Best Energy Bars for Bikepacking
20+ years testing gear in Colorado backcountry
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Bars Keep You Moving
Energy bars are the backbone of bikepacking nutrition. They're calorie-dense, pocket-sized, require no preparation, and can be eaten while pedaling. When you need fuel and can't stop for a meal, bars deliver.
But not all bars are created equal. As Cycling Weekly's testing confirms, bars differ dramatically in taste, texture, nutrition, and how well they fuel long rides. Some provide quick energy that fades fast; others sustain you for hours. Some taste like candy; others like cardboard.
This guide compares the best energy bars for bikepacking—from race-focused options to budget-friendly staples—so you can build a snacking strategy that keeps you riding strong.
For complete nutrition planning, see our Complete Bikepacking Food Guide. For more trail snack options, check Best Trail Snacks for Bikepacking. For trip-length meal planning, see Bikepacking Meal Planning.
What Makes a Great Bikepacking Bar
The ideal bikepacking bar balances multiple factors:
Calorie Density
You're burning 500-800 calories per hour. Bars need to deliver meaningful energy without bulk.
Target: 200+ calories per bar, 120+ calories per ounce
Macronutrient Profile
Different bars serve different purposes:
- Carb-focused (60%+ carbs): Quick energy while riding
- Balanced (moderate carbs/fat/protein): Sustained energy
- Protein-heavy (15g+ protein): Recovery, satiety
Texture and Taste
Bars you don't like eating don't get eaten. Consider:
- Can you chew while riding?
- Does it require water to swallow?
- Will you want another after 10 of the same?
Practical Factors
- Melt resistance: Chocolate coatings fail in summer heat
- Wrapper ease: Can you open one-handed while riding?
- Durability: Will it survive bouncing in your handlebar bag or frame bag?
Featured Products
Clif Bar Original
Clif Bars have earned their trail ubiquity. At 250-270 calories with 40-45g of carbs, they deliver serious fuel in a palatable package. The oat-based formula provides sustained energy rather than sugar spikes. The texture is soft and substantial—almost like a baked good—requiring some chewing but manageable while riding with water nearby. With dozens of flavors (Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate Macadamia, and Crunchy Peanut Butter lead our picks), you can rotate to prevent bar fatigue. At roughly $1.20 each when buying boxes, they're affordable enough to pack generously. The 10g protein makes them suitable for post-ride recovery too. For all-around bikepacking fuel, Clif Bars remain the benchmark.
- 250-270 calories per bar
- 40-45g carbs for sustained energy
- 10g protein for recovery
- Dozens of flavor options
- ~$1.20 each buying bulk
RX Bar Chocolate Sea Salt
When protein matters—long trips, hard efforts, recovery focus—RX Bars deliver. Each bar packs 12g of protein from egg whites alongside 22g of carbs, making it more balanced than carb-heavy alternatives. The ingredient list is famously minimal: dates, egg whites, almonds, cashews, chocolate, cocoa, and sea salt. That's it. No artificial anything. The texture is dense and chewy—some riders love it, others find it too sticky. The Chocolate Sea Salt flavor tastes like a brownie, hitting the sweet spot between treat and fuel. Yes, they cost more than Clif Bars (about $2 each), but the clean ingredients and protein content justify the premium for many riders.
- 12g protein per bar
- Minimal, whole-food ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Great chocolate flavor
- Soy, gluten, dairy free
Larabar Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Larabars strip energy bars to essentials: dates, nuts, and not much else. The Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip contains just four ingredients—dates, peanuts, chocolate chips, and sea salt. That's remarkably clean for something that tastes like a treat. The date-based formula makes them softer than many bars, almost fruit-leather texture, easy to eat while riding. At 220 calories with healthy fats from nuts, they provide sustained energy without sugar crashes. They're also vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free by nature, not reformulation. The flavor variety is extensive—Apple Pie, Cinnamon Bun, Cashew Cookie—all with minimal ingredients. For riders who care about what's in their food, Larabars set the standard.
