Powdered Milk has been around for hundreds of years. But gone are the days of the product only being used to replace fresh milk during ration times.
Now powdered milk is seen as a milk replacement and is mainly used as a drink for infants and toddlers. It is also a common additive in commercially made products, and many households use the dried milk powder in cooking to add protein.
Powdered milk is also a popular product choice for travelers, and an essential item to take when backpacking.
So why is powdered milk such a popular choice when it comes to backpacking and hiking?
- Powdered milk is a safe alternative for milk when you do not have access to a refrigerator. This makes the ideal companion on your backpacking adventure, camping trip or overnight hike.
- Powdered milk also contains all the vitamins and nutrients that you would get from fresh milk. Especially when it comes to backpacking and hiking in the middle of nowhere, consuming powdered milk in a variety of forms will ensure you sustain energy.
- The diversity of powdered milk goes well beyond just adding it to your tea and coffee. Use it for porridge and cereal, add to burgers for additional protein, and whip up hot chocolate.
- If you are traveling on a budget then consuming powdered milk with most of your meals will keep you full and satisfied longer, saving money long term.
With so many powdered milk choices on the market, we have narrowed down our favourites and identified the pros and cons for each brand.
Here are our top recommendations for powdered milks to bring backpacking.
Table of Contents
Our Top 10 Powdered Milk Choices for Backpacking
Check out our Top 10 below to find out the best one for you for your next backpacking adventure.
1. Most Popular – Nestle NIDO Milk
This is one of the best products for backpackers and hikers that will be heading off into the wild. Packed with protein and high in vitamin C and iron, this powdered milk is packed with everything you need to sustain strength and energy.
Reasons to Buy
- It is a great source of protein
- It tastes like real milk
- Lives up to its stated shelf life
Reasons to Avoid
- Only available in a tin form so alternative storage for travel must be purchased
2. Easiest to pack – Milkman Low-fat Milk
A favorite of those who want to pack light. This product comes in packets not a large tin, making it easier to pack.
Reasons to Buy
- Available in chocolate flavour too, that contains more than double the protein
- Easy to mix with no clumping
- Up to 2 years of shelf life
- Convenient packs are easily measurable
Reasons to Avoid
- As it is low fat milk, mixing it with too much water can make it tasteless
3. Most Versatile – Peak Dry Whole Milk Powder
Said to be a great baking helper, consumers love this product for its taste and ease of mixing. This product is made in Europe and is high in calcium.
Reasons to Buy
- High in vitamins A and D
- It tastes like real milk no matter how you choose to use it
- Rich and creamy in flavor
Reasons to Avoid
- Expensive
- Only available in whole milk and high in fat
4. Allergy conscious – Judee’s Whole Milk Powder
This is the best powdered milk product on the market for those with allergies and food intolerances. This product is also hormone free and non-GMO.
Reasons to Buy
- Great for those that have severe allergies
- No bulky tins. Comes in a convenient, resealable pouch
- Great flavor
Reasons to Avoid
- Can be clumpy and hard to dissolve
5. Organic Choice – NOW Natural Foods Organic Non-Fat Dry Milk Powder
This certified organic option comes in a handy resealable pouch. This powdered milk is fat free and high in protein, so is perfect for backpackers that don’t want to compromise their health while provisioning for being off the grid.
Reasons to Buy
- It is a great source of protein
- Pouch makes it easier to pack
- High in calcium
Reasons to Avoid
- Only available in a tin form so alternative storage for travel must be purchased
6. Kosher Choice – Prescribed for Life
A completely hormone free powdered milk option, which also is gluten-free and kosher.
Reasons to Buy
- Delicious Flavour
- It tastes like real milk
- Smells good
Reasons to Avoid
- You need a lot to make a quart / gallon of milk, so it works out very expensive
- Harder to mix than most other options
7. Hoosier Hill Farm All American Dairy Whole Milk Powder
This all-American brand comes in a resealable plastic jar, this is the perfect product to store in your checked in pack when you are on a backpacking adventure.
Reasons to Buy
- Great storage and transport option
- Perfect for both making milk and using in baked goods
- Lives up to its stated shelf life
Reasons to Avoid
- Hard to get the ratio and consistency right for creamy milk
- Harder to dissolve than other options
8. Nestle Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
Made by the household brand Nestle, this powdered milk is high in vitamin A and D as well as calcium.
Reasons to Buy
- Non-fat without losing the flavour
- Adds so much flavor to instant hot chocolate!
- Easy to mix
Reasons to Avoid
- Mixing in cold water can be a little difficult and takes longer to remove lumps of powder.
9. Nestle KLIM Fortificada Dry Whole Milk Powder
Enriched with iron as well as calcium, and vitamins A, C and D, this powdered milk is the perfect whole milk replacement when travelling.
Reasons to Buy
- Easy to mix
- Tastes like fresh whole milk
- Lives up to its stated shelf life
Reasons to Avoid
- Can clump up at the bottom of a cup, after coffee and other warm drinks have been sitting for a while
10. Best choice for no additives – Anthony’s Whole Milk Powder
A great brand from the USA, this powdered milk has no GMO and is gluten free.
Reasons to Buy
- Great smell
- Comes in a handy ziplock bag
- Adds a great boost of flavour to warm drinks especially hot chocolate
Reasons to Avoid
- The bag easily tears, making spillage a huge possibility.
- Takes a lot of mixing to dissolve properly without clumps.
Best Alternative to Powdered Milk
Due to dietary needs or choices, you may want to look for powdered milk alternatives.
The Better Than Milk Vegan Soy Milk Powder is the perfect product for those backpackers
who are dairy and/or lactose intolerant or those to choose to follow a vegan diet.
How to Store Powdered Milk While Backpacking
While some of our Top 10 powdered milk choices for backpacking already come in ziplock bags, it still pays to know how to store it correctly, as you pack it.
It probably goes without saying, but ensure that if your powdered milk comes in a resealable ziplock bag, then reseal it! For double protection, add that resealable bag into a ziplock bag. This ensures that any dried milk stays within the plastic and doesn’t go throughout your backpack.
If your preferred powdered milk comes in a tin, then transfer serving sizes into ziplock bags before you head off on your travels. Ensure that each of those individual serves are labelled with the date you removed the powder from the tin. Make your powdered milk extra secure by placing all the individual ziplock bags into a bigger one and seal tight.
Does Powdered Milk Go Bad?
While powdered milk has a much longer expiry date than fresh milk, it will only last a long time if sealed correctly. If it isn’t, then moisture can get into the dried milk, making it too hard to use. Always ensure that you date the day you open your powdered milk in case a few servings end up accidently staying in your backpack once you get home. Correctly stored powdered milk should last 10 months to 2 years, however heat and moisture can affect this.
Final Thoughts
By pairing powdered milk with a variety of other foods that are designed for backpacking and hiking, you can create gourmet meals while backpacking.
When backpacking, take advantage of hostel kitchens and use your powdered milk to add calcium and flavour to pasta sauces, or whip us dairy desserts. When hiking, powdered milk will increase your calorie intake quickly and cheaply, allowing you to hike for longer periods of time.
It may take a while to find a powdered milk that is suitable for your needs and tastes. But all provide you with nutrients to keep you healthy while you are travelling for a longtime.
