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When it comes to backpacking what will determine your backpacking destination, length of stay, comfort, safety, and overall backpacking experience are the essentials you can carry. Using lightweight backpacking gear, such as tents, sleeping bags, cooking essentials, and even the backpack itself will provide a tremendous difference of how much one can carry. However, there are two backpacking essentials that every person needs for survival and they are food and water. Carrying enough water for your backpacking adventure is necessary, but will also account for most of the weight. Did you know that two liters of water weighs more than two pounds? However, a backpacking water filter can help decrease the amount of water you must carry, this is assuming your backpacking location provides a good water source.
Backpacking food is another essential and can also account for the majority of the weight you carry. Most backpackers choose freeze dried/dehydrated backpacking foods because they’re compact, lightweight, and provide a good source of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
What are the Best Backpacking Food Brands?
With many different companies offering freeze dried/dehydrated food for food storage, survival, and outdoor recreation how do you choose the best backpacking food brands? In this article we are going to share 3 top backpacking food brands (in no specific order). These brands have been known to produce quality backpacking food with high customer satisfaction.
Wise Food Company (Ready Wise):
A Utah Based company, the Wise Food Company (Ready Wise) has become a leader in providing top quality freeze dried/dehydrated foods for the emergency preparedness, food storage, survival, and outdoor industry. Their food contains both freeze dried and dehydrated ingredients promoting extra long shelve life on all products. All backpacking food is packed in airtight Mylar pouches and has a 7 year shelf life, with proper storage. You can choose from several entrees, breakfast meals, as well as variety packs for backpacking and camping. Of course, the Wise Food Company offers a large selection of long-term food storage buckets, survival kits, and more.
Mountain House:
The story of Mountain House (OFD Foods, Inc) can be traced back to the Vietnam War when they were awarded a contract by the United States Government to create a food line that tasted better, lasted longer, and weighed less, for the US Special Forces. After the war, Mountain House took their surplus rations to local sporting good stores where it quickly sold out. Seeing the consumer demand for easy to prepare, good tasting, freeze dried food(s), Mountain House began to offer their high quality products to the general public. Mountain House continues to supply our US Military and it has become a favorite brand for backpackers, campers, survivalist, and for emergency preparedness.
Mountain House food which is sold in the iconic blue pouches has a shelve life of 10 + years with proper storage. Just like most freeze dried/dehydrated food, the packaging becomes your bowl. Just add hot water and in minutes your meal will be ready to eat. Mountain House backpacking food offers a variety of different breakfast foods, entrees, and deserts.
Backpacker's Pantry:
The story of Backpacker’s Pantry begins back in 1951 when Ann Benedict founded the company in order to supply the Girl Scouts with lightweight and nutritious food. This company was built by outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy an array of outdoor activities. Because of this passion they understood the necessity to pack light and eat well while on the trail. Backpacker’s Pantry meals are made up of a combination of high-quality spices, freeze-dried, and dehydrated ingredients. Each meal is packed with protein, vitamins, and carbohydrates. Many meals are all-natural or organic, and don’t contain MSG. The shelf life is 7 years on the backpacker meals, with proper storage. Backpacker’s Pantry also offers #10 cans, which are mostly purchased for food storage and emergency preparedness. The #10 cans shelf life is 25 years with proper storage.
Although we feel the companies mentioned above represent the best backpacking food brands, it really comes down to your personal preference. Each company offers a variety of different style meals and desserts. Just like with any food, we all have our favorites and our not so favorites. When it comes to lightweight backpacking food we’re sure you too can find your favorites, and backpacking with freeze-dried/dehydrated food will help with the weight you are carrying and insure you are always prepared for your next backpacking adventure.
If you personally use any of the food brands in this article, please share your favorite breakfast meals, entrées or dessert in the comments below.
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