Review: Backpacker's Pantry

Making good food in the backcountry isn't as easy as making it at home. Thankfully, Backpacker's Pantry has a whole selection of tasty freeze-dried meals that'll keep your tastebuds happy on any outing. They take barely any effort to prepare—just fill to the line with hot water and enjoy the sunset (or sunrise). We tried a few of their most popular options; here's what our staff had to say:

After a long day out on the trail, I'll eat pretty much anything. But Backpacker's Pantry knows how to do it right with their Pad Thai. This thing is loaded with all the right ingredients for both flavor and energy. Legend has it, the meal even uses rice noodles that are actually made in Thailand. —Adam

Oatmeal-based meals usually strike me as bland and soggy. However, the Blueberry Peach Crisp was tastier than most breakfasts I prepare for myself using a four-burner stove. Easy to make with hot water and seven minutes of patience, the crisp left me full and satisfied my sweet tooth. Who says you can’t have dessert for breakfast? —Jamie

Tangy, hearty, aromatic goodness—the Chana Masala from Backpacker’s Pantry has a fresh taste that goes beyond the dried-spice flavors usually found in freeze-dried meals. Despite not having any meat, the meal was rich and filling, providing plenty of energy for a big day in the mountains. When faced with an assortment of options for quick-and-easy backcountry meals, the Chana Masala is one I’ll keep reaching for. —Jack

I wasn’t sure if freeze-dried bananas and black beans would go well together, but turns out, they do. The banana flavor adds a subtle sweetness in the Cuban Coconut Black Beans & Rice. There’s no meat in this meal, but it’s a tasty, protein-rich option for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike. I slapped it on a tortilla with a dash of hot sauce and it left me full. —Hannah