- 4-6 simple ingredients
- Date-based, naturally sweet
- Vegan, GF, dairy-free
- Soft, easy-to-eat texture
- Wide flavor variety
KIND Nut Bars
If sweet bars make your teeth ache, KIND offers a savory alternative. The nut-forward formula features whole almonds, cashews, and peanuts bound with honey—less sweet, more substantial. You can actually see the nuts in the bar, not mystery mush. The texture is crunchy rather than chewy, making them easy to eat in pieces during rough terrain. At 200 calories with 6g protein and 7g fiber, they provide steady energy without sugar spikes. The Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt flavor hits the sweet-savory balance perfectly. Some coated varieties can melt in extreme heat, but uncoated versions handle summer temperatures fine.
- Visible whole nuts
- Less sweet than competitors
- Good fiber content (7g)
- Crunchy, not chewy
- Lower sugar option
Bobo's Oat Bars
Bobo's taste like the baked oat bars your outdoorsy friend might make—because that's essentially what they are. Simple ingredients (oats, butter, brown sugar, honey) baked into substantial 3oz bars. At 340 calories per bar, they're among the most calorie-dense options available. The texture is soft and crumbly, like a baked good rather than a processed bar. They require more careful handling than wrapped competitors—pack them in a protective container or accept some crumbling. The homemade character appeals to riders tired of industrial bar texture. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip flavors lead the lineup. For long days when you want real food character in bar form, Bobo's delivers.
- 340 calories—most calorie-dense
- Simple, baked ingredients
- Homemade texture and taste
- Vegan, GF options available
- Substantial 3oz size
Honey Stinger Waffle
When you need fast fuel mid-effort, Honey Stinger Waffles deliver. The thin waffle format dissolves easily—no chewing required while breathing hard. Honey provides quick-digesting sugars that hit your bloodstream fast, perfect for preventing or recovering from bonks. At 160 calories per waffle, they're lighter than full bars—use them as supplements between larger snacks rather than meal replacements. The stroopwafel-style construction holds up reasonably well in bags. Flavors like Caramel and Chocolate taste like treats, making them easy to eat even when appetite fades. Many riders pack these specifically for climbs and hard efforts when heavy bars feel impossible to eat.
- Quick-energy honey formula
- Easy to eat while riding hard
- 160 cal, lighter option
- Treat-like taste
- Perfect for climbs and efforts
Bar Type Comparison
| Bar Type | Best For | Calorie Density | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oat-based (Clif, Bobo's) | Sustained energy | High (130-150 cal/oz) | Slow-release carbs |
| Date-based (Larabar, RX) | Clean ingredients | Medium (115-130 cal/oz) | Minimal processing |
| Nut-based (KIND) | Lower sugar | Medium (125-140 cal/oz) | Savory option |
| Waffle/quick (Honey Stinger) | Fast fuel | Lower (100-110 cal/oz) | Rapid absorption |
How Many Bars Per Day?
Your bar consumption depends on total calorie needs and what other food you're eating.
Sample daily bar distribution (moderate effort day):
- Breakfast replacement or supplement: 1 bar
- Mid-morning snack: 1 bar
- Afternoon riding fuel: 2-3 bars
- Daily total: 4-5 bars (~1,000-1,250 calories from bars)
The rest of your calories come from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and non-bar snacks.
