Trail snack suggestions

[Eric M]

I'm doing a little 3 day scout this week and wondered what people like for trail snacks besides mix or Cliff bars or Power Bars. Can I get some suggestions?

[GoldenOscar]

I like trail mix, usually go to the bulk section of Safeway/QFC and make my own up for pretty cheap.........Its kinda heavy but filling...

[Eric M]

I like trail mix, usually go to the bulk section of Safeway/QFC and make my own up for pretty cheap.........Its kinda heavy but filling...

That and Cliff Bars are kind of my go to snacks. I thought some serious backcountry guy might have  a magic protein/calorie versus weight-in-pack snack I could try.

[buglebrush]

Not the lightest, but I love tortilla's spread with honey, Crunchy PB, and Generous amounts of fried bacon.  I roll them up into a roll, wrap them in saran wrap, and toss in 2 per day.  Really good dried apricots, string cheese, and fruit leather are awesome too!

[JimmyHoffa]

jerky, but you need to drink a lot of water so if no water sources along the way might not be the best for weight.

[Eric M]

jerky, but you need to drink a lot of water so if no water sources along the way might not be the best for weight.

Thanks. Jerky is on my shopping list too. Plenty of water available.

[Eric M]

Not the lightest, but I love tortilla's spread with honey, Crunchy PB, and Generous amounts of fried bacon.  I roll them up into a roll, wrap them in saran wrap, and toss in 2 per day.  Really good dried apricots, string cheese, and fruit leather are awesome too!

Trying to stay away from bacon because of my cholesterol. Otherwise that sounds really good. I like the apricots too. Forgot about those!

[Bushcraft]

The answer somewhat depends on what you are going to expect of your body, and what your body is used to digesting.  Aside from poor fitness levels, I suspect that the primary reasons people bonk in the backcountry are dehydration and lack of the right kind of caloric intake.

When you are on the go and hammering it hard, you need calories that will sustain you and keep you from bonking...and that means carbs, fluids and electrolyte replacement. You can eat all the meat and fat you want, but they aren't really going to help you all that much when you are on the trail and are better saved for major meals.

I've chewed through most of the trail snack ideas out there over the years and come back to Nature Valley Oats & Honey oatmeal bars as my go-to fuel source.  Costco sells them in giant boxes for next to nothing.  They are relatively small volume,  easily clear the 100 calories per ounce hurdle, are loaded with a good matrix of useful trail calories from simple-to-complex carbs and fat, satisfyingly crunchy, and the empty packaging takes up almost no volume.  I figure one package per three to five miles depending on output levels.  The assorted trail mix of dried fruit, nuts, sweets and some jerky are great for variety or boredom killers.

You might try the Hammer Perpetuem and Recoverite products.  Also give water flavor enhancers like Mio or whatever a try.  The more you like the taste, the more water you are going to drink.

[Eric M]

The answer somewhat depends on what you are going to expect of your body, and what your body is used to digesting.  Aside from poor fitness levels, I suspect that the primary reasons people bonk in the backcountry are dehydration and lack of the right kind of caloric intake.

When you are on the go and hammering it hard, you need calories that will sustain you and keep you from bonking...and that means carbs, fluids and electrolyte replacement. You can eat all the meat and fat you want, but they aren't really going to help you all that much when you are on the trail and are better saved for major meals.

I've chewed through most of the trail snack ideas out there over the years and come back to Nature Valley Oats & Honey oatmeal bars as my go-to fuel source.  Costco sells them in giant boxes for next to nothing.  They are relatively small volume,  easily clear the 100 calories per ounce hurdle, are loaded with a good matrix of useful trail calories from simple-to-complex carbs and fat, satisfyingly crunchy, and the empty packaging takes up almost no volume.  I figure one package per three to five miles depending on output levels.  The assorted trail mix of dried fruit, nuts, sweets and some jerky are great for variety or boredom killers.

You might try the Hammer Perpetuem and Recoverite products.  Also give water flavor enhancers like Mio or whatever a try.  The more you like the taste, the more water you are going to drink.

I have felt "done" only once, and I suspect it was a combination of how high up I was (right at 10K) along with being somewhat dehydrated. I'll give those oatmeal bars a try. And I already have my orange/tangerine Mio Thanks for the reply!

[buglebrush]

The answer somewhat depends on what you are going to expect of your body, and what your body is used to digesting.  Aside from poor fitness levels, I suspect that the primary reasons people bonk in the backcountry are dehydration and lack of the right kind of caloric intake.

