Best Energy Bars For Hiking
When you’re going on a day or multi-day hike, calory intake is key to keeping your energy up whilst on the trail. A hearty breakfast will only do so much and it’s not like you have the time or pack space to stop for little meals every few hours.
Having the best protein bars for hiking in your pack can make all the difference. Not only does it mean you’ll have food, energy, and calories on demand, but it’ll save you pack space and weight, plus a whole host of meal prep.
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Not all energy bars are the same though. Each one is made with different ingredients and has a different calory, grams of protein, and fiber content, which we are here to unravel for you.
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Energy Bars Recommended For Hiking
- Best Allrounder PROBAR Energy Bar Jump To Review
- Best Of The Best Greenbelly Appalachian Trail Energy BarsJump To Review
- Best On A Budget CLIF BARS - Energy BarsJump To Review
Join me as we take a look at the best ones for hiking and backpacking, so you can find one that suits your trail needs best.
Top Product Overview
 | Best Allrounder
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 | Best Of The Best
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Best On A Budget
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Best Energy Bars For Hiking
PROBAR Energy Bar
One of the best meal replacement bars for hiking and backpacking you can find is the PROBAR Energy Bar.
This energy bar ticks all the boxes for any conscientious consumer and is made with natural oats, nuts, and seeds which are up to 90% organic, GMO-free, Gluten-free, and soy-free.
The energy bars pack a punch too and each bar comes with 390 calories to keep you going on the trail plus a load of protein and fiber that makes you feel full and gives you a healthy balanced snack.
These protein bars also taste delicious and they don’t dry out your mouth much either. They are a little bit expensive though but you do get what you pay for when it comes to healthy foods.
Pros
- A good amount of calories
- Well balanced in protein, carbs, and fat
- Up to 90% organic ingredients
- Taste delicious
- GMO and Gluten-free
Cons
- A little pricey
Product Information
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 10g
- Fiber: 6g
- Non-GMO: Yes
- Gluten-Free: Yes
Greenbelly Appalachian Trail Energy Bars
Greenbelly Appalachian Trail Energy Bars are some of the best meal replacement bars for hiking around if you can afford them.
These protein bars don’t come cheap but there is a reason for that. Each bar contains 650 calories, which is double or triple most other energy bars on the market.
Eating one of these is almost like eating a meal. They are super filling and keep you going on the trail for way longer than other bars.
Per bar made from natural GMO-free and gluten-free ingredients and give you a great balance of carbs, protein, fats, fiber, and sodium. Plus they taste pretty great too.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients
- Huge amount of calories per bar
- Very filling and keep hunger at bay
- Taste great with a great texture
- GMO & gluten-free
Cons
- A bit expensive
Product Information
- Calories: 650
- Protein: Yes
- Fiber: Yes
- Non-GMO: Yes
- Gluten-Free: Yes
CLIF BARS - Energy Bars
If you’re shopping on a budget then the best energy bar for you are the CLIF BARS – Energy Bars.
These protein bars work out to cost just over $1 per bar and still provide you with enough calories while being made of great ingredients.
There are loads of flavors to choose from so the ingredients differ but they are all either organic or natural and sustainable, so you know you’re filling your body with goodness.
Each bar gives you 260 calories plus a balanced amount of protein, fats, and carbs. They have a chewy texture, don’t dry your mouth out, and are overall pretty delicious.
Pros
- Chewy and moist for deliciousness
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Sustainable/organic ingredients
- A great amount of calories/protein
- Super affordable
Cons
- A bit sweet for some people
Product Information
- Calories: 260
- Protein: Yes
- Fiber: Yes
- Non-GMO: Yes
- Gluten-Free: No
Nakd Fruit & Nut Bar
The next best energy bar of hiking in our round-up is the Nakd Fruit & Nut Bar.
These are made from 100% natural GMO and gluten-free ingredients that are cold-pressed and never baked. This means the ingredients are raw and no healthy contents are lost through a cooking process.
They taste great and come in a range of flavors from blueberry muffin to salted caramel, so you can find one to suit anyone’s fussy taste buds.
Overall, these are very affordable protein bars but the portions are pretty small and the calories per bar only hit 150.
This means you might have to eat a few to keep going, but they are a good size for kids.
Pros
- Simple wholesome ingredients
- All raw and never baked
- 100% natural gluten and GMO-free
- Great tasting and lots of flavors
- Very affordable
Cons
- The bars are quite small
- Not many calories per bar
Product Information
- Calories: 150
- Protein: Yes
- Fiber: Yes
- Non-GMO: Yes
- Gluten-Free: Yes
GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars
If you’re looking for the best vegan energy bar, then you can stop searching as the GoMacro MacroBar Organic Vegan Protein Bars are them.
This energy bar is packed full of healthy plant proteins, all of which are vegan and organic. Each bar has 290 calories inside it that will keep you going on whilst hiking, plus a good balance of protein and fats to boot.
Eating one of these does fill you up, and they will stop you from having to each your lunch early, even if you’re out on a strenuous hike.
They don’t taste too sweet either but they can be a little bland for some people’s taste buds.
As well as being vegan and organic, they’re also gluten, GMO, and soy-free, ticking all the boxes you could want.
Pros
- A good amount of calories
- Great balance of protein and fiber
- All ingredients are 100% organic
- Approved for vegans
- Not sweet, and GMO & Gluten-free
Cons
- Can be a bit bland for some
Product Information
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Non-GMO: Yes
- Gluten-Free: Yes
KIND Protein Bars
KIND Protein Bars are some of the best type of energy bars you can bring during hiking you’re likely to find too, especially if you want a big dose of protein per par.
