How Many Pounds of Food Should I Bring on a 5 Day Backpacking Trip?

By Anna Duncan

Planning a five-day backpacking trip can be an exciting and thrilling experience. Knowing how much food you need to bring can be a challenge, however. The amount of food you should bring will depend on the type of food you plan to eat, your activity level, and how much weight you are willing to carry.

Activity Level – The amount of food you need for a five-day backpacking trip will depend on your activity level. If you plan on doing long hikes each day or engaging in strenuous activities, you should pack more food than if your days are relatively low-key. It’s important to remember that you will be burning more calories than normal while backpacking, so it’s a good idea to have extra snacks and meals available in case of high energy expenditure.

Type of Food – The type of food you bring on your five-day backpacking trip will also affect the amount of food needed. If you plan on bringing freeze-dried meals, they tend to weigh less than fresh foods so less food overall might be needed. On the other hand, if bringing fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, more weight is needed due to their bulkiness.

Weight Considerations – Lastly, consider the amount of weight you are willing to carry when deciding how much food to bring on a five-day backpacking trip. Hiking with an overweight pack can be difficult and tiring; however, having enough fuel for your body is essential for success during your trip. Find a balance between carrying too much and not enough by researching typical weights for different types of meals before packing your bag.

Conclusion: For a five-day backpacking trip, it is important to take into consideration your activity level, type of food being brought along, and how much weight you are comfortable carrying. As a general guideline, aim for 2-3 pounds per person per day if packing freeze-dried foods or 3-4 pounds per person per day if packing fresh foods in order to have enough energy throughout the duration of your journey!