A well-equipped bag of gear is a necessity when you’re camping or hiking, and one of the essentials of your pack is a fire starter. However, finding a suitable fire starter that works in all weather conditions isn’t as easy as you might think.
To help you decide on the best fire starter for your pack, we’ve compiled a list of what to look for.
Things To Consider When Buying a Fire Starter
Before you set out to find a fire starter, take a few moments to consider the aspects that make a good one.
It’s not just about the spark ignition — you also need a durable solution that’s compact enough to fit into a backpack and powerful enough to start a fire even when it’s snowing. We’ve gathered the most important factors to look for and listed them below to make it easier for you.
Spark Time
To start a fire, you need a quality striker and base starter material that produces enough sparks to light in even the harshest weather conditions. It’s important to have a longer spark-burning time so you can easily start the fire with a lasting blaze.
Because of this, you should take note of the quality of the spark striker and base material to achieve the best results.
Starter Size
All you need to start a fire is a good spark, and that doesn’t require a large fire starter. Compact fire starter packs come in sizes measuring 3 to 10 inches, and you don’t need anything more than that. Especially when you are transporting your gear in your pack, your fire starter should be as small as possible.
Striker Type
It would be useful to find a fire starter with a steel striker included, as these strikers can be used repeatedly. A lasting striker along with your Ferro rod will ensure that you get the most out of your kit.
Handle and Rod Material
To start a fire with precision and ease, your starter rod will need a handle with a sturdy holding point, and wooden handles are often the best way to go. With proper support and the help of a handle, you can make one swift move with the striker to light the fire in a matter of seconds.
Hot Tip: As for the starter rod, look for magnesium and Ferro rods for high durability and excellent ignition.
The 10 Best Fire Starters
Now that we’ve addressed the main points of consideration, it’s time to jump straight into some of the best options for a fire starter. Regardless of the circ*mstances, you can rely on these options to start a campfire for preparing outside meals and keeping warm.
1. Lightweight Pocket-size Fire Starter
BEST OVERALL: SE 2-in-1 All-Weather Magnesium Firestarter Kit - FS374
This magnesium starter weighs less than a pound, but it's durable. It won't snap or fall apart, even with repeated use, in nearly any water or weather conditions while camping.
HTS 222B0 Magnesium Block Fire Starter with Flint & Striker
One of the best compact solutions is HTS’sMagnesium Block Fire Starter, which easily fits into the palm of your hand. However, the size is not even the greatest advantage of this fire starter when compared to others.
It’s also completely waterproof, so you can light a fire in even the harshest weather conditions. Most importantly, the 3-inch-long magnesium starter with flint enables easy fire starting regardless of your holding technique.
It also comes with an attached single-sided striker, so you won’t have to bother looking for an additional one. The chain connecting the striker and magnesium bar can be detached, but it’s best to keep it at hand in its original form.
What We Like:
- Pocket-size fire starter
What We Don’t Like:
- The chain is detachable, which could lead to misplacing the striker
2. Drilled-flint Ferro Rod Fire Starter
UPGRADE PICK: Bayite 4 Inch Survival Ferrocerium Drilled Flint Fire Starter
This fire starter is easy to pack and will help guarantee you can set up camp wherever you are. You don't need starter fluid --- just find some dry wood and you're ready to go.
Bayite 4 Inch Survival Ferrocerium Fire Starter
If you want a versatile fire starter for all weather conditions, Bayite’s Ferro rod starter is the best option. It allows you to ignite sparks at 5,500°F to start a fire even when it’s raining or snowing. It includes a paracord and allows you to get a sturdy grip on the handle.
At the end of the paracord, you will find an attached tool-grade steel striker that maximizes sparking action. The high-grade steel provides a much better alternative to any knife you might otherwise use. The length of the rod is 4 inches, and the packed paracord and starter all fit into the small-size packaging suitable for backpack storage.
What We Like:
- Highly-effective Ferro rod
What We Don’t Like:
- The handle material isn’t of the same quality as the rod
Hot Tip: Never be unprepared! Check out our top hiking essentialsandcamping essentials to bring on your next trip.
3. Compact, Wooden-handle Fire Starter
2,378 Reviews
Texas Bushcraft Fire Starter Kit
Not even rain will keep you from setting a fire if you have this fire starter. It's waterproof, so as long as your spark is able to hold, you're in luck.
Texas Bushcraft Fire Starter Kit
If you are looking for a professional fire starter rod made of premium-quality materials, you might like the Texas Bushcraft’s fire starter kit. It’s a great option thanks to the magnesium rod and the sturdy grip provided by the high-quality wood handle.
Moreover, the whole package is filled with quality features like the durable jumbo tinder rope and stainless-steel striker. In combination with the 5,500°F combustion and spark production, this rod gives you great value for such a small package.
You can easily use a piece of the waterproof tinder starter rope to ignite a fire, even in extremely bad weather conditions.
What We Like:
- High-quality wooden handle
What We Don’t Like:
- The connection between the rod and the striker could be torn
4. Complete Survival Fire Starter Kit
This fire starter is a great survival tool. It not only comes with what you need to start a campfire, but it also has an emergency whistle that might come in handy.
Extremus 6-in-1 Magnesium Fire Starter
For a complete survival kit with a compass and an emergency whistle, the Extremus fire starter kit is one of the best options for camping and hiking. It has a magnesium rod that can be used for thousands of strikes and many outdoor adventures.
