UCO  Stormproof Match Kit

I've been looking for a GOOD match box for a while and I think I found it. This is a heavy duty container with a REAL o-ring seal. Heck, even the cardboard packaging is over-engineered. The three Coghlan's Plastic Matchboxes (thin plastic with flat washer for a seal) I have are now going to be used for other storage. The matches are similar to the REI Stormproof Matches which can be used as a refill for this product. The extra strikers inside are sealed in plastic and the striker on the side is very secure yet easy to swap out if needed. The only drawback is the lack of a ring or hole for a lanyard. It would be handy to have a secure attachment point.

The striking surface is flimsy and not very rough. After an overnighter, lighting about 4 matches the surface is torn up. Also the matches could be a little stronger. The combo of a poor striking surface, weak matches, and a foggy morning resulted in a couple of matches broken during lighting. But I don't think there are any other strong alternatives for storm proof matches. Maybe just buy the matches only and come up with your own case and striker.

Tested under water for 20 minutes. Top was on tight. Several very small droplets inside. Cotton in top was wet. Side striker peeled away when damp, not useful for striking. Container was not jostled or struck. Tested 3 matches under water for 20 minutes. Dried for 5 minutes - would not ignite on dry strike surface. Dried for 20 minutes - soft head partially came off when striking, and would not ignite. After drying 40 minutes at 75 degrees, head too soft to strike. This performance is much worse than expected, when compared with Coghlan's red compound windproof and waterproof matches, and Coghlan's green tip waterproof matches (both made in Australia). Both of those ignited immediately under the same conditions.

I took this item with me for some military training. The contents were packed in a water proof bag, but I was in 2800 ft altitude in the dead of winter. When I went to strike my first match, the strike pad tore. I tried using the spare, but it only lasted till the next day or two. I was out there for a good chunk of time. The matches stayed dry which if they hadn't, well lets just say the case works. I recommend bringing an extra piece of strike pad that can be kept with the matches. The strike pad should be moved to the inside. My suggestion, under the cap would be a good spot. It also needs more durable and coarse striker pads. Bottom line... If you cannot strike it, then your extended burn matches are useless. I would recommend if the striker pads were improved.

Needed the matches at Camp Muir this weekend during a storm. Lighter failed so I got out the "stormproof" matches. The striker disintegrated and it took several matches to get one to light. I could only get 2 to light in a new kit. These matches might look pretty in a review that shows them sitting on a counter at home or a person that says the case is strong, but how about when you need them! 5 stars because TSA took them, Reallt Tal Gary 5 stars? Did you ever use them? Doug from TN, "The only drawback is the lack of a ring or hole for a lanyard." Really, I think the only drawback is that they don't work in REAL situations! Seriously people, give reviews about the product in use, not when you are sitting in front of your TV "planning" a trip. If I didn't have a backup flint I would have had no water.

Although this was deep in multiple containers, inside my pack, inside a pack travel bag, TSA found and seized this. The note they left me reminded me that matches are not allowed in checked baggage; some types and quantities of matches can be carried on. I will be seeing if they allow this product as a carry-on soon.

I recommend these matches with some reservations. Do not let these be the only fire starters you have. They don't always work well. The first issue I have with these matches is with the striker pad. Keep the striker pad shielded from water. Once its wet it is useless forever. Even after it dries it no longer works. Also the striker pad wears down extremely fast. Good thing the match kit comes with two striker pads. I doubt that two would last the whole container of matches. Secondly I have problems with the matches themselves. They are weak often breaking when striking. Not all of them broke, but many did. I also didn't have one match that came close to a 15 second burn time. Now this could have been a bad lot though I'm unsure. A few others in survival training exercises had the same issues I had. Several did not. The matches rarely work if wet before striking them, however they do relight on their own if dipped in water and directly pulled out if a flame is present before dipping. Just don't leave it in there for long, immediately pull it out or the match will be permanently done. So I'd say if the proper precautions are taken these matches will work just fine. Keep them shielded from water, strike lightly, and pray you got a good lot. Most of all, don't let them be the only source of fire starting you have with you.

Wanted to get a nice container to store my matches in as I was in the outdoors. This little Tardis comes with 25-lion head matches but if you flip half of them upside down you can store additional striker material as well as 19-strike anywhere matches. (Very useful if your box gets wet)Takes up very little room, Weighs almost nothing. Even testing it by holding it under water in the sink everything inside stayed dry. A must for any hiking situation or terrain. (Except maybe a refinery...)

I have used this product a few times and it does a great job of starting fires. As with all matches I still keep this in a small plastic bag just in case of any accidental dampening of the striker pad. (Even though it has extra pads.) It does burn hot and longer than other matches that I've used.

I tested these in the worst wet and cold PNW Cascades backpacking conditions. The pack was brand new for the season, but in those wet conditions we only got a few matches to light, most of them broke when striking, and we never actually got a campfire going. That said, we brought no dry tinder so some of it was probably poor planning, not just the matches fault. I never had a chance to try them in other weather conditions, so they may work well for you in your situation.