Protein is filling and it keeps hunger at bay whilst you’re hiking. Each bar contains 12 grams of protein, which comes from the nuts used in the bars, and will keep your hunger away so you can focus on enjoying your hike.
As well as protein, each bar also gives you 250 calories to keep you energized while out on the trail.
The bars come in numerous flavors, all of which are gluten and GMO-free, and they taste great. They can melt on hot days though, and some might find them a bit too sweet.
Pros
- A large amount of protein per bar
- A good amount of calories per bar
- Taste delicious
- Super affordable
- A number of flavors to choose from
Cons
- Can melt on hot days
Product Information
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 12g
- Fiber: Yes
- Non-GMO: Yes
- Gluten-Free: Yes
Health Warrior Chia Bars
Health Warrior Chia Bars are also some of the best protein bars for hiking, particularly if you want a good source of fats with your energy bar.
Chia seeds are the main ingredient in these bars and are an excellent source of ALA (Alpha-lipoic acid). Each bar contains 900-1,000mg of ALA per serving, which is 50-60% of the 1.6g daily value for ALA, and it helps your cells burn fuel effectively.
On top of this, each energy bar gives you 100 calories, which is enough but it isn’t much, so might have to eat a few to keep going on a long hike.
Otherwise, these bars are delicious and come in a few flavors for you to pick from, but the chia seeds can get stuck in your teeth quite easily.
Pros
- Good balance of fats, protein, and cals
- Light, compact, and packable
- Taste delicious and easy to chew
- Numerous flavors to choose from
- Healthy with chia seeds included
Cons
- Not many calories per bar
- Chia seeds can get stuck in your teeth
Product Information
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 3g
- Fiber: 5g
- Non-GMO: Yes
- Gluten-Free: Yes
Bobos Oat Bars
Bobos Oat Bars are another one of the best vegan meal replacement bars for hiking and are made from just oats and rice sweeteners to bind them together.
The bars are 100% natural, vegan, gluten, and GMO-free, so they’re great for everyone, no matter what their dietary requirements are.
Each bar is super filling, almost equivalent to a full meal, and is packed full of 340 calories.
The bars are very low in protein though, so if you’re looking for balance, then these might be a bit carb-heavy for you.
While they do taste good, they are dry, and you’ll want some tea, coffee, or water to wash them down with.
Pros
- Simple, healthy ingredients
- Taste delicious with some tea or water
- Filling and like eating a meal
- Good calory content per bar
- Vegan approved and affordable
Cons
- A bit dry and very little protein
Product Information
- Calories: 340
- Protein: 4g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Non-GMO: Yes
- Gluten-Free: Yes
What To Look For In The Best Energy Bars For Hiking
Do they taste good?
Energy bars for hiking or meal replacement bars have gotten a bad name when it comes to taste, but these days, they are almost as delicious as a chocolate bar. Well, not quite, but you get where I’m coming from.
Every energy bar featured comes in its own range of flavors and some even come in a variety pack. Make sure to choose a flavor you’re going to like or get a variety pack to find your favorite, as the last thing you want is to ruin your hike with a horrid tasting energy bar every few hours.
How many calories in a bar?
The calorific content of the protein bars featured ranges from 650 – 100 calories per bar. That’s a big difference. The more calories in a bar, the less you need to carry, the longer each bar will keep you going, and the more expensive they are likely to be.
At a minimum, you should aim for bars with around 250 calories per bar, but if you can afford it, hit 350 or 650 if you can, as it’ll reduce your pack weight and the number of bars you’ll need to eat.
Balanced Ingredients
It’s not just calories you need from an energy bar, you need some protein and fats as well. Look or bars that have a good balance, as more protein and fat will aid your metabolism and ensure that you don’t feel hungry too soon after eating.
From a quality preservative, the better the ingredients, the better and more expensive the bar. All the protein bars featured are GMO and gluten-free, some are also soy-free and there are two vegan-friendly options and one 100% organic one too.
Some are better than others though, and you should take a close look at the ingredients to make sure they match your ethical choices and nutritional needs.
Our Favorite Energy Bars For Hikes
The all-around best energy bar for hiking is the PROBAR Energy Bar. These bars are packed with 360 calories per bar plus a good amount of protein and fiber for a balanced diet. They are made of up to 90% organic ingredients that are all GMO-free, gluten-free, and soy-free, so you know your body is getting the right fuel it needs.
- GLUTEN-FREE AND SOY-FREE: Safe, sustainably-sourced ingredients provide the benefits of a gluten- and soy-free diet.
- 10g PROTEIN AND 5g FIBER: Enjoy energy from plant-based protein and fiber provided by nuts and flax seeds, keeping you moving whether at work or on an adventure.
The best type of energy bars for your hikes featured above is the Greenbelly Appalachian Trail Energy Bars. This energy bar expensive but they also give you double or triple the calories of most of the others, and while using natural GMO-free and gluten-free ingredients. They are like eating a full meal and will keep you going longer than any others.
- READY-TO-EAT MEAL - Yep, go stoveless! No cooking, no dishes, no cleanup. Each pouch is a full meal prepacked with 2 big, fluffy meal bars. Easy, fast, simple and lightweight. Better than cooking a freeze-dried or dehydrated meal.
- 3 X THE NUTRITION OF A “BAR” - Most bars are a 200 calorie snack. Our backpacking meals provide a whopping 650 calories and over 5 oz of performance hiking food for the trail. Complete with high nutrition of your daily value of Calories, Carbs, Protein, Sodium, Fat and Fiber.
The best meal replacement bars for hiking, if you’re on a budget, are CLIF BARS – Energy Bars. Made from natural sustainable or organic ingredients, each bar provides you with 260 calories plus a good balance of protein and fats too. They’re also delicious and come in a range of flavors, including one with caffeine to keep you alert on the trail.
