Best Protein Bars for Outdoor Adventures and Travel of 2026
On-the-go protein-rich bars to fuel your outdoor adventures and travels
April 18th, 2026
Home > Fitness & Nutrition
When you’re on the go—whether backpacking, skiing, mountain biking, packrafting, trail running, traveling, or any other outdoor activity—getting enough protein can be a challenge. Add in any dietary restrictions and availability obstacles, not to mention taste and texture, and sometimes it can feel nearly impossible.
We asked our writers to share their favorite on-the-go protein bars that keep them feeling satiated and energized for their outdoor adventures. This guide has options for just about anyone, including gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, daily-free, kosher, organic, and vegan options. All of them offer a solid source of protein without sacrificing taste, and they’re all easily available from major retailers.
If you’ve found yourself struggling to keep up your protein intake while on the go, check out this guide to find the right bar for you.
Looking for protein powder? Check out our Best Protein Powders guide.
For other great on-the-go snacks, check out our Best Energy Bars guide.
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Comparison table
| FAVORITE PROTEIN BAR | TREELINE WRITER | FAVORITE FLAVOR | CALORIES | PROTEIN | CARBS | PROTEIN SOURCE | VEGAN | GLUTEN FREE | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUILT Puff | Kate Hoch Read why |
Cookie Dough Chunk | 140-160 | 15-17 g | 15-19 g | Collagen | Some | $2.50 | |
| NuGo Dark Bar and NuGo Slim Bar | Aubri Drake Read why |
Chocolate Pretzel | 170-200 | 10-17 g | 18-25 g | Soy | ✓ | ✓ | $2.10, $2.50 |
| CLIF Builders Bar | Mary Murphy Read why |
Chocolate Mint | 280 | 20 g | 31 g | Soy | ✓ | ✓ | $1.90 |
| Barebells Protein Bar | Meg Carney Read why |
Hazelnut Nougat | 200 | 20 g | 20 g | Whey, soy | $2.60 | ||
| TRUBAR Protein Bar | Nicole Snell Read why |
Oh Oh Cookie Dough | 190 | 12 g | 23 g | Pea | ✓ | ✓ | $2.50 |
The winners
Taste (out of 10): 10/10
Fillingness per bar? 5/10
Weight: 40g/1.4 oz
Price: $29.99/box of 12 ($2.50 each)
Calories per bar: 140-160
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: Protein 15-17g, Carbs:15-19g, Fat 2.5-3.5g
Top Flavor options: Cookie Dough Chunk, Coconut, Strawberries N Cream
Organic? Non GMO? No
Vegan? No (collagen, whey, gelatin)
Digestion issues: I haven’t had any issues; no sugar alcohols
Food sensitivities: Contains milk, soy; many flavors are gluten-free; “may contain peanuts or tree nuts”
I still find it hard to believe that BUILT Puffs are actually protein bars and not candy bars. The soft marshmallow texture and chocolatey coating is easy to chew with no chalkiness or need to chase it with a gallon of water just to get it down like many protein bars. Averaging only 150 calories but packing in 16g of whey and collagen protein, it makes a great sweet treat that easily fits my macros.
BUILT Puffs
Despite the dessert taste, there are no sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners, which can upset many people’s stomachs. I really like that there are many flavors that actually taste appreciably different which keeps me from getting tired of these bars. Options range from chocolate brownie and strawberries and cream to sour peach. The “chunk” varieties include little pieces of cookie or brownie dough, which add bits of texture for a nice change.
Taste (out of 10): 10/10
Fillingness per bar? 8/10
Weight: 1.4-1.7oz
Price: $1.50-$2/bar
Calories per bar: 170-200
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: Protein: 10-17g; Carbohydrate: 18-25g; Fat: 6g
Top Flavor options: Chocolate Pretzel; Mint Chocolate Chip; Espresso
Organic? Non GMO? No, but does not include palm oil
Vegan? Yes
Digestion issues: Does not contain sugar alcohols of any kind
Food sensitivities: Gluten free, dairy free, egg free, kosher
NuGo offers kosher, vegan, gluten-free protein bars that taste like dessert! These bars have been my go-to vegan/vegetarian protein bar for more than a decade. First and foremost, they’re delicious! I’ve tried dozens of other kinds of protein bars and many are fine, but the real chocolate coating makes these hard to beat.
NuGo Dark Bars and NuGo Slim Bars
NuGo Dark bars have 10g+ protein, real dark chocolate, and delicious flavors like peanut butter cup, mocha, chocolate almond, and my favorite, chocolate pretzel. The NuGo Dark bars have a good mix of carbs, fat, and protein, with 14g of sugar to keep my legs moving through the afternoon slump. And even in the desert heat, I haven't had trouble with melting these dark chocolate bars so long as I kept my food bag tucked away inside my pack.
