The Best Stormproof Matches for Survival
Stormproof matches are an absolutely ridiculous modern marvel. Some smart guys figured out that dipping a heavily coated phosphorus onto a small stick creates the ultimate fire starter: a match that cannot be put out by any amount of wind or water. They are amazingly fun to use (and test!) but they are also one of the most reliable survival tools you can have in your arsenal to create a fire.
Most matches we all are familiar with are the cheap matchbooks from bars and random places. Strike-anywhere and long-burn matches have their uses, but when it comes to survival… stormproof matches just outclass the rest. There are several sizes and brands to pick from, so you have a few options when you decide to add them to your survival kit.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched all of the stormproof matches, tested them in the elements, and selected the overall best, upgrade pick, and hybrid fire starter option. If you need the best stormproof match for your survival kit, one of our suggestions will be the perfect fit.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
The Best Stormproof Matches
UCO Stormproof Matches
Waterproof, Windproof, and Stormproof
UCO got it right with their standard stormproof matches that get the job done in any weather condition without being overkill.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
UCO makes the preferred stormproof match, with their matches sitting right in the middle of performance and value. They are fully submergible and have a persistent flame in any condition. UCO Stormproof Matches are our top pick after testing, due to their superior value and effectiveness.
The waterproof floating case fits 40 matches, so you’ll have some room to spare with the 25 that are included. UCO makes all sorts of high-visibility camping and survival equipment, so naturally safety orange is the default case color. The case is also available in high-vis yellow and forest green if you prefer either of those. A brighter color case may help keep you from misplacing them though, and orange is typically preferred for fire kits and the color I run with my matching orange fire kit bag.
UCO also makes the Titan series stormproof matches, which were a close consideration for our upgrade pick. Those matches are larger and have a burn time we measured at 28 seconds, but they come at a higher cost.
Specs
- Includes: 25 matches, 3 strikers, case
- Match Length: 2.75 inches
- Weight: 1.7 ounces
Pros
- Affordable and effective, striking easily and staying lit through the submersion test
- Convenient case and striker setup
- Measured past stated burn time with 16 seconds
Cons
- Matchsticks broke during testing more than other brands
The best stormproof matches end up being the UCO Stormproof Matches because they work consistently, aren’t too bulky, and represent a good value.
Upgrade Survival Matches
Zippo Typhoon Matches
Large, Long-Burning, and Reliable
An absolute monster of a match, these things cannot be blown out, will burn underwater, and will start a fire in any conditions.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Like most things with the Zippo label, these matches stand out as high quality. They are larger (4″) and heavier than any other stormproof match we tested, and have a much longer burn time (30+ seconds) as a result. They easily strike and burn after being soaked in water and hold a flame even when they are submerged.
The case is high quality as well. Both the lid and the storage chamber use good quality O-rings so it is watertight and solidly constructed. You can tell some extra thought went into the engineering with the sealed strike cap, textured grip, lanyard hole, and storage area for tinder. The sealed strike cap is a significant upgrade- other kits require you to keep strike surfaces dry, which is counter to the whole point of stormproof matches. If you decide to go with the Typhoon Match kit, you can always get the matches without the waterproof case at a little better cost per match.
Specs
- Includes: 15 matches, 3 strikers, case
- Match Length: 4.2 inches
- Weight: 4.0 ounces
Pros
- The best-performing matches out of all tests
- The floating case with an attachment point is convenient
- Measured past stated burn time with 34 seconds
Cons
- The circular strike pad takes some getting used to
- Large compared to other fire-starting methods
If you are always looking for high-quality gear that you can count on, the Zippo Typhoon Matches are your best bet.
Stormproof Fire Starter
UCO Stormproof Sweetfire
Long-burning, Effective, and Stormproof
If burn time has you down, this all-in-one solution will light it up with a long-lasting burn of over seven minutes.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
UCO is at it again, with one of their relatively new products that brings stormproof reliability: the Sweetfire. These are like stormproof matches in that they are strike tips and the signature orange phosphorus coating, but instead of a matchstick it uses compressed sugarcane.
