Review: RecPak Meal Replacement Shakes

When out in the field or high up in the mountains, quality fuel is a must. And no, I don’t mean for your rig, but rather for the vehicles we rely on most: our bodies. Any outdoorsman will tell that nutrition is a non-negotiable, but finding something that’s portable, palatable, and ready in a flash ain’t easy—at least it wasn’t until RecPak came around. These shelf-stable, low-volume meal-replacement shakes are made with recreation in mind, delivering 700 calories and over 40 grams of protein that’s ready in seconds. What’s more, their slim, ultralight packaging enables you to keep ‘em in your backpack all season long without compromising weight or space—meaning so long as you’ve got water, you’ll never get caught afield with an empty stomach again. Best of all, they taste great. Here’s what our crew had to say after testing their Sampler Pack:

“I’m not gonna lie, I was reluctant to put my caloric needs into a ‘drink’, but RecPak has opened my eyes. Filling, tasty, and convenient. I can grab it before heading out on the trail or, because the ease of use, enjoy it mid-morning when I’m starting to slow down.” —Chris

“The lack of longevity and nourishment in trail snacks means I always have to triple the load, leaving my pack full and stomach empty. The RecPak–especially the coffee flavor–has all the right morning flavor with the satisfaction of a full meal. Best part is I can prepare it on the go and seal it up to last a whole weekend.” —Georgia

“At hunting camp, a proper pre-sunrise start means no time to prepare a hearty breakfast. At the same time, protein bars and other speedy snacks lack the punch needed for a long morning afield. The RecPak solved this ongoing dilemma: a quick grab-and-go meal, with sufficient calories to keep me going ‘til lunchtime. And it tastes great, too.” —Mike

“I tried the Vanilla Chai, and it made for a solid breakfast before my alpine start—lots of calories, protein, and fiber to get the morning started and keep me moving uphill.” —Adam

“I’ve suffered my way through plenty of protein shakes over the years: chalky, tasteless, and nothing more than a means to an end. But RecPak surprised me. It tastes great, fills me up, and gives me the boost I need when I start to ‘hit the wall’ while chasing elk around the mountains. I now keep a spare in my hunting pack just in case a sunset pack-out should interrupt my supper.” —Carson

Available at recpak.co; $78 for the six pack.