How Many Calories Should I Eat a Day While Backpacking?

By Alice Nichols

Backpacking is a great way to explore the outdoors and stay fit. But it’s important to fuel your body with the right amount of calories. Knowing how many calories you should consume each day on a backpacking trip can help ensure that you have enough energy for the journey and are getting the proper nutrients.

The amount of calories you need per day depends on several factors, such as your age, gender, weight, height, activity level, and metabolism. Generally speaking, men need more calories than women due to higher levels of muscle mass and activity. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the average adult male needs around 2,500-3,000 calories per day while hiking or backpacking.

If you’re an active backpacker who hikes long distances each day or carries a heavy pack over difficult terrain, then you’ll likely need more than 3,000 calories per day. The NIH recommends that adults in this situation eat at least 4,000-5,000 calories per day.

For women backpacking or hiking in similar conditions as men, the NIH recommends an intake of around 2,200-2,400 calories per day if they are sedentary and up to 4,000-5,000 if they are active.

Bottom Line: The amount of calories you need while backpacking depends on several factors including your age, gender and activity level. Generally speaking men need 2,500-3,000 calories per day while women need 2200-2 400 for sedentary activities and up to 4000-5000 for active activities.