Hunger truly is the best spice — but sometimes that trusty ol packet of ramen noodles just wont cut it at the end of a long day on trail. The best backpacking meals will serve up a gourmet dish of flavorful, nutrient-rich energy right in your dirty campground. And — they weigh barely anything.

　　However, if you’re a backcountry nut like we are,you’ve certainly experienced moments where freeze-dried meals didn’t live up to the surroundings. We still carry around packets of Taco Bell Fire Sauce and vials of salt and pepper on the trail to spruce up our meals.

　　But with foodies holding higher standards around what should go into their mouths, the trickle-down of what should go into their backpacks follows. Lately, weve found ourselves needing our extra spices less and less.

　　The old faithfuls likeMountain HouseandBackpacker’s Pantrystill reign in some areas. But companies likeGood To-Go,Heather’s Choice, andPeak Refuelare catching up with extremely respectable calorie-to-weight ratios and phenomenal tastes. And that hardly begins to cover some of the more niche companies specializing in gluten-free, paleo, keto, and vegan offerings.

　　Our team has collectively scraped the last morsels out of thousands of backpacking meals on adventures around the world and wont settle for just any freeze-dried meal you find in the grocery store. Author and Senior Editor Chris Carter has significant experience waiting impatiently for backpacking meals to hydrate in the cold evening hours. An alumnus of each of the Triple Crown Trails in the U.S., hes intimately aware of the importance of well-balanced meals on the trail, not only for a morale boost at the end of a grueling day but as sustainable nutrition for the long haul.

　　Chris has sampled just about every brand out there in an effort to find that backcountry feast. He put over 15 different meals to the test in the past year alone, scoured the interwebs, bugged his thru-hiking buddies, and pored through hiking forums to bring you this streamlined selection of meals you see today.

　　Below, weve compiled some fan favorites and based our selection on our own experiences and user reviews. Here are the top backpacking meals to stock up on for the coming season — or, if you’re a prepper — the coming apocalypse. Whatever way things shake out, these meals are A-OK.

　　Check out our list of top picks, or hop down to our buyers guide, comparison chart, or FAQ for more info on snagging the perfect meal for your needs.

　　Editors note: This guide was refreshed on May 21, 2024, with additional information about dietary restrictions and links to our guides to gluten-free and vegan backpacking meals.

　　Dietary info key: GF= gluten-free

　　DF= dairy-free

　　V= vegan

　　Veg= vegetarian

　　The Best Backpacking Meals of 2024 Best Overall Backpacking Meal: Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto Best Budget Backpacking Meal: Readywise Still Lake Lasagna with Sausage Runner-Up Best Backpacking Meal: Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai Best Breakfast Backpacking Meal: Heather’s Choice Apple Pie Buckwheat Breakfast Best Backpacking Meal for Lunch: Pinnacle Foods Herb Roasted Chicken And White Cheddar Dumplings Best Paleo Backpacking Meal: Wild Zora Paleo Meals Chicken Caldera Curry Best Backpacking Desert: Backpacker’s Pantry Astronaut Neopolitan Ice Cream Sandwich Best Overall Backpacking Meal Peak Refuel Chicken Pesto Specs Dietary info N/A Calories 920 Dry weight 5.71 oz. Water required 2/3 cup Prep time 10 min.

　　Pros Astronomical calorie-to-weight ratio Loaded with healthy protein (43g!) Phenomenal hearty taste Speedy prep time Minimal water requirements Cons Some difficulty getting all the ingredients to rehydrate May ruin your love affairs with other brands On the pricey side Chris Carter They say you cant have your cake and eat it too. Well, folks — were here to tell ya — you certainly can with this backcountry banquet. Boasting the best calorie-to-weight ratio of anything on this list, without skimping on taste or nutrition, Peak Refuels Chicken Pesto ($13) is hands down our favorite backpacking meal for taxing ultralight missions that require maximum energy.

　　Thumbing through the freeze-dried selections at an REI during a resupply on his thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail, one of our authors had to do a double take when he glanced at the specs of this meal. 920 calories in a 5.7-ounce package?! What wizardry Peak Refuel employs, we know not — but most other companies dont have it.

　　Skeptical, he picked one up and had it that night for dinner. Not only did it fill him to the brim, but it was one of the better-tasting meals hed had on trail to date. Peak Refuel has since become our go-to brand for featherlight backpacking trips that are calorically demanding. These arent just empty calories either. Packed with 43 grams of protein, with plenty of carbs and fats for long-term energy, this meal is a powerhouse for endurance activities.

　　And it doesnt stop there. While many other meals with this high of a calorie count require well over 2 cups of water, they have somehow been able to rehydrate their entire meal with a scant 2/3 cup. This is a godsend for dry camps or when youre running low on fuel to boil large amounts of water.

　　Its difficult to ding this delicious dinner. But if we had to point out some cons; the relatively high price tag, and the difficulty in getting all the ingredients to rehydrate in the recommended 10 minutes arent ideal. Small prices to pay for such a stalwart meal.

　　For an even heartier option, check out their Beef Pasta Marinara, which is loaded with 1,040 calories and 49 grams of protein. We tend to favor the taste of the Chicken Pesto, but this is another hardworking option.

　　$14 at REI$14 at Amazon Best Budget Backpacking Meal Readywise Still Lake Lasagna With Sausage Specs Dietary info N/A Calories 710 Dry weight 5.9 oz. Water required 2 cups Prep time 12-15 min.

　　Pros Great, filling ingredients Impressive calorie-to-weight ratio Affordable compared to similar calorie-rich meals Cons Requires a good deal of water A bit difficult to get all ingredients to rehydrate Chris Carter Rising from roots in emergency preparedness, Readywise has burst onto the backpacking scene with a whole slew of delicious dishes for each meal of the day. Weve tested just about every one of them, as they quickly became our meal-of-choice for thru-hikes of the CDT and AT in 2021. Their approachable price point, solid ingredients, and respectable calorie-to-weight ratio made them shoo-ins for a financially strapped aspiring thru-hiker.

　　Hands down our favorite concoction from the brand is the Still Lake Lasagna with Sausage ($7.50). One of the more hearty options in its lineup, the lasagna has an incredible taste that fills in all the corners of a starving backpackers belly after a brutal day. Weve sampled several different lasagnas from other brands, and this one strikes pretty darn close to that traditional bake-at-home flavor weve all grown to love. Pro-tip: chuck a handful of croutons on top for more of a crunchy, baked texture.

　　While this is an efficient meal to bring along, it does take a good amount of water (2 cups) to make, which isnt awesome at dry camps. We also found it harder to rehydrate all ingredients in the meal when compared to other options.

　　Aside from that, you really cant go wrong with these high-energy backpacking picks. They deliver adequate, long-lasting energy, cook up fast, and are downright tasty to boot.

　　$8 at AmazonCheck Price at Walmart Runner-Up Best Backpacking Meal Backpackers Pantry Pad Thai Specs Dietary info N/A Calories 730 Dry weight 6.2 oz. Water required 2 cups Prep time 15-17 min.

　　Pros One of our favorite flavors for backpacking meals Feels like you are actually following a recipe and cooking Bursting with flavor On the affordable side Cons Not the best calorie-to-weight ratio Requires a lot of water Chris Carter Hoooboy, do we love the taste of Pad Thai on trail! We dont even care that its on the heavy side, its quickly become our all-time favorite flavor for any adventure. Want to feel like a bonafide backcountry chef as well? Do we have the meal for you. Backpacker’s Pantry Pad Thai ($10) not only tastes amazing, but also has you add several ingredients throughout the cooking process, making it feel like much more of a home-cooked meal than just pulling an oxygen absorber from the pouch and dumping water in.

　　Boil 2 cups of water (yeah a bit much) and pour it in, squeeze a pouch of peanut butter into the noodles and let them sit, then sprinkle actual peanuts and flavorful sriracha lime powder over the final product. Weve got Chef Boyardee over here! Trust us — after months of mixing nothing but hot water with your meals on a thru-hike, this feels like cooking for royalty.

　　Well often bring some extra sauces and spices to spruce up our freeze-dried meals, but this one needs no additions. The sriracha lime bursts with flavor and the crunchy peanuts seem to bring it all together. The texture is something youd order at a restaurant.

