THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
There’s nothing like the serenity of paddling across a pond or lake. Or maybe you’re gearing up for a river run. Whatever the case, the right kayaking snacks can help you stay energized and satisfy cravings. But not all snacks make sense on the water.
You need snacks that are waterproof, low-mess, and can tolerate the warm weather. Ideally, you wouldn’t have to pack a cooler. The snacks should also fuel you rather than leave you feeling sluggish. We’ve put together this list of the best snacks for kayaking that check these boxes:
- Carnivore Snax Meat Chips
- Trail Mix
- Pre-Made Wraps
- Dried Fruit (or Fresh Fruit That Travels)
- Certain Types of Cheese
- Beef Jerky and Meat Sticks
- Salami and Other Deli Meats
- Energy Balls
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Tuna and Other Canned Fish
Learn more about these top picks and how to pack snacks for kayaking to keep them fresh and keep yourself light. Of all these options, though, our carnivore chips are the undisputed #1 choice.
They’re made from pure meat and salt, packed with protein and healthy fats to fuel every paddle stroke. We have something for everyone, from pork to brisket, chicken to steak, and much, much more. Browse our online storefront and get the best kayaking snacks today!
“My son absolutely LOVES the brisket carnivore snacks, these are his favorite. He now craves these brisket snacks instead of poptarts or candy bars. This is a HUGE win for his health! Definitely grateful for Carnivore Snax!” - Kyle
“The Pork Loin is straight fire. Probably my favorite carnivore snack. The crunch is perfect, and they are salted to perfection. Super high in protein, and not many calories. I can’t get enough of these.” - Mateo
“I mean each bag is full of the best quality meats and simple ingredients. They truly care about the taste and texture!” - Emily
Why You Need the Right Kayaking Snacks
It’s easy to just throw whatever you have in your pantry in your pack, but you really do need the best snacks for kayaking. It looks peaceful from the shore, but anyone who’s paddled for hours knows how demanding it is. Even steady strokes burn calories quickly, and sun, wind, and water exposure drain energy faster than you expect.
The wrong snacks - greasy, crumbly, or hard to open with wet hands - become frustrating or unusable once you’re out on the water. Here’s what you need to think about when choosing your kayaking snacks:
- Waterproof packaging: snacks must survive splashes or a dunk.
- One-hand handling: you can grab a bite without putting your paddle down.
- Low mess, low odor: no sticky residue on paddles, no smells that attract wildlife.
- Heat and sun resistance: won’t melt or spoil in a deck bag.
- Balanced nutrition: protein and fat for steady fuel, carbs for quicker energy.
- Trash management: resealable packs or wrappers you can easily stow away.
There’s a lot to think about, but don’t worry - we kept all these factors in mind while building our list of the best snacks for a kayaking trip. Whether you’re heading out for a quick paddle or an all-day journey, take a look below and see what we came up with for you!
What Are the Best Snacks for Kayaking?
Snacks need to pull double duty on the water, providing steady fuel while holding up against sun, splashes, and cramped storage. Few options check every box as well as Carnivore Snax Meat Chips.
Carnivore Snax Meat Chips
Our one-of-a-kind meat snacks are as pure as nutrition gets - just regeneratively raised meat and Redmond Real Salt. They’re a guilt-free indulgence, and they’re absolutely to die for. They start out with a light, airy crisp before melting in your mouth like a meaty pastry.
We have a cut for every preference, too - from chicken sliders to wagyu chips. But these are some of our personal favorites for those who are trying Carnivore Snax for the first time:
- Ribeye Chips deliver rich marbling and melt-in-your-mouth flavor, perfect when you want something that feels substantial on a long paddle.
- Steak Chips give you the classic, balanced taste of a hearty cut in a lightweight, packable form.
- Pork Chips bring variety with a savory crunch that keeps your snack mix interesting.
- Brisket Chips combine lean and fatty bites for bold flavor and lasting fuel that won’t weigh you down.
Each bag starts as a pound of meat, but the unique drying process we use keeps them super lightweight. The bags are resealable, so you don’t have to stress about your kayaking snacks getting wet, either.
Unlike sugary bars or sticky fruit snacks, Carnivore Snax provides protein and fat that keep your energy stable, not spiking and crashing. Order yours now and join hundreds of thousands of customers who choose to snack smarter!
Trail Mix
It’s no secret that trail mix is a kayak staple because of its balance of fat, protein, and quick sugars in a small handful. The trick is in the build: nuts and seeds carry you for hours, while raisins, dates, or dried berries give you quick fuel when your arms start to tire.
As much as you may love them, we suggest you avoid candy-coated chocolate in direct sun, since it melts fast in deck bags. Portion it into small bags before your trip so you can grab just enough during a break without spilling half of it into the water.
Pre-Made Wraps
Longer days on the water call for a more substantial meal - but you still need to keep your pack light and practical. That’s where pre-made wraps make sense. They’re better than sandwiches because tortillas don’t fall apart or get soggy as quickly.
Fill them with ingredients that tolerate a few hours of heat - think nut butter and banana, hummus and veggies, or turkey and hard cheese. Wrap tightly in foil or wax paper so they’re easy to eat with one hand on shore or in a calm stretch.
Dried Fruit (or Fresh Fruit That Travels)
Fruit provides a sweet counterbalance to salty snacks, plus it helps with hydration. Dried mango, apricots, and figs are lightweight and stand up to warm temperatures, while apples, oranges, and mandarins are among the few fresh fruits that won’t bruise easily in a dry bag.
