Easily the most comfortable and versatile one-hole on the market, this design became famous for appearing on Obi Wan Nairobi himself and being persona defining for Administrative Results on YouTube, but why is it so good? Apparently, a certain company from Canada didn't know because you're not allowed to buy it anymore.

Civilians have long been upset with LEO/MIL Restricted product constraints, but where high powered infrared lasers for the layman at least have some reasoning behind it due to their inherent danger, How the heck can you justify restricting a piece of clothing?

This FR Balaclava with its familiar looking design is the result of us being upset with the new state of military contract manufacturers giving the middle finger to us civilians. We threw down the gauntlet, sourced the same materials, and made our own. 

Don't Fix the Materials That Aren't Broken

The body fabric is the most breathable Flame-Retardant material on the market we're aware of. It's the exact same stuff as the original, made in the USA. No reason to switch. There's a difference between chemical treatments for FR and being inherently FR - as you can guess the latter is far better at doing its job. Being inherently FR means it's excellent at self-extinguishing under high heat and even direct contact with flames - important for any firearms enthusiast dealing with hot suppressors and stray casings.

Inherently FR fabric can get expensive But every penny spent is worth it here. It's extremely comfortable in any weather condition, quick drying, low bulk, and it doesn't itch if you have sensitive skin or a big 'ol beard.

But as a disclaimer, stay safe when dealing with anything that gives off sparks, open flames, or radiates a large amount of heat. While the FR Fabric is the same as the original and could theoretically be a last line of defense, we have not yet submitted the balaclava for testing and certification.

Making It Fit Better

But one of our main complaints about the original, which you can even see on the famous pics of Mr. Craighead are the sometimes floppy fit. We dialed in the shape of the neck drape for easy owl-headed movements and the facepiece is much better at actually hanging out on your face. It's still super comfortable and snag free under helmets and ear protection too!

But don't be alarmed by "One Size Fits Most" - We really mean most. We've done some "independent testing" on the largest and smallest heads we could find in the warehouse and couldn't find someone it fit poorly on. Big-Brained Chads or Compact Kings, there's no need to worry.

Ways to wear 

Unlike traditional balaclavas, the hood-and-facepiece design allows this one to be worn in a few different ways. You can either go full-ninja with the eye slot, pull down the facepiece to still cover your head and ears, wear the facepiece with the top-hood scrunched down in back, or even go "gaiter" mode with it just covering your neck.

Specs

• Berry Compliant — made in the USA with US-made materials
• Inherently Flame-Retardant Tencate Defender M™ Fabric
• Improved Fit & Cut over original
• Ranger Green, Tan 499 Or Wolf Grey w/Black Stitching Colorways
• Quick Drying
• Low Bulk - fits in your pocket!
• One Size Fits Most
• 61% Viscose, 24% Aramid, 11% Nylon, 4% Elastane

Disclaimer:

MRE ORDERS WILL NOT SHIP INTERNATIONALLY- they will face a high likelihood of seizure and destruction at customs. If you purchase one as an international customer, we'll reach out to you to confirm cancellation and a refund, minus the 5% credit card fee.

Our SOPAKCO Brown Bag MREs are made in 2022, Inspect by July-September 2025. Given that these are Surplus MREs, consume at your own risk. As is our standard policy, we do not accept returns on consumables/foodstuffs.

SOPAKCO Brown Bag MRE – Fuel for the Fight since the '80s.

When the world falls apart, you need food that stands firm (and boy, does this stuff stand firm). The SOPAKCO Brown Bag MRE is the kind of meal that fueled soldiers through Cold War tensions and Desert Storm ops. Now at KommandoStore, these Meals, Ready-to-Eat are perfect for your bug-out bag, backcountry treks, or just to taste a piece of military history. These aren’t the polished MREs of 2025—they’re the real deal, packed with calories and nostalgia to keep you going through any crisis, from a blizzard to being locked out of your mom's house again. Let’s dig into why these brown bag MREs are a survivalist’s dream.

A Slice of Cold War Grit

SOPAKCO has been feeding the U.S. military since the MRE’s early days, and the Brown Bag MREs are straight out of the 1980s and early ‘90s. These meals were built for one purpose: to keep soldiers fighting, delivering around 1,200 calories per pack. Each brown bag is a no-frills experience, sealed in tough plastic with a shelf life that defies logic. Stored right, these can last decades past their pack dates; survivalists on forums report eating 20-year-old MREs with no issues. Ivan's diet is 100% discarded rations, and he's hardly died at all.

