MRE

[Jamie Z]

My first post... I've been into all sorts of different camping methods in the past... hiking, biking, canoeing, and am now heavily into motorycycle camping on my ST1100.

One of the big differences between motorcycle camping and my other modes is that I'm not physically carrying the weight, thus weight is not so much a factor (although volume still is).

I'd never previously considered using MREs as a food source, mostly because of their bulk. There are many other smaller and lighter options for food when you have to put it in your backpack and carry it 20 miles.

Now that I'm a motorcyclist, this may become a viable option, but I can't find a good source for the MREs. I know my local surplus store has a few on hand, but I think they want in the ~$7 range for them. I was hoping to score a box of MREs for less than that per, but still have some variety.

Anyone use MREs? Any reason I should not go this route? Where's a good place to get 15-20 various MRE packages for cheap?

Jamie

[Mellow]

Jamie,

welcome to the site.

As far as MREs are concerned, I've seen them on ebay in bulk as a cheaper option. However, most MREs are designed as a 1 meal/day replacement. So, they may contain in excess of 2k calories and I think I've seen them at 3,500 calories, but I might be wrong.

Wal-mart, REI, Campmor and other places have some hiking/camping freezed dried food in the $4-$5 range, I have a couple but I've yet to try them out so I don't know how they taste.

If I come across some bulk deals I'll definitely post here.

[STeveGray]

I used to do the freeze-dried thing in my youth, when I back-packed. Now that I'm an olde phart and moto camping, it's too easy to get good food and bring it to the campsite. As Jamie said, weight isn't an issue, so a combination of some fresh foods with some boxed dried stuff works well for me. Trader Joes (if you have one in your area) has some very good very interesting boxed foods that are really very good.

I just bought, but haven't yet tried, a book with cooking ideas and recipies for preparing fresh foods while camping.

http://tinyurl.com/legc3

Just skimming through it, it looks really good.

[Jamie Z]

However, most MREs are designed as a 1 meal/day replacement. So, they may contain in excess of 2k calories and I think I've seen them at 3,500 calories, but I might be wrong.

Wal-mart, REI, Campmor and other places have some hiking/camping freezed dried food in the $4-$5 range, I have a couple but I've yet to try them out so I don't know how they taste.I hadn't considered the caloric density of the MREs. Good point. I'd have to be content to eat once a day.

I've checked out the traditional freeze dried stuff, but the MREs were very appealing because they were an all-in-one package. No stove or water needed. Plus, I've eaten a couple, and they're not too bad.

I think I'll have to modify my plan to be an occasional MRE supplemented with other food.

Jamie

[Alan]

During my time in the army, a long time ago, we were fed c-rations out in the boonies of Viet Nam and I don't believe anyone would ever volunteer to eat that crap. MRE's much be a whole lot better if you are even considering going camping with them.

C-rations: ham and lima beans, I still shudder thinking about eating that crap.:p

[Trailace]

Jamie Z,

Welcome to the site.

[Motocentaur]

My sister-in-law's husband is an Air Nat'l Guardsman, and he gave me a case of MRE's last summer. I usually bring one along as back-up food in case the weather is too inclement for cooking or my stove fails. As far as bulk goes, I do what the military guys do - break 'em up. This lets you pack them better and also allows you to mix and match the components to your liking.

Generally, I use foods from the grocery store's prepackaged entree aisle rather than those pricey backpackers' tidbits.

[max]

Jamie,

welcome to the site.

As far as MREs are concerned, I've seen them on ebay in bulk as a cheaper option. However, most MREs are designed as a 1 meal/day replacement. So, they may contain in excess of 2k calories and I think I've seen them at 3,500 calories, but I might be wrong.

Wal-mart, REI, Campmor and other places have some hiking/camping freezed dried food in the $4-$5 range, I have a couple but I've yet to try them out so I don't know how they taste.

If I come across some bulk deals I'll definitely post here.

they are a complete days ration for soldiers in the field so yes, they are calorie and carb loaded. along with extra minerals/vitamins that the army wants their troops to have.
they are also made to be "low residue" which means after eating them for 2 days the little bit of tp thats included will indeed suffice.
I got several cases from the national guard while doing disaster recovery in florida, they just come by the site and throw out cases of them in case they're needed.they are really handy when the nearest cooked food is 25 miles away.
a buddy who works with the electrical crews gets them as well when they are out doing storm repair so we keep a pretty good stock of them in my basement where they are supposedly good for 5 years plus at 68 degrees. be wary of buying them at surplus shops, you don't know how they've been stored or how old they are. there are date codes published somewhere that I saw but if they've been sitting in 100* heat the shelf life goes way down and you may get some unappetizing food.