NuGo Slim Bars offer 16-17g of protein, 6-7g fiber, with only 3g added sugar, real dark chocolate with cocoa butter and no palm oil, and tasty flavors like chocolate mint, espresso, raspberry truffle, and brownie crunch. These are great for a quick vegan high-protein snack that's not too sweet. NuGo’s variety of flavors lets me rotate through and helps keep me from overdoing it with any one particular flavor.
NuGo Dark bars and NuGo Slim bars are widely available, like online through Amazon, and online and in-person at Walmart, Target, and many grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies, making it fairly easy to find them during town resupply on a backpacking trip.
Taste (out of 10): 9/10
Fillingness per bar? 10/10
Weight: 68g
Price: $2.50
Calories per bar: 280 cal/bar
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: 20g protein, 31g carbohydrate, 9g fat, 200mg sodium
Top Flavor options: Chocolate Mint, Chocolate (Plain), Chocolate Peanut Butter, Vanilla
Organic? Non GMO? Yes, non-GMO and organic ingredients
Vegan? Yes
Digestion issues: No
Food sensitivities: Vegan, Gluten-free, contains nuts, (low glycemic index)
I have sworn by the CLIF Builder’s bars for more than 10 years now. While I definitely consume my fair share of standard CLIF bars and nut butter bars as well, the Builder’s have a very different flavor and texture profile overall. (Basically, if you aren’t a fan of standard Clif bars, don’t necessarily knock these!)
CLIF Builder’s Bar
They are filling, but not too dense. They have tons of protein (without any chalky, protein-y taste), and are a little sweet but not too much. They are hefty, and also very chocolate forward. If you aren’t a chocolate fan, there is a vanilla almond flavor, but it ranks behind the chocolate flavors in my opinion. The Builder’s also has a great balance of sugar and salt. I don’t think this bar is perfect, but it’s darn close—and the 20g of protein is something that’s difficult to find in most bars.
One other huge bonus with these bars: they are available at several different grocery store chains, REI, gear shops, even gas stations. I appreciate that they are widely available and easy to find when traveling.
My only qualm is they can get very hard if they get cold (so they are less great for winter backpacking or ice climbing, or are best stashed in a jacket pocket if so). But, they don’t melt easily, and the Girl Scouts’ Thin Mint-esque chocolate mint flavor is simply unbeatable for a high protein, non-GMO, dairy free and vegan bar.
Taste: 8.5/10
Fillingness: 7/10
Weight: ~1.9 oz (55g)
Price: ~$2.50–$3.50 per bar
Calories: ~200–210
Protein/Carbs/Fat: 15g / ~20g / ~8g
Top Flavors: Hazelnut Nougat, Salty Peanut, Caramel Peanut, Chocolate Dough
Organic/Non-GMO: Non-GMO
Vegan: Yes (select flavors only)
Digestion: Generally easy, but sweet like a candy bar
Food Sensitivities: Not gluten-free; not nut-free; contains soy
If you have a sweet tooth, like me, then you’ll love the Barebells Protein Bars. Some of their most popular flavors include Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Dough, Creamy Crisp, and Cookies and Caramel.
Barebells Protein Bars
As you can tell from their best seller lineup, Barebells Protein Bars lean heavily into dessert-like flavor, and the vegan line is no exception. Of the four plant-based options, Hazelnut Nougat is among the most popular and noticeably sweeter than other vegan protein bars I’ve tried. While it has a more candy-bar style, it is still packed with 15g of protein for a satisfying, light, easy-to-eat treat.
Overall, Barebells has a wide range of bar options, both vegan and non vegan, and it offers a nice treat on the trail or during a busy workday when you need something small to tide you over. I wouldn’t eat these every day, but they’re good for an occasional snack and definitely functional on the trail. Ingredient-wise, Barebells is less focused on organic sourcing, but the bars are non-GMO and the brand is very transparent about ingredients and manufacturing.
Taste (out of 10): 10/10
Fillingness per bar? 8/10
Weight: 1.76 oz
Price: $1.37 - $2.79 (best price at Costco in bulk)
Calories per bar: 190
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: 12g protein /23g carbs /9g fat
Top Flavor options: OHHH Cookie Dough, Cocoa for Coconuts, Get in My Belly PB& Jelly, Sweet & Dreamy Cookies & Creamy, Saltylicious Almond Love
Organic? Non GMO? Some organic ingredients listed, sustainably sourced palm oil
Vegan? Yes
Digestion issues: None. There are no sugar alcohols!
