Better for Backpacking: Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried Food?

November 26

Backpackers who need to minimize weight and space will carry dried food. Most of a food's weight and volume is due to its water content, and freeze-drying and dehydrating are…

Pulse Power: A Closer Look At This Ultimate Hiking Fuel

October 24

Inexpensive and filling, lentils are often a forgotten food. That needs to change! Lentils are an excellent source of energy and protein and can be easily incorporated into trail recipes.…

Exploring Backpacking Food Options for People with Type 2 Diabetes

July 26

Consuming a surplus of calories long-term leads to the accumulation of fat in the liver and pancreas that causes type 2 diabetes (T2D). Any activity that decreases intra-organ fat can…

Is it Necessary? Food Dye in Backpacking Meals & Packaged Food

June 24

Food additives are commonly used to prevent or slow spoilage during storage, preserve vitamin content, or alter food's appearance, taste, and texture. Food coloring is a type of additive that…

Where Do Most Thru Hikers Mail Food to Resupply on the Colorado Trail (CT)?

June 18

Each year we are asked by hikers planning a CT thru-hike if we can mail their food resupply. We sure can! The Colorado Trail (CT) is a 485-mile (781 km)…

Where Bear Canisters are Mandatory in the US Parks & Forest

May 25

Carrying a bear canister is something that backpackers have to do in many US National Parks and most areas of the California Sierra. Here is the most current information (July…

Identifying Edible Berries on U.S. Hiking Trails

April 30

Hiking trails in the United States offer an abundance of edible berries that are great for raw snacking. They add fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants to your trail diet. Blueberries,…

Low Sodium Backpacking Food: Delicious Trail Food With Less Salt

December 26

A common question we get from backpackers is, "What backpacking meals do you have that are low in sodium?"  Low sodium is a regulated term for food containing 140 mg of…

Best Practices for Packaging and Storing Homemade Backpacking Food

November 8

The main job of a food storage bag is to prevent moisture and air from permeating the contents inside. Standard household freezer bags are readily available and inexpensive, making them…

Easy DIY Backpacking Meals Using Bulk Dried Foods

March 25

Do you enjoy making backpacking meals? Purchasing bulk dried food can save you money on long hikes, and it allows control over portions, ingredients, and sodium content. Here's a selection…