I use them a lot,even take them hunting. break them down and distribute the contents about my coat and pack and I'm in the woods all day with (2) 1 liter water bottles.
yes, I have cooked beef teriyaki in a climbing deer stand, and it was good.

[ucwinters]

http://www.heatermeals.com/

I've tried a couple of these - not bad and run about $5-6/meal. Includes napkin, plastic utensil, and condiments. Available at most outdoor places like Cabela's, Gander Mountain or via Internet. If you're tired at the end of the day and don't want to leave your campsite to go look for a place to eat, then the Heatermeal might be the answer.

Ed W.
Universal City, TX
'02 GL1800
N-Line trailer

[Boomer503]

During my time in the army, a long time ago, we were fed c-rations out in the boonies of Viet Nam and I don't believe anyone would ever volunteer to eat that crap. MRE's much be a whole lot better if you are even considering going camping with them.

C-rations: ham and lima beans, I still shudder thinking about eating that crap.:p

Oh Crap ---- "C-RATS" and they are still around at the army/navy surplus joints - always check the dates!!

[Tombstone]

MRE's are ok if you get the heater (just add water) with them, or have another way to heat them up. I've had plenty on Uncle's dime, but when its me buying I find something else. Plus, I've been told (believe what you want) that MRE's have salt peter added.....supposedly cuts down on your "drive".

[RangerBen]

Man what a meal, hot beef stew, dried cracker,date nut cake, and and a John Wayne Bar with hot cool aid or cocoa mix in hot milk.

Ben

[Texas Prairie Rider]

Saratoga Camping (http://saratogatradingcompany.com/case_of_24_mre_entrees.html) has a case of 24 for $59. ($2.41 ea)

I like the Wal- Mart idea at $2.

[Hemibee]

We keep a case of these at work for emergency/hurricane supplies when the crews can't get out to go home for meals.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=271438

They aren't too bad, a little high on the cost but they are no where near the crap that was in the C-Rats.

[Tx White Knight]

they are no where near the crap that was in the C-Rats.

Hemibee you mean you didnt like scraping the grease off the beef steak and taters??? :D
:tent3:

[Hemibee]

I thought the grease was the edible part.

[DAD]

I pack a couple of top raman, they are cheap, small light weight and you can have different flavors, plus they work great in my jet boil. I also pack granola bars, I mean what more could you ask for, raman and gran bars.:D

[Mellow]

I pack a couple of top raman, they are cheap, small light weight and you can have different flavors, plus they work great in my jet boil. I also pack granola bars, I mean what more could you ask for, raman and gran bars.:D

+1 They may not be cuisine but work very well if you just need something to get you buy. Especially, if you end up at camp late.

[traveler]

I pack a couple of top raman, they are cheap, small light weight and you can have different flavors, plus they work great in my jet boil. I also pack granola bars, I mean what more could you ask for, raman and gran bars.:D

Cans of tuna get packed with my ramen, makes for a more filling and nutritious meal.

+1 on the granola, though I tend to carry more of a variety. A powerbar, granola or similar, a banana, along with coffee or hot chocolate often serves as breakfast until I get packed up and on the road to something more satisfying.

[Tx White Knight]

Cans of tuna get packed with my ramen, makes for a more filling and nutritious meal.

I thought about getting some Tuna along with some of those small cans of chicken and beef to mix in with other stuff. :)

and btw

Welcome travler to the forum :fire2:

[braindead0]

I remember having these huge tins of survival crackers in the garage, not sure where my dad got them.. but they weren't all that bad with some peanut butter...

I like ham and lima beans myself, even the C-rat kind....

[sandman]

During my time in the army, a long time ago, we were fed c-rations out in the boonies of Viet Nam and I don't believe anyone would ever volunteer to eat that crap. MRE's much be a whole lot better if you are even considering going camping with them.

C-rations: ham and lima beans, I still shudder thinking about eating that crap.:p


Alan,

I too had to deal with the old C-rations and they were pretty bad, beanie weenies was the only choice that I could call edible. The MRE's used today are in a whole different world compared to the C's. Some of the items are pretty tasty and really make a primitive campsite homey when you get in too late to eat out.

