Anyone who has been out camping in the wilderness is sure to have had times in wet weather when starting a camp fire proved to be difficult. A simple way to increase your chances of getting a fire going in wetter weather is to have waterproof matches available. This simple piece of equipment is something that all campers and hikers should carry.
If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, carrying some waterproof matches is a common sense thing to do for a number of reasons. When out in open countryside it is not that difficult to get wet. Rain, snow and crossing rivers are just a few of the ways that water can get into your gear and even though it is safely stored in a rucksack it can still get wet. While traditional matches tend to be put out of action by water, the waterproof variety is not and they should work even in the worst of conditions. This makes it more likely after a wet day that you will be able to get a fire started and dry yourself out.
However, waterproof matches are not only for campers. If you read a typical list of the items that should be included in a survival kit or an emergency disaster kit, matches that are waterproof will generally be one of these. These types of kits can be kept in a hiking bag, car or home to deal with emergency situations, whatever they may be.
There are a few manufacturers that produce waterproof matches with some of the names to look to including Coghlans, UCO and REI. These companies produce a range of waterproof and windproof matches that can be ideal for starting a fire in wet conditions.
If you are looking to purchase waterproof matches they are a few places you can find these for sale. Camping and outdoor stores are one of the best places to look. Matches that are waterproof are typically considered basic camping and hiking equipment and most outdoor equipment stores will have a selection of matches or a survival kit that includes matches. The internet is another good place to find details of matches that are waterproof. REI have their own internet store where you can purchase matches and other internet retailer’s sell matches that are waterproof. An example of a web retailer is Safety Central.
It will typically cost more to purchase matches that are waterproof, as opposed to traditional matches. However they are still relatively affordable items with the cost for the most part being less than $10. An example of this is the REI storm proof matches, with 2 boxes of 25 matches each costing $5.50 to purchase. A box of 25 UCO storm proof matches costs around $6 to purchase
Waterproof matches can be an essential piece of camping equipment, as well as something that should be included in an emergency kit. They are simple but effective equipment and if you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors it is common sense to have some available.