A camping lighter is one of the essential outdoor gears for camping and backpacking trips. Starting a fire during camping can make a massive difference in your trip. Fire can save you from the worst possible weather, and fire is essential for cooking your meals. The best way to start a fire is by using a lighter.
A good lighter provides a small and controlled flame regardless of the weather. You can use it to ignite camping stoves, grills, Tent Heaters etc. Over the years, we’ve used a variety of camping lighters on our camping and backpacking trips.
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We’ve also talked to reliable industry experts, camping tour organizers and consumers. Based on our experience, we have created a list of the best camping lighters. These lighters are great for camping because they’re durable and easy to use.
Let’s read the reviews of top camping lighters.
Best Camping And Backpacking Lighters
1. BIC Classic Lighter
The BIC Classic Lighter is a good option for those who enjoy camping and backpacking. This is a classic old-style lighter that we used in our childhood. This lighter is simple and elegant, and it comes in a pack of five or ten, depending on the size of your order.
Additionally, it is child-resistant and safe to use. The BIC is a popular manufacturer, ensuring excellent quality control with this product. So, this is reliable, easy to use, and sure to work during outdoor adventures.
Furthermore, it’s dependable and affordable lighter. It’s easy to use, child-proof, and budget-friendly. Also, these come in 5 to 10 packs with a minimum price and will stay much longer with you. We have tried other classic-style lighters that were cheap and poorly made. And our thumb used to get sore due to multiple tries. With the BIC Classic, we never have that problem.
The metal strip on the flint striker ensures it’s child-proof. The 45-degree angle is a good angle to use safely. If you’re looking for a quality lighter that won’t break the bank, the BIC Classic is a good option.
2. Zippo Chrome Lighters
Zippo Chrome Lighters are a great alternative to BIC lighters for those looking for modern design. No doubt that BIC Lighters are reliable, easy to use and cheap. However, they don’t last much longer and are disposable. And also some people don’t like the old-fashioned design.
On the other hand, Zippo Chrome Lighter is refillable, sturdy and reusable. They’re also much more durable and come with a lifetime warranty. In addition, Zippo will replace it free of charge in case of any issues. But the downside is that zippo recommends using their brand of fuel, flints, and wicks, which can be a bit of an inconvenience.
Furthermore, Zippo Chrome Lighter is compact and lightweight; its weight is just 1.5oz. It’s good for hiking and backpacking tours. Overall finish and color are good and durable. Since it’s shiny so if any scratch comes on, it becomes visible on the lighter. This is a good option for daily use.
However, we did notice that the fuel can evaporate if the lighter is not used for a few days. So if you are heading for a long backpacking trip, we suggest you keep an alternative. But overall, Zippo Chrome Lighter is a great choice for anyone who wants a reliable, stylish lighter that will last for years.
3. Zippo Matte Pocket Lighter
The Zippo Matte Pocket Lighter is good for those who prefer a more subdued design. Like the Zippo Chrome Lighter, it is a reliable and durable product. However, the matte finish and simple colors of the Zippo Matte Pocket Lighter may be more appealing to some users. In addition, the lighter is easy to use and refill and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Additionally, this high-quality, compact, and durable lighter is perfect for everyday use. The lighter case is very compact and durable and opens and closes easily. The case does not come in front of a spark during use. Also, the lighter is very clean and sturdy. The first-time user might face issues while filling it and using it, but you will get used to it with time.
The Zippo Matte Pocket Lighter is a tried and tested option that is perfect for backpacking and camping. It doesn’t come filled with fluid, which is excellent for safety and transportation reasons. Much easier to use than other options, the Zippo comes in a nice matte finish that will withstand scuffs and scratches.
