Hiking is an enjoyable and rewarding activity, but it can also be physically demanding. To ensure you have the energy to make it to the top of your next peak or trail, you need to bring along snacks that will provide you with sustained energy throughout your hike.

But what are the best snacks for a hike? There are many different factors at play when choosing snacks for a hike: nutritional value, ease of packing and storage, convenience when eating on-the-go, etc.

In this article we’ll discuss what types of snacks are best for a hike, how to choose healthy and nutritious ones that provide energy, ideas for easy-to-pack snacks that don’t require refrigeration or heating, how to store food safely while on a hike as well as tips on when and how often should you eat and drink during your trek. So let’s get started!

How to Choose Healthy Snacks for a Hike

When selecting snacks for a hike, it’s to choose ones that are rich in both carbohydrates and proteins. Carbohydrates will give you energy while proteins help your muscles recover after exercise. Aim to pack snacks that have natural sources of carbohydrates like grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts as well as protein-rich options such as meats, dairy products, beans and legumes. Try to stay away from processed foods with added sugars or artificial ingredients.

Easy-to-Pack Snacks That Don’t Require Refrigeration or Heating

Snacking on the trail doesn’t require any elaborate preparation – there are plenty of delicious snacks that don’t require refrigeration or heating. Here are some great snack ideas for your hike:

• Whole wheat sandwiches filled with nut butter and sliced fruits or vegetables, such as apples, carrots or cucumbers.
• Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts and sunflower seeds.
• Fruits like bananas, oranges and grapes are easy to pack and carry along the trail.
• Energy bars that contain natural ingredients like oats, honey and dried fruits are a great source of energy when you’re on-the-go.
• Trail mix – a combination of nuts, dried fruit and other snacks makes an excellent hiking fuel.

How to Store Food Safely While on a Hike

When you’re out in the wilderness, it’s important to take steps to properly store your food. This will keep animals away and help to prevent contamination. Here are some tips for storing food safely while on a hike:

• Pack snacks into sealable plastic bags or containers that can be securely closed.
• Hang the bags or containers from a tree branch at least 10 feet above ground.
• Keep food away from your sleeping area by at least 200 feet.
• When returning home, dispose of any remnants of food in trash receptacles only – never leave them along hiking trails!

When to Eat and Drink During a Hike

In order to stay hydrated and energized on your hike, it’s important to plan ahead. Eating small snacks throughout the day will help keep your energy levels up, so it’s a good idea to pack more than you think you need.

It’s also important to drink plenty of water when out in the wilderness – dehydration can lead to fatigue and impair physical performance. Drink water every 15 minutes while hiking and take regular breaks during the day in order to refuel with food and fluids.

See also: How to Pack for a Day Hike

Benefits of Bringing Good Snacks on a Hike

Having nutritious snacks along your hike has many benefits:

• It helps maintain your energy levels by providing sustained fuel throughout the day.
• Nourishing snacks can help to prevent fatigue, muscle cramps and headaches caused by dehydration.
• Eating regularly helps your body recover quickly after exercise.
• It’s a great way to stay motivated and focused while on the trail.

Great Snack Options for Hikers

To recap, some of the best snacks to bring on a hike are ones that are nutritionally balanced and easy to pack and store. Some great snack options include: whole wheat sandwiches, nuts and seeds, fruits, energy bars and trail mix. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to stay hydrated!

Conclusion

When it comes to packing snacks for a hike, it’s important to choose ones that provide both carbohydrates and proteins. Aim for snacks that are easy to pack and store, such as sandwiches, nuts and seeds, fruits, energy bars or trail mix. Don’t forget to stay hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day!

FAQs

Q: What types of snacks should I bring on a hike?

A: The best snacks to bring on a hike are ones that have both carbohydrates and proteins. Try packing whole wheat sandwiches, nuts and seeds, fruits, energy bars or trail mix.

Q: How often should I drink while hiking?

