A Hiking Guides Take on Chewy Fruit Snacks

These Mott's fruit snacks have that classic chewy, gummy texture that kids just gravitate toward. The assorted fruit flavors are bright and sweet, making them an easy win for lunchboxes. I noticed the first ingredients are corn syrup and sugar, which explains the 38g of sugar per 100g. They're very calorie-dense for their size, which is practical for a quick energy boost on a hike. The trade-off is that the sweetness can be a bit much if you're not expecting it, and they can stick to teeth a bit. A solid, familiar choice for a treat.

The Fruity Candy Popcorn Skittles Pop'd offers a unique texture—light, airy popcorn coated in that signature Skittles crunch. It's a fun, sweet-and-salty combo. The sugar content is listed at a very high 71g per 100g, which is the main thing to watch here. It's a dense snack, so a little goes a long way. I could see grabbing this for a late-night movie snack, but the intense sweetness means you might not finish a whole bag. The flavor is bold, but the sugar level is definitely the trade-off for that taste.

This Berrylicious Fruit Smoothie has a surprisingly light and refreshing texture, more like a juice blend than a thick smoothie. With only 5g of sugar per 100g, it's a practical way to get some fruit flavors without the sugar spike. The ingredients list is straightforward, with water, grape juice, and fruit purees. It's not overly filling, making it a good option for a quick hydration boost. The trade-off is that it might taste a bit diluted if you're used to super-sweet drinks. It's a solid, low-sugar choice for a quick fruit fix.

The Flashin' Fruit Punch is a very light beverage, almost like a vitamin-enriched juice. It has a crisp, fruity taste that isn't overly heavy. With 6g of sugar per 100g, it's a low-sugar option for a quick drink. The ingredients include juices from concentrate and vitamin C. It's the kind of thing you could easily pack in a gym bag for a post-workout sip. The main trade-off is the inclusion of high fructose corn syrup, which some people prefer to avoid. It's a practical, light-tasting drink for a quick thirst-quench.

These Organic Fruit Flavored Snacks have a firm, slightly dense texture that's satisfying to chew. The flavors are fruit-forward but feel a bit more natural than some conventional gummies. The sugar content is 52g per 100g, which is still significant, but the ingredients are all organic, like rice syrup and cane sugar. They're a good option for a pantry staple when you want an organic choice. The trade-off is that the texture is a bit tougher and less 'gummy' than other snacks, which some people may not prefer.