Magic in the Mountains

A Nutrient-Dense Backpacking Meal for Fast & Light Adventures

A thru-hiker’s diet is usually built around convenience: protein bars, candy, chips, cookies, ramen, mac and cheese, and the occasional freeze-dried meal. When we’re pushing big miles, stopping to boil water isn’t always appealing. Most days on trail, I snack while walking and only pause briefly for lunch. The hiking community jokes that thru-hikers can eat like trash and still lose weight. The reality is that many through-hikers walk away from the terminus underweight and deficient in key nutrients.

So why does convenience on trail so often come at the cost of nutrition?

RecPak argues it doesn’t have to.

RecPak At a Glance

• Weight: 6.6 oz per pouch
• Price:
  • 3-pack: $38.99
  • 6-pack: $78
  • 12-pack: $156
  • Free shipping over $50 (+ currently ~20% off online)
• Calories per pouch: 700
• Protein: 43g
• Preparation: Just add water and shake
• Contains: Milk (coffee flavor also contains caffeine – 150mg)

Ingredients (highlights): whey protein isolate, casein, hydrolyzed collagen, oat flour, cane sugar, coconut milk powder, flaxseed, sunflower oil blend, vitamins + minerals.

Circumstances for Review

I discovered RecPak at PCT Trail Days, where I unexpectedly ran into Joy,  someone I went to college with who now works for the company. She generously hooked me up with samples, which I packed out when I left Cascade Locks. I tried all three flavors while hiking through Washington on my PCT thru-hike.

The opinions below reflect my on-trail experience.

How RecPak Works

Each 6.6-oz pouch contains a powdered meal replacement. To prepare, add water directly to the pouch, screw the lid back on, shake, and drink. You can use either hot or cold water, whichever you prefer.

Despite feeling like a snack in terms of ease, RecPak is very much a full meal with 700 calories, 43g protein, and all 39 essential nutrients. The macronutrient breakdown is roughly 50% carbs, 25% protein, 25% fats, designed to fuel endurance efforts and aid recovery.

RecPak was engineered for high-output environments: mountaineering, ultrarunning, climbing, search and rescue… and yes, thru-hiking.

About the Company

RecPak is a veteran-owned business founded by Deed, who conceptualized the product after military service in Afghanistan. Motivated to create a product that offered optimal nutrition in demanding environments, Deed partnered with outdoor experts and sports nutritionists to create RecPak.

RecPak is a member of 1% For The Planet, the Conservation Alliance, The Access Fund, and the American Alpine Club. On their website, their values are listed as “people over profits, the benefits of high-quality nutrition, the privilege and power of adventure in our lives, and the importance of earning the trust of our customers.”

Pros

Ultra-Convenient

It doesn’t get any simpler: just add water, shake, and drink. No stove, no cleanup, and you can consume it while moving. I especially loved the coffee pouch as a hot breakfast — fast, warm, and convenient fuel for my day.

Very Filling

700 calories + 43g protein kept me full significantly longer than my typical on-trail meals. When I drank RecPak for breakfast, I didn’t get hungry again until well into the afternoon. Hiker hunger hit me hard on the PCT, but on days that I had RecPak, I didn’t find myself constantly snacking throughout the day.

Easy on the Stomach

Some hikers struggle to digest food at altitude or while exerting themselves. There is nothing worse than feeling nauseous while trying to hike hard. RecPak sat well with me every time, even during long climbs.

Flavor Variety

RecPak offers 3 different flavors to try: chocolate, coffee, and vanilla chia. My personal favorite was the coffee, I had it hot and it was delicious! The 150mg of caffeine didn’t hurt either; it was a great kickstart to my morning. The chocolate flavor tasted just like a regular chocolate protein shake. I thought vanilla chia was an interesting flavor instead of standard vanilla. The chai added a nice twist with light notes of cinnamon.

Reusable Packaging

Unfortunately, most packaging just gets thrown away after the product is consumed. The RecPak pouch can be reused in creative ways in the backcountry. The pouch threads onto Sawyer filters, turning it into a dirty-water bag. You can also cut the top to make a scoop for shallow water sources.

Cons

Price

Even on sale or purchased in bulk, a single RecPak is around $12. This price is comparable to freeze-dried backpacking meals like Mountain House or Backpackers Pantry, but it’s still a decent chunk of change. On a long thru-hike, cost adds up quickly. I personally view meals like this as a treat, not a staple. Town resupplies rarely offer specialty nutrition products, so items like this can be hard to come by.

Not a “Real Meal” Experience

Although it’s extremely efficient, drinking dinner feels less satisfying than cooking something warm at the end of a long day. I’d be more inclined to pack RecPak for big-mile pushes or alpine starts than an every day meal.

Water Ratio Takes Practice

You’d think that with such simple instructions, it would be easy to prepare RecPak. I found it difficult to get the ratio of water correct. With too little water, it’s thick and chalky; too much, and it gets thin. Easy enough to dial in, but not effortless on the first try.

Q&A With Joy from RecPak

Who is it for?
RecPak is for anyone pushing their body for long periods of time, thru-hikers, mountaineers, ultrarunners, SAR teams, wildland firefighters, and military folks who need complete nutrition without stopping to cook.

Why these flavors?
We experimented with a berry flavor early on, but decided to launch with Chocolate, Vanilla Chai, and Coffee. Since we keep the same ingredient profile and add flavoring afterwards, it made the most sense to start with flavors that stay appealing over long days in the field.

What makes RecPak unique?
It’s a full meal you can drink in seconds: 700 calories, 43g protein, vitamins and minerals, all in a pouch that works with a Sawyer filter. No stove, no cleanup, and it’s easier to digest while moving.

Why is it useful for thru-hikers?
It’s quick, digestible, and gives you your daily macros and minerals in one go. No compromising on nutrition, just drink and keep moving.

Final Thoughts

RecPak nails its mission: convenient, nutrient-dense fuel for high-output adventure. It’s filling, simple, and digestible, and I was genuinely impressed by how long it kept me full on trail.

I don’t think it will replace ramen or tortillas as thru-hiker staples, mainly due to cost and the desire for a real cooked meal at camp. However, I do think RecPak would be worth splurging for big-miles days or alpine starts. It could be nice to have in bad weather or when you just don’t have the energy to cook. I could also see RecPek becoming popular with ultrarunners or for hikers pushing hard for FKTs.

For mountaineers, ultrarunners, and SAR teams, it’s a great product. For thru-hikers, it’s a premium convenience meal worth tossing in your food bag for the right scenario.