Product Review: Food for the Sole Backpacking Meals
Value Rating: 10
Durability Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 10
Location of Test: Burnt Lake
Duration of Test: 1 nighter
Product Brand: Food for the Sole
Best Use: Backpacking or car camping or lazy nights
SHOP FOOD FOR THE SOLE
The Full Review:
I recently won some Food for the Sole taster packs from a company raffle, and I cannot possibly advocate enough for any and all backpackers/car campers to try this food out. The company was originally started when two backpackers on the John Muir Trail realized they needed healthy, calorie-dense food to sustain their long days of hiking; shortly after, Henry, one of the backpackers, asked his mom, Julie, to send them nutritious dehydrated meals for their resupply. And alas! The idea to found Food for the Sole was born.
As a person who becomes exceptionally hungry during backpacking, it is especially important that I'm feeling sufficiently energized after eating. These Food for the Sole meals not only leave me filling full, but revitalized, especially when I'm craving food more so reminiscent of a homemade meal rather than trail snacks. Furthermore, the process to rehydrate the meal is super easy and essentially hands-off: either boil water or simply add cold water based on your consumption desires, fill the packet with the designated amount of water, and wait 15-20 minutes.
My top runners as of now are the Coconut Rice Cuban Black Beans and Garlic Green Bean Cashew Stir Fry, but there are many other meals they produce as well: Lentil Walnut Pilaf with Kale, Ratatouille with Nutty Quinoa Pilaf, Roasted Sweet Potato with Kale and Quinoa, Triple Peanut Slaw, and Zesty Miso Broccoli Slaw. You really can't go wrong!
The Good:
Locally sourced, nutritious ingredients--no questionable additives
Super filling after a long day of hiking
Incredibly easy to rehydrate
All meals can be cold-soaked (although some taste better with boiled water)
All meals are vegan and gluten-free, although meat can be added
Local company in Bend, Oregon
The Bad:
Waiting for meals to rehydrate when you're impatient and hungry
The Bottom Line:
Delicious, filling, and nutritious. What more could ya want?
The Full Review:
I recently won some Food for the Sole taster packs from a company raffle, and I cannot possibly advocate enough for any and all backpackers/car campers to try this food out. The company was originally started when two backpackers on the John Muir Trail realized they needed healthy, calorie-dense food to sustain their long days of hiking; shortly after, Henry, one of the backpackers, asked his mom, Julie, to send them nutritious dehydrated meals for their resupply. And alas! The idea to found Food for the Sole was born.
As a person who becomes exceptionally hungry during backpacking, it is especially important that I'm feeling sufficiently energized after eating. These Food for the Sole meals not only leave me filling full, but revitalized, especially when I'm craving food more so reminiscent of a homemade meal rather than trail snacks. Furthermore, the process to rehydrate the meal is super easy and essentially hands-off: either boil water or simply add cold water based on your consumption desires, fill the packet with the designated amount of water, and wait 15-20 minutes.
My top runners as of now are the Coconut Rice Cuban Black Beans and Garlic Green Bean Cashew Stir Fry, but there are many other meals they produce as well: Lentil Walnut Pilaf with Kale, Ratatouille with Nutty Quinoa Pilaf, Roasted Sweet Potato with Kale and Quinoa, Triple Peanut Slaw, and Zesty Miso Broccoli Slaw. You really can't go wrong!
The Good:
Locally sourced, nutritious ingredients--no questionable additives
Super filling after a long day of hiking
Incredibly easy to rehydrate
All meals can be cold-soaked (although some taste better with boiled water)
All meals are vegan and gluten-free, although meat can be added
Local company in Bend, Oregon
The Bad:
Waiting for meals to rehydrate when you're impatient and hungry
The Bottom Line:
Delicious, filling, and nutritious. What more could ya want?