While maybe not the sexiest piece of survival gear we could invest our hard earned money in, the truth of the matter is that there may not be a more important piece of equipment in your entire outdoor set up than a pack of waterproof matches.
Anyone that wants to be fully prepared should they find themselves in the middle of an emergency outdoor situation knows that they need to focus on three key details for survival – water, fire, and shelter. And though the best waterproof matches may not help you when it comes time to secure shelter they definitely can help you with fire and can help to boil off snowmelt or heat water so that it is safe to drink or cook with.
Getting your hands on the best waterproof matches can quite literally be a life or death decision. You cannot afford to make this decision lightly or haphazardly, which is exactly why we have put together this quick guide.
Make sure that your investing in only the best waterproof matches and you’ll have nothing to worry about should you find yourself in less than ideal circumstances outside.
Three Key Features the Best Waterproof Matches Have
Before we really dig into our favorite waterproof matches on the market today it’s important that we highlight three key features all of your waterproof match purchases should include.
Strike Anywhere Capabilities
The last thing you want to have happen in the middle of an outdoor emergency is discovering that your waterproof matches require certain materials or textures to strike and ignite. This is why you want to get your hands on waterproof matches that can strike against pretty much anything and everything, guaranteeing you’ll always have the opportunity to start and build a fire.
Wind Resistance Capabilities
The only thing that’s going to threaten your match as much as water is wind, and too much wind can knock out your match flame almost immediately and eliminate your ability to build a fire when you need to most. Look for matches that include high levels of wind resistance and you won’t have much to worry about moving forward.
Burn Time
You don’t necessarily need to invest in waterproof matches that will burn for minutes and minutes on end, but you should look for matches that burn for at least 10 seconds to 15 seconds (and ideally even longer) so that you have every chance of starting a fire with each individual match. Burn time is a key consideration before you pull the trigger on these kinds of purchases.
Top 8 Waterproof Matches
1. UCO Stormproof Match Kit with Waterproof Case
Specs:
- Includes 25 matches
- Includes three strike materials
- Waterproof case can accommodate up to 40 waterproof matches
These are certainly some of the best waterproof matches on the market today, with the ability to effortlessly light up with strike anywhere features – but they really ignite quickly when they’ve been strong against the included strikers built right into the case.
Each of these matches will burn for up to 15 seconds and can be relit even after they’ve been fully submerged in water, making them some of the best survival matches on the market today.
Pros & Cons
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2. Coghlan's 940BP Waterproof Matches
Specs:
- Four boxes of 40 waterproof matches
- Strike anywhere capabilities
- 12 second burn time
This may be the last purchase of waterproof matches you ever make, if only because you’ll be able to get your hands on 160 waterproof matches with a single purchase of this product.
These matches feature strike anywhere capabilities so that you can light them under almost every circumstance, and while they do not come in a waterproof case they are themselves 100% waterproof and can even be relit should they become submerged in water. The 12 second burn time is plenty enough to ignite tinder material.
Pros & Cons
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3. UCO Windproof and Waterproof Survival Matches with Sealed Case
Specs:
- Includes 15 compact water and windproof matches
- Two strikers are included as well
- Waterproof sealed case is reusable
Though you aren’t going to get quite as many waterproof matches with this purchase as you might with some of our other favorite options, you are going to get the added benefit of windproofing with this purchase as well.
The matches are effortless to light (especially against the included strikers built right into the waterproof case, replaceable strikers) and you’ll get up to 12 seconds of burn time with each individual match. On top of that, these matches can be relit even after they have been completely submerged underwater.
Pros & Cons
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4. UCO Match Container Kit with 75 UCO Stormproof Matches
Specs:
- 75 Waterproof and windproof matches
- 15 second burn time
- Can be relit after submersion in water
This is one of the best deals for waterproof and windproof matches on the market today, especially since you not only get 75 of these “light in any conditions” matches but you also get a waterproof carrying case that can tote around 40 of them at a time.
On top of that, you get to replaceable strikers that can be attached directly to the waterproof case itself even though these matches can be struck anywhere and ignite. 15 second burn time is plenty long enough to light campfires, stoves, and most anything else.
Pros & Cons
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5. UCO Stormproof Matches
Specs:
- Includes 25 waterproof and windproof matches
- Matches feature 15 second burn time
- Can be lit in any weather condition
These top-quality waterproof and windproof matches from UCO are billed as “storm proof matches”, the kinds of matches that can be ignited and maintain their ignition in pretty much any weather condition imaginable. There’s nothing Mother Nature could throw at you that would stop these matches from igniting.
The 15 second burn time is pretty solid and right up there amongst the best in the industry, and the fact that these matches can be relit even after they’ve been extinguished underwater is a huge bonus.
Pros & Cons
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6. Zippo Typhoon Matches and Match Kit
Specs:
- Includes 15 Typhoon matches
- Striker is built right into the top of the waterproof case
- ABS plastic case is 100% waterproof
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the folks at Zippo could come up with some of the best waterproof matches on the planet, and that’s exactly what these Typhoon matches are.
In this package you’ll get 15 of these storm proof, waterproof, and windproof matches contained within a proprietary Zippo ABS waterproof case. The top of the case also doubles as the strike material so that you always have it close at hand, and a number of replacement strike pads are included with your purchase as well.
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7. UST Stormproof Matches with Waterproof Match Box
Specs:
- Includes 10 waterproof and windproof matches
- Strike anywhere features
- Includes 100% waterproof high visibility case
These matches have been designed to withstand some of the worst weather conditions imaginable and still provide a reliable strike, long-lasting burn, and re-strike capabilities – even after they have been extinguished by being submerged under water.
These 100% waterproof and windproof matches also have an extended length so that you can easily manipulate them to catch the material you are trying to start on fire without having to get too close. The waterproof case is made out of high visibility material that you won’t have to worry about losing outdoors.
Pros & Cons
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8. Jackie Portable Extra-large Head Windproof Waterproof Matches
Specs:
- Includes 20 waterproof and windproof matches
- Features 18 second burn time
- Includes hundred percent waterproof ABS plastic case
The unique feature with these particular waterproof matches is that they have and extra-large match head that not only allows for effortless ignition in any weather condition, but it also stays ignited for much longer than most of the other waterproof/windproof matches on the market today.
These waterproof/windproof matches are also guaranteed to ignite even after they’ve the have been fully submerged in water, which means they are going to work wonders in rain, snow, sleet, and other wet and stormy conditions as well.