Logo
    Show
    Hide
    Login
    Close

    SITE LOGIN

    • Forgot your password?

    Register

    Tailgate Industries
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
        • Gear of the Year Winter 2024-2025
        • Gear of the Year Winter 2023-2024
        • Gear of the Year Archives
      • Best New Summer Gear
        • Best New Summer Gear 2023
        • Best New Summer Gear 2024
        • Best New Summer Gear 2022
        • Best New Summer Gear 2021
        • Best New Summer Gear 2020
      • Holiday Gift Guide
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2024
          • Holiday Gift Guide 2024 Base Layers
          • MSR Explore Revo Snowshoes
          • Fieldsheer Backcountry Heated Jacket
          • Fieldsheer Premium 2.0 Merino Heated Socks
          • MEC Hut Booties and Slippers
          • Arc’teryx Kopec GTX Shoe
          • Arc’teryx Kragg Insulated Approach Shoes
          • Gregory Verte 18 Backpack
          • Grundens Deck-Boss Ankle Boot
          • MEC Northern Light Vest
          • Montec-Scope-Ski-Goggles
          • Mountain Hardware Kor Airshell Hoody
          • Mountain Hardware Kor Alloy Crew
          • Arcade Atlas Belt
          • Dynafit Ridge Dynastretch Jacket
          • Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphones
          • Buff Merino Move Multifunctional Neckwear
          • Bootdoc Foot Warmer
          • Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack
          • DPS LastBag
          • DPS PHANTOM Glide At-Home Kit
          • DPS Mission Quiver Roller
          • Dragon Amped sunglasses
          • Dragon DX3 Plus OTG photochromic goggle
          • Fuse Lenses Anclote Flashback
          • Garmin Fenix 8 Solar Sapphire Watch
          • Gregory Alpaca Gear Tote 30
          • Hotronic Boot Dryer
          • MEC Aluminum Pot Set
          • Gnara Go There Pants
          • Grundens Shackleton 2.0 Duffel
          • Jones Deeper 19L Backpack
          • Le Bent Core Midweight Crew base layer
          • Leatherman ARC
          • Montane Nordes Hooded Softshell Jacket and Pants
          • Helly Hansen Odin Everdown Hooded Jacket
          • Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0
          • Montec Fawk Ski Jacket
          • Pomoca Free Pro 2.0 Skins
          • Rab Glaceon Pro Down Jacket
          • Rab Khroma Converge GORE-TEX Ski Jacket & Pants
          • Smith Squad MAG Goggles
          • Stellar Guide Aerogel Hybrid Hood 2.0
          • Stellar Ultralight Down Hood 2.0
          • Arms of Andes Alpaca Half Zip & Wool Leggings
          • Cotopaxi Allpa 70L Duffel Bag
          • Giro Taggert Mips Helmet
          • Loonr Hi Flyer Boots
          • Paka Mountain Crew
          • Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Classic Shoes
          • Smartwool Smartloft Hooded Jacket and Pants
          • Ortovox Switchback 32 Ski Touring Backpack
          • Cotopaxi Allpa X 3L Hip Pack
          • Giro Sagen Ski Goggle
          • Icebreaker Ski+ Over the Calf Socks
          • MEC-Fireside-Fleece-Snap-Pullover
          • Montec Roast Mittens
          • Mountain-Hardware-Sunblocker-Hoody
          • MSR Titan Kettle 900 ml
          • Tailgate-Industries-The Gondom-Goggle-Cover
          • Wild Country Rope Tarp
          • Bootdoc Race Merino PFI 50 Socks
          • Remind Soles Destin Impact Insoles
          • Kari Traa Rose Baselayer Half Zip Top and Pants
          • Le Bent Midweight Quarter Zip
          • Ombraz Dolomite Sunglasses
          • Ortovox Fleece Rib Hoody
          • Ortovox Merino Thermovent Base Layer
          • Smartwool Intraknit Merino Tech Half Zip
          • Suunto Wing Bone Conduction headphones
          • Sweet Protection Adapter Mips Helmet
          • Sweet Protection Connor Rig Reflect Goggles
          • Zeal Optics Selkirk Glacier Glasses
          • Norrona more flex1 Pants
          • Norrona Octa Zip Hood
          • Norrona Lyngen Alpha100 Zip Hood
          • MEC Deluxe Pillow
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2023
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2022
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2021
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2019
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2018
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2017
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2016
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • NEWS
    • STORE
      • Backcountry Store Offline
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
      • Newsletter
      • Contest
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Best New Summer Gear
      • Holiday Gift Guide
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • NEWS
    • STORE
      • Backcountry Store Offline
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
      • Newsletter
      • Contest
    Newsletter Signup

    TOP VIDEOS

      HOTTEST REVIEWS


      Hagan Boost 99 POW Skis Garmin inReach Plus Scarpa 4-Quattro Pro 130+ Top Ski Reviews Ortovox Ravine Jacket Scarpa Maestrale RS Boots

