When you’re out in the wilderness camping, a rainstorm could hinder your chance of starting a fire to cook your food or keep yourself warm. You won’t be able to control the weather when you’re in nature, but you will be able to find matches that will give you the means to create a fire when weather conditions make it more difficult to do.
We have taken the time to locate some of the best waterproof matches on the market. In this guide, we are going to review five different stormproof matches, as well as look a little deeper into some of the features that you will want your matches to have.
Best Waterproof Matches Reviews
1. UCO Stormproof Matches
- Matches are completely stormproof
- Burns despite wind or rain
- Will burn underwater
- 2 boxes, 25 matches per box
- Extra strikers included
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These UCO matches offer quite a value for someone who is going to be going camping quite often. They are 100% stormproof, which means that they will work if they get wet. In fact, these matches are rated to actually burn under the water, so a bit of rain is not going to hurt them and your ability to start a fire. They are also designed to light and stay lit when the wind kicks up, so they will work well, even when the weather is not the best.
These matches are made of wood, which will give them a lot of durability, and each match is approximately 2 ¾ inches in length. This set of matches comes with two full boxes, and each one of the boxes will have a total of 25 matches inside. In addition, the box comes with an additional striker that you can use.
2. Zippo Typhoon Match Kit
- Stores and protects 15 typhoon matches/ floats in water & keeps matches dry
- Keeps strike pad protected & dry to ensure reliable match ignition/ reusable, Durable & lightweight for long lasting Use
- Provides attachment point for use in pocket, go bag, or On pack/ provides extra pads for long lasting Use and match refills
- Matches can survive being submerged in water or rain/ 4" Long; burns up to 30 seconds
- Lid and storage Chamber; water resistant storage/ O ring seals
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The next set of matches is a pack that comes from Zippo, which is a well-known lighter company. The cylinder is designed to hold up to 15 matches and keep them dry. It also floats effortlessly on the water so that the matches inside do not get waterlogged. The device is also made to be easy to carry because it has an attachment point on the top that can be used to connect the kit to your tactical messenger bag so that it does not get lost in your bag. Since this kit has a waterproof design, it will still be able to light your campfire, even when it rains.
The bottom of the kit has a strike pad that will be easy to keep dry. Just make sure that the strike pad is closed when you’re not using it. The matches are about four inches in length, and they also are rated to burn for a period of 30 seconds. Additional matches are available to refill the container. This is a good option to keep in your emergency first aid kit at home.
3. Exotac Matchcap XL Waterproof Matches Case
- STRIKE ANYWHERE: Utilized as both a waterproof container to hold your matches and as a fire striker in emergencies. Light any fire, candle, grill, kitchen stove, or butane torch with the starter you choose to carry in your MATCHCAP XL.
- AMPLE SPACE: MATCHCAP XL can fit matches or other tactical supplies up to 2.9-inches long. Outdoor gear such as the ever-popular Stormproof Match, as well as your basic kitchen matches, will have room to fit for any adventure.
- ESSENTIAL FOR OUTDOORS: This compact and waterproof design allows users to carry the emergency equipment they need at all times. Build campfires, pack on military trips, or attach to your keychain.
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATERIALS: Exotac's MATCHCAP XL is CNC machined, in-house from a USA high-grade 6061 anodized aluminum body for rugged protection and durability. It sports a sleek case design that is both portable and cool!
- MADE IN THE USA: All of our products are beautifully designed, masterfully machined, and hand-finished in the USA.
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This kit has a very durable case that comes in quite a few color options. It is available in black, olive green, blaze orange, and gunmetal gray. This case is designed to accommodate matches that are three inches long, so if you find waterproof matches that you prefer to use, they can easily be substituted into this container. The outside material is crafted from aluminum, and the design is relatively about the width of a finger, which makes it easy to get a match when you need one.
There is a hook on the top of the cap that will allow you to connect it to your backpack with ease. When you unscrew the cap, you will find a red phosphorus striker built into the case so that it does not get wet. The location of this strike pad makes it very easy to use when it is wet outside as well.
4. UCO Stormproof Match Kit
- Includes 25 windproof and waterproof matches, 3 strikers and match case that can hold up to 40 matches
- Matches are easy to light, will burn up to 15 seconds each and will relight after being submerged in water
- Waterproof, durable ABS plastic case floats and keeps contents dry and protected; external, integrated, and replaceable striker for easy lighting
- Extended length of match allows for added safety to keep from burning fingertips
- Length of matches: 2.75 inches (7 cm); Kit weight: 1.7 oz. (48 g)
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This UCO match kit is designed to fit matches that are 2.75 inches in length. This will accommodate many different matches, and the kit actually comes with 25 matches already in the case. These matches are designed to be wind and waterproof, so they will hold up in any storm. When a match is lit, it will hold a flame for up to 15 seconds. This is very beneficial for lighting wet kindling, and it will even be able to light after the matches are submerged in water.
