I just ate one of the 3 400 calorie bars in my Mainstay 1200 ration pack.

I was amazed to see that it wasn't like the 'power bars' I've come to think of when I think of energy food. It was more like a big cookie. When I ate it, it tasted just like shortbread only a bit tougher and a little grittier.

As advertised it didn't provoke thirst. I had water handy and didn't feel like taking more than a few sips. It was easy to break down and I think in the cold it wouldn't be that much harder to get chewed up.

Overall not unpleasant to eat. We'll see how I feel at lunch when I eat another one. If I get sick of it after 2 or 3, the mainstay 3600 pack I bought with 9 bars might be hard to finish.