      Ortovox
      North Valley Huts
      Avalance Canada
      ROAM
      Fritschi Swiss Bindings
      Search
      • Home
      • »
      • LARABAR fruit and nut energy bars

      LARABAR fruit and nut energy bars

      LARABAR fruit and nut energy barsEveryone has their own motivations for backcountry skiing, for me getting out into the mountains is about getting back-to-basics, clearing my head (if it needs it), setting my own pace and being inspired. Alright, alright … it's also about the fresh pow. Over the last decade the simplicity I love about being in the mountains has slowly filtered into my food choices so I was pretty excited when I first stumbled across LÄRABAR.

      LÄRABARs were the creation of Lara Merriken of Colorado. Lara started out experimenting in her own kitchen producing and packaging the first batch of 500 bars by hand. A decade later, the recipe hasn't changed and LÄRABAR are now producing millions of bars every year and distributing internationally. When you try one of these babies you'll understand why they have been so successful.

      LARABAR fruit and nut energy bars

      Ingredients:

      It's no surprise that these bars were inspired at 10,000 feet on a hiking trip in the American Rockies. Their philosophy is about keeping things pure and simple and a bar doesn't get much simpler than this. Each bar contains as little as three ingredients and a maximum of nine ingredients. The ingredients are a ground-up blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices. They are not baked or cooked. If you have a sweet tooth don't be put off by the 'unsweetened' as these bars pack their punch with natural dried fruits. The flavours range from the classic to the unique, from old-fashioned Pecan Pie to up-beat Key Lime Pie. Pecan Pie for example only has three ingredients - dates, pecans and almonds.

      LARABAR fruit and nut energy bars

      LARABAR fruit and nut energy bars

      Health:

      Last year, food author, Michael Pollan released his book Food Rules: An Eater's Manual. In his manual for healthy eating Pollan suggests:

      - Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
      - Don’t eat anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can't pronounce.

      Everything you find in a LÄRABAR is recognizable, better yet, the list of what's in a LÄRABAR is short. This simplicity also makes it easier for people with food sensitivities and allergies. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease well over a decade ago and finding good snack alternatives with no hidden ingredients has been challenging. Most commercial power bars and snack bars rely heavily on the use of fillers such as granola or oats, which contain gluten proteins that can be irritating for some people and extremely harmful to others. All LÄRABARs are gluten free.

      Aside from being gluten free LÄRABARs are also dairy Free*, soy Free*, vegan*, kosher, no added sugars or sweeteners*, non-GMO, no added sulphites, no preservatives, fillers, or colourings. *Does not include the Chocolate Chip varieties.

      LARABAR fruit and nut energy bars

      Verdict:

      Let's be honest here, at the end of the day when you are out there in mountains, what you really want is something that tastes good. Taste is a subjective thing but in my opinion LÄRABAR have it going on. The flavours are unique, diverse and downright delicious. It feels like a treat to eat one of these, not just like you are eating for the sake of filling your belly or for a hit of energy, though they will give you that too. Don't be put off by the weight and size - these bars will hit the spot. If it's an energy boost that you are looking for, LÄRABARs contain as many calories as any of their competitors. If you get off on being healthy then these bars also feel good because they have an ingredients list that anyone can understand and that can be rattled off in one breath. In the case of LÄRABAR gluten free doesn't mean substance free, they have a dense consistency and with all the nuts packed in they will satiate a snack attack on the up track. Speaking of up track, these bars also won't freeze or go hard when you are skiing in the backcountry on a frigid day.

      LARABAR fruit and nut energy bars

      SPECS:

      Price: $25.45 US for a box of 16
      Flavours: Apple Pie, Banana Bread, Blueberry Muffin,Carrot Cake, Cashew Cookie, Cherry Pie, Chocolate Chip Brownie, Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Coconut Chew, Coconut Cream Pie, Ginger Snap, Key Lime Pie, Lemon Bar, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Cookie, Pecan Pie, Tropical Fruit Tart
      Weight: 45g-51g

      PROS:

      A bar that's as pure as the mountains we ski in. Simple ingredient list with delicious and unique flavours. Gluten free.

      CONS:

      Biodegradable packaging would be worth considering.

      Rating: 9/10

      Ingredients      2/2
      Taste               2/2
      Effectiveness   1.5/2
      Weight             2/2
      Quality / Price 1.5/2

      buy backcountry skiing gear


      This is only our opinion. Do you disagree? Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Join the discussion in the forums here, and let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation. Check back mid-season to see how our review stands up to our in-the-field testing.

      Back to the rest of the reviews.


      Ortovox
      North Valley Huts
      Avalance Canada
      ROAM
      Fritschi Swiss Bindings
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy

      Copyright © 2023-24 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved.