Best Fire Starters for Bug Out Bags (Top 10)

Fire provides warmth, water purification, cooking, signaling, and psychological comfort. In a survival situation, the ability to reliably start fire can be life-saving. Your bug out bag should contain multiple ways to make fire.

Here are our top picks and the fire-starting strategy we recommend.

The Fire-Starting Rule of Three

Carry three different methods to start fire:

1. Primary: Bic lighter (easiest, fastest)
2. Secondary: Ferro rod (works wet, infinite shelf life)
3. Tertiary: Stormproof matches or backup lighter

This redundancy ensures you can make fire even if one or two methods fail.

Quick Picks

Category	Best Pick	Why
Lighter	Bic + Exotac fireSLEEVE	Reliable, waterproof protection
Ferro Rod	Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel	Proven, long-lasting
Matches	UCO Stormproof	Truly waterproof, burn in wind
Tinder	Wetfire Cubes	Works when wet, easy to use
Complete Kit	Überleben Zünden	All-in-one quality option

Detailed Reviews

Best Lighter Setup: Bic + Exotac fireSLEEVE

A standard Bic lighter is the easiest, fastest fire starter available—but it can fail when wet or empty. The Exotac fireSLEEVE transforms it into proper survival gear.

Why this combo wins:

• Bic lighters are incredibly reliable
• fireSLEEVE makes it waterproof
• O-ring sealed for submersion
• Adds grip and durability
• Lanyard attachment for security

The setup: Bic lighter ($2) + fireSLEEVE ($12) = $14 for a near-foolproof fire solution.

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Best Ferro Rod: Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel 2.0

When lighters fail (wet, empty, broken), a ferro rod ignites regardless of conditions. It requires practice but offers virtually unlimited shelf life.

Why we like it:

• Works when soaking wet
• 12,000+ strikes (lasts years)
• 3,000°F spark temperature
• No fuel to leak or evaporate
• Works at any altitude

Considerations:

• Requires dry tinder to catch sparks
• Takes practice to master
• Slower than a lighter
• Need to scrape off black coating initially

Best for: Backup fire starting, wet conditions, long-term preparedness

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Best Stormproof Matches: UCO Stormproof

When conditions are truly terrible—wind, rain, cold—UCO Stormproof matches burn reliably.

Why we like it:

• Burn up to 15 seconds
• Work in wind and rain
• Can relight after being submerged
• Come in waterproof container
• Great backup option

Considerations:

• Limited quantity (25-50 per container)
• One-time use per match
• Bulkier than other options

Best for: Severe weather backup, signaling, getting tinder lit in bad conditions

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Best Tinder: Wetfire Cubes

Your fire starter is only as good as your tinder. Wetfire cubes ignite even when wet and burn long enough to get kindling going.

Why we like it:

• Lights when wet
• Burns 3+ minutes
• Non-toxic, odorless
• Easy to ignite with spark or flame
• Long shelf life

Alternatives: Cotton balls with petroleum jelly (DIY, effective), fatwood sticks (natural, reliable), dryer lint in film canister (free, works great).

Fire Starting Kits

Kit Contents	Weight	Cost	Best For
2 Bics + 1 ferro rod + tinder	~4 oz	~$25	Most BOBs
1 Bic + ferro + matches + tinder	~5 oz	~$35	Maximum redundancy
Premium kit (Überleben, etc.)	~3 oz	~$50+	Quality-focused

Our Recommended Kit

For most bug out bags:

1. Bic lighter in Exotac fireSLEEVE (primary)
2. Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel (backup)
3. Wetfire cubes or cotton balls w/ petroleum jelly (tinder)
4. Small amount of fatwood (kindling)

Total weight: ~4-5 oz Total cost: ~$30-40

This kit gives you fire-starting capability in virtually any conditions with enough redundancy to handle failures.

Ferro Rod vs. Lighter: Which Is Better?

Factor	Bic Lighter	Ferro Rod
Ease of use	Easiest	Requires practice
Speed	Instant	30 sec - several min
Wet conditions	Can fail	Works great
Cold conditions	Harder to light	Works well
Fuel dependency	Limited fuel	Unlimited
Shelf life	5-10 years	Indefinite
Best role	Primary	Backup

Verdict: Carry both. Use the lighter when it works, fall back to ferro rod when it doesn’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Bic lighter last?

A standard Bic provides about 3,000 lights and can last years in storage. Even half-full lighters found in junk drawers work fine. They're cheap—carry two.

Do I really need a ferro rod if I have a lighter?

Yes. Lighters can fail (wet, empty, cracked) and you need backup. A ferro rod weighs an ounce and works indefinitely. It's cheap insurance.

What's the best way to learn ferro rod technique?

Practice in your backyard. Scrape off the black coating, hold the rod near tinder, and scrape toward (not away from) the tinder. YouTube has excellent tutorials.

Can I start a fire with a battery and steel wool?

Yes, but this is a last-resort technique. It requires specific materials and is harder than using proper fire starters. Stick with the basics.

Should I include a magnifying glass?

Only if you have space. Magnifying glasses work but require bright sunlight—exactly when you're least likely to need fire urgently. Nice to have, not essential.

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Related:

• Bug Out Bag: Complete Guide
• Ferro Rod vs. Lighter: Which Fire Starter to Pack?
• Fire Starting Basics for Beginners