How Much Should Your Food Weigh for Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking is a great way to explore the outdoors, but it can be challenging to figure out how much food you should bring. It’s important to find a balance between having enough food for your trip, but not too much that you have to carry extra weight. The amount of food you will need depends on the duration and type of your backpacking trip.

If you are going on a short backpacking trip, such as an overnight or two-day journey, it is generally recommended to bring 1.5-2 pounds of food per person per day. This should include a breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between meals. It is best to choose lightweight options such as energy bars, trail mix and jerky that won’t take up too much space or add extra weight.

For longer trips lasting three days or more, it is best to plan for 2-3 pounds of food per person per day. This should include more nutrient-rich meals such as pasta dishes with vegetables or hearty soups with beans for dinner. It’s also important to pack snacks throughout the day so that you don’t get too hungry while hiking.

It is also important to consider the weight of the containers that contain your food when planning your backpacking trip. If you are using cans for your meals, these can add a lot of extra weight. For this reason, it’s best to opt for lightweight packaging like dehydrated meal pouches or vacuum sealed bags which take up less space and are easier to carry.

Conclusion:
The amount of food needed for backpacking trips varies depending on the length and type of journey and the types of packaging used. Generally speaking, short trips require 1.5-2 pounds per person per day while longer trips require 2-3 pounds per person per day. To reduce unnecessary weight on your journey, opt for lightweight snacks that take up less space and lighter packaging like dehydrated meal pouches or vacuum sealed bags.