　　Our quibbles with this meal lie in the sheer amount of single-use packaging it employs, and the fact that it requires a good deal of water. Aside from that, it packs a calorically-dense punch, and is by far one of the best flavors weve ever sampled in the wild.

　　$10 at REI$10 at Amazon Best Breakfast Backpacking Meal Heathers Choice Apple Pie Buckwheat Breakfast Specs Dietary info V, DF, GF Calories (per package) 530 Dry weight 4 oz. Water required 4 oz. Prep time 5 min.

　　Pros Acceptable calorie-to-weight ratio Phenomenal taste Cons Would like a bit more protein in breakfasts Chris Carter The most beloved of Heather’s flavors of buckwheat breakfasts, the Apple Pie ($9) is said to be a bit tart and not too sweet. We like that these meals are cognizant of many folks’ dietary needs and they’re not overwhelmed with sugar and sodium.

　　530 calories in a 4-ounce package passes the 100 calorie/ounce rule we try to go off of for backpacking, so its a win in our books. We wish there was a bit more protein for a breakfast meal, but the taste is great, and we feel it gives us adequate energy for the day ahead.

　　We do love how little water this meal requires (4 oz.), as we dont have to be too mindful of saving a bunch for the morning at dry camps. The anticipation of this tasty treat is bound to raise you from the dead in the wee hours of the morning on trail!

　　Check Price at ScheelsCheck Price at Amazon Best Backpacking Meal for Lunch Pinnacle Foods Herb Roasted Chicken And White Cheddar Dumplings Specs Dietary info N/A Calories 710 Dry weight 4.3 oz. Water required 1.25 cups Prep time 10-12 min.

　　Pros Incredible calorie-to-weight ratio Great, filling taste Very flavorful Sustainable packaging Cons Takes a bit longer to hydrate than others, and some ingredients struggle to fully hydrate Expensive Chris Carter Perhaps one of the best lunches weve had from a bag, Pinnacle Foods tops our personal list with its Herb Roasted Chicken and White Cheddar Dumplings ($15).

　　With one of the better calorie-to-weight ratios out there and packed with healthy energy, this is a top pick for the ultralight cult — if the price isnt too much of a deterrent.

　　Wed eat this every day without a problem. It’s comfort in a bowl. A mix of marinated chicken, delicious dumplings, green beans, carrots, and parsley in a fabulous sauce, and you pretty much forget you’re eating a backpacking meal. You pay a bit more, but it’s worth it.

　　In the timeless words of Tom Haverford, treat yourself.

　　$16 at BlackOvisCheck Price at Pinnacle Foods Best Paleo Backpacking Meal Wild Zora Paleo Meals Chicken Caldera Curry Specs Dietary info GF, DF, Paleo Calories 350 Dry weight 3 oz. Water required 1.5 cups Prep time 5-15 min.

　　Pros Solid paleo option Hearty and filling Cons Pretty bad calorie-to-weight ratio Difficult to get every ingredient to fully hydrate Chris Carter The clear favorite among the paleo options, this meat-eaters’ curry ($13) is a pile of meat, veggies, spices, and pineapple. That’s it.

　　It’s described both as “fabulous” and “the best backpacking meal I’ve had.” However, this is another that folks suggest waiting a bit more time for the meal to get fully rehydrated.

　　It also doesnt have the best calorie-to-weight ratio, so isnt optimal for ultralight missions.

　　Check Price at Wild Zora Best Backpacking Dessert Backpacker’s Pantry Astronaut Neopolitan Ice Cream Sandwich Specs Dietary info Veg Calories 130 Dry weight 1 oz. Water required None Prep time Time it takes to open package

　　Pros Quick, delicious desert for after dinner or the top of a climb Weighs absolutely nothing Genuine ice cream taste Cons A jealous trail family Chris Carter As a child of Ohio, one of our authors was a frequent field-tripper to the Neil Armstrong Museum, where her family would all get astronaut ice cream sandwiches.

　　Neil Armstrong is cool and all, but those ice cream sandwiches were legendary. And thanks to Backpacker’s Pantry ($4) and NASA, we can now take them backpacking. They’re so good, you guys. And the sentimental soul within is excited each time we have one of these in our pack.

