Today I’ve got something really special to share…
A Complete Guide On Getting (& Using) A Hand Warmer
Because keeping your fingers warm is important.
- Sometimes it’s so you can perform at your best.
- Other times, it’s to save a digit from frostbite!
Frostbite is NOT something you EVER want to experience.
So to keep your fingers safe, invest in a quality warmer.
TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE… ↓(click to jump)
- Best Hand Warmers Today
- What Is A Hand Warmer Anyway?
- Best Reasons To Invest In One
- 5 Different Types of Warmers
- Are They Dangerous? Or Safe?
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Rechargeable Warmers
What's one item that's often buried deep down at the bottom of most survival caches? A set of disposable hand and foot warmers.
At about $1 each, they’re easy to pick up, but they’re not all that reliable.
If you’re lucky, their airtight wrappers are still sealed and haven’t gone bad. But you’ve got no way to know without trying them.
The team at Survival Frog got tired of the uncertainty and developed a reusable warmer. One that provides heat and can be quickly recharged anywhere you have power.
With three heat settings and a quick warm-up time, it’s easy to pick the level you need. No disposable warmer can do that!
These devices have come a long way and are a HOT survival gadget to take camping!
↓ Hand Warmer And USB Charger
OCOOPA has come out with another excellent device.
This new model boasts increased battery life with up to 15 hours of continuous heat!
It includes a nice travel case and USB cable, making it easy to take on all your adventures.
It's the perfect cold-weather companion during a walk, hike, outdoor sporting event, or hunting and fishing.
This rechargeable warmer is bulkier than its competitors; a few users have noted this concern.
PROS
- Silicone on the corners for anti-drop protection
- 3-level heat control
- Charge your phone or tablet with ease
CONS
- It takes 6-8 hours to recharge
- Heat consistency can vary a bit
↓ Ocoopa Rechargeable Warmer
Fuel Based Warmers
Zippo is one of the best reusable fuel-based warmers.
It has a flameless, butane-powered warmer that lasts over 12 hours.
It's made of metal, so it will last and is thin enough to slide into a tactical glove.
Refilling it is easy and will keep you warm on long hikes and extended hunting trips.
Some users have found it hard to ignite.
PROS
- Smoldering heat without an open flame
- Sleek design that fits anywhere
- Low odor for hunting
- Great uses include winter sports (i.e., skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing)
CONS
- It must periodically be refilled.
- Once it is engaged, you can't turn it off. It has to burn up all the fuel
↓ Zippo Warmer Review
Chemical Warmers
If you are not in the market for a reusable one, your best bet is chemical.
Here are a few packs to give you quick warmth without recharging hassles.
Hothands are an affordable warming product that's available online.
They are perfect for the occasional trekker that doesn't venture too often.
You can slip them into your gloves, boots, or anywhere else you have a chill.
PROS
- 5-10 hours of heat/run time
- 112 degrees Fahrenheit average temp
- Lightweight and easy to use
CONS
- Only one-time use
↓ Hot Hands Review
This product is unique because you CAN reuse it without fuel.
There is an internal activation that you click to start the heating process.
While it doesn't hold heat for long, you shouldn't throw it away.
All you have to do to recharge the HotSnapz is put it in boiling water for 15 minutes, and it's ready to go again.
PROS
- Multiple sizes with up to 2 hours of heat time
- 130 degrees Fahrenheit maximum
- Quickly heats up and quickly recharges
CONS
- Not an all-day warming device
↓ Reuseable Heat Pads Review
Most chemical warmers are similar, but Grabber wins the heat race.
They are designed for a shorter burst of high heat and will keep you toasty for 2-3 hours before scaling back.
PROS
- 7-hour heat/run time with a shorter, hotter window
- 135 degrees Fahrenheit averaged, 180 degrees Fahrenheit maximum
- One of the hottest on the market
CONS
- Intense heat only lasts a few hours
Football Warmers
This Suddora hand warmer is a soft fleece-lined pouch that keeps your hands toasty during winter practices, cold game days, or any outdoor adventure.
It's ideal for wearing on the field with angled entry cuffs so you can put them in your hands more naturally.
There is a breakaway, adjustable strap, and belt that stays in place when needed.
Reviews are outstanding for this product, but it does not come in a youth size.
