Backpacking Food Review

What To Look For

When it comes to backpacking chow, don't be afraid to pack on the calories and carbohydrates. Your body needs energy throughout the day and backpacking's constant terrain changes and steady weight-bearing can leave a person quickly drained. Don't be afraid of salts, either. Lick your lips during a hot hike and you're likely to find that they taste salty. This is the salt your body is purging in sweat, a loss you will eventually have to correct. In addition to adequate nutrition, camp food should be as portable as possible, while producing the minimum amount of trash and waste.

Common Pitfalls

Canned food is one of the most common beginner mistakes for backpackers. It doesn't matter if your pocket knife has a can-opener, you'll still regret having to hike out of the woods carrying cans that cannot be condensed and are almost as heavy empty as they are full. Also avoid food that will be damaged if compressed. For example, apples are a suitable fruit for backpacking, but your bananas are a little less likely to make it unbruised. Finally, don't think of your diet backpacking as equivalent to your eating habits at home. Pack for periodic snacks throughout the day in addition to a large meal at night.

Where To Buy

While more than enough backpacking food can be found at your local grocer, outdoor outfitters will carry a variety of pre-packaged backpacking cuisine. Many people rely on energy bars, apples, grocery store peanut butter and salami for lunches, while purchasing the more expensive dehydrated meals from their outdoor outfitter for dinner.

Cost

Certain backpacking foods can end up being a little more pricey than your standard grocery bill. Energy bars can be over $3 a piece, while dehydrated backpacking meals, such as those available from Backpacker's Pantry or Mountain House, can be as much as $9 per meal. Even many backpacking staples found in grocery stores can come at a price premium, such as beef jerky and dried fruits.

Comparison Shopping

While there are a number of ways to compare and save when it comes to backpacking food, the best comparison is made when sizing the pre-packaged dehydrated meals against equivalents assembled yourself. Buying spaghetti and a spice wheel is likely to save you money over a dehydrated spaghetti dinner. Whether the price premium is worth it for the convenience is ultimately up to you. Another good way to get cheaper prices is by drying your own fruits or even making your beef jerky.

Accessories

An indispensable accessory to backpacking cuisine is the spice wheel. Portable, with an array of options, a good spice wheel can save even the most bland dish. Hot sauce is another great option for those looking to keep it interesting. You will also need utensils, which can come in a variety of forms, from lexan silverware to collapsible chopsticks.

Insider Tips

For backpackers who insist on a plate, rather than eating straight from the pot, consider bringing a frisbee, which can be eaten off and played with immediately after.