20 Insanely Easy And Tasty Hike Bars Recipes To Power Your Next Adventure 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What are good snacks for backpacking? ›

Banana chips, no-bake energy bites, chocolate-covered cashews or almonds, spicy nuts, dried fruit (apples, mangos, cranberries), fruit leather, string cheese, crackers, fig bars, peanut butter pretzels, cookies, Chex mix, sesame sticks, pumpkin seeds, gummy bears, licorice and candy bars are just a few choices.

An average food carry on a thru-hike is five days (some can be even longer).

As the most versatile choice, bars make for easy snacking ahead of a hike, training session, or simply to keep you kicking on at the keyboard during the workday. To benefit the most from an energy bar, consume 2-3 hours before exercise. Nibble away mid-activity too, to keep hunger at bay.

Pack Weight for Backpacking and Hiking

A loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight. (If you weigh 150 pounds, your pack should not exceed 30 pounds for backpacking.) A loaded day hiking pack should not weigh more than about 10 percent of your body weight.

Sugary Foods. It can be quite tempting to indulge in some chocolate or fruit juice before your hike, thinking it may boost your energy. But the truth is, they have the opposite effect on your body. Just like carbonated drinks, sweet treats may give you a quick boost of energy, but they won't sustain you for long.

The food is freeze-dried or dehydrated to extend shelf-life. Freeze-dried food can last up to 30 years, while dehydrated food can last up to 5 years, depending on the climate, the amount of water in the food, and their storage conditions.

The more additives you see — particularly excess sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol), which can cause gastric distress — the less likely the bar is to deserve the “healthy” moniker. Palm oils, soy protein isolate and so-called natural flavors are also red flags.

High in Calories: Energy bars are quick and convenient snack options for today's busy lifestyle. But, some bars can contain a lot of calories, which can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. It's important to check the calorie content of the bars you choose and consume them in moderation.

Are Clif bars good for hikes? ›

When eaten two to three hours before the activity, a CLIF BAR can help store energy in the muscles for use during activity. Eating a CLIF BAR during an activity such as a hike or bike ride can keep you going on your adventure.

The best fuel for exercise is carbohydrates, preferably “complex” ones like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Healthy fats from fish, nuts, vegetable oils, and avocados can help fuel endurance sports like long-distance running.

Flapjacks, digestives, chocolate-coated Hobnobs... go wild. The same goes for packets of sweets, whether it's marshmallows or liquorice or emergency jelly babies. Every now and again you'll find someone eating jelly cubes neat out the packet. "I really enjoy the mini banana bread Soreen as a hiking snack.

Bear Canisters

They are designed to fit into most backpacks and come in different sizes, so if you're traveling solo, you can choose a smaller one. If you're backpacking in areas where canisters are required, be sure to use one.

Place containers on flat, level ground 100 feet or more from your campsite. Do NOT place containers near cliffs or any water source, as a bear may knock the container around or roll it down a hill trying to open it. Do NOT attach anything to containers. Ropes attached to containers enable a bear to carry it away.

Here's a list of hiking-friendly snacks listed by electrolytes: Salt (sodium chloride) = salted nuts, trail mix, pretzels, crackers, popcorn, pickles, and jerky.

Those might seem obvious, but some foods, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, beans, nuts, and seeds, are good sources of carbohydrates and protein. Get more bang for the food weight carried by choosing food containing both carbohydrates and protein.