hand warmers

[Little Rickie]

Has anyone ever used one of these?

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___23225

What are the pros or cons on it?

I like the idea in place of all those little disposable chemical heats. These use a little charcoal stick.

 

[WinterWarlock]

I'm sure it would feel good and warm if the charcoal fell out of the packaging...

 

[adktyler]

I've used something similar: http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Catalyst-Flameless-Hand-Warmer/dp/B000CGG5EC

It is liquid fuel, though, not sold fuel. It works very well as long as there's fuel in it (duh!), but it's a pain to have to bring extra fuel if you're traveling on a longer trip. The one I used had a little felt case to carry it in, and became very, very warm (warmer than the chemical warmers). As I recall, though, there were a few times where it couldn't bit lit, for whatever reason. Then it's a real bummer carrying a heavy piece of cold metal around with you.

 

[MikeM]

I've used one of these before. They do provide nice heat. The down side is that they also give off an odor of burning charcoal. It will make your coat smell. I used it often while ice fishing and would keep it in my coat pocket. It was an old beat up winter coat that I didn't care about getting dirty or smelly. I would not carry this in my pack or any of my hiking shells. Mike

 

[J.P.]

I have one and have used it. The pluses as compared to the single use heaters is that it is cheaper and is re-usable. The minuses are that it is heavier (4 oz vs. a fraction of an oz) and bulkier. I haven't noticed any smell. Obviously it wouldn't work as a toe warmer.

 

[Little Rickie]

I like the reusable thing. It seems hard to light and I have to light both ends to get it warm enough. Is this typical?

I've only tried it 1x so far.

The liquid fuel one's look interesting.

 

[J.P.]

Are you lighting it with the fuel stick in the case? I hold one end of the fuel stick and light the other end, then put the fuel stick in the case.

 

[Stoney]

I've used the liquid fuel type in the past and it worked pretty good. The only problem is it will leak a small amount of fuel if you over fill it. Sort of like a Zippo lighter. I have never used it while hiking though. Only during ice fishing or watching a high school football game where I'm mostly standing still.

 

[paul ron]

Those hand warmers stink... I mean really smell bad. They give off a burning chemical odor n will stink up your clothes. I prefer the old fashion Ronson fuel style hand warmers.