　　These are simply incredible for rounding out a hearty meal around the fire, or even rewarding yourself after youve conquered a tough section of trail. We cant recommend these enough for their barely-there weight and incredible taste. Just make sure you bring enough to share — you could quickly make some enemies if youre the only one snacking on one in your trail family.

　　$5 at REI$9 at Amazon Best of the Rest Mountain House Spicy Southwest-Style Skillet Specs Dietary info GF, DF Calories 490 Dry weight 3.9 oz. Water required 1.5 cups Prep time 9 min.

　　Pros Solid calorie-to-weight ratio Great taste Lots of energy to start the day Cons More water required than other breakfasts Chris Carter We hate to say that Mountain House has the eggy breakfast side of camping cornered, but were personally obsessed with every egg-based breakfast in their arsenal. The packs of eggs and bacon are super light and just the right size for breakfast.

　　But our favorite — and another fan favorite — is this breakfast hash ($10). Chiles, shredded beef, beans, taters, and eggs! It’s so good, and we always have enough left over for lunch. Win-win.

　　This offers plenty of calories to confidently charge into a long day on trail. Plus, it boasts a solid calorie-to-weight ratio.

　　$20 at AmazonCheck Price at Walmart Backpacker’s Pantry Organic Hot Blueberry Walnut Oat Quinoa Specs Dietary info V, DF Calories 360 Dry weight 3.1 oz. Water required 1 cup. Prep time 5 min.

　　Pros Natural, organic ingredients Surprisingly tasty Cons Not the best calorie-weight-ratio Chris Carter Another hearty breakfast option that’s mindful of diet is this organic meal from Backpackers Pantry ($13). Ingredients are all organic and natural; there are no weird, difficult-to-pronounce chemicals listed.

　　One reviewer remarked that this meal is “hella tasty” — a phrase you rarely see in these freeze-dried parts. The meal hydrates somewhat fast, but takes a bit more water than other breakfasts, and the dry weight isnt the lightest for only 360 calories.

　　Check Price at ScheelsCheck Price at Amazon Good To-Go Thai Curry Specs Dietary info GF, DF Calories 770 Dry weight 6.6 oz. Water required 2.5 cups Prep time 20 min.

　　Pros Phenomenal taste Passable calorie-to-weight ratio Cons Long prep time Requires a good deal of water Chris Carter Good To-Go has been an absolute staple of our backpacking loadout for thousands of miles — the brand just doesnt miss. The lightweight, smaller packages disappear easier in your pack, and the taste is consistently satisfying.

　　The Thai Curry ($10) is simply a standout. It looks terrible after it’s absorbed water, but don’t be dismayed. This is one of the few meals I don’t add anything to once it’s hot and ready for action. It’s a hunting camp go-to after a long day on the mountain.

　　This meal in particular does take more water than we generally like, and you have to sit for 20 minutes while you wait in agonizing hunger. Not a deal-breaker, but worth noting.

　　$16 at REI$9 at Amazon Mountain House Biscuits and Gravy Specs Dietary info N/A Calories 560 Dry weight 4.4 oz. Water required 1.5 cups Prep time 9 min.

　　Pros Hearty, filling meal Great taste in the morning Respectable calorie-to-weight ratio Cons Not good for folks with dietary restrictions Chris Carter For the calorically indulgent and dietarily unrestricted, this hearty morning feast ($10) is one of the most popular backpacking meals of all time.

　　One reviewer said, “After opening the pouch, I could have sworn someone dumped my mom’s biscuits and gravy in place of the once crouton-looking mound. Absolutely delicious.”

　　This was one of our authors staples on several of his thru-hikes, and he has to confess that he ate this meal at all times of the day — not just for breakfast. It makes a great corner-filler after a lighter dinner meal or even a celebratory snack after reaching the top of a climb. It has a solid calorie-to-weight ratio, making it a no-brainer for the weight-conscious ultralight crowd.

　　Its without a doubt delicious and moral-boosting if youve been trotting around in the backcountry for any number of days, but isnt great for those with dietary restrictions. If you need a quick pick-me-up that will fuel you on particularly grueling days, this is one of our favorite breakfasts for the job.

