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| REI Stormproof Matches, Coleman Waterproof Camp Matches, UCO Stormproof Match Kit (Left to Right) |
I chose stormproof matches for my next
review since they are an excellent addition to anyone's pack. I
reviewed three popular brands at home,
Coleman Waterproof Matches,
REI Stormproof Matches, and
UCO Stormproof Matches. All three matches advertise that they will
light even after being submerged in water. The following are my
thoughts on each match set:
Coleman Waterproof Matches:
Strikers: The strikers on the side of
the box are the only ones that come with the Coleman. Once your box
becomes wet the strikers become utterly useless. Even when they're
not wet the strikers feel very cheap.
Matches: The matches themselves are
just as cheap and made of extremely flimsy wood. Also, the matches
are stored loose inside the box just like a normal box of matches.
This offers no protection from submersion or heavy rain.
Burn Test: During the burn test I was
less than impressed by the burn time. During serveral burn tests the
aveage burn time was 18.4 seconds even when I let the flame burn the
etire match. Also, the flame produced was very small compared to the
other two matches.
Submersion Test: In my submersion test
I placed the matches in water for 15 minutes to see if they would
light after heavy saturation. The coleman failed miserbly with this
test. The tip turned to muddy match dust then just streaked acorss
the striker when attempting to light it. 4 out of 4 matches failed to
light and 2 of them borke in half from the cheap wood obsorbing
water.
Overall: Honestly, I wouldn't trust
Coleman waterproof matches any more than I would trust normal matches
in a wet enviroment. I wouldn't recommend these matches to anyone who
is serious about a reliable fire producing backup.
REI Stormproof Matches:
Strikers: The match box comes with two
strikers on the side just like a normal match box. It also came with
4 spare strikers in waterproof sealed plastic bags. The side strikers
are thicker and of better quality than the coleman but would most
likely fail if wet. If it wasnt for the extra strikers, the REI would
leave you in the same situation as the Coleman.
Matches: The matches are signifcantly
better qaulity than the Coleman. These matches are thick and made of
qaulity materials and the burning portion allows for longer burn
times and bigger flames. The matches themselves are stored in a
non-sealed plastic bag inside the box to help safeguard them from
moisture.
Burn Test: The burn test was successful
with the REI matches, offering larger flames and a longer burn time
than the Coleman. The average burn time for the REI match was 25.1
seconds.
Submersion Test: I submerged the REI
match for 15 minutes and it lit easily and quickly with little
problems. I submerged another match for 30 minutes and it acted just
as the Coleman did at 15 minutes, turning into mushy dust when I
attempted to strike it.
Overall: The REI stormproof match is a
good match compared to the other matches. My only issue is that its
not completely stormproof since the matches aren't in a sealed bag.
These matches will survive a downpour but not a fall into the river.
UCO Stormproof Matches:
Strikers: The strikers are almost
identical to the REI matches as they come in a fully sealed plastic
bag. The only diference is the UCO strikers can be installed on the
case and removed so they can be stored safely inside the case when
not in use.
Matches: Again, the matches are
identical to the REI stormproof matches. The matches are made of
sturdy wood with a long burning tip. The only difference is that they
are stored inside a 100% waterproof case that keeps them dry no
matter how much water they're introduced to.
Burn Test: In the burn test the UCO was
the best performer out of the three. It had a significantly larger
flame than any other match. It had a slightly shorter burn time than
the REI match at 24.9 seconds.
Submersion Test: The UCO acted exactly
like the REI match test. It lit easily at 15 minutes but failed at 30
minutes. In the end the UCO matches are stored inside the waterproof
case and would only be exposed to water for short durations.
Overall: The UCO stormproof match is a
bright burning, exceptional match. It has a large, long burning flame
that helps ensure your fire is started easily.
The Final Descision:
The best match out of the three is the
UCO Stormproof Match. All three matches are under $6 and at that
price the UCO matches is the best choice. For $6 dollars you get a
waterproof case that keeps all your components dry. The removable
striker pads are a plus as well so you can save them from the rain.
Also the matches are sturdy and reliable even when wet. I would
recommend this match set to everyone, this is a great choice for any
survialist.
Learn. Explore. Survive.
Used these products before, feel free to leave your thoughts.
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