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Disclaimer: Right On Trek sent me a meal to try for free.
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Florida Trail Backpacking Trip
A couple weeks ago, I finished up hiking the Ocala National Forest section of the Florida Trail. I hit the trail loaded up with my brand new Hyperlite 2400 backpack (review coming), my Warbonnet hammock and underquilt, and backpacking meals for 4 days
We finished 40 miles in 3 days. The plan was to take 4 days to finish, but our last night was supposed to dip into the 20s at night and none of us wanted to deal with that kind of cold (I know, we’re all Floridians). Also saw our first naked hiker (there’s an image you just can’t unsee) and got to visit the iconic “88 Store.”
Right On Trek Backpacking Meals
During the backpacking trip, I brought along the Right On Trek backpacking meals that they sent me. They let me choose from all the meal options on their site and I chose the Chicken Coconut Curry.
Right On Trek is a small company based in Montana that develops sustainable meals for backpackers. They do much more than meals, though. The company helps with search and rescue efforts in the backcountry, have a meal planner app to help you plan your full menu for your next backpacking trip, gear rental services, and provide guided outdoor experiences to customers. An amazing, caring company.
Chicken Coconut Curry Backpacking Meals Review
I thought the Chicken Coconut Curry meal was excellent. It was flavorful and the curry was just spicy enough to warm me up on our second night when the temps dropped into the 30s (absolutely freezing for us Floridians!). Also, it was very filling. Most “one serving” backpacking meals aren’t nearly enough calories to fill you up after a long day of hiking. Mountain House (probably the most well-known) requires “two serving” meals to get the same calories as in one Right On Trek meal. I like that! Less weight, more food in my belly!
I have to mention, I wasn’t a big fan of the instructions or the intended way to cook the meal. Disclaimer: I completely missed that you HAVE TO cook the meals. Right On Trek recommends (requires) that you boil water (ok, we’re on the “right track” for a normal backpacking meal….but then, they want (require) you to add the meal to your pot of boiling water, stirring, and ultimately eating from your pot. This means I have to do dishes. That’s a no from me, dawg! I went the traditional route and just boiled the water and poured it in the bag.
Right On Trek Meals Must Be Cooked!
Important note: Because they use as few freeze dried ingredients as possible, most RightOnTrek meals need to be cooked fresh on the trail by being boiled in a pot of water.
This was an important point from Right On Trek that I completely missed. I get it. The food is healthier, this way. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for about 95% of my backpacking trips. I’ve been working towards lighter weight and less impact for a few years. Not because I want to be Joe Ultralight backpacker, but because I’m old(er) and have old injuries. The lighter my backpack, the less pain I experience, hence the more enjoyable the backpacking is for me.
I don’t carry any way of cleaning a dirty pot with me on the trail. I only boil water in my pot. This cooking method also impacts my bear precautions. Now, I have to put my pot in my bear bag – even if I cleaned it – as it will still have a scent. I also would need to dig a sump to pour out the dirty, smelly water. More impact. Plus, I don’t even bring a trowel with me. Now, I’m digging a sump deep enough to avoid critter issues with a stick or my hands.
My (Ignorant) Experience with the Meal
I ran into a couple issues with doing it “the old-fashioned” way. First, the recommended amount of water is WAY more than you need for my method. Like I said, they expect you to boil water, add contents, stir, allow to thicken….all that jazz…you know, actually cook it. Well, if you’re not stirring and allowing the steam to boil off, you end up with coconut chicken curry soup. Lesson learned. That said, really warm coconut chicken curry soup is really good on a cold night on the Florida Trail.
I didn’t even think of the second issue until I poured the water into the bag with the food. There’s no ziploc closure at the top! Well, heck. I just folded the top several times to get a seal. It all worked out.
These issues don’t really matter, because I missed the important note from Right On Trek that these meals MUST be cooked. Fortunately, I didn’t have any intestinal issues due to my own ignorance.
Right On Trek Backpacking Meals Review
Pros:
- Lots of calories in a small package/serving
- Very flavorful
- Helping out more than just a backpacking meal company when you purchase them
- Healthier ingredients than the “big guys”
- Lots of dietary options, including vegan, keto, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy free
- Price comparable to the major backpacking meal producers
Cons:
- Not a fan of the cooking instructions. Not going to dirty a pot while in the backcountry
- No sealed closure to cook the standard way; in the bag (because you shouldn’t!)
- Must be cooked! Honestly, this one is a deal breaker, for me
Conclusion
I really enjoyed the Right On Trek backpacking meals. Very, very flavorful. Filling. Healthier.
The overwhelming options to satisfy any dietary need really impressed me. I try to reduce my carb intake when I’m at home, but I’ve found it very difficult to do this while on the trail. Right On Trek has a keto option for that! Lactose intolerant? They have a dairy-free meal package for you! Intolerant of gluten? There’s a gluten-free option! I’ve never seen a trail meal company with all these dietary options with their meals.
Ultimately, the required cooking method prevents me from using Right On Trek meals for 95%+ of my trips. If I’m “car camping,” I have some sort of “kitchen” where I can just cook regular food. Why do I need to pay a premium for a single serving backpacking meal?
I know Right On Trek believes it’s healthier, which is true. I’m just not convinced that “healthier” motivates me enough to do dishes, dig a sump (impacting the backcountry), and take extra bear precautions on the trail for just a few days. I feel like Right On Trek is targeting a very specific demographic and I’m not part of it.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a qualifying purchase, I will receive a small commission from those purchases.