Lightweight Energy Snacks for Your Day Hike

Day hiking is a fun way to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. If you’re packing for a day hike, you know the importance of packing light while still having all the essentials, including lightweight snacks. 

Before you stock up on the usual granola bars, check out our list of the best lightweight snacks to bring on your day hike. You’ll also learn what to look out for when choosing your snacks, and how packable snacks can help you crush your hiking game.

Why are Snacks Important for Hiking?

When you’re hiking, you’re mostly on the go all day long. Unless you’re camping, there isn’t much time to sit down and enjoy a full meal.

With snacking you can eat just enough food to keep you energized while on the move. Stop and enjoy the view while you chew on easy-to-access, low-mess snacks right from your backpack. It’s a simple way to restore your energy without stealing too much time out of your planned hike. 

Beyond saving time, snacking can boost your endurance during your hiking trip. We recommend snacking every 60 to 90 minutes to make sure you keep up your energy level.

What Makes a Packable Hiking Snack?

There are certain criteria you want to keep in mind when packing snacks for hiking. First, you want to keep your pack as light as possible. To do this you’ll need food that is lightly packaged and easy to clean up. 

But not all lightweight snacks will work. They need to be durable so they don’t get crushed in your hiking gear. If they’re fragile or too bulky, you’ll have smooshed or crumbled food that isn’t the least bit satisfying.

How Snacks Help Keep Your Energy Up While Hiking

For a hike, you need something substantial to keep up your endurance. The last thing you want is an energy crash while hiking a steep trail, which is why it’s good to avoid packing junk food like cookies or potato chips. 

For the right lightweight snacks, you’ll want food that is:

• High in nutrition (protein, healthy fats, carb balanced)
• Compact and easily accessible on the trail
• Able to withstand being in your backpack
• Light on the packaging and is easy to clean up and take with you—remember, pack it in, pack it out!

6 Portable Hiking Snacks to Keep You Going

These snacks can help fuel you and keep away those hunger pains on all your hiking adventures. We picked snacks that are wholesome and give you the right amount of calories so you can conquer those trails.

1. Jack Link’s® Beef Strip Bars

Dried meat is ideal on any hiking trip. It’s lightweight, compact, and a good source of protein. With our Original Beef Strip Bars, you get all the benefits of smoked meat in a convenient bar. Each bar has seven grams of protein and is made from 100% beef. 

Oh, and did we mention the taste? These tender bars are smoked to perfection and are sure to satisfy any rumblings in your stomach. Store them anywhere in your backpack or even your coat pocket for easy access on your hiking trail. 

2. Fresh or Dried Fruit

Fruit is sweet, refreshing, and has plenty of vitamins and calories to refill your energy tank when hiking. Not all fruits are easy to carry around. If you’re going to bring fresh or dried fruit, you want it to be durable and easy to carry. 

For fresh fruit, try:

• Apples
• Pears
• Oranges or nectarines
• Bananas (but pack them near the top!)

For dried fruit, almost any will do. Some great dried fruits to bring are:

• Apricots
• Cranberries
• Figs
• Cherries
• Raisins
• Banana chips

3. Protein Bars

Protein bars are dense and small, making them perfect for a day-long hike. There are many kinds out there, so you can have your pick of brands and flavors. 

Check the label when choosing a protein bar. See how many grams of protein there are and aim for 10 to 15 grams. Also, check out the sugar content. Too much sugar can leave you feeling lethargic. 

Don’t forget to check the ingredients and make sure they’re up to your standards.

4. Jack Link’s Cold Crafted® Hard Salami & Colby Jack Cheese Linkwich®

Sandwiches aren’t the best to bring on hikes because they are easily crushed. But have you heard of a Linkwich? Our Hard Salami and Colby Jack Cheese Linkwich removes all the problems of storing a sandwich in your hiking gear. They are a perishable snack so be sure to bring an ice pack with you to enjoy them.

Protein helps keep you fuller longer. With nine grams of protein, this is a snack that helps conquer your hunger. It’s made with real Wisconsin cheese and uncured salami and has absolutely zero grams of sugar. 

5. Trail Mix

We couldn’t leave this classic off the list. “Trail” is in the name of this scrumptious snack, after all. The great thing about trail mix is that you can pick it up at any store or make it yourself with your favorite ingredients. 

We recommend nuts, dried fruit, and small, hard-shelled candies that don’t easily melt. Use small-sized carbohydrates like mini-pretzels or granola pieces. Even try chocolate-covered espresso beans for an extra boost.

6. Zero Sugar Original Beef Jerky

Want to enjoy jerky without the sugar? Look no further, cause Jack Link’s has got you covered. Our Zero Sugar Original Beef Jerky has protein without any sugar or artificial sweeteners. 

You get 13 grams of protein to fuel your hikes, plus it just tastes great. That’s because we hardwood smoke it and marinate it in our signature blend of spices. This makes it a popular wholesome snack for any outdoor enthusiast. 

Pack Your Hiking Snacks Accordingly With Jack Link’s

Whether you’re hiking up a mountain or a flat trail, you can get hungry pretty quick. Jack Link’s knows how to vanquish hunger pains with delicious, protein snacks. Check out our products for your next hike and get them delivered right to your door.