The 6 Best Backpacking Meal Brands for Crave-Worthy Trailside Feasts
We tried every dehydrated dinner to find the ones you'll actually look forward to eating.
Food Reviews
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.
Our Favorite Backpacking Food Brand Has Some Killer New Meals
We taste-tested Stowaway Gourmet’s new 2026 offerings, from an andouille-loaded jambalaya to a parfait that finally gets dehydrated yogurt right.
Latest in Food Reviews
The Best (and Worst) Pumpkin Spice Trail Food, Ranked
We scoured grocery store shelves for pumpkin-flavored hiking snacks. Here are our favorites.
This $1 Grocery Store Staple Has Saved Me Hundreds on Backpacking Meals
Long beloved by thru-hikers, Knorr Pasta and Rice Sides are a great option for any backpacker on a budget. It doesn't hurt that they taste good, either.
Move Over, Snickers: These Bougie Trail Snacks Are Our New Faves
On a long hike, Snickers, GORP, and instant coffee can start to become as draining as the miles. Here are five—admittedly fancy—alternatives we love.
5 Holiday-Flavored Hiking Snacks That Actually Taste Good
PSL energy gels? Why not?
Our Favorite Post-Hike Cheap Beers for Fall
It’s back to the basics with these tried-and-true brews
Best Instant Mashed Potatoes for Camping, Ranked
What word better describes the perfect camping meal than "instant?"
In Praise of the Humble Pop-Tart, the Ultimate Backpacking Breakfast
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.
Swedish Fish Are the Ultimate Backpacking Candy
These little Scandanavian gummies have earned a permanent place in our packs. Why? Let us count the ways.
How the Pros Make Your Favorite Backpacking Meals
Hours of testing, tasting, and innovating goes into these freeze-dried pouches
These Post-Hike Drinks Skip the Booze, But Not the Satisfaction
Alcohol-free doesn't have to mean tasteless. These drinks satisfy your beer craving without the buzz.
We Put 23 Electrolyte Drinks to a Taste Test. Here Are the Best Ones.
Sure, these drink mixes are going to keep you hydrated. But which ones actually taste good?
The Best Dehydrated Macaroni and Cheese
Think all cheese delivery services taste the same? Not a chance.
This Is the Best Backpacking Food Money Can Buy
Stowaway Gourmet has changed the calculus for what a dehydrated meal can taste like.
Pouch Wars: The Best Dehydrated Backpacking Curry
Nine international spicy stews go head to head.
Pouch Wars: The Best Dehydrated Burrito Bowls
Which take on beans and rice deserves to end up on your tortilla?
Pouch Wars: The Best Dehydrated Backpacking Pasta
Nine meals were sampled. Only one was crowned king.
Pouch Wars: The Best Dehydrated Shepherd’s Pie
Only one rib-sticking potato mash took top marks.
Pouch Wars: The Best Dehydrated Backpacking Chili
Only one smoky bean bowl earned top marks.
Fuel Up With an Energy Drink Mix That Actually Tastes Good
Get the electrolytes you need without overpowering your tastebuds.
Happy Yak Merry Berry Couscous
The best breakfast of 2021.
Brave Overnight Breakfast
The best no-cook breakfast of 2021.
Good To-Go Cuban Rice Bowl
The best vegetarian dinner of 2021.
Campfare Chicken Tikka Masala
The best fully hydrated dinner of 2021.
Next Mile Meals Beef Tacos
The best dinner for thru-hiking of 2021.
ZENB Sweet Potato Veggie Bites
The best savory snack of 2021.
Setton Farms Chipotle BBQ Pistachio Kernels
The best nut-based snack of 2021.
Honey Stinger Plus+ Performance Chews Stingerita Lime
The best caffeinated snack of 2021.
Nutrient Survival Vitamin Coffee Classic
The best drink of 2021.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Good To-Go Chicken Pho
Fuel up better with this savory soup.
Kate’s Real Food Bars
Energy boost
Stowaway Gourmet Turkish Delight
Best breakfast
FlapJacked Soft Baked Cookie Bar
Best snack
Trail Truffles
Best snack
Peak Refuel Sweet Pork and Rice
Best dinner
Ultima Replenisher Hydration Drink Mixes
Best hydration
Food for the Sole Slaws
Best dinner
Patagonia Provisions Savory Seeds
Best snack
Avalanche Swiss Granola
Best breakfast
Giorgio’s Savory Wild Portabella Jerky
This snack that's more than a snack wowed our staff so much, we gave it an Editors' Choice Award.
LonoLife Thai Curry Beef Bone Broth
Restorative elixir
Gear of the Week: Epic Provisions Meat Bars
These flavor combos will help you fight bar fatigue.
