The Ultimate Guide to the Best Trail Snacks: 10 Nutritious Options Ranked by Hikers

Last updated: July 2025

When you’re miles into a challenging hike, your snack choices start to matter. The best trail snacks aren’t just satisfying hunger—they’re strategic fuel that keeps your energy levels stable, your muscles functioning, and your mood positive.

After testing dozens of hiking snacks on trails across the country, we’ve compiled this comprehensive ranking of the top 10 trail snacks that deliver on both nutrition and taste. Whether you’re planning a day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip, these healthy hiking snacks will keep you powered up from trailhead to summit.

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Why Trail Snack Selection Matters for Hikers

Before diving into our rankings, it’s worth understanding what makes a great trail snack. When you’re hiking, your body burns through calories quickly—often 300-500 calories per hour depending on terrain and pace (great way to lose weight and energy too). Your snacks need to:

Provide sustained energy without blood sugar crashes
Contain essential nutrients for muscle recovery
Stay fresh in various weather conditions
Be easy to eat while moving
Actually taste good enough to look forward to

The wrong snacks can leave you feeling sluggish, experiencing energy crashes, or worse—completely bonking on the trail.

How We Ranked the Best Trail Snacks for Hiking

Our ranking system evaluates each snack across four key criteria that matter most to hikers:

Nutritional Density: Optimal balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats
Taste & Palatability: Flavor profile, texture, and overall eating experience
Trail Convenience: Packability, shelf-stability, and ease of consumption on the go
Cost & Accessibility: Value for money and availability at most grocery stores

Each snack was scored on a 1-10 scale across these categories, with real-world testing on various hiking conditions.

Top 10 Best Trail Snacks: Complete Rankings

Rank	Trail Snack	Nutrition Highlights	Taste & Texture	Pro Tips
1	Custom Trail Mix	Perfect macro balance: protein from nuts, quick carbs from fruit, healthy fats	Satisfying crunch with sweet elements	Mix almonds, cashews, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate chips for the ultimate combo
2	RXBAR	12g clean protein, no added sugars, whole food ingredients	Dense and chewy with natural fruit sweetness	Try Chocolate Sea Salt or Blueberry flavors; freeze before hot weather hikes
3	Beef or Turkey Jerky	9-12g lean protein per serving, essential amino acids	Savory and satisfying chew that curbs cravings	Choose low-sodium, nitrate-free brands; break into bite-sized pieces
4	Nut Butter Packets	Healthy fats and protein for sustained energy	Smooth, creamy, and incredibly satisfying	Justin’s and BARNEY Nut Butter offer convenient single-serve options
5	Clif Bar	9g protein, 44g carbs for quick and sustained energy	Soft texture with sweet, familiar flavors	Great variety of flavors; won’t freeze hard in cold weather
6	Dried Fruit (Mango, Apricots)	Natural sugars for quick energy, vitamins and minerals	Chewy sweetness that satisfies sugar cravings	Opt for unsweetened, unsulfured varieties for best nutrition
7	Cheese & Whole-Grain Crackers	Protein plus complex carbohydrates	Savory crunch with creamy contrast	Parmesan sticks travel well; choose sturdy crackers that won’t crumble
8	Protein Cookies (Lenny & Larry’s)	8g plant-based protein, vegan-friendly	Soft and chocolatey like a treat	Higher in sugar; save for longer hikes when you need morale boost
9	Energy Gels or Chews	Rapid carb delivery, easy digestion during activity	Gel: smooth; Chews: gummy candy-like	Use for quick energy bursts, not primary fuel; practice with them first
10	Homemade Oat & Nut Bars	Customizable macros with whole-food ingredients	Dense and hearty, very filling	Mix oats, nuts, honey, and dried fruit; make batches before trips

Detailed Trail Snack Reviews

1. Custom Trail Mix: The Ultimate Hiking Snack

Why it’s #1: Trail mix earns the top spot because it’s completely customizable to your taste preferences and nutritional needs. The combination of nuts provides protein and healthy fats, dried fruit offers quick-burning carbs, and you can add extras like seeds or dark chocolate for flavor and micronutrients.

Nutrition breakdown: A 1/4 cup serving typically contains 150-200 calories, 5-7g protein, and 12-15g healthy fats.

Pro tip: Create your own mix with a 40% nuts, 40% dried fruit, 20% extras ratio. Try almonds + cashews + dried cranberries + pumpkin seeds + dark chocolate chips.

