While that sounds good it's not really how it works. Mainstay and Datrex both are high energy low protein to prevent thirst not high moisture to prevent thirst.

Realy the Datrex is dryer than the Mainstay! I made a huge mess getting a lil cube out of the Datrex package it shattered and went all over my table. I wasn't being careful but I wasn't being forceful eeither, while the mainstay simply crumpled into a smaller piece and didn't explode all over my table I would think it's composed of more water.

I agree, like I said I could eat both but the Mainstay didn't taste AS good as the Datrex. As I said before I`d use the Datrex in my Jeep and camping stuff as I may need to eat it just because it's there, and if that's the case I`d rather eat the Datrex than the Mainstay. For instance last time we were on the Rubicon my friend's jeep broke, I had enough gear to stay the night and a ration of mainstay. While I new we'd be fine in the morning or that night if we fixed it (we did) once we started getting hungry I would have LOVED to grab a datrex and start eating it with the mainstay I would have put it off (eating). In this situation I new we were leaving it was just a matter of time but if we had to stay I would have WANTED to eat to be comfortable and that is why I will carry datrex.

edit: I did not ONLY have the mainstay wtih me, I`m simply saying it was the only 'emergancy' food I had, and by the time my extra sandwhich was gone the datrex would have been nice to eat while working