[Ashcons]

Someone else, I do not remember who - sorry, made a comment in another thread about how they liked one brand of emergency food bars as opposed to another. I have have been eyeballing these bars for a while for vehicle emergency bag food. With idea planted in my head by this other member that I should give these things a try before filling our emergency bags with them, I headed to Emergency Essentials to try whatever brands they had. I ordered one of the 2400C bars each of SOS, Datrex, and Mainstay. They just arrived today and I wanted to share my thoughts in case they would help anyone.

The bars all come in mylar with intact vacuum seals. Each bar has instructions for using them as a 2-3 day emergency food source. They weigh in just over a pound each (16.68oz, 16.9oz, & 16.56oz, respectively) and are dense, little bricks of food. You could fill a pillow case with these and put a hurtin' on someone, but this isn't a post about self-defense foods. I just hope they come out in a gentler form. They all consist, essentially, of flour, vegetable shortening, various sugars, preservatives, and added vitamins and minerals. The SOS bar cost $3.95 while the other two were $4.50 each (sans shipping), so the SOS wins on $ per Cal. Each package is stamped with a MFG & BB date and each is a 5-year spread - 11/13 and 11/18 for SOS, 9/13 and 9/18 for Datrex, and 4/13 and 4/18 for Mainstay.

First up for the taste test is the SOS bar. After opening the mylar, coconut smells wafted out, which is one of the listed ingredients. There are 6 bars inside, each wrapped in an individual plastic wrapper, which should help them keep from getting stale too quickly. Crumbly and dry, they remind me of those holiday cookies with the jam in the middle; considering how they are a bit greasy feeling, I expected to taste/feel the shortening, but didn't notice it once I took a bite. There is a hint of lemon, salt, and sugar, though none of them overpower my taste buds. 1/3 of the way through and I really need a drink. Time to put this one aside and try the next one - and make sure there's plenty of water in each of our bags.

Datrex bars come much the same way, individually plastic wrapped bars in sealed mylar. There are 12 bars instead of 6. They also smell a bit like coconut, which is again listed as an ingredient. One bite gives me all the information I need about the taste of this bar; it is almost flavorless! It definitely reminds me of something, though I am not sure what; matzo? The flavor is very subtle, floury, with just a hint of sweetness. I like the fact that it doesn't taste like much, though it is even dryer and more crumbly in texture than the SOS bar. Since I just took one bite and it was drier than the SOS brand bar, I assume this one will make me even thirstier. OK, on to the last bar.

Mainstay's packed in a slightly longer and flatter package. The first thing I noticed after peeking into the bag is that the bars are actually one solid, single bar with indentations for breaking it into 6 servings. It smells like lemon, pumpkin, & hot dog? Like the Datrex bar, this one has very little flavor and is a little less crumbly in texture. It doesn't taste like it smells and I can't describe the flavor, only that it is very very subtle, not tasting like much of anything and having an even milder sweetness compared to the Datrex bar. I am a bit surprised because someone else commented that Mainstay had a lemony taste.

All three bars are pretty mild in flavor, the last two being almost flavorless. They're all dense and crumbly with a little greasiness imparted by the shortening - reminiscent of of a graham cracker crust. The SOS had the most flavor and I imagine pickier eaters might handle that one better than the other two. Due to the texture, I'm sure all of these bars would make you thirsty. My wife and son haven't been subjected to the taste test yet, and I am not a picky eater, so I may update this later with their reactions; I don't really have a preference from this testing.

*Final Edit*

Ok, so I spent 3 days out of the past ~week and half subsisting on these bars. I had no adverse reactions to any of them aside from being very bored of eating them! I don't have a preference for any one bar over the others, but other posters suggested some different bars that I should try. Out of the three brands above, they are all bland, dry-ish, and in me (apparently not other people who've tried them), induce a bit of thirst. I know that's all a bit anti-climactic, but there you have it. All testing was performed in the safety of my office, so I did not have to rely upon these to get me through 3 days worth of low-calorie survival mode.

 

[FrakkingToaster]

I did a comparison between Datrex and Mainstay recently...ate nothing but Datrex for a day (every 4 hours as directed) and had no problems. Ate normally the next day, and the following day started on the Mainstay bar. About a half hour after I finished the first segment of the bar, I got really nauseous and had a very unpleasant couple of hours after that. I learned that I don't tolerate Mainstays ingredients well. So, my advice would be to not make a decision based on taste, because I really wanted to prefer the Mainstay bar because I liked the subtle lemon flavor better. Try them all out for a whole day. Nothing but the bars and water, and see if you have any problems.

