Depending on the duration and difficulty of your hike, you’ll want to choose different types of snacks for your hiking adventures: slow-burning energy and quick-energy snacks.

Slow Burning Energy Snacks

Slow-burning energy snacks for hiking consist of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. These snacks will help curb your hunger for several hours and help you achieve your daily calorie, carbohydrate, and protein goals.

Examples of carbohydrate-rich hiking snacks:

• Bars – Belvita, Kind, and Kashi brands
• Cereal – Kashi, Cheerios, Chex
• Crackers – Goldfish, Triscuits, Wheat Thins
• Honey wheat pretzels
• Applesauce pouches
• Dried fruit

 Examples of protein-rich hiking snacks:

• Nuts
• Beef jerky and vegan jerky
• Tuna and salmon packets
• Nut butter packets – peanut, almond, cashew, SunButter
• Cheese sticks
• Nut bars – Kind brand

 Examples of combination hiking snacks:

• Homemade trail mix – dried fruit, shaved coconut, an assortment of nuts, and cereal
• Store-bought trail mix – PowerUp
• Fruit and nut bars – Larabar
• Nut butter sandwich

Tips for Creating Your Own Slow-Burning Energy Snack Combinations:

Combine sources of carbohydrates and protein from the lists above –

• Kind fruit bar and a packet of nuts such as cocoa almonds
• Belvita bar topped with nut butter
• Triscuits with a tuna or salmon packet
• Goldfish crackers and a cheese stick
• Dried fruit and a handful of nuts or several pieces of jerky
• Applesauce pouch and a nut bar

Quick Energy Snacks

Quick energy snacks for hiking will help prevent you from “hitting the wall”, “bonking”, or “crashing”.  Most hikers have experienced this at some point in their hiking careers, and it’s not a pleasant experience. These snacks provide a source of simple carbohydrates (i.e., sugar) and often contain electrolytes. Quick energy snacks help you perform optimally while maintaining blood sugars for hikes over one hour.  Note: Be aware that some quick energy snacks contain caffeine. It is up to the individual to determine if caffeine is beneficial while hiking.

 Examples of Quick Energy Snacks:

• Probar Energy Chews
• Clif Blocks
• Clif Shot energy gels
• Honey Stinger Chews
• Hüma Chia energy gels

Examples of Kid-Friendly Quick Energy Snacks:

• Annie’s fruit snacks
• YumEarth organic fruit snacks

Putting it all together

I like to bring snacks from both the slow-burning energy and quick-energy snack options listed above. For times when I’m not quite ready to eat a meal but am starting to run low on energy, I may grab an energy chew or fruit snack that I can easily consume while hiking. For longer hikes, when we plan to make a few stops, I typically bring a bar, trail mix, and a sandwich. Additionally, consider the space in your backpack when packing a snack. Storage space may also play a role in the type of snacks brought. For example, trail mix oftentimes packs easier than a large energy bar.

To determine which snacks fuel your body best while hiking, try different snacks on various hikes to see how your body feels after consuming each snack.  The type and duration of the hike will help you decide which snacks to choose.

Give this Backcountry Foodie hiking snack recipe a try…

There’s one more thing not to forget:

Proper Hydration

Proper hydration while hiking is just as important as consuming proper snacks.  I always carry a water bottle, hydration bladder such as a Camelbak, or both, depending on how long I’ll be out.  Check out our “Top 6 Nutrition & Hydration Tips at Altitude” and “What to Eat & Drink While Hiking in Hot Weather” posts for additional tips for staying hydrated.

Disclaimer: This is general nutrition advice, and you should talk with your physician before implementing any dietary or lifestyle changes.  Always check nutrition labels and ingredient lists to ensure food items will work for you.

---

DISCLOSURE: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site running. Our reputation is our most important asset, so we only include links for products we use ourselves.

---

Did you enjoy this post?

Pin it and share it with your fellow hikers.

New to our blog?

Here are a few more posts you might find helpful while preparing for hiking adventures.

• Top 6 Nutrition and Hydration Tips for High Altitude
• What to Eat and Drink While Hiking in Hot Weather
• How to Make a Quick & Easy Backpacking Meal Plan
• Should Backpackers Be Wary of Ramen Noodles?
• Tips for Recovery on the Trail

Resources:

• Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN). (2016). Fact Sheet: Eating During Exercise
• Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN). (2016). Fact Sheet: Sport Foods