In wilderness, you need to stay safe and build a fire whenever you need one. It’s not always simple, as the weather conditions might not be in your favor. For a good fire starter, knowing more about the best waterproof matches available on the market is the spot to start from.
Depending on where you think you will use these matches, you have a large variety you can choose from. The most reliable matches that will prove to be extremely efficient in harsh conditions are not what you will need for a regular camping weekend.
That’s why we have more information about different brands and the specific features of their waterproof matches for you. Are you ready to complete your fire starting kit or put one more item in your survival kit?
Let’s see what properties should a regular waterproof match have and identify its upgrades to unbeatable waterproof and windproof matches!
Regular waterproof matches are easy to do at home or purchase online and from various stores. They are not the best of the best, but a little rain will not stop them from lighting up and burning for a short while. For waterproof matches, there are a few factors you need to look at before choosing a product.
Durability
No matter how waterproof a match claims to be, its ability to stay useful in your pocket or pack is huge. You have to know that you can rely on them to light on when you need.
Packaging
Having great matches in a horrible pack will cost you functionality of the match. The reason is because they can slip out and get lost in your bag, the striker can degenerate and leave them useless, or the package can trap moisture and cause them to be gummy.
Whether it’s a plastic tube or a more sophisticated case, it should have certain features such as air tight closing, light weight, the ability to float on water, not sink in it, enough space to store as many matches as possible and an ergonomic shape to fit it in your bag, pocket or other places. Moreover, the striker pads should be safe inside it.
Comfort
If you have a match that is too small to comfortably hold while lighting it can give you as much trouble as if they won’t latch at all. If it is to short it can mean that your fingers will get burnt as you are trying to light your fire, especially in windy situation.
Amount
There is a difference between just wanting to have a few on hand for emergencies and making them your one and only way to light a fire.
Shelf Life
If you are only getting them for emergencies, only camp occasionally, or even if you do plan to use them a lot, you need to know how long they will store for and in what kind of conditions they need to be stored.
There is nothing worse than trying to light a match that is expired.
Reliability
Don’t light match after match because the wind puts the fire off! Save them by opting for both waterproof and windproof matches. In order to be prepared for surprise storms, you can add a case of high quality matches in your survival kit.
Be sure that you know what each manufacturer considers extreme. Windproof, wind resistant, water proof, water resistant, and weather proof are all different terms that can be confusing.
Striker
There are match tubes that have phosphorous pads on the top and on the bottom. These may become impossible to use, so it’s best to put some inside as well.
While most waterproof matches are almost strike anywhere matches, being safe is better than being sorry.
Top 5 Product Reviews For Your Consideration
Below is a list with 5 types of stormproof and waterproof matches recommended for various circumstances. Having the right tool at the right time is part of what it takes to be prepared. We took our own advice and included the important things to look for so that you did not have to spend hours scouring the internet.
Uco Titan Stormproof Match Kit
Price: Approximately $9
Weight: 0.16 pounds
Dimensions: 4.5 inches tall and 1.5 inches in diameter
Specific features:
The wind doesn’t stand a chance in the way of these titan stormproof matches
Each piece can burn for up to 25 seconds
Every match stick has the ability to stay lit underwater
Feature a cool case that is also waterproof
The case floats in water and comprises a striker holder
Includes 12 matches and replacement strikers
Comes with a cord for attaching to a lanyard or clip
Best use: This is just right for harsh weather condition and all around use.
The UCO Titan Stormproof Match Kit is here to switch your focus from having capable matches to light a fire in need to other survival issues. Their users were really impressed by their size and the fact that they’re exactly as advertised. The case in which they come from is made of plastic, so they are easy to carry.
However, they are known to be a lot larger than other matches with the same properties. The striker pad that comes along with the 12 waterproof matches is also waterproof, but it cannot be used underwater. Although bulky, these huge match sticks have the ability to save your life when a storm hits and you are in the wilderness.
If you’re worried you might drop a match in a puddle, worry no more! It will stay lit underwater, so you can just pick it up and light that fire! Your success is guaranteed as long as you have them with you or in your bug out bag. 25 seconds should be enough to get the fire started and stay safe for a while.
PROS:
Stays lit for 25 seconds
Water-proof
Striker pad is included
CONS:
They are somewhat bulky
Striker pad will not work underwater
Related: If you are looking for more security in your ability to light a fire, look at purchasing Fiber Light Fire Starter to put with it. The fiber is in a tin and is also water resistant.
Weight: Item’s weight is 8 ounces and kit’s weight is 1.7 ounces
Dimensions: Each match stick is 2.75 inches long
Specific features:
The durable ABS plastic case can hold up to 40 waterproof matches
The initial package contains 25 match sticks and 3 strikers
The plastic case is also provided with a cotton ball inside it that can be used to make fire
The plastic case floats in water instead of sinking in
A striker pad is incorporated in the plastic case and it can be changed when it can no longer be used
The matches are long enough not to burn your fingertips
You have 15 seconds to light the fire with one match stick
Highly resistant in windy and rainy conditions
They have the ability to stay lit underwater for the entire burning time of 15 seconds
Best use: These have a universal use.
The Storm Proof Match Kit BigTProducts is no titanium match kit, but it’s really close. The matches are of extremely high quality and will not let you down. They are long enough to burn for 15 seconds and not let heat get to your fingertips. In addition, they will stay lit when water is pouring down on them or if you drop them.
This kit comes with 3 striker pads and it has enough room for you to add more match sticks. Initially, it contains 25 pieces, but you can add 15 more! Reliable when you are in nature and you want to make a fire, these water resistant matches should be handy in vital situations.