A: It’s important to stay hydrated while out in the wilderness – aim to drink water every 15 minutes while hiking. Take regular breaks during the day in order to refuel with food and fluids.

Q: What are some benefits of bringing good snacks on a hike?

A: Eating nutritious snacks while hiking can help maintain your energy levels, prevent fatigue and muscle cramps, and aid in recovery after exercise. It’s also a great way to stay motivated and focused!

Q: How should I store food while on a hike?

A: Pack snacks into sealable plastic bags or containers that can be securely closed. Hang the bags or containers from a tree branch at least 10 feet above ground, and keep food away from your sleeping area by at least 200 feet. When returning home, dispose of any remnants of food in trash receptacles only – never leave them along hiking trails!

Q: What are some easy-to-pack snacks that don’t require refrigeration or heating?

A: Some great snack options for a hike include sandwiches, nuts and seeds, fruits, energy bars or trail mix – all of which can be easily packed without the need for refrigeration or heating.

Q: Are there any special considerations when choosing snacks for a hike?

A: Yes – aim to choose snacks that are nutritionally balanced and easy to pack and store. Try to avoid sugary or processed snacks, as these can cause energy crashes. Also, if you’re planning on eating during the hike, make sure that you have plenty of water available in order to stay hydrated!

Q: When should I eat and drink during a hike?

A: Drink water every 15 minutes while hiking and take regular breaks during the day in order to refuel with food and fluids. Eating regularly helps your body recover quickly after exercise, so try to have snacks available throughout the day.

Q: What are some great snack options for hikers?

A: Some great snack options include: whole wheat sandwiches, nuts and seeds, fruits, energy bars and trail mix. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to stay hydrated!

Q: What are the benefits of bringing good snacks on a hike?

A: Eating nutritious snacks while hiking can help maintain your energy levels, prevent fatigue and muscle cramps, and aid in recovery after exercise. It’s also a great way to stay motivated and focused while on the trail!

Q: What snacks should I avoid packing for a hike?

A: Try to avoid sugary or processed snacks, as these can cause energy crashes. Also, anything that requires refrigeration or heating is best left at home – aim to choose snacks that are easy-to-pack and store, such as sandwiches, nuts and seeds, fruits, energy bars or trail mix.

Q: How do I choose healthy snacks for a hike?

A: Aim to choose snacks that are nutritionally balanced and easy to pack and store. Try to avoid sugary or processed snacks, as these can cause energy crashes. Choose snacks that provide both carbohydrates and proteins, such as sandwiches, nuts and seeds, fruits, energy bars or trail mix – all of which are easy-to-pack and don’t require refrigeration or heating.

Q: What else should I consider when packing snacks for a hike?

A: Make sure that you have plenty of water available in order to stay hydrated. Also, store your food securely while on the trail by hanging it 10 feet above ground and keeping it away from your sleeping area. Finally, dispose of any remnants of food in trash receptacles only – never leave them along hiking trails!

When dealing with vehicles, proper maintenance goes a long way toward preventing unnecessary expenses and ensuring the vehicle’s longevity; an ATV is no different in this regard. However, knowing how to take care of your ATV is arguably more important for many reasons, including safety. ATV maintenance during “riding” season is relatively easy. Still, things usually take a different turn once the riding season is over.

Unfortunately, most people often forget to undertake proper ATV maintenance during winter, and as you would expect, they mostly end up paying dearly for it once it’s ATV season again, as their quads are usually significantly damaged.

Do you have an ATV? If you do and you’re looking for tips on how to carry out proper off-season ATV maintenance, read on to discover some of the best ways to ensure your ATV remains in perfect condition all season long.

Garages and ATV Covers

The first thing you’ll want to put on your ATV maintenance checklist is shelter and storage location. As you well know, your ATV is as much a vehicle as your car is. Basically, this means that just as your car requires shelter to protect it from weathering, especially during winter, your ATV also requires the same. You could even argue that providing shelter or cover for your ATV is even more important than doing the same for your car. You should also note that shielding your ATV from direct exposure to sunlight during summer is also important because the sun can also damage your ATV when you leave it exposed for too long.