2. RXBAR: Clean Protein for Serious Hikers

Why it ranks high: RXBars win points for their simple, whole-food ingredient list. Made primarily from egg whites, nuts, and dates, they provide substantial protein without artificial additives.

Best flavors for hiking: Chocolate Sea Salt and Blueberry consistently rate highest among hikers for taste and energy delivery.

Trail hack: Freeze your RXBAR before hot weather hikes—it becomes a refreshing, almost ice cream-like treat.

3. Jerky: The Protein Powerhouse

Why hikers love it: Jerky provides the highest protein-to-weight ratio of any trail snack, making it ideal for longer hikes where pack weight matters. The savory flavor also provides a nice contrast to sweet trail snacks.

What to look for: Choose brands with less than 300mg sodium per serving and avoid those with nitrates or excessive preservatives.

Trail Snack Categories: Quick Reference Guide

Tier 1 – Best Overall Performance

Custom Trail Mix
RXBAR
Quality Jerky

These snacks excel in all categories and should be staples in any hiker’s pack.

Tier 2 – Excellent Balance

Nut Butter Packets
Clif Bars
Dried Fruit

Great options that perform well across most criteria with minor trade-offs.

Tier 3 – Specialized Use

Protein Cookies
Energy Gels/Chews
Homemade Bars

These serve specific purposes or situations but aren’t ideal as primary fuel.

Expert Packing and Eating Strategies

Smart Packing Tips for Trail Snacks

Portion control is key: Pre-portion snacks into small zip-lock bags or reusable containers. This prevents overeating and makes it easy to grab the right amount.

Layer your energy: Pack different types of snacks for different energy needs:

Start of hike: Balanced options like trail mix
Mid-hike: Quick energy from dried fruit or energy chews
End of hike: Protein-rich options like jerky for recovery

Accessibility matters: Keep your most-used snacks in hip belt pockets or the top of your pack for easy access without stopping.

When to Eat Trail Snacks

Every 45-60 minutes: Eat small amounts regularly rather than waiting until you’re hungry or tired.

Before you’re hungry: Your body’s hunger signals lag behind your actual energy needs during exercise.

After challenging sections: Reward yourself with a tasty snack after completing difficult terrain—it’s great for morale.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trail Snacks

How many calories should I pack for a day hike?

Plan for 150-300 calories per hour of hiking, depending on your pace and the terrain difficulty.

Are energy bars better than real food?

It depends on your needs. Energy bars are convenient and have predictable nutrition, but whole foods like nuts and dried fruit often provide better sustained energy.

What’s the best trail snack for hot weather?

Choose snacks that won’t melt or spoil, like jerky, nuts, or freeze-dried fruit. Avoid chocolate-based items unless you can keep them cool.

Seasonal Trail Snack Considerations

Summer Hiking Snacks

Avoid chocolate and items that melt easily
Choose high-electrolyte options like salted nuts
Pack extra water-rich snacks like fresh fruit for shorter hikes

Winter Hiking Snacks

Nuts and energy bars won’t freeze solid
Avoid items with high water content that can freeze
Pack extra calories—your body burns more in cold weather

Budget-Friendly Trail Snack Tips

Creating your own trail mix costs about 60% less than buying pre-made versions. Buy nuts, dried fruit, and seeds in bulk, then create custom mixes at home.

Cost comparison (per serving):

Homemade trail mix: $0.85
Store-bought trail mix: $2.20
Individual nut butter packets: $1.50
Homemade oat bars: $0.65

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Trail Snack Combination

The best trail snacks are the ones you actually want to eat when you’re tired, sweaty, and miles from the nearest restaurant. While our rankings provide a solid starting point, your personal preferences, dietary restrictions, and hiking style will ultimately determine your ideal trail snack lineup.

Start with our top-tier recommendations—custom trail mix, RXBARs, and quality jerky—then experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your adventures. Remember, the perfect trail snack is one that provides sustained energy, tastes great, and keeps you motivated to tackle whatever the trail throws your way.

Ready to upgrade your trail snack game? Try creating your own custom trail mix using our recommended ratios, and don’t forget to test any new snacks on shorter hikes before your big adventure.

Want more hiking nutrition tips? Check out our guides on Easy No-Cook Hiking Meals and Snacks & How to Safely Store Food and Carry it While Hiking?