The case is made out of durable plastic that will float on water. This case comes in orange, yellow, and green, which will give you quite a few options. The side of the case has a striker on it that will be useful when you need to light a match. If that one happens to get wet, the kit comes with three replacement strikers that you can use.
5. PBL Strike Almost Anywhere Matches
Last update on 2024-10-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The final product that we are going to look at in this review is one that is made by PBL. The container is a tin one, so it will look a little bit different from the others that we have looked at. The tin is about 3 5/16 inches long, 2 9/16 inches wide, and 15/16 inches deep, so it will fit perfectly into a shirt pocket. This makes carrying the matches convenient, especially when you don’t have room in your bugout bag.
The case is filled with strike anywhere matches, so they can be lit using the tin or almost any other surface. Inside the lid of the tin, there is a striking pad that can be used to light the matches. The case has 168 strikers in it, so you will not run out in a single hiking or camping trip. The matches are also made of wood, so they’re quite durable and tend not to break when they are lit.
Features to Consider When Selecting Waterproof Matches
Before you go out and find just any pack of matches, you’re going to want to make sure that they have some of the below:
Portability
When you’re purchasing matches, make sure that you have a waterproof matches case that you can use when you are in the wild. Of course, matches can come in a matchbox, but will the box be able to keep the matches dry when the box gets wet. Most will likely crumble quite easily when they get wet, and the result will be the matches inside getting wet also or losing the ability to light until they dry.
A hard plastic container will help keep the matches dry in your bag while making sure that they are not being lost amongst the rest of your hiking gear. An excellent waterproof matches container will also have a few striking surfaces that you’ll be able to use to light the match.
Durability
A match that is not durable enough to withstand the pressure of a strike against a surface to light is effectively useless. No one wants to have to attempt to light their fire several times before they’re able to get a match that will not break in half when it’s lit. Find matches that are strong when you’re looking for a set to take with you camping.
Longevity
When wood is wet, it takes longer to start burning, and if you are having trouble getting the kindling to burn, having a match that goes out quickly will be just as worthless as one that has trouble lighting. When the match stays lit for a more extended period, the kindling will have an easier chance of achieving the result that you are intending. Some matches are rated to last for about 15 seconds before burning out, which will give you plenty of time to get a fire started.
Waterproof
When you say that you want matches that are waterproof, there are a few different ways that a manufacturer will take care of this. There may be a wax seal on the matches that will need to be removed before you light it. This will help protect the match from getting wet at all. The material that the head of the match is made out of can also be made out of a material that will be waterproof.
If your matches are not actually waterproof, you can create waterproof versions by dipping them in paraffin wax or painting the matches with shellac. These will not be 100 percent waterproof when they dry, but they will be much more water-resistant than they were without the coating.
Windproof
Wind can make it very difficult to light a fire, especially when you are using matches to do so. With that being said, there are some matches that are not only waterproof but windproof as well. This means that a stiff breeze will not be able to keep you from lighting a fire.
Cost-Effective
When it comes to matches that are waterproof, they may seem to be a bit more expensive than regular matches. To make sure that you’re adequately prepared for your next camping trip or wilderness adventure, it is definitely not too much to spend that little extra.
You will get a lot of matches in any one of these waterproof matches container options that we are reviewing in this guide.
Tips for Matches that are Waterproof
- If a light anywhere match is missing its tip, the match will be able to be lit using a book of safety matches. The match may not light on the first strike, but with a few attempts, it can easily be done.
- Humidity will damage matches over time, so you may want to vacuum seal the matches in some way. Canning jars and Tupperware dishes will do the job of keeping the humidity out of the box of matches.
- If the matches are already humid, silica gel will soak some of it up. If you don’t have silica gel, then a coffee filter full of non-dairy powdered creamer that has been stapled shut will do the same thing.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for matches to take on your next camping or survival trip, then only the best waterproof matches will do. There are quite a few different options on the market, but finding the best one is going to be difficult unless you test them all. Fortunately, we’ve had the time to test quite a few matches to find the best ones for you to consider.
All of the five options that we reviewed were great ones to consider, but if we had to choose one that stood out above the rest, it would be the UCO Stormproof Match Kit because it is windproof, waterproof, and it comes with a nice little container that makes it easy to light. It also has the ability to burn for up to 15 seconds, so lighting a fire should be easy with these matches.
I’m Nebojša, a seasoned digital marketing professional with over 15 years of experience. My writing covers a diverse range of topics, from technology and gaming to app development and automobiles, all while delving into the intricacies of SEO optimization. Beyond the digital realm, I find solace in nature, inherited from my father’s love for the outdoors. His passion for hunting has influenced me, adding another layer to my appreciation for the natural world.