 

[7.5mas]

We use to keep Datrex on hand but the wife wasn't too crazy
about it, so We tried Millennium Bars, We like them more and
there are more flavors and the bars are 400 calories each ,
and are good for 5 years.

 

[sluggyslugworth]

Thanks for the review. I've been looking into cutting weight and bulk by using these bars. I'll try the SOS bars first as your review seems to like them the most.

 

[Ashcons]

I did a comparison between Datrex and Mainstay recently...ate nothing but Datrex for a day (every 4 hours as directed) and had no problems. Ate normally the next day, and the following day started on the Mainstay bar. About a half hour after I finished the first segment of the bar, I got really nauseous and had a very unpleasant couple of hours after that. I learned that I don't tolerate Mainstays ingredients well. So, my advice would be to not make a decision based on taste, because I really wanted to prefer the Mainstay bar because I liked the subtle lemon flavor better. Try them all out for a whole day. Nothing but the bars and water, and see if you have any problems.

Thanks - I'll give that a try since I have these anyway and they probably won't keep long open. I didn't see anything on the ingredients list that I would expect to upset my stomach, but you never know.

You must be the user who commented in one of the other threads about the Mainstay's lemony flavor - it literally didn't taste like anything to me! Was the seal on your bar in tact? The biggest knock I'd have against that one is that the others are sealed individually in plastic, so I assume it would be easier to keep them stored after opening the mylar.

 

[Geistfalken]

The survival bars or lifeboat rations are probably kept at a low flavor and sweetness level in an attempt to lower the desire for water when in a life boat at sea.

The 5-year storage limit is set by the Coast Guard. When stored in a lifeboat (Even though they may be in a waterproof container and in Mylar wrappers.) they can be subjected to temperatures that can range from tropical to polar. 5 years of temperature fluctuations and occasional rough seas might cause the bars to degrade somewhat.

If the bars are kept at a stable 70 degree temp or lower, the storage life should be much longer. We do not plan to use ours as a main survival food source. We will probably use them as a 400 or more calorie supplement to the normal meals whenever work loads require a quick caloric boost.

 

[PAPrep99]

Question, these 3600 bars that are supposedly good for 3 days, isn't that too few calories for 3 days?

 

[Geistfalken]

3600 calories would give you 1200 calories per day for 3 days. They were created as emergency lifeboat rations and not intended as a complete food source for long-term survival. Since you would be bobbing around in a lifeboat and waiting on rescue, 1200 calories per day would suffice.

If you try to use them as your main source of survival food, you will not get the nutrients you need to stay healthy for the long haul. They are good for short stretches when you have no other choice. You can also use them with a balanced diet to quickly add calories when workloads require it.

 

[MikeK]

Question, these 3600 bars that are supposedly good for 3 days, isn't that too few calories for 3 days?

Never go by days or servings with any food product. Always go by calories. This is especially true with storage foods, where most of those "year supply" kits are really only about a 6 month supply.

 

[panoz77]

Someone else, I do not remember who - sorry, made a comment in another thread about how they liked one brand of emergency food bars as opposed to another. I have have been eyeballing these bars for a while for vehicle emergency bag food. With idea planted in my head by this other member that I should give these things a try before filling our emergency bags with them, I headed to Emergency Essentials to try whatever brands they had. I ordered one of the 2400C bars each of SOS, Datrex, and Mainstay. They just arrived today and I wanted to share my thoughts in case they would help anyone.

The bars all come in mylar with intact vacuum seals. Each bar has instructions for using them as a 2-3 day emergency food source. They weigh in just over a pound each (16.68oz, 16.9oz, & 16.56oz, respectively) and are dense, little bricks of food. You could fill a pillow case with these and put a hurtin' on someone, but this isn't a post about self-defense foods. I just hope they come out in a gentler form. They all consist, essentially, of flour, vegetable shortening, various sugars, preservatives, and added vitamins and minerals. The SOS bar cost $3.95 while the other two were $4.50 each (sans shipping), so the SOS wins on $ per Cal. Each package is stamped with a MFG & BB date and each is a 5-year spread - 11/13 and 11/18 for SOS, 9/13 and 9/18 for Datrex, and 4/13 and 4/18 for Mainstay.

