Re: [Paddlewise] Where do you buy MREs???

James Lofton warns us about MRE's from Sportsmans Guide ...
> Be VERY careful in reading the ad, before you order any MREs from the 
> above company. The wording is tricky and you likely won't be getting a 
> full "unopened" MRE, at the above price. They sell it as "entree" only 
> and also complete meals that have been sorted through.(you will only get 
> the culls)
> They are advertising a sealed case for $59.97, and half case for $34.97. 
> That's in the latest catalog I have.
> As Dan mentioned, the shipping adds alot, PLUS this company will tag you 
> for quite alot for the handling.

I've gotten two cases from Sportsmans Guide and have been satisfied.
Just a reminder that much of the stuff sold IS from surplus and
closeouts.  Reading carefully is often good advice.

Gary Olen has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  If after trying
some of the MRE's and you don't like them, I think you could
ship back the unopened ones and get a pro-rated refund for
those you send back.  You would be out the shipping and the
cost of the ones you had 'tested'.  Still not a bad deal.

The only MRE's I have gotten have included the dessert and the
cracker and the spread (for cracker) and two entrees one of which
almost invariably turns out to be some sort of rice concoction.
There is also some powder to mix with water for a drink but I
don't think I have ever been tempted to try one of those.   
Then again I often consider myself lucky and I might just have
been very lucky.

Personally I like the Tuna Noodle stuff and I also greatly enjoy
the oatmeal bars too.  I like keeping a few around for 'just in
case'.  I can toss a couple in a bag and head out for any adventure
knowing that I won't go too hungry.  If you have a 'euro-sealer'
you can even re-use the outer bags to waterproof and protect your
own stuff ... whatever that may be.

As much as I like the MRE's, they are a bit pricey though.
 What I've also found good and
inexpensive are various 'Dinty Moore American Classics Entrees'.
Although these don't qualify as complete meals, they are good
entrees and they are far less expensive than the MRE's.
I've found them at 'Super K-Marts' and at a local discount
shop known as 'Marcs' for as little as $1.50 each.  Inside the
box is an oval plastic bowl with a plastic covering that is
sealed air-tight over the food inside.  These require no
refrigeration and are basically like canned goods, only stored
in plastic.  I've put them in a pot of boiling water for about
10 minutes and then enjoyed the hot contents.  When I ride my
bike to work, I can take them along and pop them in the
microwave to enjoy there.        

Certainly I don't expect the Dinty Moores to have anywhere 
near the shelf-life of the MRE's and the are not a complete
meal.  I go through them pretty fast and they don't cost
much for what I get.

neal_at_bellhow.com
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************