Q. What types of food should I include in a no-cook hiking meal kit?
A. For a no-cook hiking meal kit, choose shelf-stable, lightweight, high-calorie foods that don’t require refrigeration or cooking. The best options are:
- Ready-to-eat pouches (like On Track Meals)
- Wrap-friendly mains like beans, curries, or rice dishes
- Long-life snacks: jerky, trail mix, energy bars
- Cold-friendly extras: crackers, nut butters, dried fruit
- Hydration: electrolyte sachets, purification tablets
Using flameless heater bags, you can still enjoy hot meals without carrying a stove or pot.
Q. How many calories do I need for a 3-day hike without cooking?
A. Calorie needs vary, but most hikers burn 2,500–4,500+ calories per day, depending on terrain, pack weight, weather, and fitness level.
For a 3-day hike, aim for:
- 2,500–3,500 calories/day for moderate hiking
- More if carrying a heavy pack or covering rough terrain
That means you’ll want at least 7,500–10,000 total calories in your kit.
On Track Meals are high in energy and made with real ingredients—making it easier to hit those calorie targets without bulky food.
Q. How can I keep my food safe and fresh without refrigeration or cooking?
A. The key is packing shelf-stable, sealed, and heat-treated meals that don’t need refrigeration.
Here’s how to keep food safe on the trail:
- Choose retort pouch meals (like On Track Meals) with long shelf lives
- Avoid fresh dairy, raw meat, or cut fruit
- Store food in dry bags or buckets to protect from heat and moisture
- Use flameless heater bags to heat meals safely and avoid fire restrictions
- Keep packaging sealed until you eat it
✅ On Track Meals are cooked and sealed for long shelf life, so you can trust them to stay safe even in rough conditions.