Food sensitivities: Gluten free, diary free, soy free, no seed oils; some bars contain nuts/tree nuts
As a vegetarian/pescetarian who can’t tolerate whey protein isolate, chicory root, or sugar alcohols that are in a ton of protein bars on the market, it’s hard to find something that has a higher protein count, tastes good, and avoids those ingredients. I came across TRUBAR a couple of years ago and loved that they are a plant based/vegan protein bar that fit the bill at 12g of plant based protein per bar.
Trubar
TRUBAR has a ton of flavors and every one I’ve tried has been a 10/10 for taste. My favorites are the chocolate flavored ones like the Saltylicious Almond Love and the Oh Oh Cookie Dough. The bars are shaped as small rectangles vs. longer horizontal shaped bars which means they take up less space when on the go. I throw these in my bag for day hikes and backpacking trips when I know it’s not going to be hot. Unfortunately, these melt in the heat (I found that out the hard way). I also pack them when traveling!
Their texture is dense and creamy, even for the flavors that don’t have chocolate as the main coating. There isn’t a lot of crunch to them (again, depending on the flavor) and there is no chalky or chemical taste/aftertaste. You’d think that because they are a smaller bar with a lower calorie count than most, that they wouldn’t fill you up. However, they are quite filling and I rarely feel hungry after eating them unless I’m expending a ton of energy. I don’t use these as meal replacements, but more as snacks in between meals or ways to get a little extra protein in the day without a ton of extra calories. The calorie/protein combo on these are exactly what I need!
I haven’t come across any flavors that cause stomach discomfort. I have several friends who are gluten free who haven’t been able to find a good tasting protein bar. When I discovered these were gluten free, I was excited to share them and my friends raved about the taste and couldn’t believe they were gluten free. They are also soy free and dairy free, with no seed oils or sugar alcohols. They aren’t marketed as organic or non-GMO, however they do have several organic ingredients and specifically list that their palm oil is sustainably sourced.
These are available in bulk for cheap at Costco, but the downside is that there are limited flavors and you’re stuck with whatever combo box is available at the time. That may mean fewer flavor options. However, you can find these in several grocery stores, cafes, specialty stores, and retail spaces like Whole Foods, CVS, Vons, etc. I haven’t tried all 12 flavors, but hopefully I will soon!
Taste (out of 10): 9/10
Fillingness per bar: 9/10
Weight: 2.47 oz
Price: $2.50
Calories per bar: 270-280, depending on flavor
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: 20g protein, 32-34 grams carbohydrate, 5-9 grams fat, depending on flavor
Top Flavor options: Coffee Crunch, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Brownie
Organic? Non GMO? Non-GMO
Vegan? Yes
Digestion issues: These are one of the few bars I can easily eat; no sugar alcohols
Food sensitivities: Gluten-free and nut-free options
I bought one of these bars on a whim while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018—I was in a gear shop in Bishop, California and someone said they were yummy. After that town stop I ended up seeking these bars out in every town along the PCT because they were incredibly tasty, like a candy bar with the benefit of providing me with protein that I lacked with my vegetarian diet. I ended up trying all the flavors on the rest of my 2018 thru-hike and ordering several boxes to add to my remaining resupply boxes.
PROBAR Protein Bars
For my 2019 thru-hike on the PCT I was determined to increase my protein intake. I bought a dozen cases of these bars in multiple flavors. As someone with a nut allergy, it was difficult to find a protein bar that was nut free and tasted great. These bars have a great soft texture and aren’t chalky or hard to eat while hiking long hours in the hot sun. I would typically eat one as my second breakfast while hiking on the trail.
There are enough nut-free flavors to not get bored of having the same thing each day. The “chocolate” coating didn’t melt in higher summer temperatures and I never felt like I had to down a liter of water while eating them like I have with other protein bars. Most of the flavors are wonderful. The brownie flavor has chunks of brownie texture in the bar providing a nice break from the other flavors that are more blended. The mint chocolate was my least favorite flavor, but I think that was mostly because I was eating these as a breakfast item and it felt more like a dessert. My top flavor was coconut crunch, which has been discontinued and replaced with a caramel option. I can’t speak to the nut- based flavors but I am sure those are great too.
I love that there is no aftertaste or sugar alcohols in these bars. I have tried other bars with sugar alcohols and they always make me feel like I need to eat something else right away to erase the aftertaste. The nut-free options are great for those with allergies and the gluten-free vegan bars provide a protein option for people who often have a hard time finding a bar that they can enjoy. These bars don’t make me feel like I am missing out, they are so good.
I got sick of a lot of foods on my thru- hike, but these are bars that I can still eat today and would buy in bulk again for another long thru- hike without hesitation.
