Reviews > Food > Energy Bars and Drinks > Probar > Russell Curry > Field Report

FIELD REPORT

PROBAR HIGH PERFORMANCE 

ENERGY BAR

June 1, 2005
Updated September 12, 2005

TESTER BIOGRAPHY:

BACKPACKING BACKGROUND:

I began backpacking in the late 1960's. My hiking experience varies widely in a variety of terrain, desert, mountain, and forests. My experiences include hikes in 4 seasons in most Eastern and Western states, many European countries and other locations. Temperatures have ranged from 5 F (-15 C) to 110 F (43 C).  Elevations have ranged from sea level to 13,000 ft (3900 m).  My gear has evolved from pack weights of 60+ lb (27+ kg) to my current loads of between 12 to 20 lb (5 to 9 kg).

PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION:

Product Description:

Probar is an all-natural, blended energy bar comprised of 17 whole foods and is 100% vegan. For extensive information on the nutritional value and ingredients of the Probar and other observations please review my Initial Report.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Due to having hikes and activities scheduled months ahead, and having been the victim of food poisoning once, I became curious as to how the Probar is processed to protect it from food bacteria, especially since these are whole food ingredients and according to Probar, are blended, not baked.  Food poisoning is nothing to take lightly, so I queried Probar through their website as to how these ingredients are protected and preserved. Following is a quote from Jules Lambert, General Manager of Probar, in reply to my inquiry.

"As you can see, the ingredients in PROBAR were originally purchased directly from natural foods stores. The same ingredients are now purchased from the same or similar companies who manufacture for the natural food retailers accross america. Their recommended storage practices are used and the bars are stored in light-proof packages (to protect a few of our ingredients). Although we don't use traditional preservatives, a few of our ingredients act as preserving/holding agents for the product" (sic)

I also queried Probar as to the shelf life of the product, and inquired on whether extended storage in heat or cold would be a problem for the snack bar. This is the reply I received from Jules.

"For backpacking or hiking, there isn't an issue with hot or cold environments. The best packaging for the bar is the wrapper it comes in. In fact, if you're concerned about space, gently squeeze the package until the seal slightly breaks (not pops) to eliminate additional air. For long hikes, I've done the same."

So far in my consumption of the Probars prior to and during heavy physical activity, I have experienced absolutely no discomfort of any kind after digesting the bars. I found the bars difficult for me to eat when frozen solid.  By this I mean after being in my freezer for a day or two. I just cannot bite through the frozen bar. I can break pieces off though, and they will warm quickly when I pop one into my mouth.  I am able to bite into a refrigerated bar with no problem. If I defrost one in my microwave, it becomes warm very quickly, (3 seconds) and if warmed too much is difficult to handle without coming apart. Anytime I used the bars on my hikes or other activities though, at temperatures ranging from 40 F (4 C) to 92 F (33 C), I have had no problems. They do soften up a little when in the 90+ F (32 C) temperature range, but I consider this to be normal. 

 FIELD CONDITIONS

I have used these energy bars while riding my bike, while hiking, climbing, flying long distances and for snacks between meals while traveling. Temperatures have ranged from 40 F (4 C) to 92 F (33 C). I did some climbs while on a hiking trip to Europe at elevations to 6000 ft (1800 m). 

FIELD EXPERIENCES

My first trial with these bars was doing training rides on my bike, consisting of 15 miles, (24 km) twice per day. I thought on my first taste of the Probars that they were "rich", that is, quickly very filling to my stomach. I like the taste and texture, but decided that since they are marketed as "energy bars", I would have to do my best to evaluate them as such. After using them in place of my regular regimen of a fruited pop-tart for my energy snack, I definitely noticed a difference in the way I felt during and after the bike rides. My energy level was higher and more sustained. I felt full after consuming portions of the bar. I began to think that maybe this was just in my head, so I decided to keep a log and rate the way I felt after my rides using the Probars and my normal food. To further break this down, I decided to do one week using the pop-tarts, and one week using just the Probars, as my energy snacks.

Below are the nutritional values for the pop-tarts versus the Probar

 I chose for the first week to use the fruited pop-tarts, one packet, (2 tarts), before each 15 mile, (24 km) ride. I would consume the snacks 1 hour prior to beginning each ride. The items I noted were energy level prior to beginning the ride, weakness in my legs during and after the rides, endurance, distance and time traveled, and overall condition. My plan required me to do 2 rides per day for 5 days per week. The daily temperature averaged between 85 and 92 F (29 to 33 C), and humidity averaged 90%. All rides took place in clear weather on the same route. My training rides consist of riding as hard as I can over my set course, in as short a time as possible. My heart rate averages 150 to 170 during these rides. I followed the same regimen as to beverages, amount of fluid intake, etc. for each ride.  Below is the chart I used for my data. My values range from 1 to 6 for each item, with 6 being best. The numbers are averages of the 10 rides for each snack.