Users say it outperforms Nike and Under Armour.
It also works great for outdoor adventures when you frequently use your hands.
You can slip them in and out quickly.
PROS
- Lightweight polyester/nylon blend for comfort
- Waterproof for those wet, snowy days
- Extra zipped pocket area for additional heat packs. You can store small on-field equipment like mouthguards.
CONS
- It only comes in non-youth sizes, and some users have said the hand openings are a bit small
Nike is known for its quality athletic products.
And this one is no different.
They use hyper-warm technology to insulate your hands and keep them warm.
The design includes a weather-resistant shell and internal pockets for storage.
An adjustable quick-release belt holds the warmer in place, so you access the warmer fast and with ease.
It also includes an embroidered Nike Swoosh logo.
PROS
- Comes in youth and adult sizes:15.5 in x 5.9 in; 39.5 cm x 5.9 cm
- Non-restrictive knit cuffs for a snug fit
- Additional internal heat pack storage
- Polyester/nylon blend
CONS
- The inside material is a little rough on the hands
What Exactly Is A Hand Warmer?
They’re portable packets (or devices) that produce heat.
They’ve existed for over 100 years.
With the first patent filed in 1891.
There are disposable ones that come as a warmer pouch.
These combine chemicals to react with oxygen to produce heat (about 30 minutes).
They’re adequate for the short term only.
Electric and fuel warmers provide longer-lasting, steady heat.
And not just once; you can refill or recharge them.
As many times as you’d like.
The goal is to keep your hand and fingers warm, but they don’t just end at that.
These devices can help raise your core body temp wherever you stash them.
For example:
Place one under your armpits to keep your core temperature up.
Or put one on your toes to prevent frostbite.
That’s why a portable warmer makes our ‘must-own’ survival gear list.
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4 Reasons To Own A One
- Perhaps you’re a survival gear enthusiast, and you’re building a bug out bag or get home bag – just in case.
- Or maybe you’re an outdoorsman who spends lots of time in the wilderness – waiting in the bush for wild game to show up.
- Or perhaps you work in an “ice-box-of-an-office,” and your colleagues are cold-hearted SOBs.
- Maybe you’re a musician who needs to keep your fingers warm and nimble before playing guitar or piano.
- Or maybe you have a medical condition that causes you perpetually deal with cold fingers…
So lets deep dive into a few of these situations…
1. Better Hunting | Accuracy
When it’s hunting season, you want the best gear.
- And during the “off’ season, you scout out locations.
- And maintain and clean your rifle or crossbow.
- You read magazines about the type of game you are into.
- You spend serious money on camo, ammo.
- And stock a lunch cooler with food and snacks to last for the duration.
But hunting is a waiting game.
And you must be comfortable in the bush.
It’s a cold-weather sport, and fingers are the first to feel it.
When an animal crosses your path, you need warm fingers to pull the trigger accurately.
BEFORE you miss your opportunity.
So keeping your fingers warm and nimble can make the difference between a successful shot and a cold miss.
2. Prevent Frostbite
Spending time in the wilderness is an incredible thing.
You can spend an afternoon or days exploring nature.
And while it’s often sunny and hot during the day, it can quickly turn to sub-zero temps overnight.
Fingers and toes are the most susceptible body parts to frostbite.
That’s why you must be ready if caught in sub-zero temperatures.
Having an electric hand warmer can keep your digits toasty.
3. Reduce Muscle and Joint Pain
Minor injuries can happen to the best of us.
It’s easy to overdo it when camping or hiking.
Trips and falls may only slow you down, but the pain can show up later when you relax.
Your portable pocket warmer can soothe those aching muscles and joints.
Just place it on the spot that hurts to bring warmth and healing to your aches and pains.
4. Life-Saving Device From Accidents
There may come a time when you are stuck outside because of an accident.
Perhaps your truck slides off the road, or you get injured in the bush.
In either scenario, it could take hours for help to arrive.
Make sure you always carry a battery-powered warmer with you every time you go for a hike.
Having one in your vehicle’s glove box for emergencies is also WISE.
Add one to each of your car’s winter emergency kits.
That way, if you get yourself in a dire situation, you can quickly access warmth (without relying on a fire).
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You can choose from several.
Here are the 5 main types:
1. Electric / Battery
Battery-powered hand chargers run on, well, batteries.