Made in the USA, this lighter is sure to be a reliable option for all your outdoor adventures. However, if you do lose it in the grass, it may be a bit difficult to find
4. Exotac titanLIGHT Refillable Lighter
The Exotac titanLIGHT Refillable Lighter is another excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and sturdy lighter for camping and backpacking. The Internally threaded caps save it from moisture and fuel evaporation, and we appreciate this unique lighter’s feature. It also weighs in at just 0.14 lbs, making it one of the lightest lighters on the market. You can fill the lighter with any standard zippo brand liquid fuel. It’s effortless to replace the flint.
It holds a good quantity of fuel and doesn’t need to be refilled as often. Additionally, the titanium construction makes it durable and resistant to corrosion.
The Exotac titanLIGHT is an excellent alternative to the standard zippo lighter. It is refillable and doesn’t leak or evaporate, making it safe to carry in your backpack. The size is slightly larger than a zippo, but it fits nicely in your pocket.
The most significant advantage of the titanLIGHT is that it closes tight, so there is no risk of leakage. This makes it an ideal choice for camping and hiking trips. However, this lighter is pricier than some other options on the market.
This lighter is an excellent alternative to a traditional zippo lighter. Overall, the titanLIGHT is a great choice for those looking for an alternative zippo lighter with no fuel leakage.
5. Urgrette 2 Pack Butane Torch Lighter
The Urgrette 2 Pack Butane Torch Lighter is another good lighter suitable for grilling or camping enthusiasts. This refillable, 6-inch pen lighter features an adjustable jet flame that can reach up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The neck design protects your hand from burning, and the high temperature-resistant ceramic provides safety against high temperatures. It has a 2.8g gas capacity, which is good enough to use for an extended period. The 6-inch Refillable Pen Lighter is made of full metal and has three layers of safety protection.
This Torch Lighter is a great product for its price. It comes with two lighters, and each lighter has great light. Unfortunately, each lighter also comes unfilled. This is not a problem, as the lighters are easy to fill. The lighters have great quality, but they burn very hot sometimes.
This lighter is lightweight and compact; you can take it in your pocket or backpack. So, overall this lighter is a good option for light-duty applications. But, for heavy-duty applications, the lighters may not be suitable.
Our Research Results And Analyses: Buying Guide
This guide will present our research, results and analysis of how we shortlisted the best camping lighters. And how to choose the best lighter for camping and backpacking. We shortlisted these lighters from our personal experience to industry experts, customer reviews and other campers’ experiences.
We considered factors such as durability, fuel type, ease of use, design, price and wind resistance. We also considered other hiker’s and camper’s feedback to get their point of view about these lighters. Based on our findings, below are the important factors to consider:
Ease of Use
Ease of use is the first thing we considered while shortlisting the camping lighters. In terms of ease of use, the BIC lighter was number one. They are disposable, easy to use and easily available.
Some lighters come empty, and you have to refill them on arrival. Also, you have to buy the fuel separately. This is a bit of an inconvenience, but they are much more durable and last longer when you start using them.
We highly recommend BIC lighters as it’s performance is excellent overall. They are very affordable and easily available, and most importantly, they are extremely easy to use. Thanks to their disposable nature, you don’t have to worry about refilling them or buying fuel separately. Just light them up, and you’re good to go.
Fuel Type
While deciding what type of lighter to take camping or backpacking with you, fuel type is an important factor to consider. Disposable lighters are one option, but you need to be aware that you cannot use them again once they are finished.
Electric lighters need to be recharged after a certain amount of use, so you must ensure you have access to a power source.
Butane lighters require refilling, so you must be sure you will have butane available.
Piezo ignition lighters are another option which works without the need for any fuel. For example, if you need butane fuel, ensure you can get it anywhere and cheaply. Here are some good and recommended fuel types:
Design
Some people are very cautious about the design of the lighters as well. Therefore, we kept it in mind while compiling our top lighters list. A BIC lighter is an excellent option if you prefer the classic look.
On the other hand, Zippo’s lighters have a more modern appearance. Some of the lighters are shiny, like the Zippo Chrome, and any scratches will be visible. Also, some people don’t like the glamorous style and prefer a more subdued look. In that case, the Zippo Matte Pocket is a good option. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preferences.
