Best Instant Mashed Potatoes for Camping, Ranked
What word better describes the perfect camping meal than "instant?"
Backpacker field tests the tastiest recipes, reviews pre-packaged backpacking food, and evaluates lightweight, gourmet and tasty food options for the backcountry trail. Try not to get too hungry while reading our latest backcountry food reviews.
What word better describes the perfect camping meal than "instant?"
Our hiking columnist has spent more than a quarter of the past four years on trail. Every morning out there, without fail, he eats another perfect packet of Pop-Tarts.
These little Scandanavian gummies have earned a permanent place in our packs. Why? Let us count the ways.
Hours of testing, tasting, and innovating goes into these freeze-dried backpacking pouches
Alcohol-free doesn't have to mean tasteless. These drinks satisfy your beer craving without the buzz.
Sure, electrolyte drink mixes are going to keep you hydrated. But which ones actually taste good?
Think all cheese delivery services taste the same? Not a chance.
Stowaway Gourmet has changed the calculus for what a dehydrated meal can taste like.
Nine international spicy stews go head to head.
Which take on beans and rice deserves to end up on your tortilla?
Nine meals were sampled. Only one was crowned king.
Only one rib-sticking potato mash took top marks.
Only one smoky bean bowl earned top marks.
Get the electrolytes you need without overpowering your tastebuds.
The best breakfast of 2021.
The best no-cook breakfast of 2021.
The best vegetarian dinner of 2021.
The best savory snack of 2021.
The best nut-based snack of 2021.
The best caffeinated snack of 2021.
The best fully hydrated dinner of 2021.
The best dinner for thru-hiking of 2021.
The best drink of 2021.
Fuel up better with this savory soup.
Energy boost
Best breakfast
Best snack
Best snack
Best dinner
Best hydration
Best dinner
Best snack
Best breakfast
This snack that's more than a snack wowed our staff so much, we gave it an Editors' Choice Award.
Restorative elixir
These flavor combos will help you fight bar fatigue.
Don't just fuel up: indulge with these excellent backcountry-ready meals, snacks, and drinks.
So good, you'd never guess it came from a bag.
With its added electrolytes, FKT could be your new post-workout brew.
From freeze-dried thyme turkey to instant pumpkin cheesecake, take your Thanksgiving feast into the backcountry without lugging in a fryer.
Get fueled with tasty backcountry meals.
Step aside, GORP. This flavorful nut mix from Sahale Snacks is taking trail snacks to a new level.
These sun-dried tomatoes from Mooney Farms are great on-the-go or to add flavor to a meal.
Quick energy is the hallmark of these energy gels from Honey Stinger.
These aptly named Refreshers from Starbucks provide a flavorful energy kick to get you back on the trail.
These fruit infused drink mixes from Skratch Labs are the all-natural energy boost you need during a hard summit push.
Enjoy staying hydrated with this cold-brewed green tea from Hiya.
Go nuts over these flavored spreads from PocketFuel.
This freeze dried fruit from Just Tomatoes is great on its own or as an add-in.
Stay energized the natural way with these fruity sweet Shot Bloks from Clif.
Spice up you adventure with this poblano corn chowder from Packit Gourmet.
This pizza-inspired flavor-packed filling from Packit Gourmet will become whatever you make it.
This cold-water-prep chicken salad from Packit Gourmet will keep you fueled and on the trail.
Bring the fruity flavors of the tropics to the backcountry with this vegan meal from Backpacker's Pantry.
This rich pasta from Adventure Appetites combines many exciting flavors - smoked salmon, black olives, and sun dried tomatoes to name a few - into one satisfying backcountry dish.
Spice up a backpacker's staple with this berry oatmeal from Quaker Oats.
Bring southern comfort food into the outdoors with these mildly spicy and cheesy grits from Packit Gourmet.
Enjoy your extra calories with PowerBar Energy Blasts.
We cracked dozens of eggs to find the perfect camping prep. Here's how to pack them efficiently, use them in trail-worthy recipes, and clean up quickly.
Need to kill your chocolate craving? Use these recipes to get your chocolate fix in the backcountry.
Fuel the biggest cold-weather adventures.
A tester favorite for their smaller-than-average size and a mix of quick- absorbing organic sugars.
Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.
For emergency calories or just an easy-to-pack meal, Bridgford sandwiches are easy to carry and can keep for up to three years.
Snack smarter and pack a variety of energy bars to get the right boost at the right moment for optimal on-trail performance.
Hunger-sating (and quick to prepare) meals to cap off a long day on the trail.
Grab these quick-fix and fast-fueling trail meals on the go.
Start your day with these tester-favorite and camp-ready breakfasts.
If you're camping with kids, this pizza is a must make.
You won't go hungry with these backcountry dinners.
Easy-to-eat lunches and snacks that actually taste good.
Oatmeal, granola, and eggs–backcountry style.
Cheese spread, bars, drinks, trail mixes–there's more variety than ever in trail snacks.
With great fuel efficiency, quick boil times, and a small packed size, this stove is ideal for campers who need hot water fast, without the fuss.
A coffee cup that packs flat
Fill your flask with this smooth Scotch.
Flavor-infuse your lunch menu with these pesto tuna, ham, Gouda & apple, and spicy chicken salad recipes.
Restaurant-quality dining on the trail. Choose from Mushroom and Tomato Orzo with Pesto or Chicken Posole Wraps for your next campfire dinner.