What kind of Energy bar?

[mosquito ninja]

Eh, so I stopped by REI this Saturday to pick up some odds and ends and happened by the Energy Food isle . I know they arn't essential for a thru-hike but seem like they may help when hiking 10+ miles a day. There is all kinds of bars, gels, shots, and crap. I have yet to taste even a power bar so I have NO idea what is edible and what tastes like ^#*!.

Any suggestions would be nice for example: are certain BRANDS, FLAVORS, better than others?
Solid, gel, or liquid?
Are they a waste of $$$?
Is there a good place to buy them for less money grocery store, wally world?

Thanks for the help,

Ninja

[warraghiyagey]

I use the standard 'Power Bar' vanilla flavored. They are great for me about 20 minutes before a big climb. I even had hiking buddies say 'I see you had your power bar as I passed them on the climb.
Of course they always passed me on the way back down, but power bars don't help with coordination or generally being a big, clumsy oaf.

[warraghiyagey]

Also, power bars in the form I get them are usually around $1.79 but you can sometimes find them at The Dollar Store for - well I can't remember the price but they're cheaper there.
They do have a thicker, proteinier version for $2.79 but that's a little rich for my hikes.

[mosquito ninja]

Also, power bars in the form I get them are usually around $1.79 but you can sometimes find them at The Dollar Store for - well I can't remember the price but they're cheaper there.
They do have a thicker, proteinier version for $2.79 but that's a little rich for my hikes.

thanks, got a dollar general nearby that is having a clearance sale, haha no joke. I'll check there

[Appalachian Tater]

Snickers with almonds and a vitamin pill.

[Egads]

I like Probars. They are ~380 cal each, organic, and sustain me for awhile. REI sells them too. My favorite online gear shop says they are going to start selling them by the case.

[Smudge]

Cliff Bars!! Cranberry apple is my favorite!

[mosquito ninja]

Snickers with almonds and a vitamin pill.

do you have problems with the chocolate melting during the summer?

[warraghiyagey]

thanks, got a dollar general nearby that is having a clearance sale, haha no joke. I'll check there

Just out of curiosity, what are prices like at a Dollar General clearance sale??

[Marta]

I ate a couple of Zone Bars every day, then filled in the empty spots with candy. I got tired of the candy I bought ahead of time (too many Snickers) and ended up just buying what took my fancy in grocery and convenience stores.

[Appalachian Tater]

do you have problems with the chocolate melting during the summer?

Yes, so then I eat dark chocolate M&Ms with either peanut butter-filled M&Ms or almond M&Ms mixed in. What is a power bar anyway? I tasted a couple, they taste like your worst nightmare of a candy bar made worse by being sprayed with vitamins.

[take-a-knee]

Cliff bars aren't chocolate covered so they work when it is warm. I like the Cliff Builder bar even better (more protein), though it is chocolate covered. Both are available at evil, wicked Wally world.

[mosquito ninja]

Just out of curiosity, what are prices like at a Dollar General clearance sale??

54 cents (tax included)

[Appalachian Tater]

Dollar General has their own brand of peanut butter cups which are better than Reese's in my opinion. They also have their own brand of candy bars (Clover Valley, I think) that are pretty good. They have pepperoni, drink mix, all kinds of crackers (including their own brand of chicken-flavored and bacon-flavored) and many other goodies like ice cream. Most of the trail towns in the South have a Dollar General.

[A-Train]

I highly recommend BigSur bars. bigsurbars.com

Found em' only once or twice out west, hard to find, but you can order them online.

They're stupid expensive (around 3 bucks each) but they're a small meal within itself. 600+ calories, 24 grams of fat and they're absolutely delicious.

Might be a good thing to treat yourself to, or to have a family member (with money) send you along the way in a care package.

[map man]

Next time you're in REI, or your local grocery store, why not buy one of each brand and find out what you like best? And if any take your fancy google the brand and you will be sure to find them cheap somewhere on the internet.

[mosquito ninja]

Next time you're in REI, or your local grocery store, why not buy one of each brand and find out what you like best? And if any take your fancy google the brand and you will be sure to find them cheap somewhere on the internet.

Yah, I may do this. just seems a bit wasteful and there are A LOT of different choices. thought I'd ask first.

[saimyoji]

detour ......

[Skidsteer]

Zone bars and Snickers almond.

[ki0eh]

I like Pay Day PRO - but I don't know what they cost, my wife buys them by the case at an employee discount - so if you buy them they support my health insurance!