MRE

M.R.E. (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) is a self-contained military food ration used by armed forces around the world. It is a fully prepared, sterilized meal designed for immediate consumption — a soldier does not need a stove, fire, or cookware. You simply open the pack and eat. The M.R.E. was developed in the United States in the 1970s–80s as a replacement for older canned rations (C-Rations and MCI). The U.S. Army needed a meal that was lighter, more compact, longer-lasting, and more nutritious for field use. Since then, the M.R.E. has become the global standard for military field rations. An M.R.E. is therefore a modern U.S.-developed military meal offering fast consumption, long shelf life, and a complete dish without cooking. Compared to the Czech KDP ration, it is lighter, more modern, and more practical. There are dozens of M.R.E. types worldwide, but among the very best expedition meals are the Czech Adventure Menu dishes, which we proudly offer — they significantly outperform typical military rations in both taste and quality. In our store you will find a wide range of Adventure Menu, among the tastiest and most reliable expedition foods on the market — a perfect choice for any airsoft player who wants dependable meals in the field. Shop here!

How does an M.R.E. work?

An M.R.E. contains sterilized, hermetically sealed food with a shelf life of 3–7 years. Most M.R.E.s include a flameless ration heater (FRH) — a chemical heater that, when activated with a small amount of water, generates heat and warms the meal within 5–10 minutes.

Main entrée (meat, pasta, rice…)
Sides (crackers, mashed dishes, soups)
Snacks (energy bars, dried fruit)
FRH heater
Beverages (electrolytes, coffee)
Hygiene kit

The goal of an M.R.E. is to provide high energy (1200–1500 kcal) in a single pack while minimizing preparation time.

Why does the military use M.R.E.s?

Quick “eat-on-the-spot” consumption — a soldier eats within minutes.
Extreme shelf life — 3 to 7 years without refrigeration.
High caloric value — ideal for combat, marching, and training.
Durability — the pack withstands impacts, moisture, and temperature swings.
Hygiene and simplicity — everything in one pack, no cooking needed.

M.R.E. vs. the Czech KDP (Canned Food Ration)

KDP is the traditional Czech military ration based mainly on canned meals.
M.R.E. uses soft sterilized pouches — lighter and more compact.
KDP has larger portions but is heavier and less practical.
M.R.E. has the advantage of a flameless heater and greater menu variety.

Types of M.R.E.

Manufacturers and armies around the world produce dozens of M.R.E. variations, such as:

US MRE — the most famous, 24 menus, updated yearly.
UK ORP (Operational Ration Pack)
FR RIL (Combat Ration, France)
PL S-Ration — Polish field ration
German EPA

Besides military versions, there are also civilian expedition MREs for outdoor use, survival, and airsoft events.

What is Adventure Menu?

Adventure Menu is a Czech manufacturer of premium outdoor meals that are:

100% natural
free of preservatives
sterilized or freeze-dried
high in energy

Unlike typical military M.R.E.s, Adventure Menu meals offer far better taste and superior ingredient quality, making them a top choice for airsoft, hiking, expeditions, and long Mil-Sim events.