Beef Jerky for Hiking and Camping

When you’re carrying everything on your back, every gram earns its place. Beef jerky for hiking and camping has become a trail staple for good reason: it’s lightweight, needs no fridge, survives being crushed at the bottom of a pack, and delivers a solid hit of protein without the mess of fresh meat or the sugar crash of lollies. Whether you’re doing a day walk in the You Yangs or a multi-day trip through the High Country, jerky solves a real problem — how to eat well when cooking isn’t an option.

Why jerky makes sense on the trail

Fresh food is heavy, perishable and awkward. A slab of meat needs refrigeration and cooking gear; muesli bars are often mostly sugar with little staying power. Jerky sits in a useful middle ground. The drying process that turns raw beef into jerky removes most of the moisture, which does two things for a hiker: it cuts the weight dramatically compared with fresh meat, and it makes the product shelf-stable without refrigeration. You can throw a pack in your kit at the start of a trip and it’ll still be good on day five.

It’s also mess-free. There’s no juice, no wrapper full of crumbs, no cutting board required — just open the resealable bag, grab a piece, and keep walking. For campers doing multi-day trips or car camping without easy access to eskies, that shelf stability matters just as much as it does for hikers.

Protein density: why it matters for exertion

Sustained physical activity like hiking burns through the body’s fuel stores, and protein plays a role in general recovery and satiety alongside carbohydrates for energy. A snack that’s dense in protein relative to its weight means you’re not hauling extra grams just to get a useful amount of nutrition. This is where high-protein beef jerky earns its spot in a hiking kit — gram for gram, it delivers more protein than most trail snacks in the same weight class.

BEEF’D is made in Geelong from 100% premium Australian beef, using the eye of round cut — a lean cut that’s well suited to drying into thick-cut jerky. Depending on the flavour, BEEF’D delivers between 56g and 62g of protein per 100g, which sits at the top end of what you’ll find in jerky on Australian shelves. Every batch is NATA-tested and accredited, so what’s on the label reflects what’s actually in the pack — not every jerky brand tests its full range this rigorously.

What to actually look for in trail jerky

Not all jerky is created equal, and if you’re stocking a pack for a multi-day hike, a few things are worth checking on the label before you buy:

Protein-to-weight ratio — more protein per 100g means less jerky needed to hit your target.
Sugar content — some jerky brands load up on sugar for flavour, which adds kilojoules without adding staying power. BEEF’D’s Original flavour sits at just 0.4g of sugar per 100g.
Packaging — resealable bags that survive being squashed in a pack are non-negotiable for multi-day trips.
Sodium — worth being upfront about: jerky is a high-sodium food by nature of the curing and drying process, typically in the range of 1500–1900mg per 100g. That’s not a flaw specific to one brand, it’s how the category works, and it’s actually a small upside on hot, sweaty hikes where you’re losing salt through perspiration — but if you’re watching sodium intake for other reasons, it’s worth factoring into your overall day’s eating rather than snacking on it non-stop.

If you want a deeper look at how the category stacks up nutritionally, our guide on whether beef jerky is healthy covers the broader picture beyond just the trail-snack use case.

Packing jerky for a hike or campsite

A few practical tips from people who’ve actually carried the stuff:

Portion it out. Split a big bag into smaller resealable portions for each day, so you’re not exposing the whole bag to trail dust and moisture every time you open it.
Keep it accessible. A side pocket or hip-belt pocket means you can snack without stopping to dig through your pack.
Pair it smart. Jerky plus a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts covers protein, carbs and a bit of fibre in one lightweight combo.
Mind the allergens. BEEF’D’s Original flavour is Gluten Nil Detected, making it the gluten-free option in the range — useful if you’re hiking with someone who needs to avoid gluten. The Chilli, Teriyaki and Smokey flavours are flavoured with ingredients that contain gluten and soy (Teriyaki also contains sesame), so they are not gluten-free. Always check the current pack label before you head out, especially if anyone in your group has a diagnosed allergy or intolerance.

If you’re comparing jerky against other trail-friendly proteins, it’s also worth reading how beef jerky stacks up against a protein bar for the same pack weight.

Four flavours, one lean cut

BEEF’D comes in four flavours — Original, Chilli, Teriyaki and Smokey — all made from the same lean eye of round cut and all lab-tested. Original is the leanest and lowest-sugar option and the only gluten-free variant in the range; Chilli, Teriyaki and Smokey bring more flavour intensity for hikers who want variety across a multi-day trip without getting sick of the same taste. Mixing flavours across days is a simple way to keep trail food interesting when everything else in your pack is dehydrated.

Where to get it

BEEF’D is made right here in Geelong and available through the online shop with free shipping on orders over $200, or from one of 15+ stockists around the country if you’d rather grab a pack before you head off. If you’re weighing up which flavour suits your next trip, our full range breaks down protein, sugar and sodium for each one so you can pack with confidence — grab a pack for your next hike and see how far a bit of lean, honest jerky gets you up the trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is beef jerky good for hiking?

Yes — it's lightweight relative to its protein content, doesn't need refrigeration, resists crushing better than fresh food, and comes in resealable packaging that suits multi-day packs. It's one of the more practical protein sources for the trail.

How long does beef jerky last in a hiking pack?

Unopened, jerky is shelf-stable for months without refrigeration thanks to the drying process. Once opened, keep it in a resealable bag and it'll generally hold up fine for the length of a multi-day hike, though it's best eaten within a reasonable window once exposed to air and trail conditions.

Is BEEF'D beef jerky gluten-free?

The Original flavour is Gluten Nil Detected, making it BEEF'D's gluten-free option. The Chilli, Teriyaki and Smokey flavours contain gluten and soy (Teriyaki also contains sesame) and are not gluten-free. Always check the current pack label, particularly if you're hiking with someone managing coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance.

How much protein is in beef jerky compared to other trail snacks?

BEEF'D delivers between 56g and 62g of protein per 100g depending on the flavour, which is high relative to most trail snacks like muesli bars or trail mix. Because jerky is dried, that protein is concentrated into a much lighter weight than an equivalent amount of fresh meat.

Is jerky too salty to eat on a long hike?

Jerky is naturally high in sodium (roughly 1500–1900mg per 100g for BEEF'D) due to the curing and drying process — that's true of the category generally, not just one brand. On hot or sweaty hikes some of that sodium replaces what you lose through perspiration, but it's still worth balancing with water intake and not relying on jerky as your only snack all day.