They are part of my long term food storage (in addition to canned food) but for outdoor purposes the form factor is what attracts me to them. I don't like bulky gear, and since the entrees are flat I can line the inside of my pack with them without sacrificing a whole lot of room inside, allowing me to turn a daypack into a 3 day pack. It is a little heavier, but the more I eat the lighter it gets

Also I rather like the taste, especially the crackers and jalapeno cheese.