I did not expect to find much difference between the Probars and the pop-tarts while using them for my rides. I expected that I would feel some improvement from the Probars, but I did not expect it to be significant. Boy was I wrong. Once I began the second week using just the Probars, I began to really feel a difference.  I consumed one whole bar before each ride. I felt more "primed" before the rides,  and I found that I was riding harder and faster on my rides since I was not getting as tired, and my legs were not feeling near as weak as when I used the pop-tarts. I consistently rode 2 to 4 miles (3 to 5 km) further in the same amount of time or less when using the Probars.  I just did not get as tired or feel the leg weakness as I did with the pop-tarts. I consistently felt better in every category of my log, and at the end of the Probar week, my scores overall averaged much better than with the pop-tarts. I was impressed to say the least, from my experiences using the bars while training on my bike. How the Probars would compare to other energy bars is a question I cannot answer, but it is my experience that they excel for the use that they are intended, as "high performance" energy food.       

Probar energy snacks worked well for me on my bike

I left for Europe on April 28th for a 3-week long backpacking trip and vacation.  My plans were to do some hiking in Greece, Italy, and Croatia. I was expecting much-reduced food service on the flight and hand-carried two Probars in my carry-on luggage for snacks, along with more in the checked luggage. I did consume some of the Probars on the long flight, and I found them to be very filling.  I am not sure this was the best thing to do in hindsight, as not long after eating a bar, my energy level was up, but I wanted to lay back and sleep to make the flight pass more quickly. These things really do get me pumped, so after this I decided it was best not to consume any more Probars unless I would be able to do some physical activity or at least not be confined where I could not move around.

Our group did several overnight backpacking trips and day-hikes while in Europe. Temperatures ranged from 40 F (4 C) to 80 F (27 C), at elevations up to 6000 ft (1800 m).  Weather conditions were clear and sunny. I found that if I consumed a Probar for my morning snack and one for the afternoon snack, I stayed primed and energized.  Of course, I had additional food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I feel the bars definitely played an important part in keeping me going on my most strenuous hikes, many of which involved very steep trails. The only problem I had was that I used 16 of the 36 bars while riding my bike, (10 for the week-long test and 6 others initially), 4 for initial test results when first receiving the snacks, and 2 on my flights, leaving only 14 bars for my hiking trip. These I kept for the most strenuous parts of my hikes, and I was disappointed when I ran out of Probars before all of my hikes had finished.

I found it a bit troublesome with the foil wrappers. They do a good job of keeping the bars fresh, but once opened, they do not work very well to protect the remaining uneaten part of the bar. The foil just does not wrap well, and the packets tear easily once opened.  The wrappers are larger than required for the bar and when sealed they retain some air, causing them to be a little inflated at times. I found that I could squeeze the excess air out to reduce the size of the bar, if I did it carefully so as to not break the sealed end of the packaging. I think a smaller foil wrapper would work better for the bars. Ideally, they should be vacuum packed if the process allowed for it. I have to pack out all of the wrappers, since they do not burn in my campfires. I did not find it difficult to carry the bars in any of my gear. When hiking, I wear the usual trousers or shorts with large pockets, and a hiking shirt with ample pockets also. I could always easily find a place to carry a Probar. They held up well when carried in any of my hiking clothes, in the pockets of my cycling jersey, and in my duffels and did not crumble apart from rough handling.

SUMMARY

I found the Probar to be an excellent tasting, nutritional energy bar that provided all my needs of an energy snack and more. I was impressed with how it performed for me during my most strenuous physical activities. The rich taste of the snack is filling, and stayed with me during my most strenuous hikes and bike rides.  I found that as long as I was participating in some fashion of physical activity, I did not get tired of the taste of the bar, however, it does not work as well for me as a casual snack. It is just too filling for me to eat one and then not be able to "work it off" on my bike or with a hike, jog, etc. I plan to purchase more Probars for an upcoming hike down the North Kaibab Trail and back again on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. If my past testing is any indication, they will serve me well on the hike out.

Probar updated their product and  added a new flavor for the snacks, "Whole Berry Blast",  which I feel is an improvement to the taste and also now makes available a choice between the original snack and this new flavor.  The wrapper has been greatly improved and now uses heavier foil as well as being smaller in size. The nutritional values have changed from the original bar to the new flavor, also Probar has changed the serving size from 2 servings per bar to 1 serving per bar, so in reality the amount of the nutritional values is relatively the same.

The new Whole Berry Blast now indicates nutritional values as indicated:

New Bar (1 serving)                                Original Bar (2 servings)

Calories                           380                        175
Calories from Fat            170                        70
Total Fat                          19g                         8g
Saturated Fat                  4.5g                         2g
Trans Fat                         0                             Not indicated
Cholesterol                      0 mg                       0mg
Sodium                             40mg                     19mg
Potassium                        200mg                    Not indicated  
Total Carbs                      50g                         25g
Dietary Fiber                   6g                           3.25g
Sugars                              20g                         7g
Protein                              8g                           4g

I have used some of the new bars as I continue riding my bike every day, and they still perform very well for me and definitely increase my energy level and endurance while on the bike.  I continue to not be able to use these bars as a casual snack.  I am somewhat of a calorie and carb counter and watcher, and staying fit is high on my list of priorities.  As long as I am hiking, backpacking, bike riding, canoeing or participating in some other active pursuit, I am comfortable using these bars for what they were intended to be, an "endurance, recovery, meal replacement" and as a snack to "optimize your health and athletic performance". 

This report series has now been extended to include a long term report so I will be reporting on the new bars over the course of the next two months. I have many more bike rides on my calendar as well as hiking trips to West Texas and possibly other areas. 

Thanks to Probar and BackPackGearTest for awarding me this product for testing.

Russell Curry

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