Wind Resistance
While choosing a lighter for your camping trips, it is crucial to consider both wind and weather resistance. In the wild, weather gets worse quickly, and you want a lighter that will work in these conditions even if it gets wet. We suggest to choose the windproof lighter in such situation.
Zippos are much better wind resistance lighters. This is because they have a metal casing that protects the flame from being extinguished by the wind. However, Zippos are not as weather resistant as other types of lighters. This is because they use liquid fuel, which can leak and be difficult to refill in the rain.
Value For The Money
It is important to find camping lighter that offers value for the money. There are a variety of lighters on the market, and each has its advantages and disadvantages.
For example, BIC lighters are relatively inexpensive but are not reusable. On the other hand, Zippos have a lifetime warranty but need to be refilled to function. So, you will have to buy fuel separately.
Exotac titanLIGHT is more expensive, but it can fill more fuel, is leakproof, and has no evaporation. When considering which camping lighter to purchase, weighing the overall features and benefits is important to get the best value for your money.
Camping Lighters Alternative
You must get an idea about the camping lighters alternatives. If you regularly go for hiking or camping, you might already have an idea. There are different gears to start a fire for cooking food and other purposes. Lighters are one of the common options.
One popular method is using a ferrocerium rod. Another option is using a magnesium block and flint. You can also use matches, but you must be careful about matches considering the weather.
- Matches
- Ferrocerium rod
- Magnesium block and flint
- Fire starters
We have also reviewed these best fire starters, so you can take a look to get an idea about them.
Top Fuels Options For The Lighter
- Zippo Butane Fuel comes in a nice little bottle, making filling your camping lighter easy. Zippo recommends this high-quality butane fuel for filling their lighters. However, it can also be used to fill other brands of lighters. The fuel quality of this zippo is excellent and ensures that your light will stay lit longer. Also, the price is reasonable considering the quantity and quality of this fuel.
- Zippo 12FC Lighter Fluid Zippo’s 12FC Lighter Fluid is a clean, burning, low odor formula that is perfect for refillable hand warmers and lighters. Made in the USA, this lighter fluid ignites quickly and easily. Additionally, this burns very clean. The fast ignition and easy refill capabilities make this lighter fluid a must-have for campers and backpackers.
FAQs
Are Camping Lighters Worth It?
Lighters are one of the most popular options among campers and backpackers. Quality camping lighter for sure is great to have for survival in the wilderness. We suggest you to buying a quality lighter while you go out camping.
A good camping lighter will be durable and withstand the rigors of camp life. It will also have a large fuel capacity which is useful while you are out for a few days. In addition, some camping lighters come with an adjustable flame, such as Urgrette Butane Torch Lighter. If you are regular campers or hikers, we suggest you invest in the quality camping lighter we reviewed.
Are BIC Lighters Good For Camping?
BIC lighters are often used for camping because they are easy to use and reliable. The company is well known for its quality of lighters, and they have been making lighters for over 50 years. We have found them durable, and they can withstand heavy usage.
Additionally, they are lightweight and water resistant. However, they do not have a wide flame, so they may not be good at starting large fires. Also, BIC lighters are not refillable, so once the fuel is gone, you will need to buy a new lighter. Overall, Bic lighters are a good choice for camping if you need a dependable way to start a small fire.
Is Zippo lighter good for survival?
In a survival situation, having reliable gear to start first is critical. Zippo lighters are famous for their durability, ease of use, and portability. However, the Zippo lighter also has some drawbacks to use in a survival situation. For one thing, Zippos require fuel, which may be difficult to find in an emergency.
Additionally, the flint wheel can break, rendering the lighter useless. Despite these drawbacks, Zippo lighters can still be a valuable tool in a survival situation if used carefully. But we suggest taking an alternative as well
Summary
So, these are the best camping and backpacking lighters. We based our decision on research, experience and industry expert feedback. BIC and Zippo are good options when looking for a lighter for your outdoor activities.
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