　　$10 at REI$9 at Amazon AlpineAire Spicy Sausage Pasta Specs Dietary info N/A Calories 600 Dry weight 5 oz. Water required 1.5 cups Prep time 12-15 min.

　　Pros Super flavorful Hearty and filling Cons Takes longer than others to hydrate Chris Carter The first time we ate this incredible meal ($10) was fireside, and we hadn’t even hiked yet. We made our camping partner try it because we were so blown away by how good it was. Our new favorite backpacking dinner is creamy, sausagey, delicious, cheesy goodness.

　　Its not the best for folks with dietary restrictions and takes a while to hydrate. Still, it has a passable calorie-to-weight ratio and doesnt require a ton of water.

　　Diet be darned, this is worth the full indulgent leap into dairy, gluten, and meaty excellence.

　　Check Price at ScheelsCheck Price at Bass Pro Backpacker’s Pantry Louisiana Red Beans Rice Specs Dietary info V, GF Calories 330 Dry weight 3.3 oz. Water required 1.25 cups Prep time 15 min.

　　Pros Good vegan option Great taste Affordable Cons Long prep time Bad calorie-to-weight ratio Chris Carter The Backpacker’s Pantry Louisiana Red Beans and Rice ($8) is another fan favorite — so much so that it’s Amazon’s Choice (when in stock)! Vegans love it, and so does everyone else. Tips include adding a little less water and letting it sit for an extra 5-10 minutes to allow the beans to fully rehydrate.

　　Were loving the price tag as well, especially for long-distance backpackers. It has a pretty bad calorie-to-weight ratio, and a long prep time, but aside from that is a great-tasting, hearty option for vegans or lovers of the classic red beans and rice combo.

　　Check Price at Scheels Trailtopia Sweet Potato Chili Mac With Hemp Seed Protein Specs Dietary info N/A Calories 860 Dry weight 7.8 oz. Water required 2.5 cups Prep time 15 min.

　　Pros Rehydrates well Plenty of calories Packed with long-lasting energy Relatively quick prep time for how many calories it boasts Cons Heavy package (put passable calorie-to-weight ratio) Requires a lot of water Chris Carter Trailtopia got extra creative with its entreé backpacking meals. The Sweet Potato Chili Mac ($12) rehydrates amazingly well, serves two, and is chock full of elbow mac noodles, beans, onions, and chunks of sweet potato. Our favorite part of this meal? It’s the homemade spicy chili sauce and five-year shelf life for us.

　　This packs a serious caloric punch, and is great for the hungry thru-hiker on the verge of despair. While its designed for two, this is easily gobbled up by a famished dirtbag at the end of a long day on trail. The whole enchilada is heavy, but it still has a passable calorie-to-weight ratio, and provides the hiker with loads of long-lasting energy for the long haul.

　　Pro tip from our staff: This meal pairs great with grilled tortillas or chips. There’s also a beef version for meat lovers.

　　$12 at AmazonCheck Price at Walmart Pinnacle Foods Thai Peanut Curry With Roasted Vegetables and Rice Noodles Specs Dietary info GF, V Calories 800 Dry weight 3.8 oz. Water required 1.25 cups Prep time 10-15 min.

　　Pros Super flavorful Rehydrated well Cooked relatively fast Fantastic calorie-to-weight ratio Cons A bit difficult to stir and eat everything out of Omnidegradable package option Pricey Chris Carter Weve given Pinnacle Foods some love in this roundup already, but we felt it important to mention another one of our favorite recipes. The Thai Peanut Curry with Roasted Vegetables and Rice Noodles ($16) slaps you in the face with flavor — in the best possible way.

　　We took this meal on a recent demanding backpacking trip along the Cumberland Trail, and it was a welcome treat at the end of a brutally hot day. This packs an absurd amount of ingredients into a small batch. Roasted bell peppers, onions, broccoli, zucchini, sweet potatoes, edamame, and garlic, join forces with rice noodles and a rich coconut-curry peanut sauce to deliver quite the complicated concoction. Its topped off with cilantro, lime, and scallions to give it even more of a flair. Is your mouth watering yet?

