While it’s true wet weather can make starting a fire challenging, fear not. In this post, we’ll discuss the five best fire starters for wet weather that will save the day and keep your campfires blazing.
Here are the five best firestarter for wet weather:
- Best Overall Firestarter: Wolf & Grizzly
- Best Natural Firestarter: UCO Sweetfire
- Best Budget Firestarter: Light My Fire Tinder-on-a-Rope
- Best All-Weather Firestarter: Adventure Medical Kits Amk Sol All-Weather Fire Cubes
- Best Durable Firestarter: Bayite’s Ferro Rod
Wolf & Grizzly
Best overall firestarter
Pros
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to use
- long lifespan
- Versatile: It can start a fire in wet weather, windy conditions, or even in the snow.
Cons
- It has small space for a grip
- It’s more expensive than some other fire starters.
More details
The Wolf & Grizzly is a natural fire starter designed to help you easily and reliably start a fire in various outdoor conditions.
A spark fiber and a fire set are the two main components. The fiber is coated with a food-safe and candle-grade wax, which makes it highly flammable and water-resistant. This makes it possible to start a fire even when wet.
It is made of a Ferro rod, steel striker, and paracord with a jute core, with a lifespan of about 20,000 strikes.
Light My Fire Tinder-on-a-Rope
Best budget firestarter
Pros
- Easy to ignite: The Tinder-on-a-Rope is made from natural materials such as resin-rich pine stumps, which makes it highly flammable.
- It is lightweight.
- It is made from renewable and natural materials, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
Cons
- A separate igniter is needed.
More details
Tinder-on-a-Rope firestarter is made of tinder material tightly bound together into rope. It is made of sustainably sourced pine stumps rich in resins.
This resinous material is highly flammable and easily burns, making them excellent fire starters. You can get one for the next camping trip for as low as $4.
To use the Tinder-on-a-Rope firestarter, scrape off a small amount of the tinder material using a knife or any sharp object to expose the dry fibers.
Then, use a spark from a fire starter to ignite the tinder. The resin-rich fibers catch fire quickly and produce a hot flame, helping you ignite larger pieces of wood or other combustible materials.
UCO Sweetfire
Best natural firestarter
Pros
- Burns when wet
- Environmentally friendly
- Easy to use
- Long burn time
Cons
- The striking point is not waterproof and hence can become gummy and less effective when exposed to moisture.
More details:
These eco-friendly firestarters are made from sugarcane waste, providing a sustainable solution for igniting campfires and outdoor adventures.
With an extended burn time and easy-to-use design, UCO Sweetfire offers reliable and planet-friendly fire-starting for your outdoor experiences.
Bayite’s Ferro Rod
Best durable firestarter
Pros
- Weather resistant
- High-quality sparks
- Durable
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons
- Skill required: Using a Ferro rod effectively requires some practice and technique. Learning the proper striking method to generate sparks and ignite fuel is essential.
- Additional tinder needed: While the Ferro rod provides the sparks, you will still need suitable tinder to catch the sparks and start a fire.
- Over time the Ferro rod may wear down with repeated use.
- It can be more expensive than other ferro rods.
More details:
Crafted from premium ferrocerium, this compact and durable rod sparks hot, reliable flames in any weather condition.
Ideal for camping, hiking, and survival situations, Bayite’s Ferro Rod ensures you can ignite fires effortlessly and confidently during your adventures.
Adventure Medical Kits Amk Sol All-Weather Fire Cubes
Best all-weather firestarter
Pros
Waterproof
Effortless Ignition
Steady Burn: they provide a consistent flame for an extended period.
Portable.
Cons
- Chemical Odor: Some users may find that the fire cubes have a noticeable chemical odor, which could be irritating, mainly when used in confined spaces.
- Environmental Impact: While these fire cubes are convenient, they often contain chemicals that might not be eco-friendly or biodegradable, raising concerns about their environmental impact.
- Reliability Concerns: some users have reported mixed experiences with their effectiveness, thereby questioning their reliability in extremely wet conditions.
- Availability: Depending on the region, the availability of the AMK SOL All-Weather Fire Cubes may be limited, making restocking during trips challenging in certain areas.
More details:
Adventure Medical Kits Amk Sol All-Weather Fire Cubes are reliable and effective fire starters designed for wet weather conditions.
The fire cubes come in a waterproof bag with six cubes that can be broken into smaller chunks if needed.
They come with a spark to ignite the cube. Each cube burns for approximately 10-12 minutes. Camping, backpacking, or in wet weather, Adventure Medical Kits Amk Sol All-Weather Fire Cubes are a reliable choice to start a fire.
Things To Consider When Buying a Fire Starter
Spark Time
Look for a fire starter with a longer spark time, allowing multiple ignition attempts, especially in challenging conditions.
Handle and Rod Material
The materials used in the handle and rod significantly impact the fire starter’s durability and performance. High-quality materials such as hardwood or rubber offer a comfortable grip and ensure the rod’s longevity.
Starter Size
Consider the size of the fire starter, as it directly affects portability and ease of use.
Striker Type
Fire starters come with various striker types. Choose one that suits your preference and proficiency.
5 Qualities of A Good Wet-Weather Fire Starter
Water Resistance
Weather is one of those things over which we have no control—you want a firestarter that will work even when it is raining. As such, firestarters should be made with materials that can withstand moisture or rain. Waterproof materials provide resistance allowing them to ignite in wet conditions.
Ease of Use
After a long day of hiking, feeling tired and your ankle aching, the last thing you want is trouble with your firestarter. For this reason, a firestarter that is easy to use goes a long way to making your camping experience better.
Reliability
A wet-weather fire starter should consistently produce sparks or flames regardless of the weather. A reliable fire starter ensures you can ignite tinder and kindle efficiently, even in damp or windy conditions providing you with the confidence to start a fire when needed.
Durability
It should be able to withstand rugged use and exposure. Even under adverse conditions, a durable fire starter remains functional and intact.
Portability
As a hiking rule, always bring only what you need for the trip. This means you have little space to carry your essentials—a lightweight, easy-to-carry firestarter fits the bill.
How To Start a Fire In Wet Weather
Here’s a guide on how to start a fire in wet weather.
Establish a dry space or seek a sheltered location
Look for natural shelters like rock faces or dense tree canopies that will shield your fire.
Gather tinder, kindling, and wood
Find materials such as dead branches, tree bark, or pine needles sheltered from the rain. These can serve as excellent sources of dry fuel to kickstart your fire.
Create Feather Sticks
Using a knife, carefully carve thin curls along the length of a dry stick, creating Feather sticks. These feathered edges catch fire quickly, even when damp, providing a reliable ignition source.
Light it up
After your pile is nicely done, it’s time to light up the structure and start the fire. Build your structure by adding sticks with small thicknesses. Progressively add the large bars to grow the fire.
The Challenges of Starting a Fire in Wet Weather
Wet Firewood
Wet firewood can hinder the growth and longevity of any small fire. The moisture content in the wood will make it burn slower, producing less heat.
Finding Dry Materials
The search for dry fuel for your fire is more challenging when it’s raining outside.
Creating a Spark
Lighters or matches may not work well when starting a fire in the rain. Wet conditions create the most significant challenge in producing a spark or flame.
Lighting the materials can be difficult, mainly when everything around you is wet.