The brown bag is classic function over flash. It’s unassuming, built to disappear in the field, and packed with an entrée, sides, a dessert, and a basic accessory pack: spoon, salt, pepper, chemical heater, and maybe a tiny Tabasco if you’re lucky. Use the heater for a morale boost, or embrace the suck and eat straight from the bag with a side of crayons. They’re ideal for emergencies, camping, or just to see what the US military has been running on.

What’s in the Brown Bag?

SOPAKCO Brown Bag MREs come in two cases—Case A and Case B—each with 12 meals and a variety of menus to keep things interesting, even if “interesting” sometimes means “edible.” 

Each case offers a mix of protein-packed entrées, carb-heavy sides, and sugary desserts to keep your energy up. The accessory pack includes a spoon, napkin, and condiments. Some users on survival forums call the taste “functional at best,” but when you’re starving, that government issue mystery meat hits like a gourmet feast.

Why SOPAKCO Brown Bag MREs?

These MREs are built to survive anything. Vacuum-sealed in military-grade plastic, they can handle extreme heat, cold, or humidity—perfect for stashing in a bunker, bug-out bag, or ex's trunk. They’re shelf-stable for decades if kept at 70°F or below, though freezing risks cracking the pouches. They’re your go-to for when SHTF, whether you’re holed up in a cabin or evading glowies.

Condition

Our SOPAKCO Brown Bag MREs are made in 2022, Inspect By August-September 2025. Typically MREs have a total shelf life of 7 years, meaning these are theoretically good until 2029, but an "inspection" is done to ensure MREs haven't been unsealed or otherwise deemed unfit for consumption by the US Military. We carefully sort out any blem MREs but we encourage you to store them in a room temperature location that doesn't pose a risk for insects or other critters to break the seal. 

Final Word

The SOPAKCO Brown Bag MRE is your ticket to survival (and your chance to experience dumps that land like depleted uranium rounds). Stock is limited and unpredictable. Grab them now or cry on eBay later!

Day 17 at FOB: I've sampled each MRE. My blood, jalapeno cheese. My tears — tobasco. I whiz Folger's instant coffee (with non-dairy CREAMER). I have not needed the toilet paper packets. I do not know if I will ever dump again. The civilian mind cannot comprehend what I've become. You can never go home again.

We all know you weren’t athletic or socially competent enough to get a letter jacket in high school (except those homeschool kids whose moms made cringe varsity jackets with a letter in “being my bestest boy”).

Now it’s your chance to become a real cool dude, a bad dude, the jock of all jocks: Jed Eckert. It’s 1984, and you’re a hick-adjacent high-schooler leading the Wolverines through the Colorado Rockies, fighting off Soviet subhumans with nothing but grit, an AK, and a Calumet High varsity jacket. Your eyes see red, you’re wearing Hoppe’s No. 9 cologne, and you’re slinging x39 brass into the next county. 

Say hello to the Red Dawn Calumet High Letterman Jacket—straight from the cult classic where Patrick Swayze and Charlie Sheen made guerrilla warfare look like a high school pep rally (we have shared fantasies, dear reader).

Red Dawn Varsity Jacket – Calumet High Forever

True to the film, this jacket features a blue wool body, white leather sleeves, yellow “C” patch, and “Eckert” stitched on the chest—because you’re the leader of this resistance, whether you’re at the range, the drive-in, or embarrassing your poor mother in front of her book club.

Specs: 

• Made exclusively for Kommandostore
• Felt Wool Body
• Faux Leather sleeves and hand pocket openings
• Red Dawn Camo lining
• Snap-button front
• Ribbed cuffs & hem
• Two side pockets
• Sizes S-3XL
• Guerilla warfare not included

Why Red Dawn?

Red Dawn (1984) is the ultimate ‘80s action flick. Directed by John Milius, it follows a band of Colorado teens—the Wolverines—who form a guerrilla resistance after Soviets, Cubans, and Nicaraguans invade the U.S. Swayze’s Jed Eckert rocks this varsity jacket while leading ambushes, stealing gear, and turning Calumet High into a symbol of defiance. This jacket’s your ticket to that legacy—perfect for reenacting the drive-in scene, being subtly autistic, and getting funny looks from jerky vendors at the gun show.

Sizing

Our letterman jacket follows standard US sizing, with a fit true to size. We recommend going with your regular t-shirt sizing if you plan on wearing the jacket with thin layers like a t-shirt underneath. For heavier layers underneath such as a hoodie or fleece, we would recommend going one size up.

Care Instructions

Handwash or Machine Wash on Delicates, Cold Wash Settings. No Bleach. Hang Dry.