If you have a garage, you should ensure to park your ATV inside it to effectively shield it from weathering damage. However, the fact remains that not everyone has access to a garage, and even if you did, your garage would only protect your ATV from “some” of the effects of weathering, not all. So, if you have an ATV, you should consider getting an ATV cover. ATV covers are designed to effectively shield your ATV from harsh environmental effects, ensuring they’ll remain in excellent condition regardless of the weather.

You may be thinking, “Why can’t I just use a random blanket or cloth from my home to cover my ATV?” The answer is simple; those clothes and blankets are not designed for ATV protection. If you use them, you’ll have water building up under them, eventually leading to mold and mildew growth, causing even more damage. With ATV covers, on the other hand, water under the cover will always evaporate quickly, so you can be sure your quad-wheeler will remain perfectly dry and mold-free. In addition, their unique design means you’ll be able to use ATV covers all year round, indoors and outdoors, to protect your ATV from the effects of weathering effectively.

Check Air Filter

Access to clean air is crucial for your ATV to function properly, and if your ATV’s air system is contaminated, it could lead to ATV engine issues. Therefore, you must ensure to check your ATV air filter system from time to time during your quad maintenance to ensure that no small animals or insects have made nests in your filter system. You’ll also want to ensure no dirt or debris clogs your air filter. To do this, simply locate the air filter cover (you should find it in the back of your ATV, under the bed). Once you’ve seen it, take off the cover and then look inside to be sure it’s clean.

Battery Maintenance

Another ATV maintenance task you’ll want to add to your ATV service checklist is battery evaluation and maintenance. Just like a regular car, ATV batteries become less effective or damaged over time when the ATV isn’t used, especially after exposure to cold or freezing weather. So you should ensure to start your ATV from time to time and just let the battery charge to ensure it doesn’t become dead before spring. In addition, you should know that there are different types of ATV batteries on the market, and some are more suited to cold temperatures than others. So you’ll also want to ensure you get the best cold weather ATV battery you can find if you plan on leaving the battery in the ATV all winter long. On the other hand, you could opt to remove the ATV’s battery and connect it to a trickle charger that will help ensure you don’t end up having a dead battery by spring; which is what will likely happen if you just remove the ATV’s battery and drop it somewhere in your home or garage.

Change Engine Oil

An engine oil change is a regular part of every automobile maintenance and should be part of your ATV maintenance checklist. You should always check your ATV’s engine oil state, especially if you haven’t used the ATV in a long while. This is because debris and dirt might have somehow gotten into your oil filter, and this will make the engine oil sticky and thick. Running your ATV with this oil content will likely result in engine damage, and fixing a damaged ATV engine will undoubtedly cost you a significant amount of money. So instead of dealing with lousy engine problems, simply make sure to swap out the bad oil for quality, fresh engine oil.

Tire Check

If you have a car, you’ll most likely notice that when you leave it parked for an extended period, the tires will tend to lose pressure and go flat. The same applies to an ATV, so proper tire care is essential to proper four-wheeler maintenance. You’ll want to check your tire pressure levels periodically during the off-season. If they’re lower than what they should be, you could opt to use a tire pump to get them back in the proper condition. Also, keep an eye out for damaged or worn-out ATV tires so you can replace them before riding the ATV again.

Other ATV maintenance tips you should add to your ATV maintenance checklist include the following:

•   Check coolant and gas states to ensure they’re free from dirt and debris.
•   Tighten ATV tire bolts before riding.
•   Check engine belt condition.

pOXHU0UEDcg

Instant tents are the perfect option for festival goers

You no longer have to have experience to go camping. Previously the past time of dedicated outdoors enthusiasts, now any of us can go camping with no prior knowledge. If the traditional model of setting up your own shelter, with tarps or complicated pole systems doesn’t attract you, then the camping market has evolved to accommodate your needs and skill level. One option, that we would recommend, for backpackers and primitive campers, especially those camping alone, is the camping hammock. However, if you aren’t going camping in a forest, or you’re going to a festival for example, then the best instant tents might be just what you need. 

