Can anyone recommend balanced, great-tasting energy bars?

I like those Humpy Bars too; bought one at Phantom Ranch this past October. I too like bars for convenience sometimes although “trail mix” (whatever nuts etc. I mix together) tastes better and is more digestible. But so often I find one bar I like, buy a ton and then hate them after number 8 or so. Or find that out on trail, they’re too dry and so am I and I can’t swallow them. Although it’s more expensive to buy them singly, I no longer buy in bulk so that I won’t end up with a pile I can’t stomach. I’m amazed at people who can eat bars all day! They’d end up in a ball in my tummy and never make their way along.

I must have a really small stomach; I can’t eat a full Mountain House (or any brand) and have never been able to in one sitting. Actually I now look at backpacking food in general with distaste. I’ve had to force down too many meals. I always pack a spare ramen; I can eat soup any time.

I don’t even look at the nutrition on bars; they’re just extra calories to me and an energy push on trail. Although I do check to make sure they don’t have horse food in them, like pea powder. I don’t consider them part of my nutritional balance overall; they’re just a snack.  In that light, things like regular granola bars, Payday bars and other candy ones do just fine.

I find one bar I like, buy a ton and then hate them after number 8 or so. Or find that out on trail, they’re too dry and so am I and I can’t swallow them.
Been there, done that too. Brought the rest home.
Yeah, trail mix, MY recipe.

Cheers

I worked up a spreadsheet of calorie density and protein ratio for some packaged meals and bars. The Pure Protein (from CostCo) are high in both calories per oz and grams of protein per 100 calories. I tried them and they’re good. Data here …

I’m a pescatarian ,I don’t eat sugar and soy and try to limit my carb intake but also try to make sure I get plenty of protein. I’ve been really into Atlas bars they contain 210 cal, have 20 grams of protein, 11 grams fiber , 3 net carbs, 0 added sugar and they also have 300 mg KSM66 ashwagandha. I think they really taste great I stick to the chocolate and nut butter flavors.

These work well for me but the ashwagandha  and low carb could be a reason to avoid for others. Personally if I find I need some emergency carbs I’ll get them from another source usually in the form of dried fruit.I also sometimes take some RX bars to mix it up because they are more widely available, they are also a better source of carbs if that is important to you.

Another bar that I would recommend to check out that I have enjoyed in the past is IQ bars.

Gear skeptic shares a huge list of energy bars and their nutritional info in his free excel file

I like and take the Kirkland signature nut bar (flavour, calorie density, macros, and price) and if needed supplement with the Kirkland protein bars (don’t all protein bars taste like flavour enhanced glue?).

Quest Dipped are really tasty.

I like to eat real food on the trail…nuts, dried fruit, sausage, cheese, tortillas, etc.  But I do generally take a couple of these 2 bars…

Lenny and Larry cookie: I like these because they are easy to eat (fairly soft but dense), taste good (especially in the morning with coffee), high in protein and fairly inexpensive. The only flavors I care for are white chocolate macadamia and chocolate chip, but there are quite a few others to try.

Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Nut – Dark Chocolate, Peanut and Almond. These are mostly a desert or sweet treat. Sort of a “nutricious candy bar”. Taste great, especially at the end of the day.

I’m not expecting to survive on these, but they are a great supplement or treat.

Hey I just found this discussion and wanted to invite you to check out my website Sassy Not Sweet. I create snack foods just like you’re describing here. I am a nutritionist, health counselor and amateur  athlete and I developed my own energy foods out of necessity. I wanted an energy bar for distance cycling and backpacking/hiking that wasn’t overly sweet and pasty or covered with syrup. It took 5 years of R & D and I finally just launched! There are three products, whole food, nuts, real cacao paste and cocoa butter, coconut, dried fruit and no added sugars or refined carbs. These are balance embodied. please give them a look and tell me what you think. https://www.sassynotsweet.com/