[ImRubicon]

need tabasco though for most of these

[mtbdiablo]

Jetboil also has some recipes on their website. http://www.jetboil.com/Out_There/Recipes

[Ironheadziggy76]

During my time in the army, a long time ago, we were fed c-rations out in the boonies of Viet Nam and I don't believe anyone would ever volunteer to eat that crap. MRE's much be a whole lot better if you are even considering going camping with them.

C-rations: ham and lima beans, I still shudder thinking about eating that crap.:p

I still have my old P38 somewhere.:)

[braindead0]

I still have my old P38 somewhere.:)I always wondered why they called that a P38... all I can think of the is airplane..... I've probably got a couple of those around, for their size quite a good can opener...

[Ironheadziggy76]

I saw one in an Army surplus store a while back that looked identical to the P38 except it was almost double in size. It must be a P76.....

[Tx White Knight]

I saw one in an Army surplus store a while back that looked identical to the P38 except it was almost double in size. It must be a P76.....

Hmmm is it for us older folks?? sort of like the larger lids on bottles of meds???? :D

[ucwinters]

At the gun shows there is usually at least one military surplus vendor selling P38's and for us older feeble campers, a P38 on steroids called the P50 - larger size and easier to operate. Next time I run across a vendor I'll buy a few and if there is ever a group campout central to San Antonio/Dallas/Houston I'll bring a few for give-aways.
Re. C-rats, turkey loaf was my favorite, followed by the military version of beenie-weenies. The absolute worse was the eggs in a can. Occasionally I would get the dehydrated food packs from LRRP teams - that was some good chow.

Ed W.

[ArTravlR]

I've been taking MRE's with me on my motocamp trips for years. I lived on them for a soild nine months during Desert STorm, so I know the menus and how to fix'um. The newer items have chemical heaters so there is always hot chow and hot drinks. I just bought some this past weekend at the local Gun & Knife Show from the folks at www.arkansasquartermaster.com I am waiting on delivery. The price was very reasonable. I will be packing a bunch for my trip to Alaska this coming June after attending Hyder Seek.

[traveler]

I've been taking MRE's with me on my motocamp trips for years. I lived on them for a soild nine months during Desert STorm, so I know the menus and how to fix'um. The newer items have chemical heaters so there is always hot chow and hot drinks. I just bought some this past weekend at the local Gun & Knife Show from the folks at www.arkansasquartermaster.com I am waiting on delivery. The price was very reasonable. I will be packing a bunch for my trip to Alaska this coming June after attending Hyder Seek.

Can we get some recommendations as to which mre to buy, for flavor, nutrition, etc...? I personally have never tried any, so am willing to hear from those who have.

[braindead0]

Can we get some recommendations as to which mre to buy, for flavor, nutrition, etc...? I personally have never tried any, so am willing to hear from those who have.How about where to buy? I've seen these online but you have to buy a case and it's a mystery as to what you get. I kinda balk at spending $50 without any idea what I'm getting... Any place sell them 'ala carte' for a reasonable price?

[Mr. Guy]

Try your local surplus store and pick up a few. They're not for everyone that's for sure, so try a few before placing an order on the web. Most guys in the military complain about them and I would to if that's all I had for 6 months or more, but most I've had weren't bad if heated up. Not the best but not bad either. If you know a guy in the Guard, ask him if he would give you one, a friend of mine always brings back some he didn't want to eat, this way you can try them before you buy. I usually don't get the heaters, so I just drop the pouch in a pot of water and boil it. CAUTION: Contents will be hot!

Guy

[ArTravlR]

Can we get some recommendations as to which mre to buy, for flavor, nutrition, etc...? I personally have never tried any, so am willing to hear from those who have.

I don't have a problem eating any of it. I found some details on the AQM site:

http://www.arkansasquartermaster.com/influential_khaki_brown_017.htm

But, do like they said and obtain one or two and do a taste test. The entrees are about the same as supermarket microwave stuff, you have to add spices to your own taste.

HTH

[braindead0]

I have yet to find a decent local surplus store around here, and I believe an earlier post advised against purchasing from a surplus store due to the possible age of the MRE's.

I found that MREDepot has cases and lists the contents (a lot of places just say that the meals vary), that and they also had some 'ala cart' items. Single malt Irish whiskey cake...I'm there ;-)

[puck1999]

They will definitely stop you up, dpending on how many times a week you eat them. And you will gain a couple pounds riding, but they are great for backpacking, you burn all the calories no problem. Be sure to use the tobasco sauce that comes with the military rations.