British Army 24hr Ration Pack

Thomasaurus
Reviewed: 15 February 2011

Load of variety and the new ones taste great. They are made by wayfarer!

Made by wayfarer and cheaper than the civvy versions. Tasty, loads of menus so something for everyone including veggie versions.

Heavy, do bung you up but when your trekking thats good. They are made to do that by the way.

They do bung you up and your poops will go bright orange but thats what the biscuits are made for. I have tons of these that I keep after excersize's and they last forever...literally. Made by wayfarer so you know what your getting quality wise. You get more than you need in your 24hr box and loads of brewing kit which are great. The coffe know are kenco sachets which is pretty good. Unfortunately the yorkies that say "not for civvies" on them are no more though. Great variety and super easy to use and mess free. Just remember to bring a long spoon!

Ray Britton
Reviewed: 11 July 2008

THIS DEBATE/REVIEW ALWAYS MAKES ME LAUGH.

The British army rat pack (well the "24 hour one man GS boil in the bag operational type" we are reviewing here) Is basically three wayfarer meals (in different wrappers) and various other items such as chocolate, biscuits, tea coffee, beverage whitener, pate, chewing gum, hot chocolate, tissues, sweets oatmeal block etc. Now what makes me laugh, is that many hikers are happy to pay 3-3.50 for a wayfarer meal, and then say they are nice meals. BUT give them the same food (from the same manufacturer and with the same contents) in a silver MOD wrapper, and suddenly they are of inferior quality or heavy!!!
so STRENGTHS Good wholesome food, very long shelf life, no washing up, no need for a bowl or plate, plus you can use the water for tea/coffee

Yes there are only about 15 or so menu's, but then how many of us go away for 45 days or more (eating each one 3 times is hardly tough living)

don't believe the rubbish that is spoken saying these things bung you up...it nothing to do with these particular rations. Any diet of tinned food and no fruit for prolonged periods has exactly the same effect.
Also don't pay anywhere near the above price of £9.99, many shops will do them for £6-7.
Personally I only pay £1 per box, so I am getting wayfarer meals at less than 20p each
Plus the new style boiled sweets are individually wrapped, and thus can be kept loose in your pack rain or shine, so are always good for a quick sugar boost prior to some steep hill (a real treat when you often carry a 35kg pack, as I do!)

Paul Cummings
Reviewed: 07 July 2008

EXCELLENT, BUT HEAVY, SUSTENANCE

Good variety, simple to reheat and eat (or eat cold), loads of calories, good taste

Heavy, too much for most people even after a day walking.

Nearly 2kg for 24 hrs is a lot, but split the pack down at you can take just what you need. 4000 calories is a lot for a day. Basically, boil in the bag breakfast (beans and burgers type of thing), cold lunch (biscuits, spread, chocolate, sweets etc), boil in the bag dinner and desert (stew, choc pudding etc). Also powdered hot and cold drinks, matches, water purifying tablets, tissues etc. Include the greatest taste known to man - army fruit biscuits. I love 'em.

Magnificent value when you can get a 24hr pack for less than £10 with any one of the boil in the bag options costing £3-4.

Trevor D Gamble
Reviewed: 30 December 2007

GENERALLY VERY GOOD, BUT HAS DRAWBACKS FOR PROLONGED USEAGE!

Great kit overall, but some places selling it are pricy! Ebay stores are a good place to buy from, especially if you are just shopping for a few of these Rat packs. Still very short on taste, but do like the British Armed forces people do! Just carry a little kit with you of add in extras to extend the usefulness and tastiness of these composite ration foodstufffs! There are only a few menu choices available still though, when compared to the much wider US Army MRE's menu options.

Soldiers long skilled in having to feast off these basic food kits learn that they do have many limitations! Most important of all is that one cannot alone just "live" off them for extended periods in backcountry conditions! This is because you will likely soon begin to get very bunged up tummy-wise! Constipation is the unfortunate end result of using these food packs for too long! This is why all soldiers of experience routinely carry with them, in their personal kit, both "stop" and "go" tablets to cure any potential tummy troubles of diet, common when using these rations kits!

Still much better than even those newer improved menu versions of American Armed Forces "MRE's"-or Meals Ready To Eat- ration packs. Great for short term expedition use if you are vehicle based. Better overall for use over shorter periods of time. Better if you mix in some other fresh foodstuffs as well. If you are Arctic conditions bound, try to find yourself some of the great Arctic British Army ration packs maybe; instead of the General Service ones or GS usual type, which are more easy to find. The better Arctic rations menu versions however are formatted differently; and with an overiding priority assumption in mind-that you will have plentiful water from ice-melt all around you available! So those Arctic type rations contain much freeze dried types of menu items overall.

'Jack Lad'
Reviewed: 13 August 2006

EXCELLENT WELL BALANCED MEALS

No nonsense 'meals ready to eat'.No planning needed just buy and eat.Everything you will need for a day in the hills etc.

The only problem i have is the weight issue.If your away for a few days they tend to be bulky.

I have lived on 'compo' for weeks at a time despite there being a recommendation for no longer than 30 days.No substitute for fresh rations obviously.The menus are varied and the food tasty.Plenty for those with a sweet tooth and also for those troubled by sheep.Biscuits brown and biscuits fruit will detere the most threatening of the ovine species.PLEASE NOTE: Online suppliers of military rations will never supply you with the genuine article (in my experience),only a poor substitute!Best try a good military surplus store of which there are plenty around.Happy eating.