Warning signs you need more bars:
- Bonking in afternoons
- Feeling depleted before dinner
- Losing noticeable weight on multi-day trips
Hot Weather Strategy
Summer riding demands bar choices that survive heat:
Melt-resistant options:
- Larabars (date-based, no coating)
- KIND bars without chocolate coating
- Clif Bars (mostly survive; avoid dark chocolate varieties)
- Bobo's (no coating, but can get soft)
Problem bars in heat:
- Chocolate-coated anything
- RX Bars with chocolate chips (get gooey)
- Honey Stinger (chocolate varieties)
Heat-proofing tips:
- Store bars in a cooler pocket of your bag
- Wrap vulnerable bars in insulating material
- Freeze bars night before; they'll thaw by afternoon
Budget Strategy
Energy bars add up. Here's how to manage costs:
Price Comparison
| Bar | Per-Bar Cost (bulk) | Per-Calorie Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clif | ~$1.20 | $0.0046/cal |
| Larabar | ~$1.00 | $0.0045/cal |
| KIND | ~$1.30 | $0.0065/cal |
| RX Bar | ~$2.00 | $0.0095/cal |
| Bobo's | ~$2.50 | $0.0074/cal |
Cost-Saving Tactics
- Buy in bulk: Most bars cost 20-30% less in 12-packs
- Watch for sales: Stock up when prices drop (bars last months)
- Mix premium and budget: Use RX Bars strategically, Clif for volume
- Make your own: Homemade bars cost 50-70% less (see recipe below)
DIY Alternative
Basic no-bake energy bars:
- 2 cups oats
- 1 cup nut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Mix, press into pan, refrigerate, cut into bars
Cost: ~$0.50 per bar equivalent
Building Your Bar Rotation
Menu fatigue hits bars hard. Eating the same bar repeatedly makes it unappetizing. Build variety:
Sample Rotation (5-Day Trip)
| Day | Morning Bar | Afternoon Bars |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clif Chocolate Chip | 2x KIND, Larabar |
| 2 | RX Bar | 2x Clif (different flavors), Honey Stinger |
| 3 | Larabar | 2x Clif, Bobo's |
| 4 | Clif Peanut Butter | 2x RX Bar, Honey Stinger |
| 5 | KIND | 2x Larabar, Clif |
Variety Principles
- No more than 2 of the same bar in one day
- Alternate textures (chewy, crunchy, soft)
- Mix sweet and savory
- Include at least one "treat" bar daily (morale matters)
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Waiting Until Hungry
By the time you feel hungry, you're already depleted. Eat bars proactively—every 30-45 minutes during sustained effort.
Mistake 2: All Bars, No Variety
Bar fatigue is real. By day three, you won't want to look at another Clif Bar if that's all you brought. Include non-bar snacks (trail mix, dried fruit, real food).
Mistake 3: Ignoring Macros
Not all bars are equal. Carb-heavy bars during riding; protein-heavy bars for recovery. Match bar type to purpose.
Mistake 4: Forgetting Water Needs
Dense bars like Clif require water to digest comfortably. Don't eat bars and skip water.
Mistake 5: Breaking Budget on Premium Bars
RX Bars are great, but $2 each adds up to $10+ daily in bars alone. Mix premium and budget options.
FAQ
How many calories should I get from bars daily?
Most bikepackers get 800-1,500 calories from bars (30-40% of total intake). The rest comes from meals and other snacks. Bars are fuel, not your entire diet.
Are energy bars healthy for everyday use?
On the trail, where you're burning massive calories and need convenient fuel, bars are fine. For everyday life, real food is preferable. High sugar and sodium in many bars matter more when you're sedentary.
Which bars have the most protein?
RX Bars (12g), Built Bars (17g), and Quest Bars (20g) lead for protein. Traditional energy bars like Clif (10g) are moderate. Date-based bars like Larabar (5g) are lowest.
What's the best bar for hot weather?
Larabars and uncoated KIND bars handle heat best. Avoid chocolate-coated bars or those with chocolate chips—they become a melted mess above 80°F.
Can I survive on just energy bars?
Technically possible but inadvisable. Bar-only diets lack variety, get mentally exhausting, and may miss some nutrients. Use bars as fuel between real meals.
How do I prevent bar fatigue?
Variety is key. Bring multiple brands and flavors. Include non-bar snacks. Force yourself to eat even when bars seem unappealing—your body needs fuel even when your brain is tired of wrappers.
Quick Reference: Bars by Purpose
| Purpose | Best Bars | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sustained riding fuel | Clif, Bobo's | High carbs, slow release |
| Quick energy boost | Honey Stinger | Fast-digesting sugars |
| Recovery | RX Bar, Built Bar | High protein |
| Low sugar option | KIND, Epic | Less sweet, more savory |
| Clean ingredients | Larabar, RX Bar | Minimal processing |
| Budget-friendly | Clif, Larabar | Best value |
| Hot weather | Larabar, uncoated KIND | Melt-resistant |
For complete snacking strategy beyond bars, see Best Trail Snacks for Bikepacking. Plan your overall nutrition with our Complete Bikepacking Food Guide.
Fuel smart. Ride strong. Keep the bars coming.