　　The loud exotic flavor was a pleasant shock to our tastebuds after consuming the other relatively dull freeze-dried meals we schlepped along. If this brand wasnt quite so expensive, these would probably be staples in our backpacking loadout. $16 a pouch gets pricey, and if you tack on shipping and tax from their website, its comparable to a steak dinner out on the town.

　　There were almost no cons that surfaced, but we did find it a bit difficult to fully stir our meal after pouring the water into the omnidegradable package. The tall profile also makes it difficult to scrape every morsel of food out of the corners. You have the option of choosing a wide, low retort pouch option at checkout, but the omnidegradable packs are fully compostable — which we think is rad.

　　Qualms aside, this is (aside from Pad Thai) perhaps one of the best flavors weve run across in our sampling of backpacking meals. Its enough to make you want to pack up and move to Thailand simply for the cuisine.

　　$16 at BlackOvisCheck Price at Pinnacle Foods Backpacking Meals Comparison Chart

　　The Best Vegan Backpacking Meals of 2024When I go backpacking, I’m picky because I want something high-quality that tastes great after hiking. And it needs to be vegan. Read more

　　Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Backpacking Meals

　　A warm and nutritious meal can elevate your spirits and energy levels out on the trail; (Photo/Chris Carter) After laying out gear for your next backpacking adventure, the prospect of planning your food intake can feel complex and daunting. This is where bringing backpacking-specific food offers some relief and lots of time-saving convenience.

　　Instead of painstakingly preparing carefully measured volumes of specific ingredients to make a bunch of meals from scratch, backpacking meals come in neat little packages that are easy to lay out and visualize as you plan your trip’s meal schedule.

　　Before you purchase in bulk, be sure to consider how much space you have in your backpacking backpack, or ultralight backpack when shopping for these meals.

　　Dietary preferences are very individualized, and everything from taste to ingredients to ideal serving size varies from person to person. When selecting backpacking meals for your upcoming adventure, try to lean heavily on what you already know about your personal food preferences.

　　While plenty of creative and inspired backpacking meals are available today, choose the options that align with your lifestyle and sound appealing. Maybe you prefer low-sodium foods, are lactose intolerant, or maybe you just really dislike black beans. Whatever your preferences are, honor them as you begin to purchase meals.

　　After a long and active day out, you don’t want to find yourself stuck with a meal that isn’t exciting and satisfying for you. Go with what you know.

　　Caloric Density Weight

　　Pouches make preparing many backpacking meals quick and easy, with fewer dishes to deal with; (Photo/Chris Carter) There are a few distinct categories of backpacking meals that are defined by the cooking method. Most backpacking meals are dehydrated or freeze-dried and must be invigorated with hot water before consumption.

　　While many options can simply be hydrated in their own packaging, others have to be poured into a pot and actively stirred. An obvious difference between these two methods is that the pot-reliant options require you to dirty a dish at mealtime. Cook-in-pouch meals are the better choice for those who wish to avoid washing a pot or for the ultralight and cookware-averse crowd.

　　A third category of backpacking meal requires no hot water hydration at all. These meals are cooked and ready to eat as is, and all you have to do is simply open the pouch and dig in. However, because these options are not dehydrated before packaging, they tend to be heavy.

　　Check out our comprehensive guide on backpacking stoves for help in choosing the best backcountry heating method to whip your meals into shape.

　　Water Availability

　　Most backpacking meals require 0.5-2 cups of water to fully rehydrate their ingredients; (photo/Chris Carter) For meals that require water in their “cooking” process, plan ahead to ensure you’ll have access to enough water to hydrate your pouches at mealtime. Will you be carrying some or all of your water on this trip? Is there access to water along the way? If you have access to a natural water source, do you have a reliable method of treating your water before using it for meals? If done correctly, boiling water can be an effective method of disinfecting water before using it for meals.

　　If you have limited access to water on your trip, it will be a very cherished commodity, so it may be wise to consider meals that don’t require hydration before cooking. That way, you can focus your water allotment on your hydration needs.

　　Dietary Restrictions There are plenty of foods that have the nutrition we need without eating traditional meat-based diets. These days, ever-improving backpacking meals are available for those with dietary restrictions. Brands like Heather’s Choice, among others, make meals that accommodate eaters with all kinds of diets, from dairy-free to paleo to vegan and more. If youre looking for vegan options specifically, weve covered the best vegan backpacking meals as well.