First up for the taste test is the SOS bar. After opening the mylar, coconut smells wafted out, which is one of the listed ingredients. There are 6 bars inside, each wrapped in an individual plastic wrapper, which should help them keep from getting stale too quickly. Crumbly and dry, they remind me of those holiday cookies with the jam in the middle; considering how they are a bit greasy feeling, I expected to taste/feel the shortening, but didn't notice it once I took a bite. There is a hint of lemon, salt, and sugar, though none of them overpower my taste buds. 1/3 of the way through and I really need a drink. Time to put this one aside and try the next one - and make sure there's plenty of water in each of our bags.

Datrex bars come much the same way, individually plastic wrapped bars in sealed mylar. There are 12 bars instead of 6. They also smell a bit like coconut, which is again listed as an ingredient. One bite gives me all the information I need about the taste of this bar; it is almost flavorless! It definitely reminds me of something, though I am not sure what; matzo? The flavor is very subtle, floury, with just a hint of sweetness. I like the fact that it doesn't taste like much, though it is even dryer and more crumbly in texture than the SOS bar. Since I just took one bite and it was drier than the SOS brand bar, I assume this one will make me even thirstier. OK, on to the last bar.

Mainstay's packed in a slightly longer and flatter package. The first thing I noticed after peeking into the bag is that the bars are actually one solid, single bar with creases for breaking it into 6 servings. It smells like lemon, pumpkin, & hot dog? Like the Datrex bar, this one has very little flavor and is a little less crumbly in texture. It doesn't taste like it smells and I can't describe the flavor, only that it is very very subtle, not tasting like much of anything and having an even milder sweetness compared to the Datrex bar. I am a bit surprised because someone else commented that Mainstay had a lemony taste.

All three bars are pretty mild in flavor, the last two being almost flavorless. They're all dense and crumbly with a little greasiness imparted by the shortening - reminiscent of of a graham cracker crust. The SOS had the most flavor and I imagine pickier eaters might handle that one better than the other two. Due to the texture, I'm sure all of these bars would make you thirsty. My wife and son haven't been subjected to the taste test yet, and I am not a picky eater, so I may update this later with their reactions; I don't really have a preference from this testing.

Can you provide links to where you purchased the products, thanks. I have some Datrex but would like to get some SOS.

 

[PAPrep99]

So, for a BOB where you will be doing some hiking and surviving so to say, will the 3600 be sufficient for 3 days?

 

[IamZeke]

Great job, Ashcons! :thumb:

But did you know you missed the fourth version? Yup, there is a Mayday bar too.

Ready to do another taste test? :




Panoz77? Try google. All of these are sold all over the place. Every town with port and boat supply store carries at least one version.


Gunowner99, the resting metabolic daily need rate for 14 year old girl is around 1200 calories. That means if she does nothing all day. My resting metabolic rate pushes over 2500 calories needed a day. For a full grown man one of those 3600 bars would be what you need every day to be hiking. The bars were designed for someone in a lifeboat doing nothing and using fewer calories than they need so they don't have a greater water need, which is the big problem on a life raft. The bars basically assume you are going to starve a little because that uses less water. For 3 days on the road hiking you should be packing 3 of those things.

 

[PAPrep99]

That's what I figured. Thanks!

 

[Ashcons]

Can you provide links to where you purchased the products, thanks. I have some Datrex but would like to get some SOS.

I bought them from Emergency Essentials shipping was $6 and the bars ran ~$13 (~$19 total).

I compared Amazon and EE, but did not do a detailed price hunt otherwise, knowing that I've seen the bars to be around $4-5 (or more) everywhere I have seen them online.

 

[Ashcons]

So, for a BOB where you will be doing some hiking and surviving so to say, will the 3600 be sufficient for 3 days?

My purpose for purchasing these bars was to see which ones my family could stand so I could throw a couple in the car and our BOB for very short term emergencies (less than 24 hours before we could get to help - for my expectations, that might be hunkering down due to tornadoes or leaving the house due to a house fire that we can't extinguish). I think if you are in a very low-activity situation, you could stretch them for 3 days, but even then, many men would be burning into muscle mass on that low of a caloric intake. They ARE fairly densely packed calories, so they would probably be good supplemental energy sources to toss into your hiking bag/truck/car.

