Trail foods & snacks for hot weather?

“Any suggestions for good trail food & snacks that will stand up in warm/hot weather (mid to high 80's or so)? 3 day/2 night trip. I want to be sure to get enough protein - I have beef jerky & peanuts, but am looking for a little more variety. I wonder if it's too warm for string cheese. Also, I need chocolate - does anyone know if m&m candies hold up in warmer weather?

Thanks!”

“No, they melt. They do make great chunks of chocolate covered trail mix when they cool off again.

Tootsie rolls do okay in hot weather. Make sure you get enough salty stuff. Combos are one of my favorite snacks on the trail.”

“I'm another fan of Combo's on the trail ~ and they are always coveted so beware! ;)

Sometimes I bring Skittles for a quick sugar rush and sweet tooth, they do okay in hot weather until they get into your hand and the color stains your palms.

Look around - Tyson makes some really good chicken jerky but it seems to be really hard to find. Buffalo, sweet & sour, and teriyaki to name a few. Nice switch up from the beef.”

“Thanks!

I'll look for some tootsie rolls and some other types of jerky.”

“Canned and pouches of meat work well in heat, as does shelf stable Parmesan cheese in packets. TVP of course lasts nearly forever.

As for meals: anything dried is good for hot weather.

As for chocolate? Get as dark as you can, and as high quality as you can! It doesn't melt as fast!”

“I have never had a problem with semi sweet chocolate melting in my pack. Get's a little sticky but not melted. I break it into three or four blocks and put it in aluminum foil.”

“The WINCO stores have a great bulk section. I can find lots of snacks there. One favorite item are their wasabi fried peas. Very tasty on the trail...plus, you get protein.

It's ormally up into the 100's out here in CA. I carry my own trail mix of dried fruit (LOVE dried cantaloupe & cranberries), toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas),Japanese rice crackers (prefer the chili bits one and the ones with dried seaweed flecks), wasabi peas, and raw almonds.”

“mmmm...wasabi! I didn't know the wasabi peas were high in protein. That's definitely one to add to the list. I love pumpkin seeds too.

I'll look for the semi-sweet chocolate & packaged meats & parmesan cheese. TVP is soy, right? Soy & I don't get along well, unfortunately.

I'm hoping it will stay semi-cool (under 90) long enough to get in some more good bag nights before it gets too hot to go out. Once it gets into the high 80's my black dog poops out from the heat. She's my main hiking partner, so we spend summers inside. Last year it hit 104 here in late March - I hope this year is a little more seasonal!”

“Well, peas are of the legume family. Legumes are good for protein. Mix it with a grain...like rice crackers, and you've got a good pairing!”

“Don't eat too many of the wasabi peas by themselves. They make you more than regular. They are really, really tasty though.”

“I have heard of choclate icing is high in sugar and you get your chocolate fix”

“It gets really runny in hot weather though. You could repackage it in a squeeze tube I suppose. That wouldn't be too big of a deal. That would make a major sugar/ choclate / shortening fix for sure.”

“Jack links now makes HAM jerky thats to die for. It tastes just like an Easter ham and not to tough.

I like dry italian salami. ALso the Deli variety of the slim jims are awesome. Bagels slices up (Sometimes the store will slice them for you.”

“hey bess, what part of texas you from?”

“You could get the icing that is in a squeeze tube ;-)
If you really wanted to eat like a thru hiker, get a tub of frosting and some king size Snickers. Dip, eat, dip and eat.
I live for the day I can do that..lol!”

“Nutella is sorta chocolatey. It's excellent on a raisen bagle for lunch. It travels well in the squeeze tube.”

“I like the chocolate gels! GU, ClifShot, Powergel, whatever (I don't think many other people do For Some Reason, LOL --- I just try to convince myself it's some weird frosting-like substance). You do need to consume lots of water with them.

I've got a couple of gel-flasks with a holster that clips onto my shoulder strap, for 'goop-on-the-go'. The 'flasks' hold 4 oz (about 3 packets of gel).

The other thing I do sometimes if it's going to be hot, just put the M&Ms in their own zip-loc (maybe double-bagged), separate from my usual trailmix. If worse comes to worse, I can bite a corner off the baggie and squeeze the melted chocolate out like toothpaste, MMMM-MMMMM-MMMMMMmmm, VBG”

“Thanks for all the ideas, everyone - LOL at the Snickers in frosting!

Chappy, I'm in San Antonio. Where are you?”