best waterproof/windproof lighter?

[Jared Lampton]

Anyone have any suggestions for a tested, tried and true, waterproof, windproof, bombproof, reliable, small, lightweight, generally awesome lighter? If you were going to carry just one lighter into the backcountry (probably not a good idea) which one would you take? I need to get a good one.

 

[Rick Leathley]

Zippo? Lol

 

[KMD]

LOL, I brought along a 'torch' type cigar lighter last year to Colorado and that sucker was useless @ 10,500ft! But my 'backup' was a good ol' dime store BIC lighter, and worked just fine...

 

[TEmbry]

Two bics.

Fancy ones seem to be a GIF idea...

 

[mtnwrunner]

Two bics.

Fancy ones seem to be a GIF idea...

Yup, two bics.

Randy

 

[RosinBag]

Bics and nothing else. The fancy lighters are gimmicks and if you rely on them, you will be cold and wet.

 

[doverpack12]

I carry a bic and also a Ronson Jet Lite from Walmart you can usually find them in most of the checkout isles they run on butane and sometimes you have to slightly move the little tip that sticks out into the center of the flame but with a little adjusting you can make the flame as big or small as you want

 

[muleman]

BICs

 

[mtnkid85]

Gotta say, as long as theres fuel in it I cant recall ever having a bic fail on me. Some times in takes several strikes but they always light. I generally have one in every jacket with a chest pocket.

 

[Brock A]

BIC Mini for me. 1 in my pocket, 1 in my emergency first aid kit & one in a Kifaru small pullout that has a few other little things in it as well.

 

[cmeier117]

Anyone tried the soto pocket torch? Basically turns a Bic lighter into a well.... pocket torch.

 

[KMT]

Bic for $1.49 works like a champ.

 

[jmez]

Bic and keep it in your pants pocket so it stays warm.

The butane/torch lighters don't work in high altitudes. Not enough oxygen for them to maintain the heat they need to burn.

 

[rodney482]

tiny bic

and a brunton torch lighter... works great 7000 ft and under.

 

[Darren Best]

Zippo, but it looks like I am the odd man out.

 

[Ozz08]

Anyone tried the soto pocket torch? Basically turns a Bic lighter into a well.... pocket torch.

Yeah I have one of them. I have only used it to see if I could solder 1/2" copper pipe and fittings. It took a little longer than mapp gas turbo torch but it worked!

 

[Justin Crossley]

I've never had any trouble at all with a butane lighter. I have also used BIC lighters with no trouble except they don't start a fire as easy. The butane lighter that I have is also much easier to ignite than a BIC lighter when my hands are really cold. I think mine is a Cabelas brand.

I don't hunt in really high elevations in WA like you guys in CO so that probably makes a big difference.

 

[Jared Lampton]

One time I had 2 "regular" lighters in my pack and was desperately trying to get a fire going and despite my efforts I could not light my fire starter because of the intense wind and rain. I finally was able to get a fire going by getting my stove lit and lighting my fire starter with it. Not a pleasant night...I've since acquired better fire starter. This is why the fancy butane lighters seem like a good idea. I don't hunt anything higher than about 8k feet elevation here in NW MT. Sounds like Bics are reliable. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I use the Bic's as well, never could get the couple of "torches" I tried to work correctly.

 

[jmez]

The torches work really well at lower altitudes. You should keep them in an inside pocket so they stay warm. They work much better and are more reliable if the butane is warm.