Best Backpacking Snacks

You’re so excited for your trip - all that’s left to do is set yourself up for success with the best backpacking snacks. You need snacks that deliver real fuel, keep your bag light, and stay fresh in different conditions. We’ll help you choose the best snacks for backpacking that check these boxes below, including:

• Meat chips
• Homemade trail mix
• Dried cheese crisps
• Peanut butter or almond butter packets
• Energy bars
• Dehydrated fruit
• Instant protein shakes
• Electrolyte chews or salted snacks
• Fruit roll-ups
• Biltong or jerky

You’ll also learn how to properly pack your snacks for a trip to stay light on your feet and make for an enjoyable excursion. But if you just want the fast answer on which snacks are best for backpacking, look no further than our meat chips here at Carnivore Snax.

Our carnivore chips are crafted from just two ingredients - meat and salt. They’re like a meaty pastry, because they start out with a delightfully airy crisp before melting in your mouth, giving way to tantalizing flavors. There are so many great varieties to choose from, too. 

Shop now and see what keeps customers coming back for more!

“The flavor is incomparable to any other form of dried-meat snacks. I love introducing it to friends. I love opening a new bag. I love the texture, flavors, and sustenance. Bring it on road trips, backpacking/hiking trips. There is nothing like being tired from covering miles and miles and biting into the Carnivore Snax.” - Matt 

“I've been looking for something I can throw in my backpack for work. I feel like I've tried everything and although each product has its own benefit, nothing comes close to the  deliciousness and convenience of Carnivore Snax.” - Cynthia

“I mean each bag is full of the best quality meats and simple ingredients. They truly care about the taste and texture!” - Emily

Our Criteria in Choosing Good Backpacking Snacks

The snacks you bring along for the journey start to matter more than you might have initially expected when you’re miles into a trail with a heavy pack, hot weather, and uneven terrain. 

You need food that keeps you moving, fits in tight spaces, and holds up to heat, cold, motion, and pressure. Most importantly, good backpacking snacks give you steady energy that you’ll feel good about. 

Here are some of the things we think about when packing snacks for backpacking trips:

• Calorie Density per Ounce: Every ounce in your pack needs to earn its place by delivering real fuel, especially on long-mile days.
• Shelf Stability in Heat or Cold: Snacks should survive both sunny ridges and chilly nights without spoiling or turning to mush.
• No-Mess Eating: Crumbs, melted sugar, and oily spills make life harder in the backcountry. Clean snacks win every time.
• High Protein and Fat: These nutrients keep hunger down and energy steady while making the most of your packing space.
• Lightweight but Filling: Snacks should satisfy without bulking up your pack.
• Durability in a Pack: Nothing fragile. You need snacks that won’t crumble or break apart under pressure.
• Electrolytes: Saltier snacks help you stay hydrated on long climbs. Don’t overlook the role of sodium!
• Easy to Eat While Moving: Trail-friendly snacks let you eat without stopping or unpacking everything.

There aren’t a ton of options that check all these boxes, but there definitely are some. We’ll highlight all the best backpacking snacks for you below! 

What are the Best Backpacking Snacks?

Whether you’re looking for the best hiking snacks for a quick day trip or the best camping snacks for an extended backpacking trip, we’ve got you covered. These are the best snacks for backpacking excursions of all sorts - starting with the #1 choice, Carnivore Snax. 

Carnivore Snax Meat Chips

Our meat chips are a match made in heaven for backpackers - super lightweight, incredibly nutritious, shelf-stable, and absolutely delicious. What more could you ask for in snacks for a backpacking trip? 

Every batch starts with a pound of meat sourced from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the nation. Then, we slow-dry them to perfection until they’re a crisp, airy chip that’s still packed with protein and healthy fats. We season them using only Redmond’s Real Salt. 

Unlike jerky, these chips snap cleanly and melt in your mouth thanks to the natural fat content. They’re so easy to eat on the move without chewing through a leather-like strip. There’s a cut for every preference, too:

• Chicken Chips: A lighter, high-protein option that keeps you fueled without weighing you down on long climbs.
• Lamb Chips: Rich, savory chips with enough natural fat to keep your energy steady across even the toughest terrain.
• Pork Chips: Crispy slices that pack more protein and calories per ounce than most common backpacking snacks.
• Steak Chips: Bold, satisfying bites that feel like real food when you want something substantial without stopping to cook.
• Brisket Chips: Soft, fatty pieces that melt quickly and give you fast, reliable calories when you’re running low.
• Ribeye Chips: The most calorie-dense cut, with buttery fat that keeps you fueled for long stretches between meals.

Our meat chips pack flat, don’t crumble in your bag, and stay fresh in every weather condition you’ll hit on the trail. This is the obvious choice for backpackers who want maximum fuel with minimum weight. Order yours today and discover your new favorite backpacking snacks!

Homemade Trail Mix

It’s called trail mix for a reason - it’s one of the best snacks for backpacking in the world. But, store-bought varieties can be hit or miss as far as ingredients go. We prefer to make our own batches ahead of time.

Most hikers combine nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and a bit of chocolate or coconut for quick carbs and long-lasting fats. You can dial the ratio toward higher fat if you’re doing big climbs or add more dried fruit if you expect long stretches without breaks.

Dried Cheese Crisps

Cheese crisps give you the salty crunch you crave when you’re hours into a hike and tired of soft snacks. They weigh almost nothing and deliver a surprising amount of fat and protein for their size. They’re also shelf-stable, so they won’t spoil even in hot, exposed conditions.

Don’t be lazy and buy Cheeze-Its or other store-bought varieties that are packed with artificial flavors and other junk. Make your own from real cheese, and stuff them in a ziplock bag. This way you know you’re getting the nutrition you need to perform your best on the trail.

