Freeze-dried or canned food: what to choose for your hike?

Hiking in the mountains requires both good physical preparation and reliable equipment, and a well-planned food supply is key to maintaining sufficient energy. Choosing the right food for this type of adventure is not always easy, given the abundance of options on the market. Canned foods have long been the standard for long-lasting and well-protected reserves, but they are not particularly practical to transport. Freeze-dried options, on the other hand, offer similar advantages but are much lighter and easier to carry in a backpack.

Here, we will look at which types of food are best suited for hiking and how to combine them wisely, without unnecessary expense or compromise.

Nutritional value

Canned foods are ready to eat and retain their protein, fat, and minerals. Since they contain liquid in the form of brine, sauce, or oil, much of the flavor and minerals are contained in it. When this liquid is poured out, not only sodium but also important nutrients are removed. Canned foods are also heavier, which makes the calories per kilogram of luggage less economical. During canning, some sensitive vitamins may be reduced by heat treatment, and in some products, sodium and added sugar are higher, which can increase thirst during physical activity.

In freeze-dried products, the sublimation process removes all water, making calories and nutrients highly concentrated relative to their weight. This is a big advantage because you can get more energy and protein from a smaller amount of product. Freeze-dried foods are also a source of stable fats, minerals, and proteins, but unlike canned options, they retain their vitamins and fiber. If the packaging is high-quality and protects the product from moisture and light, the polyphenol content, which helps protect the body from inflammatory processes, also remains intact.

Taste and texture

Since canned products undergo heat treatment and are stored in liquid, they have the typical soft texture and more uniform taste of home-cooked meals.

Canned beans are creamier, meat is often more tender, fish flakes apart, and vegetables can be softer and sometimes even mushy. This is a plus when you want something ready-made, juicy, and suitable for immediate consumption, but it can be a minus if you are looking for freshness and preserved flavor.

In freeze-drying, food is cooked and then preserved as quickly as possible at extremely low temperatures - this helps to preserve the original aromas and taste characteristics, without the typical overcooked feeling that many canned foods have due to heat treatment. When properly rehydrated, high-quality freeze-dried meals can have a more pleasant, lighter texture, with sauces that are not gelatinous and spices that have retained their freshness. During exhausting treks, freeze-dried main meals, snacks, and desserts are highly preferred precisely because the preserved flavor profile encourages eating the entire portion. This also means higher energy intake, which is key during long hiking expeditions.

Furthermore, with freeze-dried foods, the density and texture can be controlled depending on the amount of water added and the soaking time.

Convenience in preparation

Canned meals are ready for immediate consumption without the need for additional utensils, water, or heating. Just open the can and eat.

On the other hand, freeze-dried ready meals require hot water and soaking time to prepare for eating. For added convenience, ANTARTA packaging, for example, is heat-resistant and allows the meal to be prepared directly in the container. All you need is clean water and a device to heat it (a thermos, stove, or gas burner for long hikes). In case of an emergency, freeze-dried, ready-made food can be consumed without rehydration.

Shelf life and storage conditions

Freeze-dried foods have a very long shelf life of at least 3 years, and many of them are even suitable for a longer period after production because all the water has been removed, which prevents the deterioration of their nutritional qualities. This makes freeze-dried foods excellent supplies for multi-day trips or emergency situations. Since they are sensitive to moisture and oxygen, if the packaging is punctured, wet, or left open, the quality and safety deteriorate much faster.

Once prepared for consumption, freeze-dried meals should be eaten quickly because, after rehydration, they acquire the qualities of ordinary cooked food.

Canned foods also have a long shelf life, with low-acid ready meals lasting 2 to 5 years and fruits and vegetables up to 2 years. However, chemical elements and preservatives are often used to achieve this longevity. Canned food is resistant to rough handling, as long as the packaging is intact and the cans are not dented, punctured, or heavily rusted around the seams, the contents remain safe for consumption. The disadvantage of choosing canned food for hiking is that once opened, the food is no longer sterile and must be eaten quickly because it is difficult to store without refrigeration.

Weight and volume

As already mentioned, the advantage of freeze-dried meals is that they are lighter because they contain less water. ANTARTA foods are dried in specially designed vacuum packaging, which takes up less space and fits more easily into backpacks of various sizes. This means less overall weight for athletes and mountaineers, as well as the ability to carry more food portions, which is a huge advantage on multi-day hikes and steep climbs when you need to carry more equipment.

Canned foods are significantly heavier due to their high liquid content and have a rigid shape that takes up more space. The larger volume makes it harder to fit the luggage in the backpack, and the rigidity and weight of the cans make carrying it more uncomfortable. Therefore, canned food may be convenient for short trips, but for multi-day hikes, freeze-dried food almost always wins in terms of ease of transport and providing more nutritional resources with less weight.

Price

Canned foods are more widely available and are a staple in every household, making them a more budget-friendly option for short trips.

Freeze-dried meals, on the other hand, are almost always more expensive because their price includes the freeze-drying process itself, which requires specialized equipment, convenient packaging, and product optimization for transport..

On the other hand, although you pay more, you get comfort, taste, and higher energy density.

Post-use waste and sustainability

Freeze-dried products usually come in very lightweight, compact packaging. Their advantage in the field is that they generate less waste. The packaging allows for direct consumption from the bag, which is then simply put back in the backpack until a trash can is found to dispose of it.

Although tin cans are widely recyclable, they are a form of solid waste that is inconvenient to carry for long distances. This means that they take up the same amount of space in your backpack before and after consumption. Returning them to an environment where they can be separated for recycling can be uncomfortable due to the sharp edges that are exposed after opening.

Why choose ANTARTA freeze-dried foods for your hike?

At ANTARTA, we produce freeze-dried meals for home and office use, as well as for long, challenging hikes in the mountains. Our products are compact, easy to prepare, and convenient to carry, so you can focus on your goal rather than cooking. Choose a serving, add water, and in a few minutes, you have a hot, practical, and delicious meal. Our freeze-dried soups are ideal for cold days on the mountain peaks, and our selection of desserts is loved by both adults and their adventurous children.

Which is the better choice depending on the type of trip?

Conclusion

If you want minimal weight and volume, greater variety, and a warm, pleasant dinner after a long day, freeze-dried meals are usually the most practical choice. Canned food, on the other hand, wins out because it does not require additional water and is affordable, making it an excellent alternative for low-budget meals during short trips. The best choice remains the one that is appropriate for the duration of the trip and the conditions in which it will take place.