With instant tents, you can set up camp in less than a minute. Some of these options even pop up in just 10 seconds! All you need to do is unfold the tent, and secure it with stakes. No experience or effort required. Instant tents are a great option for first time campers, occasional campers, tents you want to set up in your garden to accommodate extra guests or play, or campers who just want the whole process to be as easy as possible. 

F4dGVi1g8rQ

Free up time for the things that really matter, with an instant tent 

CORE 12 Person Instant Cabin Tent

When we hear the phrase instant tent, we usually associate it with flimsy one person tents used at festivals, or for backcountry campers. However, this option from Core breaks all the rules. With just a two minute or less set up time, this hardy and durable tent sleeps up to 12 people. And what makes the set up so easy is that the poles are pre-attached to the tent: all you need to do is unpack, unfold, lift legs into position and extend legs until they click into place. If you’re going camping with a group, but you want to be in more extreme conditions, this camping tent could be the right option for you. Core is a trusted brand for camping, as they make durable, weather-resistant, all season tents. 

In the winter, this tent offers you a water repellent rainfly, which diverts water off the top of your tent, so you can be safe and protected from a sudden downpour. But in the summer months, you can easily remove it, to reveal the see-through mesh ceiling, offering panoramic views for star gazing clear nights. This tent comfortably fits 4 queen-sized air mattresses, you can embrace the wonder of starry, warm summer nights from the comfort of your mattress, without getting eaten alive by bugs. And it will keep you cool too. The advanced venting system uses the adjustable ground vent, drawing in cool air, while the mesh ceiling allows hot air to escape, creating a throw through breeze which keeps you cool in the heat. 

With this tent, you won’t feel cramped or claustrophobic, as the ceiling is high at 86 inches. You can also configure the interior of this camping tent  in multiple different ways. It also has different room dividing options, so you can configure it in different ways, to give you and your group the privacy you need. This is also a fantastic option for families: you could configure a separate room for kids and adults, for extra privacy, with the dividing wall as a projector screen to occupy the young ones in heavy rain. And the instant set up of this tent means you can spend your time on the stuff that really matters: spending time with each other and embracing the great outdoors. 

Pros: 

• Ceiling 86 inches high
• Can fit 4 queen air mattresses, great family tent 
• Dividing walls and 2 entrances/ exits
• Durable, weather-resistant tent
• Mesh ceiling which offers panoramic views
• Ventilation system for summer months
• 1-year warranty

Cons: 

• Not L or X shape for privacy
• Quite expensive 

CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent – 14′ x 9’

If you liked the specs of the last option, the durable material, and trust in the reliable Core brand, but want a smaller option, that sets up even more instantly, consider this option. This tent by Core sleeps 9, and sets up in just 60 seconds! This is because of the telescoping poles which are pre-attached to the structure so your tent pops up in just a few short steps, meaning you don’t have to fumble around for ages trying to color match your kit. And it still fits two queen-sized air mattresses, so you don’t have to compromise on the quality of your sleep. 

Pros: 

• Ceiling 86 inches high
• Can fit 2 queen air mattresses 
• Dividing walls and 2 entrances/ exits, great for family camping 
• Durable, weather-resistant tent
• Mesh ceiling which offers panoramic views
• Ventilation system for summer months
• 1-year warranty

Cons: 

• Not L or X shape for privacy
• Quite expensive

QOMOTOP 4 or 6 People Fast 60 Seconds Easy Set Up Instant Cabin Tent

This tent takes instant set up to the extreme. With telescoping poles and a pre-attached inner tent, your cam pop it up in just a few easy steps and within 60 seconds! Obviously, no tent can truly be set up instantly, but this is about as close as you can get. If you hate reading complex instructions or trying to work out which pole goes with which hole, this is a great option for you. Because of the trouble-free setup, it’s also a fantastic option if you’re arriving at your campsite in the evening, or in lower light. Or, as a present option for first-time campers. It can even be set up with just one person, which certainly isn’t the case with some of the larger tent options, so you could use it as a spacious tent for one. But it’s uses are versatile, as this tent sleeps up to four. 

