Lighters

“I'd be interested in any recommendations or experiences with the higher-end, windproof/water-proof style lighters such as those from Windmill or Colibri. Are these worth it for everyday backpacking, or are these more for the high-altitude crowd?”

“if it gets wet, it will be worthless. i would stick to matches

but i guess if they get wet, they are worthless to.

glad i could help ya :)”

“I've found the standard bic things to be the most reliable, those blowtorch ones can be a pain, and always fail when you need them. It's also tricky to tell how much gas is in them.
Disposable lighter and some matches in a bag is the best option by far.”

“Forget Colibri. Back in my smoking days I bought one when they first came out, sent it back for refurbishing twice, eventually got two more through the Marlboro miles, then gave up. Waterproof when closed, yes. Windproof when lit, yes, big time. But in every case - new or refurbished all 3 lighers - it would only light reliably for about a month, then sporadically for another month, then never light again.

Your best bet for hiking is a mini Bic. Never had a Bic fail on me, ever. And I agree with YY, you can also see how much fuel is left. Even when it is gone you'll still get a small flame for another dozen lights.”

“Ditto to what Y2 sez....
I have used just a crummy ole Bic too...
The Bic I have is about 3 inches long and about 1-1/2" wide, but is very thin. It is a clear/see thru yellow so I can tell when it gets low. It has a flame adjuster too... i think it was $1.99....I've used it for a million things works great. Anytime I see one I buy it, never can have too many...LOL
Also, for hikiing I have those wind matches with the big heads on them in a water proof container.”

“I use the mini Bic lighters.
I keep one in my pocket while hiking.”

“mini bic!

small compact, long lasting.

Keep a spare in my first aid kit.”

“somebody got me a fancy windproof, refillable butane thing for Christmas. It was large and bulky. I returned it along with some other stuff in exchange for some North Face pants.”

“i used to think that mini-bics kicked ass.
then i got an expensive windmill.
it worked pretty well.
then i lost it.
now i use mini-bics again.
they still kick ass.”

“I use to carry a mini Zippo. I could burn white gas in it. Unfortunately I lost it, so now I bring a mini bic.”

“gosh, talk about a consesus”

“"mini bic!

small compact, long lasting.

Keep a spare in my first aid kit."
Roam Around


ditto”

“Roam- report to this thread...”

“I too have lusted after flame-throwing gadgets and have owned most all of them over the years. I'm currently lusting after this bad-ass here, though I don't really need it, LOL

In the bad old days the best thing was a Zippo, refilled with the same white gas I used in the WhisperLight. They put up with lots of wind (just don't get any part of your anatomy downwind of it).

If it got wet.... it'd dry out in a little while, <G>

Nowadays in my new incarnation as a nonsmoker, I carry a couple of disposables (rectangular, like the 'Cricket') which fit in a plastic housing that has a push up wind guard, like a chimney.

I found a photo of them here on the 'Net once, but I'm not having much luck retrieving it.... Anyway, I think you can still find them in tobacco/pipe stores. They work pretty well and are cheap, too.”

“I have an extendable lighter from Cabela's (US30$ - ouch) that worked great with my MSR stove, but I dropped in water and now I have to send it back on guarantee. I use the Bic now, but have matches too. A lighter stays in my parka pocket at all times except when I sleep. I store it in my sleeping bag along with my lens fluid and Nalgenes, butane freezes.”

“Despite all the great advice about tried & true, I'm still feeling lusty for a pyro-techno flame thrower. My wife got me a bright orange clunker at Gander Mountain for Christmas; she's agreed to contribute toward a replacement/upgrade. I would still plan to bring the multiple trusty Cricket/Bic backups distributed strategically throughout my pack...with the stove, first aid kit, etc.

I'm assuming everybody else tears out the child proofing on those disposables for easier starts!?”

“*Rip*”

“I keep a bic on me and one in a sealed plastic bag in my pack along with a pack of waterproof matches.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Solo Candle Lighter has a retractable nozzle, is refillable, and dependable. About $12-$15.

Presenting:

”

“Creek Dancer had one, then I bought one too. I would not be without it!

Lights campfires, cookstoves, lanterns, candles, and whatever else needs torching!

Does not work well in very cold weather though, since it uses butane. But you can put it in an inside pocket to warm up.”

“O man, I hate those things. That's the first thing I do when I get home with new disposables. I rip open the blister pack and tear into those child-proof tabs with the needlenose pliers!”

“The solos are not disposable. They are refillable, but they recommend using a premium butane/propane refill cartridge. I've been using Ronson, which they do not recommend, but it seems to work okay.”

“Now it's just a matter of time until some gearhead genius tells me he uses flints and wouldn't be caught dead with a butane lighter, or that I should not throw it in the fire.”

“Geo, you really shouldn't dispose of those things in the fire, unless you really want your last words to be "Somebody hold my beer. Hey y'all, watch this!"”

“that is one hot little lighter, Geo!”

“lol, bit”

“I have a butane torch I use to light my cigars with, but I've always refilled it with the cheap stuff you're supposed to use in a butane brazing torch, lol...still works.”

“I like the transparent plastic ones best. You always know how much fluid is left in it.”

“those babies are so cute!!”

“Geo: I use flints and wouldn't be caught dead with a butane lighter.

Oh, and don't throw any lighter in a fire.

;-)”

“The Solos have a clear plastic tank that is visible, so you can tell when they need refilling. They also sell a clear plastic job as well.”

“Techntrek, ya ate one too many bad crabs. Barf it out and you'll be fine.”

“I drove my nephews crazy the last time driving to a trailhead.
I had forgotten my mini bic and I just HAD to have one. We must have stopped at three different stores before I found some. ;-)”

“But the leason learned by your Nephews was a good one!
DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR MINI BIC!”

“They were getting a little mad at me because each store had the full size bics, but I wouldn't buy the full size. Not ultralite. ;-)”

“Yup, I have the Solo and it's guaranteed for life. Now I just have to get around to mailing it.”

“I use a cheap style Colibri. A $0.99 disposable fits inside a larger lighter. Very windproof! I got it at a smoke shop a couple of years back.”

“There's a link on that page that tells you how to get service, gremlin.”

“If only it would fit in my pack, BP.”

“I was thinking of that bit, but it's not exactly ultralite. Of course, the M1A1 Abrams tank comes equipped with one.”

“And with the M1A1, nobody screws with ya! Except maybe A10 Warthogs.”

“So then they truly learned
"Ounces = Pounds" theory...
I love your dedication to the ultralite :-)”

“Hmmm....Warthog v. Abrams....hmmmm....”

“I saw Warthogs in action in a live fire exercise I was covering once, and they are mean mofos! Anybody on the other end would be nothing but hamburger when they're done!”

“Yah, they are pretty much a "tank-opener". But the Abrams is pretty tough. I wonder how it would fare...”