Pre-slice apples or peel citrus ahead of time to cut down on waste you’d otherwise need to carry out. The only caveat here is you should pair fruit with protein-rich snacks to avoid the energy dip that comes from eating sugars alone.
Certain Types of Cheese
Cheese can be an excellent kayak snack if you choose the right style. Harder cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or parmesan can work well on the water because they won’t spoil as easily, and they don’t turn greasy either.
Pre-cube them into small bites and store in a rigid container so they don’t get crushed in your bag. Cheese pairs well with crackers, salami, or meat chips if you’re looking to take this snack a little further.
Beef Jerky and Meat Sticks
You can’t talk about the best snacks for kayaking without mentioning beef jerky and meat sticks. They’re popular for a reason - they’re compact, shelf-stable, and protein rich. They hold up well to splashes and long hours in the sun, making them easy to stash in a PFD pocket or dry bag.
There are some important caveats here, though. You need to look for varieties with lower sugar content, since overly sweet jerky can leave you thirsty and doesn’t give the same steady energy as leaner cuts.
This is why Carnivore Snax is the #1 beef jerky alternative, and also a smarter choice if you’re looking for a Chomps alternative or Slim Jim alternative. Our meat snacks are cleaner, tastier, and better suited for a long day paddling!
Salami and Other Deli Meats
Cured meats like salami and pepperoni coins are calorie-dense and flavorful, making them perfect for sustained paddling sessions. They’re less prone to spoiling than fresh cold cuts, though you’ll still want to portion and double-bag them to contain grease.
Slice them at home before packing so you can eat them quickly without a knife. Like we said earlier, these make for a satisfying on-shore lunch that feels more substantial when paired with cheese or crackers.
Energy Balls
Want some more unique kayaking snacks? Consider homemade or store-bought energy balls! These are compact fuel sources with oats, nut butter, and dried fruit. They deliver both fast and slow energy in a single bite, perfect when your paddling cadence doesn’t leave room for a full meal.
Their sticky texture can be a drawback with wet hands, so pack them in parchment liners or small silicone cups. They’re an excellent way to customize flavors and nutrition to your preference, and they take up almost no space.
Protein Bars
These are an obvious candidate for your kayaking snacks. They’re individually packaged and ready to enjoy with a rip of the wrapper. You get plenty of protein, carbs, and fats for balanced fuel on the water.
The only issue is that ingredients and nutrition can be a little hit or miss. Most protein bars are loaded with sugar and additives that you may not even realize unless you look closer at the label. They aren’t always the most satisfying, either.
Personally, we prefer whole foods as the best snacks for kayaking. That’s why Carnivore Snax is a smarter protein bar alternative. Stock up today and fuel your body the right way.
Tuna and Other Canned Fish
We were hesitant to include these as the best snacks for kayaking because they’re not all that enjoyable, but tuna, salmon, or sardine cans are protein powerhouses that travel surprisingly well in a kayak.
We recommend pouches over cans if you want to save space and avoid bringing an opener. The strong smell can be an issue, so it’s best to eat them during shore breaks and seal trash in a double bag. But, you definitely get the nutrition you need from these low-cal high-protein snacks!
How to Pack Snacks While Kayaking?
There you have it, all the best snacks for kayaking! Whether you’re looking for high-fat fat low-carb snacks or something a bit more substantial, we’ve included kayaking snacks that will align with your goals. But how you pack your snacks matters.
Space is limited, conditions are unpredictable, and once you’re on the water, convenience matters as much as nutrition. The goal is to keep snacks dry, accessible, and intact so you can eat quickly without interrupting your flow.
Start with dry bags or waterproof containers. Small roll-top bags or hard-sided boxes work best. Separate snacks into single-serve portions before the trip so you’re not fumbling with big bags in the cockpit. Anything that might crush, like wraps or fruit, belongs in a rigid container, while lightweight items like dried fruit or meat chips do fine in resealable pouches.
Think about access zones as you’re packing your kayaking snacks, too. Keep meat chips, trail mix, meat sticks, or nut butter packets in a deck bag/PFD pocket. Bulkier items go in a day hatch or under bungees. That way, you don’t have to stop paddling every time you want a bite.
Bring a separate zip bag for wrappers and food scraps, and include a small cloth or unscented wipe to clean your hands before picking up your paddle again.
Stay Hydrated!
We know you came here to discover the best snacks for kayaking, but you need to make hydration just as big a priority. Paddling steadily under the sun drains fluids faster than you realize.
Always bring more water than you think you’ll need, and store it in bottles or bladders secured under deck bungees or in a dry bag. Electrolyte tablets or powders are worth adding on hot days to replace sodium and potassium lost through sweat.
Sip regularly, not just when you’re thirsty. This not only keeps you safe but also helps you maintain steady energy levels and prevents mid-paddle fatigue!
Final Thoughts on the Best Snacks for Kayaking
That does it for our guide on the best snacks for kayaking! From trail mix and wraps to protein-packed options like Carnivore Snax, the goal is to balance quick carbs with steady protein and fat while keeping things clean and easy to manage on the water.
While you have plenty of options at your fingertips, there’s nothing quite like our meat chips when you look at the full picture - nutrition, convenience, and enjoyment. What more could you ask for in your kayaking snacks? Stock up for your next paddle today!