- Sara “Socks” Kruglinski, Operations Coordinator and Contributing Writer
Taste (out of 10): 7/10
Fillingness per bar? 8/10
Weight: 60g
Price: $28/12 bars
Calories per bar: 270
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: 18g/21g/13g
Top Flavor options: Vanilla Peanut Butter
Organic? Non GMO? No
Vegan?: Yes
Digestion issues: No (very few ingredients)
Food sensitivities: Contains peanuts; Kosher
RXBAR advertises all of their bars as high protein, but they have a new line that I feel is a true protein bar. They are called High Protein, with 18g per bar.
I’m a big fan of RXBAR. I burned myself out on protein and energy bars years ago, but then I tried RXBARs. My mind was officially changed. My experience has mostly been with their “regular” bars.
RXBars High Protein
But when I started training for the Trailblaze Challenge for Make-A-Wish (a 26.3-mile single-day hike to raise money for children with critical illness), I started looking at easy to carry sources of protein. And I always prefer something with cleaner ingredients.
When I saw RXBARs had a High Protein version, I had to give them a try, and I was not disappointed. I’ve only tried the Vanilla Peanut Butter (they also have a strawberry peanut butter). The initial texture was a little chalky—think cold peanut butter—but it kinda smoothed out in my mouth. I put the bar down after about two bites and immediately picked it back up because it was so delicious.
I like eating good food on trail. I don’t want a bunch of gels or other weird energy foods. I want something I would readily eat off trail too. And RXBAR High Protein hits the mark. I love the simple ingredients (peanut butter, agave nectar, pea protein, peanuts, vanilla beans, natural flavors for the Vanilla Peanut Butter flavor). Most importantly, I love that I WANT to eat this bar. It’s like a little treat on my hikes and gives me the punch I need to get through the next climb.
Taste (out of 10): 9/10
Fillingness per bar? 7/10
Weight: 65g
Price: $3
Calories per bar: 260
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: 14g/21g/15g
Top Flavor options: Peanut Sunflower Seed, Almond Pumpkin Seed
Organic? Non GMO? Non GMO
Vegan? No
Digestion issues: No
Food sensitivities: Gluten free
This delicious protein bar is one of my absolute favorites (as are the BUILT Bars that other Treeline writers also love) after a long day of biking or climbing. With a nuggety whey and nut butter protein core surrounded by sunflower and other nuts and seeds, depending on the flavor, dowsed in a sheen of organic honey, the bar delivers a satisfying sweet and salty crunch followed by biting into the softer core. Better yet, there are no 20-syllable chemical ingredients in the bars.
HoneyStinger Protein Nut + Seed Bar
The blend of carbs, salt, protein and nut fats make this an ideal bar for recovery, replacing lost protein and electrolytes after a big day. It’s not a meal replacement or full meal bar. It does, however, hit the spot at the end of the trail or when recharging in the middle of it, without wheying (pun intended) you down like bigger, heavier bars.
Taste (out of 10): 7.5/10
Fillingness per bar? 10/10
Weight: 2.12 oz
Price: $25 for 12
Calories per bar: 190
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: 21g/22g/8g
Top Flavor options: Cookies and Cream, Mint Chocolate Chunk
Organic? Non GMO? No
Vegan? No
Digestion issues: No
Food sensitivities: Gluten free, keto friendly
One of the reasons why Quest Protein Bars have become a staple in my pack is because they’re available nearly everywhere. And not only are they easy to find, but they’re also more filling than the majority of protein bars I’ve tried.
Quest Nutrition Protein Bar
The cookies and cream version of this bar is my personal favorite, providing a whopping 21 grams of protein for 190 calories. But the consistency can feel a touch chalky, making it super evident that you’re consuming a large chunk of whey. Even so, these bars are satisfying, relatively lightweight, and easy to take just about anywhere.
Another reason why some hikers appreciate these protein bars is because of their gluten-free, keto-friendly ingredient list. The cookies and cream bars contain delicious chunks of oreo-like cookies, yet they remain gluten free. And each bar contains just eight grams of fat, which is ideal for those who prefer to follow a keto diet.
Taste (out of 10): 8/10
Fillingness per bar? 7/10
Weight: 2.1 oz
Price: $5.55
Calories per bar: 220
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: 20/20/7
Top flavor options: Berry, Vanilla, Chocolate
Organic? Some ingredients are organic
Vegan? No
Digestion issues: No
Food sensitivities: Gluten free
A protein bar sweetened only with honey and dates? I'm fully onboard. I try to avoid refined sugar whenever possible, yes, even when thru-hiking. So as soon as I saw that the Jacob Protein bar had no refined sugar, I had to try one. I was not disappointed.
