Gear Review: Pre-packaged Breakfasts

Oatmeal, granola, and eggs–backcountry style.

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Natural High Strawberry Granola with Milk

Can dehydrated milk rival the real thing? We were skeptical, but testers gave this morning treat high marks for taste. “The dehydrated milk is awesome when mixed with warm water,” says one tester, who now uses warm milk in her granola at home, too. “And it delivered the crunch my palate craved after gummy oatmeal mornings.” (Also available with raspberries or blueberries.) For extra flavor, pile on their Pure Organic Freeze Dried Strawberries ($4). $4.50; richmoor.com

Packit Gourmet Migas del Sol

One editor swore she’d never eat eggs on a backpacking trip, but these Mexican scramblers—tossed with veggies, cheese, and corn tortilla bits, then doused with boutique salsa—quickly changed her mind. Savory and filling (with BYO tortillas), they seem engineered to combat breakfast (or dinner) boredom. $8; packitgourmet.com



Backpacker’s Pantry Organic Peanut Butter and Raisin Oatmeal

Although oatmeal is a belly-warming classic, it typically doesn’t stick to your ribs like it should on long trail days. Not so here. The peanut butter adds a welcome wallop of extra calories, protein, and flavor, especially on cold mornings. $4 (1 serving); backpackerspantry.com

See all “essential” reviews from the 2011 Gear Guide