Walkers sharing a sweet break
If you plan to pass a treat around on an ordinary walk, decide whether a biscuit packet or the presentation of a chocolate box matters more to the occasion.
Who is choosing the snack?
Walkers packing separate portions
Individual packs may be useful when people will carry their own portions. If someone needs a gluten-free biscuit, check that specific product’s label rather than assuming all custard creams are suitable.
Long-day hikers
For a longer or more demanding outing, choose the treat as part of a wider food and drink plan. The British Mountaineering Council says the type and amount of snacks needed depend on the activity and duration.
What should you check before packing?
Standard custard creams
Choose when: You want biscuits to share and can protect the packet in your bag.
Bear in mind: An opened packet needs suitable storage; ASDA advises an airtight container for its 400g custard creams.
Individually packed custard creams
Choose when: Separate biscuit portions matter. Sainsbury’s lists the 125g Schär gluten-free product as five inner packs of two biscuits.
Bear in mind: A gluten-free label addresses gluten, not every other dietary requirement; check the pack supplied.
Boxed chocolates
Choose when: Gifting or presenting a treat to the group is part of the occasion.
Bear in mind: A gift box does not, by itself, establish how its contents will travel in a walking bag; check its packaging and storage instructions.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Length of walk | Consider the walk’s duration, conditions and planned breaks. Compare the pack size and stated servings with the number of people sharing. | For a longer outing, I want the sweet treat to be one part of my food and drink plan, not the whole plan. The British Mountaineering Council advises choosing snacks according to the activity and duration. |
| Portions and storage | Check for separate inner packs and follow the selected product’s storage instructions after opening. ASDA advises an airtight container for its custard creams. | If we will carry our own portions, inner packs appeal to me more than dividing an opened packet on the walk. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients and precautionary statements on the supplied pack. The checked McVitie’s and ASDA custard creams list wheat and milk; the checked Schär product is labelled gluten-free. | I need to check the specific snack against the requirements of everyone who will eat it, rather than rely on the biscuit name. |
| Presentation | Decide whether the snack is also a gift. For a chocolate box, check the contents, inner packaging and storage instructions before carrying it. | When the treat is for a group occasion, I may prefer a box; for a straightforward biscuit break, I may prefer a packet. |
Common packing mistakes
-
Making a sweet treat the entire plan for a demanding hike
The length, activity and conditions of the walk affect what food and drink to carry, according to the British Mountaineering Council.
Plan food and drinks for the actual outing, then decide whether biscuits or chocolates fit among them.
-
Assuming all custard creams have the same ingredients
The checked standard biscuits list wheat and milk, while the checked Schär biscuits have a gluten-free formulation. Precautionary statements also differ between products.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack supplied before sharing it.
-
Assuming a gift box is ready for a walking bag
Cadbury describes its Milk Tray as a box of assorted chocolates, but that description does not establish how its packaging will protect the contents on a hike.
If presentation matters, choose the box for that reason and check its inner packaging and storage instructions before packing it.
Relevant brand and product references
McVitie's
Morrisons lists McVitie’s Tasties Custard Creams as a 300g biscuit packet.
- The listing describes a custard-flavoured cream filling.
- It lists wheat and milk and warns that the product may contain sesame; check the supplied pack before sharing.
Crawford's
Tesco lists Crawford’s Custard Creams in a 300g packet.
- Tesco gives a typical count of 26 biscuits per pack.
- Its listing advises an airtight container after opening.
ASDA
ASDA lists a 400g packet of its own-label custard creams.
- The listing suggests 34 servings, which may help when planning how much to share.
- It lists wheat and milk; read the supplied pack’s full allergen statements.
M&S
Ocado lists M&S Extra Cream Custard Creams as a 165g variation.
- The listing describes 12 sandwich biscuits with vanilla-flavoured filling.
- It lists wheat, milk and soya and instructs storage somewhere cool and dry, away from sunlight.
Schär
Sainsbury’s lists Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams in a 125g pack.
- The listing describes five individual packs of two biscuits.
- Gluten-free labelling does not establish suitability for every other allergy; check the supplied pack.
Cadbury
Cadbury describes its 445g Milk Tray as a box of assorted milk chocolates.
- The box format offers a different presentation from a biscuit packet.
- The product description does not establish portion convenience or protection inside a hiking bag.
Joybuy product options
These options include custard creams, boxed chocolates and separately packed alternatives. The custard pie is a cake rather than a custard cream biscuit, and the chocolate-bar multipack is not a gift box.
No image available
Schär Gluten Free Custard Creams 125g
Consider these when separate biscuit portions or a gluten-free option matter. Sainsbury’s listing for this product describes five individual packs of two biscuits; check the supplied pack for other dietary requirements.
No image available
Maltesers Chocolate Box Gift 310g
A 310g chocolate box to consider when presentation and sharing are part of the occasion. Check the supplied box’s ingredients, inner packaging and storage instructions before taking it on a walk.
No image available
Tony's Chocolonely Tiny Tony's Mix Gift Chocolate Box 180g
This 180g mix gift box fits a group occasion where an assortment matters. Check the contents and allergen information on the supplied assortment, as well as how you will carry the box.
No image available
Orion Custard Pie 138g, six small packs
Consider the six small packs if separate portions matter. This is a custard pie, not a custard cream biscuit, so choose it for that format rather than as a direct biscuit substitute.
No image available
Snickers Creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars, 4-pack
A four-bar multipack is an alternative when you want to divide chocolate bars between walkers rather than present an assorted gift box. Check the supplied pack’s ingredients for everyone sharing.
Questions about packing and sharing
How should I pack an opened packet of custard creams?
Follow the selected pack’s storage instructions. ASDA and Tesco advise an airtight container after opening for their listed custard creams; Ocado’s M&S listing calls for cool, dry storage away from sunlight.
Do gluten-free custard creams address every allergy concern?
No. The checked Schär product is labelled gluten-free, but that label does not establish suitability for every other allergy. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack supplied for each person.
Is a biscuit packet or chocolate box enough for a long walk?
Do not choose the rest of your food and drinks solely around either sweet treat. The British Mountaineering Council says the activity and duration influence the snacks needed; plan for the actual walk and conditions.
Do England’s school food rules apply to snacks on a private hike?
No. The Department for Education’s school food guidance concerns food provided in covered school settings in England, not an ordinary private hike. It does not establish an HFSS classification for every custard cream.