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I'd consider myself a "prepper lite." I.e., I don't have a hidden bunker or a bug-out bag all packed and ready, but my husband and I do have a dedicated space in our basement for survival gear in the off-chance we might need it one day. And when it comes to survival food, in particular, there's one name I've been hearing again and again: 4Patriots. Even our resident survival expert is a fan of the brand. So I knew it was worth trying out for myself (and my family).
I decided to test the popular 4Patriots 3-month emergency survival food kit. Go big or go home, right? While I haven't yet had to use it for a true emergency (knock on wood), I have had a chance to taste-test some of the meals and evaluate the kit overall. Here's my review of 4Patriots survival food, and whether or not it's worth investing in for your own supply.
Quick Overview
Specs
Shelf Life: Up to 25 years
Total Servings: 704
Calories Per Day: 1,555
Meal Types: 25 different recipes
Packaging: Mylar pouches packed in water-resistant totes
Pros
Meals actually taste good
Wide variety of dishes (breakfast, lunch, dinner, even dessert and snacks)
Long shelf life
Made with high quality ingredients
Easy to prepare
Stored in durable Mylar pouches to keep out heat, moisture, and air
Handpacked in the USA
Cons
Takes up a lot of room for storage
Expensive
Testing Analysis and Results
Variety
Let's start with what's included in the 4Patriots kit. As the name suggests, you get enough food for three months, which breaks down to 1,555 calories per day. As a 5-foot-5 active female, I typically eat around 2,500 calories per day so this would be a little light for me—but then again, we're talking survival situations here, not ideal caloric intake. And for what it's worth, 1,555 calories is completely sustainable for most adults for a limited time.
Onto the meals themselves. Or rather, the types of meals. The kit comes with 25 different recipes, including options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There's everything from buttermilk pancakes and Grammy's oatmeal to black bean burgers and homestyle macaroni and cheese. I love the wide variety and range of meals—there's truly something for everyone, no matter your taste preferences or diet. There are even a few desserts (strawberry scones or sweetened banana chips, anyone?).
Taste and Cooking
I understand that survival food isn't going to be at the level of my favorite restaurant meal or my mom's famous baked shrimp. But I still want it to taste decent. And 4Patriots definitely nailed that. In fact, I'd say the meals in this kit exceeded my expectations—a result that surprised me, given the lackluster freeze-dried meals I've suffered through in the past. Sure, it's not a home-cooked meal, but for something out of a package, these things are pretty delicious. Every dish I've tried so far has had good flavor, and doesn't taste like hospital cafeteria food. Of the ones I've eaten, my favorites to date are the potato soup, chili mac, and pancakes.
As for the food preparation itself, each meal has very easy-to-follow cooking instructions that make prep a breeze (even for the culinary-challenged like myself). One important thing to note, though, is that you need some sort of heating element—a fire, stove, etc.—to prepare the meals. These aren't the kind you eat right out of the package.
Shelf Life and Durability
The 4Patriots 3-month survival food kit comes with an impressive 25-year shelf life. And while I've only owned my kit for a little under a year—so I can't fully speak to how long the food lasts—I can bet that it will stay fresh for a long time thanks to the premium, heavy-duty packaging. Each meal comes sealed in a triple-layer Mylar package, which the brand says is the same material NASA astronauts use. And I believe it—this stuff is tough. Bonus: Everything is handpacked in the USA.
Storage
The entire contents of the 3-month kit are packed neatly into two water-resistant plastic totes that conveniently stack on top of one another. They're easy to store, but they're quite large and heavy, so you'll need a decent amount of space. We have ours tucked away in a basement closet, but the slim design means you could slide each one under a taller bed frame, too.
Final Verdict
Whether you want to be prepared in case of an emergency or are just looking for some delicious portable meals for your next camping or backpacking trip, the 4Patriots 3-month survival food kit is a solid choice. It's expensive, yes, but the value is definitely there. There's a good variety, the food actually tastes decent, and it will last for up to 25 years if stored properly. Plus, if I'm being totally honest, having the peace of mind knowing you have a shelf-stable food supply available should you need it is priceless, especially in today's world.
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