Like MikeK and IamZeke pointed out, if you are in the position to pack more, you'll need more. These caloric totals amount to slowly starving.

Great job, Ashcons! :thumb:

But did you know you missed the fourth version? Yup, there is a Mayday bar too.

Ready to do another taste test? :

Sure, I'll look around; 7.5mas mentioned another brand as well. I'm going to try FrakkingToaster's suggestion re: living on one of these every other day for the next 6 days. I would have started today, but forgot my grab bag of food bricks at home.

 

[PAPrep99]

So are you saying these are not suitable for a BOB? Just curious as they seem to be the go-to for people and BOB's from what I read.

 

[FrakkingToaster]

Thanks - I'll give that a try since I have these anyway and they probably won't keep long open. I didn't see anything on the ingredients list that I would expect to upset my stomach, but you never know.

You must be the user who commented in one of the other threads about the Mainstay's lemony flavor - it literally didn't taste like anything to me! Was the seal on your bar in tact? The biggest knock I'd have against that one is that the others are sealed individually in plastic, so I assume it would be easier to keep them stored after opening the mylar.

Yeah, the seal was intact and the vacuum packaging was nice and tight. I'm trying to remember, but I think the lemon flavor was more of a slight aftertaste, as opposed to obvious flavoring.

I haven't tried the SOS or the Mayday bars yet, but it's on my to-do list.

 

[Ashcons]

So are you saying these are not suitable for a BOB? Just curious as they seem to be the go-to for people and BOB's from what I read.

Like almost all of the advice on these boards, it depends on your environment and other resources. In general, they seem like a good product for what they are: a bunch of calories in a mix of carbohydrates and fat in a relatively compact package. They are lacking in complete proteins and the 1.2C/day serving size is lower than you would need to sustain your weight, but I doubt you would care in a true, short-term emergency. If you work around those limits; they seem like a good, convenient item to throw into your BOB - they would be easy to access on the move and the brands that have multiple bars with individual wrappers inside the mylar would make them easy to manage and use on the go.

Positives:
Convenient
Long shelf-life
Calorie dense
Would make good throwing projectiles in a pinch

Negatives:
Mostly carbohydrates and fat (hence the high calorie density); based on the ingredients lists, no complete proteins
Recommended daily Calorie consumption is misleading
If used as a throwing projectile while not in the mylar, they would probably explode into a harmless cloud of crumbs on impact

Bottom line: I would include these as emergency supplies in my car and BOB with their limitations in mind - i.e. don't expect to keep your spirits up if you try living at the recommended consumption rate, .75 (3600C) - 1(2400C) package/day seems more appropriate depending on which size bar you buy.

 

[panoz77]

Great job, Ashcons! :thumb:

Panoz77? Try google. All of these are sold all over the place. Every town with port and boat supply store carries at least one version.

I realize that, I was just wondering if he shopped the cheapest price online :thumb:

 

[PAPrep99]

Like almost all of the advice on these boards, it depends on your environment and other resources. In general, they seem like a good product for what they are: a bunch of calories in a mix of carbohydrates and fat in a relatively compact package. They are lacking in complete proteins and the 1.2C/day serving size is lower than you would need to sustain your weight, but I doubt you would care in a true, short-term emergency. If you work around those limits; they seem like a good, convenient item to throw into your BOB - they would be easy to access on the move and the brands that have multiple bars with individual wrappers inside the mylar would make them easy to manage and use on the go.

Positives:
Convenient
Long shelf-life
Calorie dense
Would make good throwing projectiles in a pinch

Negatives:
Mostly carbohydrates and fat (hence the high calorie density); based on the ingredients lists, no complete proteins
Recommended daily Calorie consumption is misleading
If used as a throwing projectile while not in the mylar, they would probably explode into a harmless cloud of crumbs on impact

Bottom line: I would include these as emergency supplies in my car and BOB with their limitations in mind - i.e. don't expect to keep your spirits up if you try living at the recommended consumption rate, .75 (3600C) - 1(2400C) package/day seems more appropriate depending on which size bar you buy.

Yup, I get it clear now. (2) based on weight and size of package and the fact I will be moving, even if slowly, should cover 3 days in a pinch. Just trying to avoid any excess weight.