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If you’re looking for the best all weather matches for backpacking or survival kits, we’ve made a list of the best all-weather matches to get your fires started in all kinds of conditions. Great to have when camping or traveling outdoors and a must for any emergency kit, we’ve picked out the best waterproof matches with all weather usage and long shelf life and which won’t be ruined if they get wet.
Our top pick, the Swiss Safe 5-in1 Fire Starter is a convenient magnesium rod fire starter that’s far more reliable than lighter or regular matches, plus includes a compass, whistle and paracord. Read on for more of the best waterproof matches.
Award: TOP PICK
More than just the best waterproof match striker, this 5-in-1 backpacking survival tool combines a magnesium and ferrocenium rod and flint fire starter, a compass, a steel scraper, a whistle and a 450-lb para cord lanyard, so you can easily tie it to your gear or belt loops to have it with you. The metal permanent survival match is more durable and reliable than lighters and will still work after being submerged in water.
These waterproof matches promise a lifetime of 16,000 strikes for the flint and rod and can get a fire going in under 30 seconds. While they don’t require wilderness expert training to use, they do take a little more practice than regular strike anywhere matches.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
This kit contains 25 windproof, waterproof matches that will burn for up to 15 seconds, plus three replaceable strikers. They’ll relight after being submerged in water, making it easy to get a fire going even after a downpour or flash flood. The kit also includes a useful waterproof, floating plastic case. Once the matches run out, you can even use the case for other things.
The strikers won’t work if wet, but once dried, they will work again, and the matches themselves will re-ignite if dropped in a puddle or wet dirt, as long as there’s still phosphorus remaining. These stormproof matches are not as long-lasting as a magnesium and flint fire starter, but they are much more convenient.
Award: BEST BUDGET
These all-weather matches are distinguished from regular wooden matches in that they will still light if you get them wet. Among the best value waterproof matches in bulk available, they come in a pack of 10 boxes that each have 40 matches and a striker pad. While the sandpaper pad on the box must generally be dry in order to light, these match heads are coated and can handle some moisture.
The main attraction of these bargain waterproof matches bulk is that you get a large quantity of them in the pack, making it easy to have matches on hand in your roadside emergency kit or take them with you on camping and backpacking trips. They’re also easier for a novice to use than a flint fire starter.
In order to narrow down our list to the best all-weather matches you can buy, we looked at quality, durability and value. We only chose matches and fire starters that were easy to carry and store, could be used even after getting wet and could reliably spark and start a fire without requiring too much in the way of special expertise.
We also only included products that were safe and could be stored for a minimum of five years. That way, these waterproof matches can find a place in your emergency kit. While it’s not too difficult to learn how to make stormproof matches, it’s generally safer and more reliable to buy survival matches as part of a dedicated tool like in permanent survival matches or in packs as with the UCO matches or Diamond waterproof matches.
Finally, we required that all weather matches on our list be able to light in the rain or after getting wet. Being windproof and reusable was considered a bonus.
Striker vs Stick Matches
If you’re looking for a backpacking or wilderness survival tool that fits easily in your gear and is reusable, consider one of the rod-and-flint type striker survival matches, like the Swiss Safe 5-in-1. These can reliably spark over and over again using a magnesium and ferrocenium rod and flint and are highly waterproof and durable. On the other hand, if convenience and quick lighting is key, consider waterproof matches that come in the traditional wooden match and striker pad form, like the UCO stormproof matches.
Length
With stick matches, the longer the match stick, the easier, in general, it is to start a fire with them. The UCO matches burn for up to 15 seconds and give you plenty of space to hold them, even with gloves on.
Quantity
When looking for a survival kit tool, you may want just one reusable permanent match, but for more routine uses having a large quantity of bulk waterproof matches can be much more convenient.