It’s a lightweight kit with a reinforced rubber handle and a lanyard connecting the steel striker and the rod. The striker is uniquely designed in the form of a knife-like blade, and it only takes the slightest contact between it and the rod to make an intense spark.
What We Like:
- Great for all weather conditions
What We Don’t Like:
- The handle could be designed with higher quality material
5. 3-Pack Fire Starter Kit
DISCOUNT: 11%
Zerosun Magnesium Fire Starter Kit
You'll always be prepared with this fire starter kit. It comes with 3 separate starters, so you can share them for group camping trips, or you can have one in your gear, your car, and in your home.
Zerosun Magnesium Fire Starter Kit
Getting 3 fire starter blocks instead of just 1 bar or rod is a great deal for long-term spark ignition. Even better, just 1 block from Zerosun’s set will last for thousands of sparks.
The striking tool can even be used as a bottle opener and mini ruler, and the magnesium block combined with the sharp metal striker provides much easier combustion than a lighter. It’s also waterproof and includes a chain that connects the striker and the rod for user convenience.
The size of a single block is just 3 inches in length, making it nice and compact for storing in your pack.
What We Like:
- 3 high-quality magnesium bars
What We Don’t Like:
- The striker blade could be thicker
6. Great for Use in an Emergency
DISCOUNT: 13%
This fire starter is small but powerful. Thanks to the company's transparency in where it sources material, you don't have to worry about the material used to make this tool.
Fire-Fast Trekker Emergency Waterproof Survival Fire Starter
This emergency fire starter is made out of the highest-quality Ferro rod from Austrian ferrocerium, making it one of the finest rods out there. It is made of more than 75% rare earth metal, along with a blend of iron, magnesium, and anti-corrosives.
The military-grade rod is suitable for the harshest of conditions and enables you to easily light a fire, even on a wet surface. The hardwood handle provides a secure grip and can be scraped for tinder in emergency situations.
The metal striker is on the small side, which could be the only downside, but it’s effective and easy to use, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
What We Like:
- Hand-crafted, premium fire starter rod
What We Don’t Like:
- Metal striker is a bit small
7. Emergency Rod With Paracord Neck Lanyard
Made of thick steel, this fire starter won't wear down for years. You could use it every day without ever having any trouble getting a spark to light and grow.
Uberleben Leicht Fire Starter Necklace Ferro Rod
With its small size and inconspicuous design, this fire-starter-Ferro-rod combo can be worn around your neck and used in all weather conditions. It sparks at 5,500°F and provides up to 12,000 strikes, yet it weighs less than an ounce.
The paracord lanyard keeps the striker at your disposal at all times for convenient use. The striker is designed with a sharp edge to ensure easy fire ignition, and the necklace as a whole boasts a unique, attractive design.
What We Like:
- Unique fire starter necklace
What We Don’t Like:
- The sharpened striker edge requires sensitive use
8. Portable and Lightweight
This fire starter is designed to last 20,000 strikes before it needs to be replaced. Once you get the hang of using it, that number means you'll use it for years.
WOLF GRIZZLY Store Fire Set Survival Camp Fire Starter
If you are looking for an old-school option that resembles a classic wooden-rod fire starter, this is the one. Wolf Grizzly’s fire starter pack comes with 2 steel-made rods for the highest durability and functionality.
The striker cradles the rod to make it easier for fire-starting and for packing. With a compact design that weighs just a bit over 2 ounces, you can carry this rod anywhere. To start a fire with it, all you have to do is scratch the protective paint off the rod, press the edge of the striker against the Ferro rod, and strike to combust.
What We Like:
- The 100% ferrocerium rod
What We Don’t Like:
- It might take a few strikes once the paint is scratched off
9. A Great Option in Survival Situations
282 Reviews
Centaur Ridge Fire Starter Survival Tool
You get 2 starters with this kit. Each one is made of premium-quality jute and flint. It's also weather and waterproof, so starting a fire at your site will be a breeze.
Centaur Ridge Fire Starter Survival Tool
This complete outdoor fire-starting solution includes a premium Ferro rod, paracord handle, striker, and wax jute in one well-rounded package. The emergency kit is capable of lighting a fire within seconds.
All you have to do is use the steel striker to create a spark with the help of the included waxed rope. With this rope addition, you will be able to start a fire even in rainy and snowy conditions. Best of all, this premium set comes with not 1 but 2 wooden-handled starters.
The premium Ferro blend provides sturdiness and durability, and the 2 multi-tool carbon steel strikers further sweeten the deal.
What We Like:
- Premium Ferro-blend
What We Don’t Like:
- A thin metal striker could be beefed up
10. Magnesium Starter Kit for Camping
Check on Walmart
Jet Emergency Fire Starter Magnesium Kit for Camping
This lightweight camping set comes in an old-school tin that includes 3 separate resealable bags of magnesium shreds along with a Ferro rod and striker. Of course, the tin can also be used for storing other small camping necessities as well.
The durable magnesium rod sparks at 5,600°F for easy fire starting. The set is just 5 inches long and 2 inches wide for the perfect blend of convenience and compact storage.
What We Like:
- Extremely high blazing temperature
What We Don’t Like:
- Comes without a chain connection
Final Thoughts
Any of the fire starters on this list will be more than sufficient for lighting a fire while camping or hiking. Not only are they compact enough to squeeze into your backpack or pocket, but they also offer thousands of sparks produced with a simple striker blow.
Magnesium and Ferro rods will improve the life of your starter pack, and options that have connected rods and strikers are the most convenient choice.