This sugarcane burns much longer and performs as a tinder more than a match after the initial phosphorus tip has burned. It’s advertised as a 7-minute burn, but each of our tests clocked it well beyond that- up to 9 minutes. The initial lighting and intense burn is very quick, however, at just 11 seconds.
Specs
- Includes: 20 fire starters, 3 strikers (one on box)
- Length: 2.13 inches
- Weight: 5.4 ounces
Pros
- Complete fire-starting solution
- Burned past stated time in our measurements to 9 minutes
- The initial flame is wider and larger than matches (but watch your hands!)
- Tinder component uses natural materials
Cons
- Bulky for kits with less space
- High cost to not include a case
If you are looking for a hybrid worry-free solution for your fire kits, the UCO Stormproof Sweetfire fits the bill.
Everything We Recommend
UCO got it right with their standard stormproof matches that get the job done in any weather condition without being overkill.
Where to Buy
*at time of reviewing
An absolute monster of a match, these things cannot be blown out, will burn underwater, and will start a fire in any conditions.
Where to Buy
*at time of reviewing
If burn time has you down, this all-in-one solution will light it up with a long-lasting burn of over seven minutes.
Where to Buy
*at time of reviewing
The Matches We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to several contenders that we tested: UCO, Zippo, Surviveware, Coghlan’s, Coleman, Emergency Zone, Pine Mountain, and more. This helped us eliminate matches that just weren’t a good value. Some of the matches are sold in water-tight containers, which can help in the field. Other matches can be bought in bulk, which can save a lot of money if you use stormproof matches regularly.
There were not a ton of stormproof matches to compare, which made our job easier. All of the matches are relatively cheap, which allowed us to test the majority of the market thoroughly with a variety of tests. Those included soaking, submersion, and practical tests in various weather conditions.
To test waterproof testing, I soaked the matches in a cup of water for two minutes before attempting to strike them. I did not soak the strikers. For wind testing, I attempted to blow out matches immediately after striking. For submersion testing, I struck the matches and immediately submerged them in a cup of water for 5 seconds, then removed them to evaluate if they still produced a flame. To check heat intensity, I lit the matches and recorded them with a FLIR thermal camera. Lastly, I timed match burn time from strike to self-extinguishing.
The matches that were designated ‘stormproof’ ended up being much better than ‘waterproof’ matches. The Coghlan’s, Coleman, and Pine Mountain waterproof matches are closer to water-resistant- a few didn’t even hold up in humid conditions.
What to Look For
The best stormproof matches have several important features to look for:
- Value
- Material
- Size and Burn Time
- Flame Resilience
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find solid stormproof matches without breaking the bank. Below, we break down what each of these means for a great match.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
In a world full of cheap matches, you usually get what you pay for. Matchbooks from the bar don’t typically cut it when your life is on the line in a survival situation. Anyone preparing for an emergency or just a night in the wilderness wants dependable tools- including their matches.
You also don’t want to spend too much money on one resource, like waterproof matches. Using your money to get the most functionality and versatility out of your survival kit is the smart way to go.
Match Material
Long phosphorus tips separate stormproof matches from ‘waterproof’ matches. The tip extension gives the match the burn time and the waterproof ignition source needed to keep burning through submersion and the match wood getting wet.
Both stormproof matches and waterproof matches have a waterproof coating, and some brands even treat the wood sticks. But the stormproof matches quickly burn much hotter, as we found out with our FLIR thermal camera.
This heat can also make the matches consume themselves quicker, as a few traditional matches outlasted some of the shorter phosphorus-tipped stormproof matches.
Size and Burn Time
The length of the match is the biggest factor for burn time. You might think that the amount of phosphorus applied would affect burn time as well, but our research and testing show that this helps the resilience of the flame more than the burn time.