They convert energy into heat and are a relatively simple design.
These are usually rechargeable by plugging the battery warmer into an electrical outlet or using a USB on some models.
Electric hand warmers produce consistent heat, with some models having different maximum temperature modes.
They are cost-effective but don’t always have super long battery life.
This upside is that there is no fuel to buy and nothing to throw away.
These warmers can also be a spare battery for charging your phone in a pinch.
I ALWAYS prefer survival gear that can perform more than one task.
These dual-use items help keep your pack weight down and help justify your purchase.
That’s why the electric battery is my favorite of all the options.
2. Fuel Based
These use lighter fuel to produce heat.
While it’s technically considered “flame-free,” there is combustion occurring.
Models like the Zippo warmer have a reservoir to hold the lighter fluid.
Once filled, a catalytic burner unit connects on top.
This setup will draw the fuel into it and create combustion without a flame.
They come with protective cases to house the entire unit safely.
Remember that you have to refill it for each use, and it requires a lighting source like a match.
You can’t turn it off; it will produce heat until all the fuel is used up.
Note of Caution:
Fuel produces carbon monoxide.
But as long as you are in a well-ventilated area, it will not be a health issue.
3. Chemical
This type is probably the one you first used.
It’s a simple-to-use, affordable solution.
There are two types:
1. Air Activation
These are long-lasting chemical warmers.
They activate when you expose them to oxygen by opening the package.
A chemical reaction produces heat – oxidizing iron into rust.
Once these air-activated warmers stop heating, you throw them away.
2. Crystallize Solution
This warmer type produces heat via crystallizing a supersaturated sodium acetate solution or calcium nitrate in water.
They only last between 20 minutes to 2 hours but can be recharged by reheating in boiling water.
4. Football
When playing football, extreme weather is a fact of life.
That’s why quarterbacks and receivers often wear them.
It can be the difference between a complete or incomplete pass.
But there’s NO penalty for using a football hand warmer outside the stadium.
Just strap it around your waist wherever your outdoor activities take you.
Now you have a portable fleece-lined pouch to keep your hands toasty warm.
I like to think of it as a super warm hoodie pouch you can add to any attire.
5. Charcoal Pocket BBQ
They call these pocket BBQs because you are burning charcoal for heat.
It consists of a rod of charcoal and a metal case to distribute the heat.
Once you strike the end of the charcoal, it starts to burn.
You then put the smoldering stick in the metal unit, which is safe to place in your pocket for warmth.
It’s a dirty, wasteful way to produce heat, but it does work.
Note On Strategic Gear Combinations
There are no rules against using a combination of these options.
For example:
You could pair a battery warmer with a football warmer.
That way, whenever you put your hands back into a fleece-lined pouch, it would be extra warm with an electric warmer.
Another gear combination we recommend for survival is having a Tact Bivvy and an Electric Pocket Warmer.
The Tact Bivvy is a simple, lightweight sleeping bag made from mylar.
Mylar is a non-breathable material that will trap heat – not allowing it to escape.
So in an emergency, if you have a TACT Bivvy, hop inside, then turn your warmer on.
This will keep your entire body warm even in a cold-weather emergency.
Add these two devices to a glove box for the ultimate blizzard survival setup.
Or perhaps you keep some chemical warmers in your pack as a backup or for emergencies.
And a battery one to your every day gear for convenience and comfort.
The point is this:
There is no reason why anyone needs to suffer cold hands.
These devices provide smart solutions to warm your fingers, toes, or body in ANY environment.
Want a free 54 item survival gear checklist?
Enter your email below to instantly download this Complete Checklist PDF. No purchase necessary. 👇 👇Are These Devices Safe To Use?
All manufacturers undergo rigorous safety testing before being allowed to sell.
So safety comes down to operator usage.
If you follow the safety guidelines and you’ll have no problems.
So ensure you never take them apart unless you know what you are doing.
We all know we should never tamper with chemical devices.
And all combustible ones produce carbon monoxide.
So only use these in open spaces with plenty of fresh air.
Final Thoughts
That’s our comprehensive list of the best hand warmers on the market today.
Now you can make a wise choice for your needs.
A device you can use to keep your fingers nimble.
Or keep them from getting frostbite after a blast of cold winter chill.
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