Are crisps actually good for eating during a long walk?

Yes, they genuinely help. A standard packet provides sodium to replace what you lose through sweat and carbohydrate for quick energy, they're lightweight, don't go off, and work well as a mid-walk snack between proper meals.

Can I use crisps instead of electrolyte tablets when walking?

It depends on what you're doing. For ordinary day walks, even long ones, crisps provide similar benefits at a fraction of the cost. Electrolyte products are really designed for genuinely demanding activities like ultra-distance running or multi-day backpacking.

How much salt is actually in a packet of crisps?

A standard 25g packet of Walkers Ready Salted contains 0.34g salt (about 136mg sodium) plus 13g of carbohydrate and 130 calories. Pack sizes and brands vary, so it's worth checking labels.

Food for the Fells

When Crisps Are Actually Useful: Salt, Carbohydrate and the Mid-Walk Snack

Sports nutrition brands sell electrolyte tablets in small plastic tubes, but a packet of ready salted crisps delivers sodium, potassium and quick energy without the premium. Not every solution needs to come in a foil sachet.

31 August 20268 min read