If the incorporated striker pad becomes useless, you will find 2 more inside this kit that will save the day. Whether you are now putting together a fire starting kit or want to improve the one you already have, these matches could be a fantastic addition.
PROS:
Comes with 25 match sticks
Includes 3 striker pads
Floats in water
Will light even in the pouring rain
CONS:
Striker pad has a short life span
Stays lit for 15 seconds
Related: Sometimes the problem with starting a fire is having the timber. With this Firestarting Tinder Torch Survival Tin you have tinder that will go perfectly with your waterproof matches.
Delivered in a waterproof tube provided with 2 striker surfaces; one at the bottom and the other one at the top
They are made in England with the sole purpose of being used in windy and rainy weather conditions
Heavy rain or strong wind will not put out the flame made by each match stick
They light up easily regardless of the weather conditions
Immersing these waterproof matches into water while they are lit, will not extinguish them
25 pieces are included in a standard waterproof tube
Each piece stays lit for around 10 seconds
Best Use: Perfect for windy or rainy conditions.
The Coghlan’s 1170 Storm Matches can prove to be lifesavers! These waterproof and windproof matches aren’t made for survivalists only. They should be part of any hiker or camper’s bag. Since they are lightweight and come with a case provided with striker pads, they can be nicely fitted in any small compartment.
The burning time of one match stick is around 10 seconds, which is less than other waterproof matches. Depending on which situation you want to be prepared for, you can opt for these or for an upgraded version of them.
The red tip of every match emanates a thick smoke, similar with that of a road flare. Maybe this information will give you an idea of one of its alternative uses. Coghlan’s Storm Matches don’t have an expiration date, especially if you keep them in a zip-lock bag and low humidity conditions over the years.
PROS:
Made for windy and rainy weather
Makes a great flare
Perfect size for an emergency kit
CONS:
Much shorter than other waterproof matches
Only burns for about 10 seconds
Related: If you would like to make sure that you have plenty of kindling everywhere you go, think about adding Fatwood Sticks Magnesium Chips to your emergency kit as well.
Dimensions: Small plastic tube with 25 medium-sized match sticks
Specific features:
These are military grade match sticks approved by NATO
One plastic tube contains 25 match sticks
The plastic tube is provided with striker pads
Waterproof and windproof matches ready to be used in survival situations
Able to burn between 10 and 12 seconds
Best use: Not in extremely wet or windy conditions, but during nature walks, vacations in nature and in crisis situations
The Survival Matches NATO Approved have a more general use than the specific ones that are made especially to last and be used in rainy and windy conditions. These matches are good to have, but you have to consider a few aspects.
According to multiple users, the plastic tube that contains 25 waterproof matches can be easily opened because it doesn’t screw in. Theoretically this wouldn’t be a problem since they are supposed to be water resistant.
Even so, they could fall out of your bag or get so wet that the red phosphorous that is inflammable becomes something like a paste. Since these wonder matches are not strike anywhere matches, you have to be prepared with a few extra strike pads.
The strike pads that come along with the plastic tube don’t last very long. Only about half of 25 match sticks can be lit with it. As long as you plan on using them in less extreme situations, these survival matches will not let you down.
PROS:
Great for camping
Perfect sized for any bag.
Lights quickly
CONS:
The tube it comes in doesn’t seal
Won’t work in extreme situations
The striker is not good that long
Related: To get around the bad striker and case, you could purchase the UCO Firefly 3-in-1 Waterproof Match Container. It is waterproof, shuts securely, has a LED light, and contains replaceable strikers.
Best use: These types of matches are meant for outdoors use. They are specifically recommended for camping.
The Coleman 829-205T Waterproof Matches are pretty decent matches. Various users were not too pleased by their quality. However, there’s a big difference between stormproof matches and simple waterproof matches.
This brand might not be the best there is out there, but their matches are not totally useless. If you are careful enough, the match sticks will not break and the red phosphorous will not dissolve unless it is kept in a very humid or wet place.
While you can’t rely on Coleman’s waterproof matches in extreme situations, you can light a fire when you’re out camping. Keeping the stormproof matches for more dangerous situations is a great idea if you already own a pack of these matches.
Since they come in regular boxes, don’t expect them to be water resistant or able to light up if the striking pad is wet.
PROS:
Great for emergencies
Small enough to fit in a tight space
CONS:
They are not waterproof
They break easily
Must be stored correctly otherwise they get gummy and won’t lit.
Related: Think about adding this Ultimate Fire Starting Survival Kit Magnesium Chips to your purchase. The match case has a striker, is water-proof, and shuts securely. They tin has magnesium and tinder to help you start a fire quickly.
Waterproof and stormproof matches should not be a mystery to you anymore. Their features are pretty straightforward, so all you have to do is to think about where you’re planning to use them. You don’t need NATO approved matches in any circumstances.
That’s why you don’t have to waste money on something that you don’t need. However, if you’re preparing for the most unusual and dangerous situations, then by all means, get those and another type just to be sure. Keep in mind that camping matches and regular outdoor matches will not get your through the apocalyptic times.
Most match kits don’t include a large number of matches. Purchasing more is ideal because you will not find them in case of crisis anymore. Multiple survival movies teach us that scouting trips could bring bad news and that’s something no one wants.
Put more cases in your bug out bag and inside your survival kit and add some in your car as well. You never know when you will need them!
Dennis Owens is a graduate of National Camping School and REI Outdoor School. He knows everything about what gear to take with you, how to plan your trip to stay safe and what to do if you get lost in the mountains. We are lucky to have Dennis with us as he is a ‘walking encyclopedia’ when it comes to the wilderness.