When you are on the go and hammering it hard, you need calories that will sustain you and keep you from bonking...and that means carbs, fluids and electrolyte replacement. You can eat all the meat and fat you want, but they aren't really going to help you all that much when you are on the trail and are better saved for major meals.

I've chewed through most of the trail snack ideas out there over the years and come back to Nature Valley Oats & Honey oatmeal bars as my go-to fuel source.  Costco sells them in giant boxes for next to nothing.  They are relatively small volume,  easily clear the 100 calories per ounce hurdle, are loaded with a good matrix of useful trail calories from simple-to-complex carbs and fat, satisfyingly crunchy, and the empty packaging takes up almost no volume.  I figure one package per three to five miles depending on output levels.  The assorted trail mix of dried fruit, nuts, sweets and some jerky are great for variety or boredom killers.

You might try the Hammer Perpetuem and Recoverite products.  Also give water flavor enhancers like Mio or whatever a try.  The more you like the taste, the more water you are going to drink.

Respectfully disagree on not doing Cheese etc...  Everyones body is different, and when I eat too many carbs without enough protein ( oats and honey bars )  I get blood sugar issues and got totally knackered.  I run best on plenty of fats and protein mixed in with my carbs.  I always put plenty of coconut oil in my homemade granola bars too.  Different strokes for different folks. 

[mburrows]

banana chips, almonds and mango strips are my go to.

[Bushcraft]

The answer somewhat depends on what you are going to expect of your body, and what your body is used to digesting.  Aside from poor fitness levels, I suspect that the primary reasons people bonk in the backcountry are dehydration and lack of the right kind of caloric intake.

When you are on the go and hammering it hard, you need calories that will sustain you and keep you from bonking...and that means carbs, fluids and electrolyte replacement. You can eat all the meat and fat you want, but they aren't really going to help you all that much when you are on the trail and are better saved for major meals.

I've chewed through most of the trail snack ideas out there over the years and come back to Nature Valley Oats & Honey oatmeal bars as my go-to fuel source.  Costco sells them in giant boxes for next to nothing.  They are relatively small volume,  easily clear the 100 calories per ounce hurdle, are loaded with a good matrix of useful trail calories from simple-to-complex carbs and fat, satisfyingly crunchy, and the empty packaging takes up almost no volume.  I figure one package per three to five miles depending on output levels.  The assorted trail mix of dried fruit, nuts, sweets and some jerky are great for variety or boredom killers.

You might try the Hammer Perpetuem and Recoverite products.  Also give water flavor enhancers like Mio or whatever a try.  The more you like the taste, the more water you are going to drink.

Respectfully disagree on not doing Cheese etc...  Everyones body is different, and when I eat too many carbs without enough protein ( oats and honey bars )  I get blood sugar issues and got totally knackered.  I run best on plenty of fats and protein mixed in with my carbs.  I always put plenty of coconut oil in my homemade granola bars too.  Different strokes for different folks. 

Hmmm...your statement seems perfectly in line with my first sentence, "The answer somewhat depends on what you are going to expect of your body, and what your body is used to digesting." 

To clarify, I'm not at all suggesting to just load up your backpack with just granola bars.  One should bring food that works for their body.  What works for me may not work for others.  But, generally speaking, you'll get plenty of protein from your meals and will be more dependent on carbs and to a certain extent fat...though most of us have enough in reserve of the latter to easily get us through a scouting or hunting trip. 

I'll chomp down a couple granola bars and a few Via packs of coffee for breakfast. Have some assorted trail mix, jerky and mozzarella cheese sticks for later morning glassing. Lunch is usually a picante beef top ramen package with some red wheat berries and dried elk burger or dried eggs with a nice dollop of olive oil.  Afternoon is some Frito chips if my mood strikes me.  Dinner is a rehydrated homemade pasta/meat meals with olive oil and a cup of hot tea before going to sleep.  The Oats and Honey bars and electrolytes are for pounding out the in-fill and ex-fill miles.

[Southpole]

Sisters Baking Company has granola that's awesome. A couple bites of that, that'll get you through several hours of hiking. Very girthy. Found at Haggens usually.

[Eric M]

I also found this thread from 2007 that says a lot of what has already been mentioned-including the peanut butter and bacon!
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,1404.msg13761.html#msg13761

[Snakeriver]

Landjaeger sausage is a good protein source that packs very well. Two a day is what I carry when backpacking.

