My Favorite Hiking Snacks that You'll Find in my Pack

I won't lie, I am not known for having the lightest pack in the world, mainly because it's filled with snacks. This post is by no means a comprehensive list of all the snacks to have in your pack, but these are what you can most often find in mine! My biggest tip is to do some trial and error to find out what hiking snacks work best for you to feel energized and fueled.

Tuna Everything

I will say you either love it or hate tuna, and at times it can have the essence of cat food, but it has become my hiking staple. Tuna provides high-quality protein with almost no fat and is a good source of heart-healthy omega 3-fatty acids. The StarKist Pouches fit flat in your pack without taking up much room and little to no mess. Their pouches provide various options, from tuna or salmon in water to their flavored tuna creations, including honey bbq, deli-style, and my favorite lemon pepper. These are also available with salmon or chicken as the protein if tuna isn't your thing. The best part is you need a fork or utensil to eat it out of the pouch. I often use the fish scaler on my pocket knife when I forget my fork and want to get refueled fast (don't judge me). Another more "meal" tuna option is the bumblebee tuna and cracker packs. They come with a can of tuna, six crackers, and a little spoon to dish up your snack. They will take up a bit more space in your pack and require you to haul out some more trash, but if eating tuna straight from the pouch isn't your vibe, these are another great option.

Beef Jerky

Hiking is just an excuse to splurge beef jerky. While it is slightly on the pricier side, beef jerky is not only delicious to gnaw on while hiking, but it's packed with protein, zinc, and iron. Jerky will give you a break from nuts and berry snacks and is something you can quickly grab from a pouch and keep moving.

Trail Mix

Since trail is literally in the name, I'm guessing you've already thought of this one! You can either buy a pre-made trail mix or make your own! I prefer the spicy combinations, but those can often make you more thirsty. It's super easy to make your own creations by hitting the grocery store's bulk section and grabbing your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Those of you who pick around the raisins, try making your concoction next time so you can enjoy every bit!

Fruits

At any given time in the mesh pouches on my pack, you will find bear spray in one and fruit in the other. While dried fruits will keep longer, they often have many added sugars, so I try to stick to fresh fruits. Bananas are my primary go-to, so I make sure I keep myself fueled and get some potassium and B6. Bananas also have more calories and higher sugar content than other non-tropical fruits. Cuties or clementines are also a great option as they are small and have self-containing peels. I always try to go for fruits with a built-in layer of protection, and keeping them in my mesh pouches prevents them from getting smashed in my pack. Trust me; there's nothing like finding mashed banana all over your bag. Another fruit and fun snack is a bag of frozen grapes. While they won't give you as much fuel as a banana on a hot day, they are a nice cool treat!

Granola Bars

My two personal favorites are Belvita's and Nature Valley. Belvita boasts four hours of nutritious steady energy, so I used to joke that if I had two packs for breakfast, I'd be good to go for the whole day. They are an excellent fuel source that doesn't sit heavy in your stomach like some protein bars tend to. The same goes for Nature Valley, specifically the Oats n Honey flavor. While they tend to crumble easily, they taste great with string cheese or an apple to give you a well-rounded hardy snack.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

If I'm taking several day hiking trips, one of the first things I typically do is hard boil a dozen eggs. My dad always calls a hard-boiled egg a "power pill," and he's right. If pre-boiled and peeled, they're a great quick and easy breakfast or can be thrown in a bag for some fuel later. That way, if I'm ever feeling weak, I can pop in a "power pill" and keep trekking!

Leftovers

Maybe a weird one for you, but after a long day of hiking or summiting mountains, I always look forward to a great dinner. Whether it's pasta or a nice grilled steak, what I love more is stretching my dinner into two meals. Being able to pull out some leftover pasta or steak on top of a mountain is a very glamorous moment. In addition to that, having some delicious sustenance is an excellent change of pace after several days of tuna pouches. The only thing to remember here is to have some zip-locks (preferably reusable ones like Stasher) or Tupperware. I have eaten carbonara out of a ziplock with a fork before; you can make anything work!

Hydration Fuel

I'm a big Gatorade lover. Part of this may come from collegiate sports and my obsession with Gatorade Prime Energy Chews. I discovered these in high school and carried them in my golf bag and now hiking pack ever since. After being in the hot sun for hours, sometimes drinking warm Gatorade isn't what you need, so these are a great option to get some electrolytes. There's also something about the sweet treat that I love as well. Lately, I've also become a big lover of Pedialyte, not just for hangovers like some of you. They now make individual pouches to pour in water bottles, including sparkling flavors that won't leave you with a rich syrup taste. Aside from my two or three-liter water bladder, I always carry a few Gatorade and Pedialyte powder pouches to mix up if I feel my body doesn't have the proper hydration.

Whether you're just looking for a few-mile hike, a day hike, a mountain summit, or a multi-day backpacking trip, make sure you have enough fuel and the right fuel for your body. Each of our bodies has different requirements to sustain exertion so take the time to learn what you like, how your body reacts, and what you need.