Best Emergency Food for Bug Out Bags (Top 10)

Food isn’t your most urgent survival need—you can survive weeks without it—but calories matter for energy, decision-making, and morale. Your bug out bag should contain 2-3 days of calorie-dense food that stores well and requires minimal preparation.

Here are our top picks for BOB emergency food.

Quick Picks

What Makes Good BOB Food?

For bug out purposes, prioritize:

Calorie density — You need fuel, not gourmet meals. Aim for 150+ calories per ounce.

Shelf stability — Food should last years without refrigeration or special storage.

No preparation — Ready-to-eat is ideal. Avoid anything requiring cooking water you may not have.

Compact size — Every cubic inch matters in a BOB.

Palatability — You need to actually eat it. Terrible food gets left behind.

Detailed Reviews

1. Datrex Emergency Rations — Best Overall

Datrex is the standard for emergency rations—these are what lifeboats and rescue crews carry worldwide. USCG approved and proven in real emergencies.

Why it wins:

• 2,400 calories per vacuum-sealed pack
• 5-year shelf life
• USCG and Transport Canada approved
• Non-thirst provoking (important when water is limited)
• Individual 200-calorie bars within pack

Considerations:

• Taste is bland (coconut cookie-like)
• Texture is dry/crumbly
• More expensive per calorie than some options

Best for: Primary BOB rations, vehicle kits, anywhere proven reliability matters

2. SOS Food Labs Emergency Rations — Best Value

Similar to Datrex but with more calories per pack at a lower price point.

Why we like it:

• 3,600 calories per pack (50% more than Datrex)
• 5-year shelf life
• Also USCG approved
• Apple-cinnamon flavor
• Better value per calorie

Considerations:

• Slightly bulkier package
• Some find taste less pleasant than Datrex
• Less widely distributed

Best for: Budget-conscious builds, maximum calories per dollar

3. Mountain House Freeze-Dried — Best Tasting

For those prioritizing taste over simplicity, freeze-dried meals are actual food that happens to store long-term.

Why we like it:

• Genuinely tasty meals
• 30-year shelf life (longest available)
• Lightweight when dry
• Wide variety of options
• Good for morale in stressful situations

Considerations:

• Requires boiling water
• Need a stove/heat source
• More expensive per calorie
• Bulkier when hydrated

Best for: Extended scenarios, supplementing ration bars, vehicle/home kits

4. Millennium Energy Bars — Best Variety

If you want flavors beyond “emergency ration,” Millennium bars offer variety with the same shelf stability.

Why we like it:

• Multiple flavors (cherry, orange, coconut, etc.)
• Individually wrapped 400-calorie bars
• 5-year shelf life
• Non-thirst provoking
• Good for sharing/trading

Considerations:

• Lower calorie density than compressed bars
• More packaging per calorie
• Flavoring varies in quality

Best for: Variety seekers, families, supplementing main rations

5. Clif Bars — Best for Everyday Rotation

Not a “survival” food, but widely available and easy to rotate through regular use.

Why we like it:

• Available at any grocery store
• Familiar taste
• Good nutrition profile
• Easy rotation (eat and replace)
• Many flavor options

Considerations:

• Only 1-2 year shelf life
• Lower calorie density (~250 cal/bar)
• Chocolate can melt
• Not designed for emergency storage

Best for: Get home bags, regular rotation, supplementing dedicated rations

Calorie Density Comparison

Key insight: Emergency ration bars offer the best balance of calorie density, shelf life, and simplicity. Nuts are more calorie-dense but have shorter shelf life.

Food Strategy for BOBs

Recommended approach:

1. Base: 2-3 packs of emergency ration bars (4,800-7,200 calories)
2. Supplement: A few energy/protein bars for variety
3. Comfort: Small amount of familiar snacks (rotate regularly)

This gives you reliable baseline calories plus some psychological comfort food.

What About MREs?

Military MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are popular but have drawbacks for BOB use:

Pros:

• Complete meals
• Heating element included
• Familiar if you have military background

Cons:

• Very heavy (1.5-2 lbs each)
• Bulky
• Lower calorie density
• Uncertain shelf life (varies widely)
• Expensive from legitimate sources

Verdict: MREs work for vehicle kits where weight doesn’t matter. For carry bags, ration bars are more practical.

Our Recommendations

For Most Bug Out Bags

Datrex Emergency Rations (2-3 packs) — Proven, compact, requires no preparation. Add a few familiar snacks for variety.

On a Budget

SOS Food Labs Rations — Same concept, more calories per dollar. Taste is acceptable.

For Extended Scenarios

Mix approach: Ration bars as base + a few Mountain House pouches for real meals. Requires carrying a stove and extra water.

For Get Home Bags

Energy bars you’ll rotate — Clif bars, Kind bars, or similar. Eat them regularly, replace what you eat. You don’t need 5-year shelf life for a bag you check monthly.

Related:

• Bug Out Bag: Complete Guide
• Emergency Water Storage & Purification
• MREs vs. Emergency Rations: Which to Stock?