Hey, I noticed the MRE topic was closed for no reason, and I actually wanted to talk about it. I mean, this is the WOT forum...

 

http://www.mreinfo.com/

 

Now these look like they'd be pretty solid for backpacking. I usually buy a few meals at REI or any other outdoor supply store, but they tend to be retched. Anyone know if these are better? I take it they last for years, so I'm thinking about ordering a case, since I go backpacking twice a year.

I think they might be good for backpacking, but since I have never had one I wouldn't know how they taste...

 

DN

Yeah, they seem convenient.

Some of these are pretty good.* Well, the newer the edition the better the taste. Just add water!

 

 

*I will eat anything edible.

Just remember to boil them alot before eating. If you haven't boiled them enough (the dry foods, that is) you'll get a laxative stronger than anything you've experienced in your life.

 

It's almost like drinking milk that has frozen to ice. *SPLOOSH* goes your bum.

 

[/disgusting stories]

That sounds like a dare.

They don't taste all that bad, it depends on how bad the meals you normally take backpacking with you are.

The old MREs didn't taste very good, but you could eat them. For an active guy like you, Hurlshot, these would be a good choice. Just don't expect them to taste like mother's own cooking. On the other hand, if you're used to energy bars, I think an MRE would stack up well.

Sounds like a good energy/weight ratio when you're carrying around your stuff when hiking. Better than the stereotypical tinned baked beans at least.

Last time I went, we ended up with some crunchy pasta. It was pretty gross.

 

Seriously though, the salt content is what I'm concerned about. Some of these freeze dried meals have just a load of salt. That can dehydrate you pretty bad, and make hiking pretty miserable. Also, stay away from the freeze dried breakfasts, bacon and eggs is not the same.

 

I tend to live off oatmeal, jerky, and Gorp, which is a type of trail mix, but I'm hoping to do a longer (two weeks or so) trip in the next year or so. Maybe I'll test a few of these MRE's out first.

I got my fill of the Chicken Spagetti at MMA, but for the most part the rest are pretty good, and plus they come Tabasco Sause and stuff, I always take a few when going on longer camping trips incase I don't catch any fish or something.

If they are modern armed forces rations, then I would expect that they have been designed perfectly.

Some are good, some are bad.

 

It's food you can carry in a rucksack. Don't expect foie gras and pate. They get the job done.

Can't be worse than the stuff they gave the Apollo astronauts ... I was watching the documentaries on the Apollo 13 DVD and they described the cutting-edge food science used in the 1970s ... "

Last time I went, we ended up with some crunchy pasta.  It was pretty gross.

 

Seriously though, the salt content is what I'm concerned about.  Some of these freeze dried meals have just a load of salt.  That can dehydrate you pretty bad, and make hiking pretty miserable.  Also, stay away from the freeze dried breakfasts, bacon and eggs is not the same.

 

I tend to live off oatmeal, jerky, and Gorp, which is a type of trail mix, but I'm hoping to do a longer (two weeks or so) trip in the next year or so.  Maybe I'll test a few of these MRE's out first.

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I don't know about salt content, but as metadigital said, they're made primarly as Army rations so I can't imagine that they'd be trying to dehydrate their troops.

 

One of them has enough calories to last you the entire day though. (w00t)

I can't believe people would actually eat these things

Like I said they're actually not bad at all, better or on par with most cafeteria food. I do remember at MMA though, while bivouacing, we had to eat them cold, since they didn't trust most of the kids with fire. A sad fate, but much less sad then waking up with your surroundings on fire. ^_^

Edited April 15, 200619 yr by Laozi

The newer ones have little heaters in them man. Has to do with fire and smoke alerting the enemy to your presence. They're these little baggies that with chemicals in them you add water to, then they get really hot. Also if you don't want to use the baggie you can stuff it in a soda bottle with things and make a makeshift non-lethal pipe-bomb. :D

Sounds like some of the home economics results from someone I know ... "

I can't believe people would actually eat these things

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If you wish to survive in a combat zone or far from civilization, you will eat it with a smile.

spam it is not

 

Well spam is a WWII ration.