If you’ve mapped out your spring and summer hiking bucket list, it’s time to plan the best hiking snacks to bring along with you! Nutrition plays an important role in fueling your outdoor adventures—it provides the energy you need to make it to the summit and recover well to keep exploring all summer.
Here is a quick review of what makes a good snack for hiking, along with our top 10 picks for best hiking snacks. We also included tips for packing and storing your hiking snacks, proper hiking etiquette, and some DIY hiking snack recipes to make yourself!
What Makes a Good Snack for Hiking?
When looking for snacks to take with you on your next adventure, it’s important to consider what makes a snack good for hiking.
Looking for nutrients that support energy and satiation is an important consideration. Look for three main nutrients for sustained energy: protein, low GI carbs, and healthy fats.
Replenishing amino acids is important for your post-hike recovery, so ensure that you have protein in your hiking snacks to fill depleted stores. Look for low-GI carbs to help provide fuel to the cells, keep blood sugar regulated, and avoid any mid-hike crashes. Additionally, fats are an important nutrient source for prolonged exercise. While you draw energy from carb sources at the start of the hike, you draw energy from fats toward the end of your hike.
If you are planning some longer adventures, it is always important to pack snacks to take along for the journey so you can replenish your glycogen stores. Your glycogen stores come directly from your carbohydrate intake and are your body’s primary energy source.
Top 10 Best Hiking Snacks for Your Next Adventure
To make searching for the best snacks for hiking easy, here’s a list including WAG’s top 10 picks!
Tips for Packing and Storing Your Hiking Snacks
When it comes to packing for your hike, there are a few important considerations, including portability, weight, and convenience.
Portability of Your Hiking Snacks
If your snacks are not already in individual packs, use Stasher reusable silicone storage bags to portion out servings for the hike. This is also helpful if you are tracking macros so you can portion and track your snacks before you leave.
Weight of Your Hiking Snacks
It’s best to stick with lightweight items that will be easy to carry in your hiking pack. You will also want to stick with mostly non-perishable items. Refrigerated bars and trail mix with chocolate are great until they melt in your bag on the hike.
Convenience of Your Hiking Snacks
Single-serving packs that are easy to reach for and can be included in a front belt bag are helpful if you don’t have time to break for snacks as often as needed. Electrolyte packs, such as Drink LMNT, make a great addition to your pack. Electrolytes include magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium, and by replenishing them throughout your hike, you can avoid muscle fatigue and cramping. It’s important not to forget to prioritize hydration in addition to snacking!
One final and very important consideration is always to remember to pack in and pack out! This is hiking etiquette 101: anything you bring out on the trail, make sure you bring back home with you, including your snack wrappers.
DIY Hiking Snack Recipe
While the top 10 picks above provide great options for easy and convenient snacks, making some homemade snacks is also great.
Homemade trail mix or healthy homemade granola are fun options to make at home to match your preferences. It’s easy to make a bulk batch and pack a couple of servings for the hike. You can use the recipes linked for inspiration and guidance while making them your own. Other good homemade options include no-bake energy bites or a homemade protein bar. Here are some healthy homemade protein bar recipes to try.
If you don’t have time for homemade options, check out additional easy and on-the-go snacks for your goals from the articles Low-Calorie Protein Bars and Best Protein Bars for Muscle Gain.
Trail mix, Chex mix, granola, and protein bars make great choices for convenience and easy travel, and you can’t go wrong with a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Use whole wheat bread for your PB&J for a mix of high- and low-GI carbs with your jelly and bread.
Final Thoughts on The Best Hiking Snacks
The best hiking snacks are the ones you enjoy, feel good eating, provide you with lasting energy sources, and work for your goals.
If you need additional support meeting your goals, hire a WAG coach to work with you one-on-one and plan ahead of each hiking adventure. The top 10 snack picks can get you started and give you ideas for your next adventure.
Remember to pack various nutrients, focusing on protein, low-GI carbs, and healthy fats. You can enjoy your hike and break new barriers when you are nourished and hydrated, keeping your focus on the cairns ahead while avoiding hunger and fatigue.
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