Peanut Butter or Almond Butter Packets

Nuts are undoubtedly some of the best backpacking snacks, but we personally prefer nut butter. Specifically, we always find room in our pack for peanut butter or almond butter. These hit the stomach with dense calories fast to give you a second wind when you start fading.

One packet can add 150–200 calories with almost no weight penalty, which matters on long days when your energy dips. You can squeeze them straight into your mouth, spread them on tortillas, or mix them into oatmeal at camp. 

They hold up well in the heat but can get stiff on cold mornings. Just hold them in your hands or put them in your pocket for a few minutes to soften them up if you run into this issue. 

Energy Bars

Energy bars are easy trail fuel because you get a blend of carbs, fat, and protein into one item you can grab without opening your pack fully. Some bars are better for steady hiking, while others hit harder for short bursts of effort, so it’s worth tasting a few before your trip.

The only caveat here is that some energy bars can cause more harm than good. Do your due diligence in vetting labels and avoid anything that’s loaded with sugar or artificial ingredients. 

You also need to steer clear of bars that will melt into a sticky mess in hot weather or turn rock solid in the cold. Real-food bars with nuts, seeds, and dates tend to be better for this reason - they’re also more digestible during long days. 

Dehydrated Fruit

Dehydrated fruit gives you quick sugar and enough fiber to keep you steady between meals. Mango, pineapple, apple rings, and banana chips all pack well and give you something sweet after salty snacks. 

They’re lighter than most carb sources and don’t turn mushy when the temperature swings. Some backpackers even include them in their trail mix with nuts for a sweet-and-salty blend that’s easy to eat while walking.

Instant Protein Shakes

Instant protein shakes are a smart option if you prefer drinking calories instead of chewing your way through a heavy snack. This forces you to drink more water, too - a double whammy while you’re on the trail since hydration is so important.

Pack small baggies of protein powder and mix them with cold water in a bottle at a rest stop. They’re especially useful in the morning when your appetite hasn’t kicked in or after a big climb when chewing feels like work.

Just make sure you’re choosing protein powder that dissolves easily. Nobody wants to choke down clumps while they’re on the trail. Also, be aware that you’re missing out on carbs and fat - you’ll need to drink your shake alongside some nuts or cheese for balanced nutrition. 

Electrolyte Chews or Salted Snacks

We just touched on the importance of hydration, and water alone isn’t enough - which is why electrolyte chews and other super salty snacks can be considered the best backpacking snacks as well.

These help you stay hydrated on hot days when you’re sweating more than usual. They provide quick sodium and a small amount of carbs that your body can use immediately. You can pop a chew every hour or two on exposed ridgelines - or, just save them for after you’ve conquered a steep ascent, kind of like a reward. 

If you don’t have time to find electrolyte chews (they’re not as accessible as you may think), you can get by with pretzels or salted nuts since these are loaded with sodium. Just be careful about the other ingredients these store-bought snacks contain.

Fruit Roll-Ups

Fruit Roll-Ups might sound like a kid’s snack, but they’re also some of the best snacks for backpacking because they’re virtually weightless and give your body fast carbs when you need a quick energy boost.

They won’t get crushed, they don’t melt, and you can eat them even when you’re winded. Many hikers use them as a “mood snack” during rough stretches - they’re sweet, fun to eat, and easy to digest.

You don’t have to eat the processed junk version of fruit roll-ups, either. There are healthier options at your local health foods store, or you can make your own if you have time and feel like taking a DIY approach!

Biltong or Jerky

Finally, we have another classic choice for backpacking - jerky or biltong. These are commonly lumped together as the best backpacking snacks but they’re actually pretty different. The only similarity is that they’re meat snacks.

Jerky is tougher and leaner, and usually much easier to get your hands on. Biltong is softer and easier to chew, but tends to be more expensive. Either is great for protein between meals or when you want something savory after hours of sweet snacks. 

That said, Carnivore Snax is the best beef jerky alternative, and it’s a superior substitute for biltong as well. Don’t settle for less than the best snacks for backpacking - shop Carnivore Snax today!

Prepping Your Snacks for Backpacking

There you have it, all the best backpacking snacks you have at your disposal. There are no shortage of options, and you’ll want to round out your pack with at least a few of these to keep things fresh on the trail. But how you pack matters - here are some tips.

• Portion snacks into daily bags: One bag per day keeps you from overeating early in the trip.
• Use lightweight, crush-proof containers: Super helpful for chips, cheese crisps, and anything fragile. The only drawback is that these add weight, so there’s a tradeoff.
• Keep high-use snacks in side pockets: If it’s your main fuel, store it where you can grab it without unpacking.
• Label bags for each day: It makes rationing easier and prevents you from tearing through your best snacks too fast.
• Test snacks before the trip: Make sure your stomach handles them during exertion.
• Pack saltier snacks for hotter days: Helps you recover on climbs and long exposed ridges.
• Seal everything tightly: Keeps smells contained for bear safety and keeps moisture out.

Dial in your snack prep before your trek, and you’ll cruise through miles without energy dips. The only thing left to do now is set yourself up for success with the best backpacking snacks at Carnivore Snax!

Closing Thoughts on the Best Snacks for Backpacking

We hope you feel confident packing for your upcoming adventure after reading all about good backpacking snacks. Everything we shared above is tried and true for backpackers, but nothing compares to the balance of nutrition, enjoyment, and practicality Carnivore Snax offers.

Whether you’re looking for fishing snacks or golf snacks, our meat chips are always a safe bet. You get the nutrition you need to stay focused and energized in a shelf-stable, lightweight format that travels wonderfully. 

Choose your favorite cut today and see what separates Carnivore Snax from the rest!