The Best Backpacking Food of 2018
Don't just fuel up: indulge with these excellent backcountry-ready meals, snacks, and drinks.
Trailtopia Peach Blueberry Crisp
So good, you'd never guess it came from a bag.
Review: Sufferfest FKT Pale Ale
With its added electrolytes, FKT could be your new post-workout brew.
The Best Thanksgiving Backpacking Food
From freeze-dried thyme turkey to instant pumpkin cheesecake, take your Thanksgiving feast into the backcountry without lugging in a fryer.
Gear Guide 2013: Food
Get fueled with tasty backcountry meals.
Gear Review: Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Pistachios
Step aside, GORP. This flavorful nut mix from Sahale Snacks is taking trail snacks to a new level.
Gear Review: Mooney Farms Bella Sun Lucà Sun-Dried Julienne-Cut Tomatoes
These sun-dried tomatoes from Mooney Farms are great on-the-go or to add flavor to a meal.
Gear Review: Honey Stinger Vanilla Organic Energy Gel
Quick energy is the hallmark of these energy gels from Honey Stinger.
Gear Review: Starbucks VIA Refreshers Very Berry Hibiscus Drink Mix
These aptly named Refreshers from Starbucks provide a flavorful energy kick to get you back on the trail.
Gear Review: Skratch Labs Raspberry Exercise Hydration Mix
These fruit infused drink mixes from Skratch Labs are the all-natural energy boost you need during a hard summit push.
Gear Review: Hiya Green Tea
Enjoy staying hydrated with this cold-brewed green tea from Hiya.
Gear Review: PocketFuel Pineapple Coconut
Go nuts over these flavored spreads from PocketFuel.
Gear Review: Just Tomatoes Etc! Freeze-Dried Strawberries 'N Bananas
This freeze dried fruit from Just Tomatoes is great on its own or as an add-in.
Gear Review: Clif Shot Bloks Chocolate Cherry
Stay energized the natural way with these fruity sweet Shot Bloks from Clif.
Gear Review: Packit Gourmet Poblano Corn Chowder
Spice up you adventure with this poblano corn chowder from Packit Gourmet.
Gear Reivew: Packit Gourmet Pizza Margherita Wrap
This pizza-inspired flavor-packed filling from Packit Gourmet will become whatever you make it.
Gear Review: Packit Gourmet Curried Mango Chicken Salad
This cold-water-prep chicken salad from Packit Gourmet will keep you fueled and on the trail.
Gear Review: Backpacker's Pantry Cuban Coconut Black Beans and Rice
Bring the fruity flavors of the tropics to the backcountry with this vegan meal from Backpacker's Pantry.
Gear Review: Adventure Appetites Basil Pistachio Penne
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.
Gear Review: Quaker Real Medleys Summer Berry Instant Oatmeal
Spice up a backpacker's staple with this berry oatmeal from Quaker Oats.
Gear Review: Packit Gourmet West Memphis Grits Soufflé
Bring southern comfort food into the outdoors with these mildly spicy and cheesy grits from Packit Gourmet.
Gear Review: PowerBar Energy Blasts Extra Food
Enjoy your extra calories with PowerBar Energy Blasts.
Test Kitchen: Cooking Trail Eggs
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.
Backcountry Chocolate Recipes
Need to kill your chocolate craving? Use these recipes to get your chocolate fix in the backcountry.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2012: Food
Fuel the biggest cold-weather adventures.
Holiday Gift Guide 2012: Honey Stinger Caffeinated Lime-Ade Energy Chews
A tester favorite for their smaller-than-average size and a mix of quick- absorbing organic sugars.
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Bear Creek Country Kitchens Dry Soup Mixes
Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.
Gear Guide 2012: Bridgford Ready To Eat Sandwiches
For emergency calories or just an easy-to-pack meal, Bridgford sandwiches are easy to carry and can keep for up to three years.
Gear Guide 2012: Food – Trail Bars
Snack smarter and pack a variety of energy bars to get the right boost at the right moment for optimal on-trail performance.
Gear Guide 2012: Food – Dinner
Hunger-sating (and quick to prepare) meals to cap off a long day on the trail.
Gear Guide 2012: Food – Lunch & Snacks
Grab these quick-fix and fast-fueling trail meals on the go.
Gear Guide 2012: Food – Breakfast
Start your day with these tester-favorite and camp-ready breakfasts.
Recipe: Backcountry Pizza
If you're camping with kids, this pizza is a must make.
Gear Review: Pre-packaged Dinners
You won't go hungry with these backcountry dinners.
Gear Review: Pre-packaged Lunches & Snacks
Easy-to-eat lunches and snacks that actually taste good.
Gear Review: Pre-packaged Breakfasts
Oatmeal, granola, and eggs–backcountry style.