Compared to traditional matches, stormproof matches burned for less time in our tests, because they burn hotter and faster. This makes getting your birds nest or other tinder lit a more urgent situation if you are using matches with a lower burn time.
| Length | Brand | Advertised Burn | Max Observed Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.75″ | Coghlan’s | 10 seconds | 9 seconds |
| 2.13″ | UCO | 12 seconds | 10 seconds |
| 2.75″ | UCO | 15 seconds | 16 seconds |
| 4.20″ | UCO Titan | 25 seconds | 28 seconds |
| 4.20″ | Zippo | 30 seconds | 34 seconds |
| 2.13″ | UCO Sweetfire | 7 minutes | 9 minutes* |
Burn time isn’t everything- there is a trade-off between size and cost. There is also the issue of how easily the flame could be snuffed out.
Flame Resilience
Survival matches and the cases used to store them need to be versatile. Most of this versatility revolves around them being what they advertise:
- waterproof – waterproof matches can accomplish this as well, as proven in our testing of the Caughlins’ matches.
- windproof – only the phosphorus-tipped stormproof matches could stay ignited through open-air gusts.
- submersible – only the phosphorus-tipped stormproof matches could stay ignited underwater.
- stormproof – a combination of the capabilities above makes a match stormproof
Not everything in survival, camping, hiking, or match use goes to plan. How often have you had a traditional match snuff out from a gust of wind right before you light something?
Versatility
The case, strikers, and other features of the matches can improve their versatility. Longer matches are inherently more versatile, since they have more phosphorus on the stick. In a bind, you could cut up or shave the lower phosphorus part of a match in combination with another fire starter to more easily start a fire while preserving your resources.
How to Use Stormproof Matches
Survival matches are easy to use and store. For starters, you will want the matches and striker as dry as possible. Even though the matches are waterproof, some strikers are not, and the strike is easier with dry friction.
Besides the larger phosphorus coating and waterproofing, stormproof matches light the same way as typical matches: dragging the head of the match quickly across the striker.
Before you strike our match, you will want to set up your campfire or whatever you are trying to light. In emergencies where supplies are limited, wasting matches can impact your survivability.
If you’re not sure the best way to build a campfire, check out our quick guide: How to Start a Campfire: A Basic Survival Skill
Who Needs Survival Matches?
Survival matches are so small, lightweight, and cheap that they make sense for any prepared person to keep in a kit or even on their person. Everyone can benefit from being able to start a quick fire in an emergency.
Survival matches are an integral and essential part of these kits:
Survival matches are a suggested addition to include in these kits:
No matter what threats could come your way, survival matches are a good resource to have on hand.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources and References
An objective look at the best stormproof matches is useless without sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our practical military experience and prepping acumen.
McCann, J. (2013). Build the Perfect Survival Kit. Living Ready Magazine. (Source).
Stam, M. (2013). The Forensic Analysis of Wooden Stick Matches in a Southern California Arson Case and Subsequent Examinations in Two Other Arson Cases. California Department of Justice, Riverside Criminalistics Laboratory. (Source).
Wisniak, J. (2005). Matches – the Manufacture of Fire. Indian Journal of Chemical Technology. Vol 12. Pages 369-380. (Source).
The Final Word
A stormproof match may seem like a small and insignificant survival tool, but they are the ultimate fire starter when you need it. Creating a fire is an extremely important ability and skill for survival and emergencies.
Here are some other guides our subscribers have found helpful:
- 23 Ways to Start a Fire Without Matches or a Lighter
- Best Survival Tinder for Fire Starting
- Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials
We presented quite a lot of information, but as always: if you have any questions let us know and we would be happy to help. Our research and testing found that the UCO Stormproof Matches are the best option given the value, size/burn time, strike material, and versatility. Be sure to know how to use your matches. Test them out occasionally and get to know the burn time and potential uses for them.
Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.
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