Jacob Protein Bar
It gets better. The protein is grass-fed whey. Plus, they balance the protein with fat. I find that a little bit of fat keeps me sated longer, and the Jacob Bar has 7 to 8 grams of fat from almond butter and beef tallow (depending on the flavor). Some people might be sensitive to the taste of beef tallow, but I didn't notice it at all. These bars are not vegan!
They come in three flavors—vanilla, chocolate, and berry. My favorite is the berry. I liked the little bit of tartness that comes from the blueberries and strawberries. I recommend getting the variety box to try them all.
The only downside? They're not cheap. But I'm willing to pay a little more for ingredients like these.
Taste (out of 10): 9/10
Fillingness per bar? 10/10
Weight: 4 oz
Price: $2.04
Calories per bar: 440
Protein/Carbs/Fat per bar: 16g/70g/10g
Top Flavor options: Chocolate Chip, Big Time Brownie, White Chocolate Flavored Macadamia, Snickerdoodle
Organic? Non GMO? Non GMO Project Verified; Kosher
Vegan? Yes
Digestion issues: No
Food sensitivities: Soy free, nut free, dairy free, egg free (though made in a facility with all these)
As someone with a million food intolerances, protein bars are a challenge. It’s rare for me to find a protein bar free of soy, peanuts, eggs, and dairy that also tastes good, but Lenny & Larry’s The Complete Cookie does the trick. I particularly like the Chocolate Chip flavor because it’s incredibly rare for me to find soy-free chocolate chip products.
Lenny & Larry’s The Complete Cookie
In addition to providing 16 grams of plant-based protein, 10 grams of fiber, and good taste, these protein cookies are usually pretty easy to find. Most big grocery stores and gas stations stock them. I often reach for these after runs or during road trips.
This cookie certainly isn’t for everyone. Each cookie has 440 calories, which may be more than some people are looking for in a protein bar, especially with only 16g of protein, and each cookie has a whopping 22 grams of sugar. That’s a lot of sugar, which is probably why they taste so much better than typical protein bars. If you’re trying to cut back on your sugar intake, this may not be the best option.
However, because these cookies are filling, tasty, free of most major allergens (other than wheat), and easy to find, they’re my go-to protein bar for day hikes, post-trail run recovery, and long road trips.
What to look for in a protein bar
Grams of Protein
Many experts say that protein bars should have at least 15 grams of protein. This article suggests that a better way to determine how much protein you need may be 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kg of weight. We aimed for bars that are at least 15 g of protein per serving, though we had some wiggle room in there, especially for vegan options.
Taste
Naturally, if you don’t like the taste, you aren’t going to want to eat it. We recommend choosing protein bars you actually enjoy eating, even after eating them every day on a backpacking trip.
Fillingness
Protein bars are meant to provide lasting energy, so we recommend ones that make you feel full and energized. Some protein bars can be meal replacements, while others are just filling enough to hold you over between meals.
Price
Most protein bars we recommended cost between $2 and $3 per bar. Often, you can find a better value by buying in bulk from places like Costco or Amazon.
Grams of Carbohydrates and Fat
Some experts say that nutrition has more to do with the balance of protein to carbohydrates and fat. The Mayo Clinic says that protein should be 10% to 35% of calories, so keeping your protein balanced with carbohydrates and fat may be necessary. We note grams of carbohydrates and fats so you can see whether each bar can work within your overall macronutrient counts.
Organic and non-GMO
Many outdoors people prefer organic foods (which, by definition, are non-GMO) as they are typically associated with lower pollution and carbon emissions, better soil health, and higher biodiversity. We note when bars are made with organic ingredients and are certified non GMO.
Vegan or vegetarian
Fortunately for vegans and vegetarians, there are plenty of tasty, filling protein bars available to suit those diets. All of the bars in this guide are vegetarian, and we note which ones are vegan.
Gluten-free
While some protein bars contain gluten, there are many gluten-free options available. Of the bars we recommend in this guide, we note which ones are gluten free.
Nut-free
Nuts are a natural source of protein but for those of us with nut allergies, it can eliminate many protein bar options. While some of our favorite bars have nuts, we note which bars are nut free.
Why you should trust us
Treeline Review writers have eaten at least a hundred different protein bars. Treeline Review writers have also led workshops on What I eat during a thru-hike and Backpacking Nutrition and Resupply Tips.
This guide includes all of our favorites, with picks verified by other Treeline Review writers. At Treeline Review, we want you to buy protein bars right the first time so you never bonk and can always feel strong, fueled, and energized while outdoors.
