonymous with outdoor adventuring. All of these have the advantages of being calorically dense, so they won't add much weight or bulk to your backpack.

But if you're okay with bringing along a backpacking stove, there's a wide variety of dried meals that, with the addition of hot water, become hearty, delicious, and satisfying dinners. Mountain House Beef Stroganoff, Mountain House Biscuits & Gravy, and Mountain House Blueberry Granola are all particularly renowned as some of the best-tasting options from an incredibly popular and experienced company. While their manufacturers aren't quite as well known, Good To-Go Smoked Three Bean Chili and Backpacker's Pantry Lasagna are both excellent vegetarian options, if a bit pricey. Peak Refuel, on the other hand, offers plenty of flavor, a good balance of cost and nourishment, and decent variety. If you're specifically concerned about saving money, consider Knorr Rice Sides, which take longer to cook as they aren't freeze dried, but are highly economical and easier to clean up after than the same company's pasta sides.