Where can I find cheap MREs?

SmokeStacks

A friend of mine might be taking a job that would put him outdoors in the backcountry for a significant period of time (days at a time), and although he will be preparing food he wants to pick up some MREs for days when he doesn't want/have time to prepare a meal he can pack in and eat while he's out. He has previous experience in the Marine Corps, so he knows what they taste like, as well as how to strip them.

So, now that he's out, what is the cheapest place to find them? The best leads we've seen so far are all bomb shelter survivalist style websites that sell them in bulk at a pretty hefty price.

If anyone had any ideas or info, I'd appreciate it.

Fizban140

They make dehydrated food that would be much cheaper, or he could make his own. All you have to do is add water to it, which should be able to be had out in the wilderness, although I have no idea what his job or availability of water is.

SmokeStacks

That's probably what the bulk of his food will be, but there will be times when he will just want to grab something and go, and be able to prepare and eat it using what's in the package only.

mcdermott

Do you know anybody that's in the Guard?

Do you know anybody that knows anybody that's in the Guard?

Anybody still drilling with the National Guard or Army Reserve should be able to hook you up with some. I can usually bring home 2-4 per month, plus a dozen or two each year from annual training. Other than that, yeah you're stuck paying a fair amount for them by the case...because that's what they cost. I think the Army pays something like $8 each for them.

Gihgehls

Ebay or surplus stores.

kuhlmeye

Find your local Army Surplus store.

SmokeStacks

I feel like an idiot - I didn't even think of checking with a surplus store. If they don't have them, I'm sure they know the channels to get them.

I don't think either of us knows anyone in the Guard, but I'll double check.

Thanks for the info, guys.

Daemonion

kuhlmeye wrote: »

Find your local Army Surplus store.

I find that almost everything is more expensive at surplus stores.

Clothes, para corde, ponchos, blankets ...I've found that everything is cheaper online.

I'm a big fan of cheaperthandirt. Check them out!

Comahawk

I've heard the CF IMPs are better tasting than the U.S. MREs, may be worth looking into if you are going to spend the money anyways.

Odjn

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ShopCart.aspx?sku=MRE-865&qty=1&ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.cheaperthandirt.com%2fCategoryListing.aspx%3fcatid%3d125

FyreWulff

Good to see people beat me to CheaperThanDirt.

But your link is broken Odjn, I think you linked to you linked to your shopping cart page instead of the product one:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MRE125-1.html

Daemonion

FyreWulff wrote: »

Good to see people beat me to CheaperThanDirt.

But your link is broken Odjn, I think you linked to you linked to your shopping cart page instead of the product one:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MRE125-1.html

CheaperThanDirt sells 100% wool surplus blankets for $5 that my local surplus store sells for $20, no joke.

OP, I'd be surprised if they don't have competitive prices.

mcdermott

I'll point out that all the MREs I'm seing on cheaperthandirt are not military-issue MREs; they're either civilian versions or "economy" versions. Which, in my experience, are pretty meh.

I remember one AT in the Guard they tried to feed us some "economy" MREs because the brigade was trying to save money. We damn near revolted...those particular cases had only four main entrees, and then every package had the exact same side items. Then the medics determined that one of the entrees (or at least some portion of them) had gone bad and was making dudes sick. No good.

Some may be okay, though. These ones look like they might be fairly decent.

Mmmm... Cocks...

Comahawk wrote: »

I've heard the CF IMPs are better tasting than the U.S. MREs, may be worth looking into if you are going to spend the money anyways.

Whats a CF IMP? I'm assuming it's a foreign countries version of MREs?
Googling it got me nothing and I'm curious. I only had one or two MREs but they were damn good.

Edit: consistently testing my google-fu got me Cananda. Must try @_@
Anyone know the best way to pick those up? I'm in the US, PA though so I'm not to close to the boarder.

Odjn

mcdermott wrote: »

I'll point out that all the MREs I'm seing on cheaperthandirt are not military-issue MREs; they're either civilian versions or "economy" versions. Which, in my experience, are pretty meh.
.

Worse than the Five Fingers of Death?

Rhino

Typically MREs (even civil versions) are loaded down with cheap sugar (for energy) and tons of sodium (to mask shitty taste). Not to mention excessive packaging. Lastly, if I recall correctly; there are only a couple companies that make MREs (both civil and for armed forces). You ain't going to have much choices.

I'd suggest a good mini camping stove. Some of these can boil water in 2-3 minutes. Combine that with dehydrated food stuffs and you are good to go.

Or just plain dried food. If his concern is quick prepare time, then eating dried food right out of the bag will be quickest option.

Try a google search for "Emergency food" or "backpacking/camping food". You'll get better hits, even if they aren't true MREs. You'll have a lot more options though, since like I said, only a few companies make "true MREs".

Arminas

Seeing all of these emergency type rations makes me want to buy them just to taste. And then hope for an ensuing natural disaster to proudly eat my rations.