Another of the great tent features of this model is the electrical cord port. This allows you to charge your devices on the move and means you don’t have to carry around your own heavy power bank. If you want a more eco-friendly option for charging your devices, check out our favorite solar-powered chargers here. There are also some internal pockets for you to organize your possessions and devices while they charge. And with enough space for one queen air mattress, a couple can use this tent and sleep soundly. 

This tent is also suitable for all weather conditions. When it’s hot, you can open the large windows on all sides of the tent, and let the air breeze through. The material is also extremely breathable, so if you forget to open the mesh windows, you’re not going to wake up in a hot sweat in the morning under the sun. You can even take off the rain roof at night and lie in the tent to enjoy a starry night on a warm summer’s evening. It’s also prepared for inclement weather conditions too: the PU taping for both rainfly seam and inner tent seam, and PE Tube floor with welded corners, will keep you protected from a shower. 

Pros: 

• Quick set up in only 60 seconds
• Telescoping poles, and a pre-attached inner tent,
• Sleeps up to four, and can fit a queen air mattress
• Electrical cord access port, easy access 
• Suitable for all weather conditions

Cons: 

• It’s not that high, have to lean down to enter
• Probably more suitable for 2 to sleep comfortably 
• The material of the tent floor could be more durable 

CORE Equipment 4 Person Instant Dome Tent – 9′ x 7′, Green

This 4 person tent by Core is about as instant as they come! With this tent, you can set it up in an impressive 30 seconds, due to the clever design of the poles, which are already assembled. Core do the hard work, so you don’t have to. With a pre-assembled steel pole system and easy-to-follow directions, you can arrive at your campsite and almost instantly set up camp for the night. Seeing as this tent comfortably sleeps 4, that’s an impressive amount of comfort provided in almost no time at all. However, this tent fits one queen-sized mattress, so for optimum comfort we would recommend this tent for couples, or two people. 

This tent is also really easy to get in and out of, and the entrance is durable. A front “D” style door makes for easy entry and exit while a tough polyethylene floor can handle the high traffic of people going in and out of the tent. Another great feature of this tent is that you can keep items off the tent floor with storage pockets and a gear loft. You could even consider hanging a small battery lantern, or maybe some fairy lights, from the gear loft hook for nighttime lighting. This will not only help you to find your tent when dusk falls, and locate your items and kit inside the tent, it will also provide some lovely mood lighting for you to hang out under or read a book after a long hike. 

This tent is protected for all the elements. With water repellent fabrics, sealed seams and fully taped rainfly, and rain-resistant double doors and window seals, you’ll be able to survive even a heavy downpour and stay nice and dry. And in the summer months, there are adjustable air intake vents which draw in cool air from the ground, and a mesh ceiling which allows hot air to escape, giving you a refreshing through breeze. However the center height of this tent is only 54 inches, so we wouldn’t recommend this tent for taller campers. 

Pros: 

• Durable, weather-resistant tent
• Mesh ceiling which offers panoramic views
• Ventilation system for summer months
• Rainfly and sealed seams 
• Fast pitch 30 second set up and take down time

Cons: 

• Only 54 inches high, so not great for tall campers
• More comfortably sleeps 2, with space for 1 queen air mattress

Coleman 4-Person Pop-Up Tent

If ease of set up is your number one motivation, then look no further than Coleman’s pop-up tent. This tent sets up in crazy-short time: 10 seconds! All you need to do is unfold, extend and secure using tent stakes. This is the easiest tent to set up and take down on the market. It also easily folds down flat, so you can store it away in a matter of seconds. This is a perfect option for hikers who want to save some weight: it’s a really lightweight option and comes with a carry bag for easy transportation along with windows and doors with zippers that are big and surprisingly sturdy.