　　With an estimated 1% of the American population diagnosed with Celiac disease and an additional 6% with sensitivity to gluten, the number of people avoiding gluten is bigger than ever. As the gluten-free community grows, companies producing gluten-free backpacking meals are growing alongside them, providing more options than ever before. We’ve outlined what we think are the best options in our best gluten-free backpacking meals article.

　　Nutritional Value and Energy in Backpacking Meals

　　Senior Editor Chris Carter crunching on some Readywise goodness during a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Thru-hikes require a ton of energy and healthy calories; (photo/Jackson Sims-Myers) Just because a meal has a ton of calories, doesnt mean those calories will necessarily give you the sustainable energy you need to keep pushing day after day on trail. Food made of empty calories doesnt offer much in the way of clean, nutritionally dense energy.

　　Keep your eyes peeled for backpacking meals that strike a balance between healthy fats, substantial carbohydrates, and protein. These are essential ingredients for your body to keep lugging your backpack across brutal terrain.

　　We love meals that incorporate organic ingredients with lots of energy. Meals like these make us feel cleaner and healthier as we push our limits out in the backcountry.

　　Cost Finally, refer to your trip’s budget before jumping in and buying all the meals that seem intriguing. Backpacking meals range in price quite a lot, and many backpackers are surprised to discover that some options cost nearly as much as brunch at a sit-down restaurant. Backpacking meals tend to cost between $5 and $15 per pouch.

　　We dont think buying all of your meals at once for a long multi-month backpacking trip is the best idea. Chances are, the flavors you desire in the present arent what you will crave five weeks into a four-month thru-hike. Sample a few beforehand, and buy different flavors or ship them ahead while you are on trail.

　　Dehydrated backpacking food pouches can cost a pretty penny, but deliver delicious, nutritious meals in an ultralight package; (photo/Chris Carter) FAQ What food should I bring for a 2-day backpacking trip? Thanks to the common combination of long days and heavy packs while backpacking, you’re going to burn a ton of calories. Most backpackers will need to eat more food while out on a trip than they do on a normal day at home. Actual intake depends on the individual, but most people will need to eat between 2,500 and 5,000 calories per day to sustain themselves and replenish after a strenuous hike.

　　Because backpacking meals come in breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, you could feasibly subsist on only backpacking meals and get plenty of calories each day. However, depending on your budget, you may want to supplement your backpacking meal pouches with other snacks and foods for easy and affordable grazing.

　　What are the best backpacking meals? Companies likeMountain HouseandBackpacker’s Pantrymake many tried-and-true backpacking meal pouches. While these two sources represent the bigger names on the market, we also recommend products from other companies likeGood To-GoandPeak Refuel.

　　The best backpacking meal is the one that tastes great, fills your dietary needs, and fits your budget. You want your meals to add satisfaction to your life after a full day on the trail.

　　If we have any say in the matter, the absolute best backpacking meal weve tried is Peak Refuels Chicken Pesto — but this obviously boils down to personal preference.

　　How can I eat healthy while backpacking? Many backpacking meal companies now make products that accommodate a wide spectrum of dietary restrictions and preferences.

　　If you’re seeking healthy meals with fewer additives and preservatives, companies likeHeather’s ChoiceandWild Zora Paleo Mealsmake quality offerings. Check the ingredients of potential meals before you purchase. Whether you’re vegan, paleo, or are simply health-conscious — now’s a good time to be alive as a consumer of backpacking meals.

　　What are the best keto backpacking meals? There are a few options out there to meet the needs of ketogenic folks, but they are rare.Next Mile Mealsspecializes in keto backpacking meals. These are crafted with adventurers in mind, and have the requisite calories and energy to support high-output activities.

　　The Best Backpacking Stoves of 2024 The right stove makes life on the trail better. From ultralight canisters to four-season and multifuel options, weve found and tested the best backpacking stoves.

　　The Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2024 Head into the backcountry with the best backpacking backpacks of 2024. From budget-friendly options to ultra-comfortable picks, weve got you covered.