MREs for Hiking, Camping and Survival Use

The MRE, or Meal Ready-To-Eat has been in use since the first delivery in 1981 to the armed forces. Having gone through seemingly constant revision since inception, they have now matured to a point where it is now reasonable, if not required, to view them as an option for the civilian recreational market. Boasting features such as self-contained heating, super-long shelf life and extremely durable and compact packaging, the MRE is a serious contender in the crowded meal and meal replacement market.

Each meal typically contains around 1,200 calories in a 13 to 18oz package. An individual MRE contains a main course, crackers, cheese, peanut butter or jelly spread, a dessert or snack, cold beverage mix & coffee, an accessory packet, a plastic spoon and a flameless ration heater for heating the main course or for use with coffee. The typical MRE is capable of lasting more than 5 years at room temperature. It's usefulness in an emergency is undeniable, and is a much better solution than those who use "food cubes" for survival reasons.

There is no reason not to extend the civilian use of MREs to more recreational activities rather than restricting its use to survival. Military grade MREs are designed for field use, not sitting in an emergency pack in the basement. Under strict requirements from the DOD they have been engineered for lasting taste, shelf life, compactness and durability. They can withstand parachute drops from almost 1,300 ft. or free fall for 100ft; it can also survive temperature extremes from -60 F (-51 C) to 120 F (49 C). Now I've been backpacking for a number of years, and I can't remember the last time I did a parachute insertion or free fell 100ft at -60 F, but it's good to know that your food source can survive a lot more than you can.

Durability of the MRE no longer being a factor, MREs provide a great variety of meal types in the field. They were originally designed to provide adequate variety for field lengths of up to 10 days; however, during Operation Desert Storm they were used for more than 60+ days continuously. As of this writing, there are currently 24 main entree items to choose from. Having personally sampled only three of the 24 entrees, I came away with a good experience with all three. The three entries I have personally consumed (ranked in order of preference) were: Beef Enchiladas, Jambalaya and Chicken Breast. The nice thing about the MRE is that they offer enough variety that you can trade specific items with other members of your camping or backpacking party. For instance, I would be more inclined to trade away a package of Skittles candy for another's cold drink mix.

So it has durability, it has decent flavor, but what else makes this an essential resource? It comes with its own oven to cook your meal. A large hot meal after a solid day on the trail and harsh weather is a welcomed friend. Requiring no external flame or heating mechanism, the flameless ration heater uses a chemical reaction to create boiling heat instantly. Drop the flameless ration heater into the original MRE packaging, wait a few minutes and enjoy a piping hot meal. With an MRE, there is no need to venture outside your tent or shelter to cook a meal.

Acknowledging the MREs flat rectangular package and easy storage of multiple meals without sacrificing space for other essential gear, MREs definitely receive the Treknologies label of an Essential Resource.

Individual MREs are typically around $8-$12 depending on where you shop. A box of 12 is available directly from Amazon.com for $89.99 or Camping Survial.com.

What do you use for meals or meal replacements while in the field? Leave a comment or use our tips line.