Although Coleman says this is a 4 person tent, we would say that it only real comfortably sleeps two. It’s a fantastic option for you if you’re on the move, or perhaps going to a music festival, and you want a super easy and light tent just to pop up, and leave. It’s perhaps not the best option if you’re wanting more of a luxury sleep, or you get claustrophobic easily. With a 3 ft. 4 in. center height, this isn’t a good option for tall campers or people who want to spend much time hanging out in their tent. If you’re just using your tent for convenience and sleeping, then this could be the perfect option for you. 

With Coleman, you know you’re going to be getting really quality outdoors kit. This trusted brand has been used by outdoors enthusiasts throughout the generations, and has been trusted for years to be reliable, durable, and suitable for all weather conditions. Even though this is a cheap, easy, convenient tent, Coleman hasn’t sacrificed on the durability of their materials. With this model, the multi-position rainfly offers you both protection from rain, and ventilation in the summer months. It also has taped floor seams that help keep you dry, even if you’re sleeping in a muddy festival field. 

Pros: 

• Sets up in 10 seconds
• Cheap
• Super lightweight, good portability 
• Ventilation in the summer, protection from rain and sudden downpours
• Durable materials and trusted brand
• Perfect for backpacking 

Cons: 

• 3 ft. 4 in. center height
• No rain tarp

Coleman New Outdoor Camping Waterproof 6 Person Instant Tent

If you were sold by the durable material and trusted brand of Coleman for the last model, but want to be able to sleep a bigger group, then consider this option. Although it doesn’t have the integrated tent poles of the previous model, which allow for lightning-quick setup, it can be set up and taken down in under 1 minute. The tent poles are pre-attached, so you don’t have to scramble around your kit trying to place the right color-coded poles in the right place. 

And similarly to the last model, this tent by Coleman is super durable and will survive you any outdoor adventure. The floors are durable, made of thick nylon like a tarp, the WeatherTec system guarantees to keep you dry. An added benefit of the floor is that the seams are raised off the ground so even during steady rain, or a heavy downpour, the pooling water does not get inside. This is a great option if you’re going backcountry or primitive camping, in inclement weather conditions, as it will hold up even under heavy winds or rain. The 150D fabric is twice as thick as regular tent fabric, and there’s no need for a separate rainfly because the tent is fully taped. 

Another benefit of this model is that it fits two queen air beds: the footprint of the tent is 10 feet by 9 feet, which is big enough to sleep 6 people. However, despite the space’s interior, there are no dividing walls, so depending on your needs, you may find that his tent doesn’t offer you enough privacy.

Pros: 

• Sleeps 6
• High-quality durable, water resistant materials 
• Fits two queen airbeds

Cons: 

• Set up in 1 minute
• No room divider or screen room 

I1RZSDvvStY

Some instant tents have mesh ceilings, so you can stargaze at night

Our winner: 

Our winner for the best instant tent is the Coleman 4-Person Pop-Up Tent. This Coleman instant tent wins when it comes to lightning quick set up. It’s also quite large tent, perfect for sleeping 2 people, and has all the appropriate waterproofing measures. Although it won’t protect you from strong winds as well as it’s larger brother, and doesn’t boast quite as excellent ventilation, it’s the king of pop-up portability. We would recommend this as the best instant backpacking tent. 

For your next trip, why not consider an instant tent? Some of these options are super lightweight and portable, meaning you can carry your shelter with you easily, wherever you go. And with lightning quick set up times, your camping trip just got that bit easier. The best tent for you is really the one that suits your unique needs. In the great outdoors, there are many things we want to be doing that aren’t setting up camp. Whether it be hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, or hanging out with your family or group,  instant tents can help you to free up time for the things that really matter. 

Bonus tip: 

To see how quickly and easily our winner sets up, watch this useful clip: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9nSYkEq0aA