Nutrition Bars

Recent Nutrition Bar Reviews

Larabar Cashew Cookie

A straightforward, no-nonsense trail snack that has become a personal favorite. Taste: With only two ingredients (cashews and dates), the taste is as one might expect (surprise, it tastes like cashews and dates!). I’ve never been a huge fan of raw dates, but these are much more enjoyable than raw dates, even though there is a distinct date flavor. As for cashews, I could eat them all day, everyday, so this bar was particularly intriguing for me. From what I’ve seen, most other trail bars/snacks… Full review

Patagonia Provisions Apricot + Almond Bar

A non-GMO, organic energy bar that tastes great and has a backpacker-acceptable caloric density of 100 calories per ounce. The small size lends it to stashing in small pockets (but not so much for satiety). These are expensive, just as most organic, non-GMO products are. Here are the ingredients as listed on the package: Organic Dried Apricot, Organic Dried Pear, Organic Dried Apple, Organic Almond, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Baobab Fruit Powder, Organic Black Chia Seeds Here is the… Full review

Kate's Tiki Bar

These bars taste good and have a good, crunchy texture. One of my favorite discoveries this year was Kate’s brand. I have burned out on so many energy bars that I’m filled with dread every time I have to stock up. Kate’s saved the day with a bar that has actual crunch and delicious flavor. I quickly tire of the soft textures of so many backpacking foods but Kate’s bars use organic brown rice crisps (think Rice Krispies) to provide a satisfying crunch. All of her products use gluten-free,… Full review

Skratch Labs Anytime Energy Bar

These new bars from Skratch are a nice change from the overly sugary bars we usually encounter. Most endurance athletes are familiar with Skratch Labs. Their energy and electrolyte drink mixes are the stuff of legend. The founder of the company, Alan Lim, was a nutritionist for several professional cycling teams (BMC, Radio Shack, Garmin), and developed his "secret drink mix" after fielding complaints from cyclists about the electrolyte drinks that they were forced to drink. Along with Chef Biju… Full review

Larabar Apple Pie

Larabar makes an outstanding trail bar that comes in a variety of flavors that all taste great, and have a very high calorie per ounce. Sometimes it seems like I live under a rock, but the other day my daughter shared a trail bar with me that I had never really heard of before from a brand called Larabar.  I thought the trail bar tasted outstanding as it had a consistency like a dense Fig Newton (another food I really enjoy), which I also really liked. Now that I have had a Larabar I notice them… Full review

Dharma Bars Endurance Bars

These bars are organic, vegan, gluten-free, and kosher. Great for the meat-free, vegan outdoors person. As outdoor enthusiasts, we all consume a lot of bars. Dharma bars fill the bill for those people looking for a bar that is organic, vegan, gluten-free, or kosher. These 42 gram (1.48 oz) bars are available in three flavors that each have a different variety of ingredients to provide nutrition for different purposes. While I don't feel confident enough to explore Dharma Bars' claims for each bar,… Full review

Clif Chocolate Brownie Bar

These are good bars, one of my favorite flavors. Chunky and satisfying. Great for trail running. I wish they had more protein. I've tried all of the Clif flavors, and these are among my top three fav's. It's easy to enjoy while trail running or hiking. As a snack, it's quite satisfying. I wish it would have more protein though. Recommended as a treat for long days in the backcountry. Full review

Clif Cool Mint Chocolate Bar

I have two Cool Mint bars for lunch when backpacking. I add peanut butter from a squeeze tube. Not what I would eat at home for lunch but, when backpacking, they keep me going until dinner. I haven't had any digestive problems from them. And I agree that the Cool Mint Chocolate is the best flavor. Bought several last year for a trip which I couldn't go on because of family issues. Am storing them in the freezer. Has anyone had experience with freezing them? Full review

Clif Cool Mint Chocolate Bar

Clif's Cool Mint Chocolate is the most flavorful Clif Bar I have encountered and has become the box I am most likely to grab off the store shelf. Filling and easy to pack, the pros slightly outweigh the cons. I don't particularly like Clif Bars. However, Clif does provide enough value to me that I buy them for caving and backpacking. There are tastier and healthier alternatives, but Clif Bars are readily available and superior for activities like caving.  What I Like about the Cool Mint Chocolate… Full review