[pope]

Everybody is different. When I'm pushing hard all day...especially for more than one day, I want something that packs well, has massive caloric value, and that will not leave me hungry in a couple of hours. I want protein, fat, and salt. For me, salami and cheese are great for day trips when it's not too warm. On warmer and longer trips, I find salted nuts (prefer peanuts) keep me going. For dinner, give me lots of calories in the form of some kind of freeze-dried meal (based on beans and pasta).

[GoldenOscar]

All mentioned above bu the fruit bars, jerky and or pepperoni sticks are always at hand........if its around halloween then a bunch of mini candybars fill some pockets too.

[Eric M]

Landjaeger sausage is a good protein source that packs very well. Two a day is what I carry when backpacking.

I didn't even think of that. I should go buy a pound (or 2).

[kellama2001]

Protein Pucks are tasty, lightweight and really stick with ya.  Plus they are full of good stuff and all natural for those with food sensitivities

https://www.myproteinpuck.com/

[danderson]

  I like dried fruit like raisins, or pretty much name your favorite, I just dehydrated a bunch of fresh bing cherries and made my own trail mix, granola bars are good but in moderation, my all time favorite is Spam and cheese on a bagel, Just did a 3 day hike in the wilderness and ate only raisin bran with powdered milk and Bagels.

[muleyslayer]

I also found this thread from 2007 that says a lot of what has already been mentioned-including the peanut butter and bacon!
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,1404.msg13761.html#msg13761

If your worried about the colesterhol you can maybe make the wraps with turkey bacon. I have never tried making them this way, but turkey bacon is not bad.

[Eric M]

 Just did a 3 day hike in the wilderness and ate only raisin bran with powdered milk and Bagels.
[/quote]

[Eric M]

I also found this thread from 2007 that says a lot of what has already been mentioned-including the peanut butter and bacon!
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,1404.msg13761.html#msg13761

If your worried about the colesterhol you can maybe make the wraps with turkey bacon. I have never tried making them this way, but turkey bacon is not bad.

I might try it. Not sure I'm 100% sold on peanut butter and bacon sandwiches even if someone did write about it in a book haha. I'm more impressed with @danderson eating only raisin bran with powdered milk and bagels for 3 days!

[Eric M]

Protein Pucks are tasty, lightweight and really stick with ya.  Plus they are full of good stuff and all natural for those with food sensitivities

https://www.myproteinpuck.com/

I might order some and give them a try. Thanks.

[buglebrush]

I also found this thread from 2007 that says a lot of what has already been mentioned-including the peanut butter and bacon!
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,1404.msg13761.html#msg13761

That is crazy!  Here I thought it was my invention  I will tell my wife I am not the only weird one.

[danderson]

Try the raisin bran diet some time, its pretty good and light weight to, no need for a stove or fuel, I know a lot of through hikers that live on the stuff, its easy and super light.

[jackelope]

I like pro bars and almond butter for snacks. Bought them both from Amazon. The mountain man sandwiches...bagel, peanut butter and bacon are great but they're more like a meal than a snack. I also add honey to mine. Another good one I will take from the pages of BrockA's posts is a tortilla with 5 slices of salami and a cheese stick, then roll it up. Take 3 of these for lunch. This is a great article that Brock wrote on the subject:
http://www.rokslide.com/tips-tactics/backpacking/338-food-for-a-day

almond butter:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ETKJE0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pro bars(lots of different flavors):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037QGLBG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Fl0und3rz]

Powerbar Harvest (apple crunch) is a good one for on the go, along with jerk and trailmix. For trailmix, take a nut mix, add the nuts you prefer (I like pecans, cashews, and pistacio), and add some dried fruit.  I also add a couple of McDonald's salt packets to ensure I get enough salt to avoid headaches and cramping.

[Eric M]

I like pro bars and almond butter for snacks. Bought them both from Amazon. The mountain man sandwiches...bagel, peanut butter and bacon are great but they're more like a meal than a snack. I also add honey to mine. Another good one I will take from the pages of BrockA's posts is a tortilla with 5 slices of salami and a cheese stick, then roll it up. Take 3 of these for lunch. This is a great article that Brock wrote on the subject:
http://www.rokslide.com/tips-tactics/backpacking/338-food-for-a-day

almond butter:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ETKJE0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pro bars(lots of different flavors):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037QGLBG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I forgot to look at the Rokslide forum for this. Thanks