7 Best Hiking Snacks Available In 2021

It must be time for a hiking snack because that sound isn’t thunder off in the distance. Nor is it a bear. It is your stomach.

You’ve just passed the seven-mile mark on your 12-mile hike, and the only sound you hear is a grumbling. And when that incessant growling starts, it won’t be long until you’re feeling a bit hangry. 

So, find yourself a rock with a view, and settle in for a bit. We’ve got seven of the best hiking snacks in 2021 to fill your backpack.

Let’s dig in!

Why Snacks Are Necessary For A Successful Hike

A successful hike includes making sure you have all the right gear for the job. And that gear also means having the right hiking snacks, too. Depending on your weight, you can burn between 400 – 500 calories per hour of hiking. You certainly need to refuel to keep your hiking game strong.

Not only will eating nutritious snacks help refuel your body, but they will also help you recover when done. It takes an average person about 30 minutes to hike one mile on a moderate trail. Think of it this way. If you’re hiking for about four to five miles, it will take about two hours.  

Two hours is that magical number. To keep your body properly fueled and energized while working hard, you need some form of nutrition approximately every two hours. So, whether you’re done hiking after two hours or have 12 more miles to go, it’s time for a hiking snack.

And not just any snack. Refueling your body certainly doesn’t involve tossing a handful of M&M’s into your mouth. It means putting nutritional snacks into your belly. A good hiking snack will have complex carbohydrates and proteins to keep you energized and raring to go.

It should also fill you up without making you feel overfull or tired. Save the fatty, sugary foods for your birthday party, not your hiking party.

The 7 Best Hiking Snacks For 2021 

It’s time for a hike. Lace up your hiking boots, then grab your pack and some snacks. But, you’re not sure what to bring along?  No worries, from salty to sweet to savory, we’ve got seven of the best hiking snacks for 2021 listed for you right here.  

#1 – Olive Packets

Frutto d’Italia Green Pitted Olives are easy to pop in your backpack and easy to pop in your mouth. At only 55 calories per serving, they’ll give you a burst of energy and a bit of needed salt. They won’t make you feel like you just ate a brick, either. This hiking snack is lightweight but full of flavor.

Packaged in 1.1-ounce bags and available in a ten-pack, you’ll have plenty available to grab and go for several hikes. No juice, no pits, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO, these olives surely should be required gear on your next hike.

Refuel Rating: 8.9

Price: $10.39 for a pack of ten

#2 – Dates & Nut Butter

Naturally sweet dates pair well with the natural saltiness of nuts.  Dates are the superfood of snacks. Pitted, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan, this simple hiking snack works well on its own. But it’s even better when combined with the natural protein power of nuts.

And with the portable packets that Performance Nut Butter comes in, these nuts are meant for dipping, not to mention hiking. Grab a single-serve one-ounce bag of this power-packed hiking snack of macadamia, coconut, and cashew butter. Then take a handful of Terrasoul’s pitted Medjool dates. The combination of these two snacks should power your legs towards any summit.

Refuel Rating: 9.8

Price: Nut Butter: $27.99 for a pack of ten; Dates: $14.99

#3 – Honey Stinger Energy Chews

Coming in various flavors, such as Cherry Blossom and Fruit Smoothie, this hiking snack is full of flavor and refueling power. Honey is a natural carbohydrate, and it absorbs quickly into the body, giving energy that lasts without the typical sugar crash. Any hiker should have a packet or two of these stashed in their backpack. 

Gluten-free, organic, and 160 calories per pack, this isn’t your average gummy snack. These are energy-gummy snacks. With eight 1.8 ounce bags, these are definitely some of the best hiking snacks on the market. 

Refuel Rating: 9.7

Price: $22.99 for a pack of eight

#4 – Tuna Packets & Pita Pockets

Need to refuel but need a bit more than just a snack? Tuna and mini pita pockets will give you both the carbohydrates and the protein needed to keep you hiking and feeling strong. And these aren’t just any tuna packets.

These are Chicken of the Sea Infusions Tuna. They have multiple flavors such as basil or cilantro and lime, so there’s gotta be one for you. Coming in single-size, recyclable containers, mini fork included, scoop some out and prepare to feast.

But wait! Just tuna? Carbohydrates combined with protein are prime hiking snacks. So grab a mini pita pocket. Toufayan Whole Wheat Mini Pita Breads offer the perfect pocket for the tuna. They’re filling enough to refuel and energize but not overfilling to create cause for a hammock. This hiking snack will keep you happily hiking all day long. Or at least for another couple of hours. 

Refuel Rating: 9.6

Price: Tuna Packs: $13.54 for a pack of six; Mini Pita Pockets: $20.49 for 60 pitas

#5 – Dried Mango

Eating Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Dried Mango Slices on the trail is a bit like being in paradise. Their natural tart and sweetness levels are a refreshing way to refuel for a long hike. With no added sugars, this hiking snack is also organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan.  

It comes in one 16-ounce bag, so you may need to create your own portion sizes depending on your hike’s length. If you don’t, you may find yourself eating the entire bag in one sitting.

Refuel Rating: 9.2

Price: $14.99

#6 – Chocolate Covered Almonds

It’s certainly hard to go wrong with a snack that has chocolate in it. Blue Diamond Almonds are oven-roasted and dusted with just the right amount of dark chocolate. And almonds are naturally full of nutrients to keep you energized no matter how long your hike is. 

Sweetened with stevia extract and real cocoa, you won’t have to give up your sweet tooth even when on the trail.  These hiking snacks are packaged in individual bags clocking in at 0.625 ounces and 100 calories per bag. So they’re perfectly proportioned to give you a flavorful energy boost, keeping you buoyant on the most strenuous of trails.

Refuel Rating: 9.8

Price: $15.31 for a pack of 32

#7 – Bobo Bars

Bobo Bars are like eating a scrumptious treat. They’re packed full of so much flavor, you’ll forget that they’re nutritious. These whole-grain rolled oat bars are handmade in Boulder, Colorado, and full of organic ingredients such as brown rice syrup, cane sugar, and coconut oil.

This hiking snack is full of complex carbohydrates and is vegan-friendly, non-GMO, gluten-free, and organic. It will keep you fueled while packing flavor throughout your hike. 

Refuel Rating: 9.4

Price: $29.88 for a pack of 12

Hiking Snacks that Stave off the Grumble

Hiking can be a challenge, but it’s worth taking on if you’ve got the snacks to keep you going. So, the next time you head out for that afternoon hike, toss a few of these scrumptious hiking snacks into your pack. Don’t let that grumble scare you off. Unless, of course, that grumble really does turn out to be thunder or a bear. Happy snacking!

Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA

To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).

You should give it a try!

As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site! 

We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: