How Much Food For A 3 Day Hike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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As a rule of thumb, you can figure on using

2 lbs of food per person per day

on a 3 season backpacking trip. Depending on your body weight and exertion level, you may need more or less food, but that’s a pretty reliable estimation to begin with.

How much food do I need for a 4 day hike?

You should allow for approximately

700g – 1kg on average of food per day

, depending on how much you know your body will need. It’s also a good idea to bring a small surplus in case you’ve underestimated your appetite or wind up spending an extra night on the trial – an extra meal plus snacks should do the trick.

How much food do you need for hiking?

A reasonable goal is about

11⁄2 to 21⁄2 lbs. of food (or 2,500 to 4,500 calories) per person per day

. A person doing 10 miles of strenuous hiking with a 4,000-foot climb will obviously burn more calories—and need a lot more food—than someone covering a few miles of relatively flat trail who plans to chill at the campsite.

How do you prepare for a 3 day hike?

  1. Prepare your body. …
  2. Know where you’re going. …
  3. Lighten your load. …
  4. Invest in hiking boots. …
  5. Plan for your water supply. …
  6. Plan your meals. …
  7. Don’t forget the first aid kit. …
  8. Remember a navigation and safety system.

How do I lower my hiking weight?

  1. Repackage food and personal care items. …
  2. Sleep System: Maximize a minimal amount of insulation. …
  3. Opt for a tent that pitches with trekking or ski poles. …
  4. Plan ahead and ration your water carrying. …
  5. Swap out heavy water bottles for a collapsible bottle. …
  6. Eat out of your pot.

What is a good base weight for thru hiking?

What is a good base weight to aim for? A good backpacking base weight is 15lbs, which does not require ultralight gear to achieve. However,

10 – 12lbs

is a great goal to aim for, being a happy medium between comfort and weight.

How much food do I need for a 5 day hike?

Five days at 4,000 calories a day comes out to a whopping

20,000 calories

. To mitigate the weight and space, most experienced thru-hikers will aim to carry food with a higher calorie-per-ounce ratio, ideally in the 100-125 calories/ounce range.

What should you not take on a hike?

  1. Jewelry and Valuables. …
  2. Heavy Zoom Lenses For Your Camera. …
  3. Extra Toiletries. …
  4. Too Many Cotton Clothes. …
  5. Those Nice Shoes. …
  6. Hiking Boots. …
  7. Bulky Towels. …
  8. Guidebooks.

How do you prepare food for a hike?

  1. Boil water.
  2. Add boiled water to bag to bag (or add contents of bag to water, depending on your setup).
  3. Wait 5-10 minutes.
  4. Add fat.
  5. Enjoy!

How much should I hike per day?

Most people will plan to hike

3-10 miles per day

, depending on what shape you’re in and how much elevation gain there is.

How many calories should I eat when hiking?

The meal should be low in fat and fiber, high in carbohydrates and contain some protein. The goal is to eat enough to provide fuel while allowing enough time to digest the food before hiking. Aim for

300 to 500 calories at least an hour before hiking

.

How many calories should I eat a day hiking?

How Much Food Should I Take Backpacking? This will depend on your metabolism and how active you’re being during your trip, but just for a rough general ball park estimate,

around 1.5 lbs (or 3,000 calories) per day

is a good starting point for most people.

What you need for a multi day hike?

  1. Trip plan left with someone back home.
  2. Map.
  3. Compass.
  4. Flashlight / Headlamp with spare batteries.
  5. Lighter / firestarter.
  6. Matches in a waterproof container.
  7. First Aid kit.
  8. Sunscreen.

What are the 9 tips that you need to prepare before going to a hike?

  1. Know your route. The first step of a great hiking trip is choosing your trail. …
  2. Choose the right shoes. Footwear can make the difference between an enjoyable hike and hours of pain. …
  3. Play it Safe. …
  4. Dress in layers. …
  5. Be prepared. …
  6. Get in shape. …
  7. Know your limits. …
  8. Pack light.

How should I prepare for the night before hiking?

  1. Hydrate! Our bodies need some time to truly become well hydrated. …
  2. Clip Toe Nails. …
  3. Sleep! …
  4. Eat high protein meals. …
  5. Pack! …
  6. Tell people where you’re going. …
  7. Lay your clothes out. …
  8. Prepare a high protein breakfast for in the morning.

How much should your big 3 weigh?

The Evolution

The cumulative weight of my “Big (or not so big) Three” items is generally

between 1.2 and 1.7 kg (2.65 / 3.8 lbs)

, depending on the conditions. A savings of at least 5.5 kg (12.1 lbs) from my 1990’s total. That’s a lot of weight.

How do you carry a heavy hiking backpack?

Do you lose weight backpacking?

Fortunately, backpacking itself offers a ledger-busting solution to the accounting problem.

Duration and intensity make our sport uniquely efficient when it comes to weight loss

. On average, a 180-pound man carrying a 40-pound pack across steep terrain combusts more than 600 calories an hour while backpacking.

How much should a hiking sleeping bag weigh?

Your goal should be to reduce the total weight of your sleep system to

three pounds or less

. This is achievable if you can get your sleeping bag or top quilt under two pounds (32 ounces) in weight and sleeping pad under one pound (16 ounces). Let’s start with your sleeping bag or quilt.

What pack weight is considered ultralight?

Ultralight Backpacker (

Less than 10 pound base weight

)

The average ultralight backpacker has a base weight around 9 pounds. These hikers typically carry a total pack weight less than 20 pounds with food and water.

What base weight is considered ultralight?

It is generally agreed upon that “ultralight” is a base weight

10lbs or less

. A sub 10lb base weight can be difficult to achieve and potentially expensive which can be a deterrent to some backpackers. However, the benefits of investing in a low base weight can be long-lasting and immediate.

What food do you take on a hike?

  • Nutrition bars.
  • Energy chews.
  • Fresh fruit and veggies.
  • Dried fruits and veggies.
  • Trail mix.
  • Nuts and seeds.
  • Jerky.
  • Tuna or salmon packets.

What is the best energy food for hiking?

  • Beef Jerky. A simple snack to stay full of energy is the salty protein strips known as beef jerky. …
  • Energy bars. …
  • Dried soup. …
  • Tuna and crackers. …
  • Sausage and cheese rolls. …
  • Instant pancakes. …
  • Trail mix. …
  • Dried fruit.

How much food should I bring on the Appalachian Trail?


1.5 to 2 pounds per day

to start can be adequate in most circumstances if your food is high in calories, but if you are doing big miles or rugged terrain with a lot of elevation gain you will probably need more. On a long-distance hike you will develop a bigger appetite and may also need to carry more.

Is it OK to hike in jeans?


Hiking in jeans is not recommended

. Jeans are made from cotton, which holds water and can freeze. Many hikers wore jeans for hiking in the 1970s and 1980s before synthetic material was available. For short hikes and nature walks, jeans can be acceptable hiking attire.

What is the best outfit to wear when hiking?

A standard recommendation is to bring two options,

a lightweight fleece top or jacket, and a lightweight puffy jacket that compresses well to fit in your daypack

. Adjust as needed for your specific trip. Fleece jacket: On colder days, you can wear it while hiking. On a cool day wait until a rest break to slip it on.

What should I bring on a short hike?

  1. Hiking backpack.
  2. Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
  3. Hiking boots or shoes.
  4. Plenty of food.
  5. Plenty of water.
  6. Navigation tools such as a map and compass.
  7. First-aid kit.
  8. Knife or multi-tool.
Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.